The Prince and the Pauper (1937)
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52% of users liked it
(2,986 ratings)
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… More 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, Rovi
- Directed By
- William Keighley, Alan Hale
- Written By
- Mark Twain, Laird Doyle
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- May 8, 1937 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 26, 2003
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Smart Twain adaptation with plenty of derring-do
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Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Fairly fun Flynn.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Errol Flynn
as Miles Hendon
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Claude Rains
as Earl of Hertford
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Henry Stephenson
as Duke of Norfolk
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Barton MacLane
as John Canty
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Billy Mauch
as Tom Canty
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Bobby Mauch
as Prince Edward
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Alan Hale
as Captain of the Guard
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Lionel Pape
as Second Lord
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Leonard Willey
as Third Lord
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Murray Kinnell
as Hugo
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Halliwell Hobbes
as Archbishop
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Phyllis Barry
as Barmaid
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Ivan Simpson
as Clemens
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Montagu Love
as Henry VIII
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Elspeth Dudgeon
as Grandmother Canty
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Mary Field
as Mrs. Canty
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Forrester Harvey
as Meaty Man
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Helen Valkis
as Jane Seymour
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Lester Matthews
as St. John
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Harry Cording
as Guard
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Robert Warwick
as Lord Warwick
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Robert A'Dair
as First Guard
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Lionel Belmore
as Innkeeper
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Harry Beresford
as The Watch
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Sidney Bracey
as Man in Window
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Lionel Braham
as Ruffler
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Rex Evans
as Rich Man
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Holmes Herbert
as First Doctor
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Leyland Hodgson
as Watchman
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Fritz Leiber
as Father Andrews
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Ian Maclaren
as Doctor
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Eric Portman
as First Lord
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Clifford Severn
as Urchin
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Tom Wilson
as One-Eyed Beggar
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Ian Wolfe
as Proprietor
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Ann Howard
as Lady Jane Grey
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Ernie Stanton
as Guard
- The Mauch Twins
