The Prince and the Pauper

( 3 )

Overview

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 ...
See more details below
DVD (Pan & Scan)
$19.99
BN.com price
Other sellers (DVD)
  • All (21) from $12.34   
  • New (19) from $12.34   
  • Used (2) from $20.08   

More About This Product

Overview

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.
Read More Show Less

Special Features

Closed Caption
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Hans J. Wollstein
Identical twins who had enjoyed some success on radio, Billy and Bobby Mauch were the perfect choices for playing Mark Twain's star-crossed boys -- despite their American accents. The Prince and the Pauper is a typically lavish production that benefits greatly from the legendary Warner Bros. stock company, in general, and such stalwart players as Claude Rains, Montagu Love, and Elspeth Dudgeon, in particular. Although top-billed Errol Flynn's role is relatively minor, he was never more charming and enjoys the first of no less than 12 encounters with fellow Warnerite Alan Hale. Together, they provide what little true action there is in the film, which was obviously created mostly for the small fry. There is no romance to speak of -- Flynn's fleeting encounter with barmaid Phyllis Barry notwithstanding -- most of the footage being instead awarded to the playful Mauch twins, which is just as it should be. Warner Bros. re-created an impressive copy of Westminster Abbey for the coronation scene (which reportedly took seven days to film) and the studio's masterful technicians lovingly cared for every detail. But without the Mauch brothers, The Prince and the Pauper could easily have been a rather stodgy affair.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 5/17/2012
  • UPC: 883316486146
  • Original Release: 1937

    • Rating:

  • Source: Warner Archives
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Pan & Scan
  • Time: 1:58:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 4,764

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Errol Flynn Miles Hendon
Claude Rains Earl of Hertford
Henry Stephenson Duke of Norfolk
Barton MacLane John Canty
Billy Mauch Tom Canty
Robert A'Dair First Guard
Phyllis Barry Barmaid
Lionel Belmore Innkeeper
Harry Beresford The Watch
Sidney Bracey Man in Window
Lionel Braham Ruffler
Harry Cording Guard
Elspeth Dudgeon Grandmother Canty
Rex Evans Rich Man
Mary Field Mrs. Canty
Alan Hale Captain of the Guard
Forrester Harvey Meaty Man
Holmes Herbert First Doctor
Halliwell Hobbes Archbishop
Leyland Hodgson Watchman
Ann Howard Lady Jane Grey
Murray Kinnell Hugo
Fritz Leiber Father Andrews
Montagu Love Henry VIII
Ian MacLaren Doctor
Lester Matthews St. John
Bobby Mauch Prince Edward
Lionel Pape Second Lord
Eric Portman First Lord
Clifford Severn Urchin
Ivan Simpson Clemens
Ernie Stanton Guard
Helen Valkis Jane Seymour
Robert Warwick Lord Warwick
Leonard Willey Third Lord
Tom Wilson One-Eyed Beggar
Ian Wolfe Proprietor
Technical Credits
William Keighley Director
Robert M. Haas Art Director
Sol Polito Cinematographer
Milo Anderson Costumes/Costume Designer
Erich Wolfgang Korngold Score Composer
Laird Doyle Screenwriter
Mark Twain Source Author
Ralph Dawson Editor
Leo F. Forbstein Musical Direction/Supervision
Robert Lord Producer
Hal B. Wallis Producer
James Gibbon Special Effects
Richard Van Enger Special Effects
Read More Show Less

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The Prince and the Pauper
1. Credits and Foreword [1:28]
2. Two Newborns [4:24]
3. If Tom Were King [4:08]
4. Tom's Book [1:44]
5. Palace Rat [3:31]
6. A Father's Advice [4:52]
7. The Great Seal [2:51]
8. Prince Meets Pauper [3:00]
9. Mirror Images [5:12]
10. Not Themselves [4:48]
11. "This Is My Son!" [4:25]
12. Fallen Crown [3:30]
13. That Would Be Murder [2:52]
14. Tale of Two Boys [4:13]
15. Sticking His Nose In [:19]
16. Have a Seat [3:22]
17. Nice Flavor [5:20]
18. Skinning a Rat [3:32]
19. Father Andrew Slain [2:21]
20. Norfolk Jailed [3:43]
21. Foo-foo the First [5:28]
22. The Running Fox [4:32]
23. What's Coming to Him [2:27]
24. Pair of Cuttthroats [4:37]
25. Preparing to Die [2:39]
26. Without a Doubt [3:53]
27. Coronation Ceremony [2:21]
28. One King Too Many [7:08]
29. Where's the Seal? [3:39]
30. His Majesty Rules [5:49]
31. Sealed and Cracked [3:05]
32. Cast List [1:24]
Read More Show Less

Menu

Disc #1 -- The Prince and the Pauper
   Play Movie
   Scene Selections
   Special Features
      Mark Twain On the Screen
      Theatrical Trailer
      Cast & Crew
   Languages
      Spoken Languages
         English
         Français
      Subtitles
         English
         Français
         Español
         Português
         Chinese
         Thai
         Korean
         Subtitles: Off
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(2)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Prince and the Pauper

    A fun old time movie,(has to be with Errol Flynn and Claude Rains in it), but enjoyable, I saw this when I was a kid and liked it and now as an adult I still enjoyed it. Thanks

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Captivating Classic of Deception and Swordplay - A Winner!

    The Prince & The Pauper (1937) is based on the much loved Mark Twain classic. In a nutshell, the plot centers on twins, one the spoiled heir to the English throne, Prince Tudor (Bobby Mauch) the other, Tom Canty (Bill Mauch) a beggar with a heart of gold. When the two accidentally cross paths they become best friends and secretly trade places, much to the chagrin of one of the king's advisors, the Earl of Hertford (Claude Rains) who is plotting to kill the heir and take over the throne. Into this fray of royal intrigue enters fortune hunter, Mile Hendon (Errol Flynn). His wily spirit not withstanding, Hendon vows to set everything right for king, country and a healthy financial reward. It all ends pleasantly enough in a sword and swashbuckling sort of way and a coronation sequence that is probably one of the most lavish bits of spectacle ever put on film. The Mauch twins never did much in Hollywood after this film ¿ a genuine pity since they¿re one of the reasons this film has retained its original luster for so many years since. WARNER HOME VIDEO gives us a generally solid looking transfer that is sure to please. The gray scale has been balanced with solid blacks and very nice renderings of fine detail. Certain scenes exhibit a touch of edge enhancement and a hint of pixelization, but nothing that will distract from this visually stunning film adaptation. The sound elements are somewhat more disappointing by contrast. The main title sequence in particular sounds as though the music track was discovered under a rock. It is muffled and full of audible imperfections. Nevertheless, dialogue - for the most part - is presented at an adequate listening level with only the slightest of pops, scratches and hiss. Apart from an essay on sword play and the film¿s theatrical trailer there are NO EXTRAS!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Gem of a Story

    What a tale! The entire cast is just great, especially the Mauch twins. As Yogi Berra said, don't miss this one if you can.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews