Raffles Double Feature

E.W. Hornung's suave safecracker was memorably adapted for the screen in these Goldwyn entries. Ronald Colman became the talkies' first "Raffles" (1930), as the gentleman bandit's plan to lift a socialite's necklace─and let best friend Bunny (Bramwell Fletcher) collect the reward─may get them both pinched by Scotland Yard. Kay Francis, Alison Skipworth co-star. David Niven got his first lead role in "Raffles" (1939), as the "Amateur Cracksman" is ready to give up the casual crime having reconnected with an old flame (Olivia de Havilland), but for the matter of having to help Bunny (Douglas Walton) cover a gambling debt. Dame May Whitty, Dudley Digges co-star. 144 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.