The Prince and the Pauper

Released May 5, 1937

2 hr. 0 min.

Adventure

List

71%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

A new addition to a poor London family, Tom Canty (Billy Mauch) enters the world on the same day as the child who's in line to be king. As boys, Tom and his royal counterpart bump into one another, and after realizing that they're virtual twins, they swap outfits and the boys end up trading homes. Tom soon draws the ire of a scheming royal aide (Claude Rains), but palace hanger-on Miles Hendon (Errol Flynn) comes to his defense, as both boys try to reclaim their identities.

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Steve D

Ok version thanks to the cast,

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/08/24

Full Review

Bill T

FAIRLY cute adaptation of the Mark Twain Novel.. not a big fan of the author quite frankly.. Anyways, this is the tale where a prince and a beggar who look awfully alike get together and swap clothes and then find themselves stuck in the clothes so to speak. The kids who play the title role are cute and do a good job, Errol Flynn looks like he's there for the paycheque. Do we really absolutely need the swordfighting scenes from him? Oh, while we're on it. I'm sure I know how coronations work, so we didn't need the 20 minute one that is the main setpiece of the final act. It's fantastically detailed, but dreadfully uneccessary.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Yes, I know that Billy and Bobby Mauch are playing the title roles, but my complaint still stands. Errol = cute; Mauch Twins= Not so much. Flynn really rocks thigh high boots well-- a look that really only works if you're tall and long legged. Flynn was his usual dashing hero self and Rains was excellent as the Earl. The Mauch twins were fine, though there was a little too much giggling for my tastes. I thought that they brought Mark Twain's story to life pretty well. I enjoyed Errol's 2:1 sword fight and his eventual duel with Alan Hale. This may be the only film in which Errol and Alan are adversaries rather than allies. While normally I wouldn't have a preference for a film being in color or black and white, I cannot help but think that this film would have looked better in Technicolor. With the elaborate sets and costumes, the addition of Technicolor would have aesthetically enhanced the the look of the film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

kevin w

Complications ensue when the prince of the kingdom decides to play-act/pretend he's a commoner, switching clothes with a poor boy, just as the king dies on the throne. Evil rapscallions try to use the opportunity to attempt seizing control of the kingdom. The Mauch Twins are sympathetic and compelling as the titled leads, trying their best to fit into the awkward yet dangerous situations they find themselves in. Errol Flynn's part is actually the worst in the movie, scarcely written at all but to say "he shows up to save the boys", other than that, there's no rationale for him to be in the film at all. Still, an old school film for the entire family, still worthy after years of service!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Errol Flynn y Claude Rains! en esta aceptable versiÃ²n del clÃ sico de Mark Twain-

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

There is either a mad prince or a beggar on the thrown. Two little boys run into each other in the back yard of the palace. They decide it would be neat to switch places; the problem, one of the boys is the son of the King of England and the other is a poor boy. When the poor boy has to become the King of England because the king dies, their little game becomes complicated. Can the poor boy work with a local swordsman to find a way back to the throne? "It may have happened. It may not have happened. But it could have happened." William Keighley, director of The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Street with No Name, G Men, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Valley of the Giants, and The Match King, delivers The Prince and the Pauper. The storyline for this picture is fun to watch unfold and very entertaining. The script is clever and well written and everyone delivers a solid performance. The cast include Errol Flynn, Alan Hale, Barton MacLane, Claude Rains, and Henry Stephenson. "One day I'll have your head for calling me that; or maybe your feet, they're more in the way." This is a movie I DVR'd because it starred the great Errol Flynn. I found the movie fun and was surprised he didn't join the film until it was two-thirds over. Overall, this is a very entertaining picture that is fun and can be enjoyed by the whole family. This is definitely a classic picture that is underrated. "The king is dead." Grade: B-

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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William Keighley

Director

Errol Flynn

Miles Hendon

Claude Rains

Earl of Hertford

Billy Mauch

Tom Canty

Robert J. Mauch

Prince Edward

Henry Stephenson

Duke of Norfolk

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Warner does all right by the Twain tale.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 10, 2024

Full Review

Meyer Levin (Patterson Murphy)

Esquire Magazine

The kids are surrounded with a terrific cast, including Claude Rains, Errol Flynn, Barton MacLane...

May 5, 2020

Full Review

Ann Ross

Maclean's Magazine

It's a sort of Tom Sawyer-Huckleberry Finn adventure in a royal sixteenth-century setting.

Aug 7, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It's fine as passable entertainment.

Rated: C+

Jan 14, 2014

Full Review

Daniel Eagan

Film Journal International

Smart Twain adaptation with plenty of derring-do

Rated: 4/5

Oct 28, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 19, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

A new addition to a poor London family, Tom Canty (Billy Mauch) enters the world on the same day as the child who's in line to be king. As boys, Tom and his royal counterpart bump into one another, and after realizing that they're virtual twins, they swap outfits and the boys end up trading homes. Tom soon draws the ire of a scheming royal aide (Claude Rains), but palace hanger-on Miles Hendon (Errol Flynn) comes to his defense, as both boys try to reclaim their identities.

Director: William Keighley
Screenwriter: Laird Doyle
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 1937, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2009

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