Themes: Twins and Lookalikes, Assumed Identities, Crowned Heads
Main Cast: Errol Flynn, Claude Rains, Henry Stephenson, Barton MacLane, Billy Mauch
Release Year: 1937
Country: US
Run Time: 118 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
In 1882, Mark Twain published a delightful fairy tale "for young people of all ages"; 45 years later, Warner Bros., inspired by the real-life coronation of Edward VII, created a lavish screen version starring radio favorites Billy and Bobby Mauch in the title roles and Errol Flynn as their dashing savior. As Jane Seymour (Helen Valkis), consort of King Henry VIII (Montagu Love), gives birth to the heir to the throne, the later Edward VI (Bobby Mauch), Tom Canty (Billy Mauch) is born in the nearby slums. Years later, as King Henry is near death, providence brings the two together and they discover that they share a striking resemblance. Having changed clothes with Tom during play, Edward Tudor is mistaken for a pauper by the Captain of the Guard (Alan Hale) and evicted from the palace. In contrast, Tom is believed to be the Prince of Wales by all of sundry and, when protesting, is treated as mentally unsound. Only the Earl of Hertford (Claude Rains), the king's scheming advisor, realizes the truth but keeps quiet to further his own career. With a price on his head, the real Edward lives the life of a pauper among the thieves and beggars of London, befriended only by Miles Hendon (Flynn), whom he, to Miles' great amusement, creates an earl. But despite his skepticism, Miles is right there to rescue Edward from the murderous Captain of the Guard and return him to the palace just as Tom is about to be crowned king. Proving his true identity by locating the missing Seal of England, Edward is restored to the throne and Hertford is banished from the realm. Miles is recognized for his bravery and Tom is made a ward of the king for life. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Review
Identical twins who had enjoyed some success on radio, Billy and Bobby Mauch were the perfect choices for playing Mark Twain's star-crossed boys -- despite their American accents. The Prince and the Pauper is a typically lavish production that benefits greatly from the legendary Warner Bros. stock company, in general, and such stalwart players as Claude Rains, Montagu Love, and Elspeth Dudgeon, in particular. Although top-billed Errol Flynn's role is relatively minor, he was never more charming and enjoys the first of no less than 12 encounters with fellow WarneriteAlan Hale. Together, they provide what little true action there is in the film, which was obviously created mostly for the small fry. There is no romance to speak of -- Flynn's fleeting encounter with barmaid Phyllis Barry notwithstanding -- most of the footage being instead awarded to the playful Mauch twins, which is just as it should be. Warner Bros. re-created an impressive copy of Westminster Abbey for the coronation scene (which reportedly took seven days to film) and the studio's masterful technicians lovingly cared for every detail. But without the Mauch brothers, The Prince and the Pauper could easily have been a rather stodgy affair. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
Robert M. Haas - Art Director, Milo Anderson - Costume Designer, William Keighley - Director, Ralph Dawson - Editor, Erich Wolfgang Korngold - Composer (Music Score), Leo F. Forbstein - Musical Direction/Supervision, Sol Polito - Cinematographer, Robert Lord - Producer, Hal B. Wallis - Producer, James Gibbon - Special Effects, Richard Van Enger - Special Effects, Laird Doyle - Screenwriter, Mark Twain - Book Author, Catherine Chisholm Cushing - Play Author, Mark Twain - Short Story Author
