The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

Two lookalike boys one a poor street kid and the other a prince exchange places to see what the other's life is like.Running Time: 118 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 012569522725 Product Description

The Prince and the Pauper

The Prince and the Pauper Great family classic. Wonderful story. One of my all time favorites. The only problem is the sound. Since it's an original and an oldie, the sound isn't so great. That's the only reason I gave it 4 stars. July 19, 2008

"This is good for cracking nuts, isn't it?"

Errol Flynn strikes again! This 1937 film adaptation of Mark Twain's classic novel THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER is the definitive version, although Crossed Swords and Disney's own remake (with Guy Williams, in 1962) are pretty damn good themselves. The plot tells the story, set in the year 1547, of two 10-year-old boys who look alike - one a grimy beggar boy, the other the bratty heir to the throne - and how, on a whim, they came to switch identities. This story also tells of how, for a time, the fate of England dangerously hung in the balance.

Plot SPOILERS begin.

While young beggar boy Tom Canty resides in the royal palace as the prince and being thought mad by the courtiers, Prince Edward VI, now wrested of his life of privelege, gets an eye-opening tour of the seedy parts of England and of the day-to-day struggles endured by his downtrodden subjects. Beset by bullies, Edward is rescued by the kind and dashing but down-on-his-luck mercenary soldier Miles Hendon, who then becomes Edward's bemused protector. Hendon is quite taken with his haughty, raggedy charge even if he doesn't really believe the lad's claims to royalty.

This also being an adventure story, there are villains afoot. Tom Canty's father himself is scum, prone to violence and intent on using his son for thievery. Then there's the deceitful and conniving Earl of Hertford (Claude Rains, who here sports a ne'er-do-well beard). He craves power and status at whatever cost and sends the Captain of the Guard (Alan Hale) on an errand of murder. In the end, it all hinges on securing the Great Seal of England.

End SPOILERS.

As I've said, Errol Flynn strikes again! Fresh off the success of The Charge of the Light Brigade and, before that, Captain Blood, Flynn was tapped to play the role of the gallant Miles Hendon. Although the Mauch twins (Bobby and Billy) are very good and winning as Prince Edward and Tom Canty, Errol Flynn was the biggest reason the crowds flocked to this one. But be advised that he doesn't show up until half the movie's gone. Once he's there, though, he speedily makes his mark. Flynn wasn't really in that many scenes - no, the Mauch boys dominate those - but he's so dynamic a personality that he's the one image you walk away with. Also worth mentioning, by the way, are character actor Montagu Love's brief but standout performance as the dying monarch Henry VIII and Claude Rains's treacherous turn as the Earl of Hertford. Just to set the record straight, no one spat out venomous words quite so silkily as did Mr. Rains.

THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER is a perfect family film and offers enough intrigue and derring-do to gladden the swashbuckling heart. The pomp and spectacle, as well as the squalor and despondency, of 16th century London are vividly brought to life with the sweeping black and white cinematography and Mr. Korngold's stirring score. The story zips along mostly at a brisk pace, with the only exception being the lengthy coronation sequence. The movie treats us to a swordfight or two (not too many, but what we get is thanks to Errol Flynn). There are even flashes of Mark Twain's satiric social commentary, for those searching for depth in an adventure film. Lastly, there are also glimpses of humor, with some even provided by Errol Flynn, who does have a way with words and with facial expressions. And I did like the bit about the puzzled young Mr. Canty unwittingly drinking his royal bath water. November 22, 2007

The Twain and the Movies Have Met

Mark Twain's witty and delightful blending of historical fact forms the basis for this rousing "trading places" adventure in medieval London.

This is a film where you can turn off the picture and just listen to Erich Wolgang Korngold's wall-to-wall score, where each scene has its own theme, as do the leading characters. Korngold envisioned his film scores as operas without words, where he pitched his music to that of the actor's voices, the melody varying in tone and tempo to reflect their feelings. The climatic Coronation sequence, featuring St. Luke's Choristers, from Long Beach, CA, is spectacular. This was one of the composer's favorite scores, which he later reworked into Violin Concerto in D. Op. 35. (The Itzhak Perlman Edition, EMI records Ltd 2003).

If this weren't enough, the period settings, costumes and mise-en-scene are incredibly detailed and richly textured. The once-in-a-lifetime cast, headed by Errol Flynn, the remarkable Mauch twins, Claude Rains and a host of familiar Warners character actors, is impeccable.

Even Shawn, Prince Edward's giant Irish wolfhound, is a scene-stealer.

William Keighley's direction is first-rate, as is Sol Polito's black and white cinematography, where each set-up enhances the drama of the moment. The term Black and White is clearly a misnomer... never more apparent than in viewing this film, with its shimmering silver halide crystals, which have never been more beautifully presented on the screen. The transfer to DVD is stunning and the sound track comes through loud and clear on my system.

Hardly just a kids' film, this is one for the ages with its dark themes of poverty, child abuse, political skulduggery and talk of beheadings. Rest assured that all's well that ends well, with Errol Flynn coming to the rescue in the nick of time!

In the words of the N. Y. Times in its original review: "The novel and the screen have been bridged so gracefully that we can not resist in saying that the Twain and the movies have met." May 16, 2007

It doesn't if it was an illusion...

Errol Flynn was the ultimate swashbuckler, the most dashing hero that ever was, is, or will be. There are many imitations, but there has never been any who could truly match him, and I doubt will ever bee any who can even truly compare.

He made all the all the ladies dream and all the men wish they could be him (some admitted it, some did not, but they all did). However, that was not all he could do. There could be many better actors, but very few could make us dream as he did and does.

A lot has been said about Flynn, some good some bad, but his image remains beyond the reach of comments and criticism. He was, and is, the stuff of which myths and legends are made, on and off the screen. And he still unsurpassed.

As it was so eloquently put in the film "My Favourite Year", it doesn't matter if it was an illusion. It worked. He could not have convinced us the way he did unless somewhere inside he had that courage. He was that silly goddamned hero! Nobody is that good of an actor.
Besides, we cannot use him 'life-size'. We all need Errol Flynns as big as we can get them!

Today, we put on airs and claim to be a lot more sophisticated an audience than we were at the time when his movies were made.
But, the truth is that when see him on the screen today, he still inspires in us the same feelings, from awe to envy, and everything in between. Of course, some of us would admit it, some of us wouldn't, but we all feel it
His movies still tell us what true heroes and adventures are all about- and if they are not, they should be.

I would more than recommend "The Prince and the Pauper", and any or Errol Flynn's movies, to anyone who still dares to believe in dashing heroes and is not ashamed to admit it.


May 6, 2007

The Prince and the Pauper

Errol Flynn is at his best in this movie. It is a testament to his acting ability in that he can play so many different roles. November 10, 2006

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