"RAFFLES" FOR PLAZA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 97, 24 April 1940, Page 14

"RAFFLES" FOR PLAZA.

EXCITING MYSTERYMELODRAMA. Based on the famous E. W. Hornting novel, "The Amateur Cracksman" the Samuel Goldwyn production "Raffles" is to have its first local showing at the Plaza Theatre fin Friday next. High-class, fast-moving entertainment is provided in this film, and moviegoers need have no fears that it will be old-fashioned. In the words of one American critic, "it is as up-to-date as 194(1. as well-groomed as the models in magazine advertisement pages, and as stimulating as the "Raffles' stories always were." Dapper David Xiven makes the gentlemanly thief a wholly credible and handsomely fascinating fellow, mannerly, without over-doing it. Obviously the product of expert workmanship. the film is smoothly put together and there is not a weak performance by anv member of the cast. Petite 01 iviH. Do Havilland is excellent in tlic feminine lead, with fine supporting performances by Da me May \\ hitty, Dudiey Diirjies and Walton.

In the serpen play. Raffles has been baffling Scotia ml Yard for months with his daring crimes. •Inst when lie becomes engaged and decides to withdraw from his secret life of crime, he furnishes a police inspector with a clue which finally leads to the door of the amateur cracksman. Most of the action of "Raffle-" takes place on the country estate of Lady Melrose, an eccentric dowager noted for her bizarre parties and brilliant jewels.

A feature of the film is a cricket match, in which Raffles is the hero. Quantities of cricket paraphernalia were reported to have been sent to America for the sequence, and all members of the English colony in Hollywood who knew anything about the game were mustered to take part in it.

Another outstanding set which was especially constructed for the film shows for the first time on the screen the mysterious passages which represent the famous "Black Chamber" of Scotland Yard. Here are shown replicas of famous pieces of evidence, which were vital in convicting some of England's most notorious criminals.

These are only two of the more spectacular sets, indicative of the lavish backgrounds provided for the whole film, helping to make it enjoyable and impressive entertainment.