The Prince and the Pauper. Classic Saturday afternoon growing up in Chicago Channel 9 Family Classics fare. When I finished watching this DVD, I half expected Frazier Thomas to make an appearance.
1937. Flynn was at the height of his fame, and still on the way up. You can tell he enjoyed making this lighthearted film, and has a surprisingly effect screen presence with the two child actor Mauch twins.
Billy and Bobby Mauch both graduated from child actor roles to spending careers behind the camera in Hollywood. Both were born in Peoria. After long careers in the industry, both passed away within the past couple of years. Bobby died in California, but Billy retired back home in Illinois to Palatine, where he passed away in 2006. The Prince and the Pauper is their most famous film.
Final notes - Claude Rains as one truly nasty bad guy. And Alan Hale in a role in which he's a villian, and not second-fiddle/comic relief to Errol. In fact, he gets killed off in the film by Errol ina sword fight. Ouch.
One reason for the success of The Prince and the Pauper was was the screenplay, written by, once again, the very talented Laird Doyle. This script, like The Sisters, was one that Doyle wrote, but never got to see, having died tragically in a plane crash in 1936. Some classic Doyle lines:
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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