The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

A poor boy named Tom Canty and the Prince of Wales exchange identities but events force the pair to experience each other's lives as well.

Directors:

William Keighley, William Dieterle (uncredited)

Writers:

Mark Twain (novel), Laird Doyle (screenplay)

Stars:

Errol Flynn, Claude Rains, Henry Stephenson

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Errol Flynn	...	Miles Hendon
Claude Rains	...	Earl of Hertford
Henry Stephenson	...	Duke of Norfolk
Barton MacLane	...	John Canty
Billy Mauch	...	Tom Canty (as The Mauch Twins)
Robert J. Mauch	...	Prince Edward (as The Mauch Twins)
Alan Hale	...	Captain of the Guard
Eric Portman	...	First Lord
Lionel Pape	...	Second Lord
Leonard Willey	...	Third Lord
Murray Kinnell	...	Hugo
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Archbishop
Phyllis Barry	...	Barmaid
Ivan F. Simpson	...	Clemens (as Ivan Simpson)
Montagu Love	...	Henry VIII

Storyline

On the same day two boys are born: the pauper Tom and prince Edward. As a kid, Tom sneaks into the palace garden and meets the prince. They change clothes with each other but the guards discover them and throw out the prince, since they are almost identical. Nobody believe them when they try to tell the truth. Soon after, the old king dies and the prince will inherit the throne. The evil earl of Hertford attempts to murder the prince to gain power for himself.

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Plot Keywords:

king henry viii | identity swap | based on novel | biscuit | murder of a priest | 

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Taglines:

The Adventure Screen's Crowning Achievement! (Print Ad- Fort Dodge Messenger-Chronicle,((Fort Dodge, Iowa)) 3 September 1937)

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 May 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Prince and the Pauper

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

First National Pictures, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Mauch twins' straight hair was curled for the movie.

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Goofs

Henry V111's death scene seated in the throne room is invented as he actually died in bed on the 28th January 1547.

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Quotes

Prince Edward Tudor: Who are you, fellow?
Miles Hendon: Miles Hendon, Your Majesty.
Prince Edward Tudor: Your name is not familiar. What is your trade?
Miles Hendon: Soldiering, sire.
Prince Edward Tudor: In my service?
Miles Hendon: In the service of anyone who can afford enemies.
Prince Edward Tudor: Soldier of fortune. Strange profession.
Miles Hendon: Well, of the three of them for a gentleman without means I think it's the most amusing. Cheating at cards means associating with dull people. Preaching the gospel means wearing one of those funny hats.

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Crazy Credits

This is not a history, but a tale of once upon a time. It may have happened. It may not have happened. But it could have happened.

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Alternate Versions

An advanced search on the British Board of Film Classification site www.bbfc.co.uk for 'The Prince and the Pauper' lists three times that the 1937 movie was submitted. On 29 Apr 1937 a version on film with 121m 44s run-time submitted for classification by Warner Bros Pictures Ltd was classified U with no cuts. On 17 Apr 2009 a video version (probably on DVD) with 117m 30s run-time submitted for classification by Orbit Media Ltd was classified U with no cuts.

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Connections

Version of The Prince and the Pauper (1909)

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Soundtracks

The Roost Song
(uncredited)
Written by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and M.K. Jerome

User Reviews

Twain's royal exchange

"The Prince and the Pauper" is based on Mark Twain's novel of the same name. The story is a hypothetical situation where Edward VI exchanges places with a beggar that resembles him as he is about to become King of England.

The Mauch twins, Bobby and Billy, skillfully play the roles of Edward VI and the beggar Tom Canty. Errol Flynn is well-cast as the dashing hero Miles Hendon, who comes to protect Edward when he's taken for a beggar. Claude Rains was a perfect choice to play his oft-reprised role of a conniving man grasping for power which he plays so well. Also notable are Alan Hale as the captain of the guard, Barton MacLane as Tom Canty's despicable father and Montagu Love as the counseling Henry VIII.

The story is not meant as history, but rather an examination of social disparities. Twain's social commentary is, as usual, mixed with his clever humor. The story moves along well with this mix as well as the machinations at court. The only part that seemed somewhat drawn out was the coronation ceremony.