Raffles is one of a large group of popular classic films that ended up as the subject of a major cinematic remake. Many--perhaps most of these remakes were produced to take advantage of evolving technological advances, i.e the original version was silent and the remake would be with sound; or the original version was shot in black and white while the remake was filmed in color. Raffles was remade in 1940 for two principal reasons: (1) the original version utilized early primitive sound, which was much improved by 1940; and (2) producer Samuel Goldwyn was anxious to introduce David Niven as the "new" Ronald Colman in 1940, as by then Colman was 49 years old whereas Niven was only 31.
The original Colman version of Raffles had its own special virtues: it was made during the creative pre-Code period, and therefore could present its hero as a rule-bending, rakish and somewhat amoral gentleman---who was not confined by the strictures of film censorship that took so much of the naughty fun out of the romantic comedies of the 1930s. In addition, Raffles served to enhance and burnish Colman's enduring screen image as a sophisticated, debonair and charismatic leading man, who exuded considerable charm and romantic attractiveness. He was entering his period of greatest popularity as a film star, but his most successful and enduring cinematic accomplishments were yet to come.
While Raffles was a major success for Colman, he longed to broaden his range as an actor. As he was approaching the advance of middle age, fate and good luck combined to provide him with several interesting and challenging film roles that combined the romance and charm of his old image with a new maturity and seriousness of purpose. See, e.g. Lost Horizon, A Tale of Two Cities, The Prisoner of Zenda, Random Harvest and A Double Life to name only a few.
As for Raffles, it is an enjoyable entertainment very much of its own time---full of wit, humor, charm and action. The cast supporting Colman was first rate, the direction was deft and the narrative kept all the proceedings moving along at a brisk clip. Raffles deserves its status as an early sound classic. It is an artistic achievement that probably stands above its later remake with David Niven as the Amateur Cracksman. Raffles captures Ronald Colman at his attractive prime as a romantic man of action. Seek it out.
The original Colman version of Raffles had its own special virtues: it was made during the creative pre-Code period, and therefore could present its hero as a rule-bending, rakish and somewhat amoral gentleman---who was not confined by the strictures of film censorship that took so much of the naughty fun out of the romantic comedies of the 1930s. In addition, Raffles served to enhance and burnish Colman's enduring screen image as a sophisticated, debonair and charismatic leading man, who exuded considerable charm and romantic attractiveness. He was entering his period of greatest popularity as a film star, but his most successful and enduring cinematic accomplishments were yet to come.
While Raffles was a major success for Colman, he longed to broaden his range as an actor. As he was approaching the advance of middle age, fate and good luck combined to provide him with several interesting and challenging film roles that combined the romance and charm of his old image with a new maturity and seriousness of purpose. See, e.g. Lost Horizon, A Tale of Two Cities, The Prisoner of Zenda, Random Harvest and A Double Life to name only a few.
As for Raffles, it is an enjoyable entertainment very much of its own time---full of wit, humor, charm and action. The cast supporting Colman was first rate, the direction was deft and the narrative kept all the proceedings moving along at a brisk clip. Raffles deserves its status as an early sound classic. It is an artistic achievement that probably stands above its later remake with David Niven as the Amateur Cracksman. Raffles captures Ronald Colman at his attractive prime as a romantic man of action. Seek it out.