. . . against the Nazification of England. Twain was a big fan of the Tudors, contending that Henry VIII was more devious than Machiavelli in THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER. But Twain knew that ever since the Saxons had jumped onto the Anglos' backs, Britain was prone to being led astray by conniving Prussians, such as Lord Hertford (Claude Rains) in PAUPER. Though an American nearly rescued King Arthur in Twain's CONNECTICUT YANKEE, no Doughboys were around in 1066 to save the English bacon. Twain regarded the Tudors as the lesser evil following this "Norman Conquest," and approved of the Virgin Queen bequeathing the U.K. to the Stewarts. But Samuel Clemens foresaw with uncanny accuracy the Hanoverian Conspiracy, culminating with a bogus King Edward about to turn England over to Fascist rule. This happens at the end of PAUPER, just as it came to pass in Real Life during the 1930s (long after the book's release and Twain's death). Errol Flynn may be absent from the first hour--as well as the final ten minutes--of PAUPER, but Hitler's Hous of Hanover Henchpeople were very much present to film audiences of the 1930s. To paraphrase Shakespeare, "Rename your Hanover House of Horrors as you like it, Windsor--but it will still smell to High Heaven!"

"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.

Bobby Mauch and Billy Mauch are "The Prince and the Pauper," a 1937 film based on the Mark Twain story. The film also stars Errol Flynn and Claude Rains. When Tom, the pauper, is caught by the guards, the young Prince sees a playmate in him and invites him in. They change clothes so that the Prince can go and get his dog from the kennel for their next game, but he's caught by the cruel guards who think he's the pauper. This leaves the hapless Tom stuck in the palace as a prince who is about to become king any minute. He has a protector forced upon him, the Earl of Hertford (Rains), who does not have the best interests of the English people in mind.While he's in Tom's world, Prince Edward gets a good look at the horrible way the English people are forced to live because of bad laws. Eventually he meets Miles Hendon (Flynn) who saves him from Tom's wretched father. The question is, once Hendon is convinced that he's in the presence of the true King, can he get him to the coronation before the beggar is crowned? This is a wonderfully fun movie, filled with the meanest of the mean in Alan Hale as a palace guard, Barton MacLane as Tom's father, and the diabolical, unfeeling Earl. All are very convincing. The twins are delightful. As for Errol Flynn, he's as dashing and charming as ever as he wields a sword and rides a horse. A great cast and a marvelous film for the whole family. Highly recommended.

This is a very likable and well-made film for the entire family. And, although Errol Flynn gets top billing, Bobby Mauch as both the prince and the commoner gets the lion's share of the time on screen. The story is probably very familiar to most people. A poor boy in the 16th century turns out to be the spitting image of the young prince. However, the prince hates life in the palace and longs to escape and see and experience life. When the two accidentally meet, they decide to temporarily change places. Unfortunately, this results in many complications--the biggest of which is a conspiracy to use the fake prince as a dupe and do away with the real one! That's where heroic Errol Flynn comes into the film. The movie is a well made and well acted costumer--employing all that is best about Warner Brothers films of the era. Fun and entertaining throughout--it almost makes you believe this story is TRUE!