The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

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(2,949 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 dashing… 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

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 58 min.
Directed By: William Keighley, Alan Hale
Written By: Mark Twain, Laird Doyle
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: May 8, 1937 Wide
On DVD: Aug 26, 2003

Critic Reviews

Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Smart Twain adaptation with plenty of derring-do
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Fairly fun Flynn.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Okay version of story, rather lifeless until Errol shows up but thats about an hour in and its rather precious up to that point.

Cast

            Errol Flynn as Miles Hendon

            Claude Rains as Earl of Hertford

            Henry Stephenson as Duke of Norfolk

            Barton MacLane as John Canty

            Billy Mauch as Tom Canty

            Bobby Mauch as Prince Edward

            Alan Hale as Captain of the Guard

            Lionel Pape as Second Lord

            Leonard Willey as Third Lord

            Murray Kinnell as Hugo

            Halliwell Hobbes as Archbishop

            Phyllis Barry as Barmaid

            Ivan Simpson as Clemens

            Montagu Love as Henry VIII

            Elspeth Dudgeon as Grandmother Canty

            Mary Field as Mrs. Canty

            Forrester Harvey as Meaty Man

            Helen Valkis as Jane Seymour

            Lester Matthews as St. John

            Harry Cording as Guard

            Robert Warwick as Lord Warwick

            Robert A'Dair as First Guard

            Lionel Belmore as Innkeeper

            Harry Beresford as The Watch

            Sidney Bracey as Man in Window

            Lionel Braham as Ruffler

            Rex Evans as Rich Man

            Holmes Herbert as First Doctor

            Leyland Hodgson as Watchman

            Fritz Leiber as Father Andrews

            Ian Maclaren as Doctor

            Eric Portman as First Lord

            Clifford Severn as Urchin

            Tom Wilson as One-Eyed Beggar

            Ian Wolfe as Proprietor

            Ann Howard as Lady Jane Grey

            Ernie Stanton as Guard
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