Aug 111937
 
two reels

Edward (half of the Mauch Twins), Prince of England, encounters Tom Canty (the other half of the Mauch Twins), a look-a-like begger child, and the two switch places a short time before the king dies. The Earl of Hertford (Claude Rains), discovering the truth, plans to control Tom as king, and have Edward assassinated. But Edward meets Miles Hendon (Errol Flynn), a charming soldier, who protects him.

Mark Twain’s book is far in the rear-view-mirror of my life. I vaguely remember it to be aimed at a younger audience, and yet, to contain a touch of satire. The film version strips away any satire, and lowers the age range of the intended audience. This is a kids film, much to its detriment. The twin child actors are annoying, partly due to them being forced to act younger and stupider than their age and position should dictate. And as this is a kid’s film, each, though mainly Edward, must learn a very simple lesson. They are surrounded by gruff, and often overly sincere actors who are nearly as painful to watch. Claude Rains and Alan Hale, as the Captain of the guard and potential assassin) manage well enough with what they are given, though neither is at his peek.

That leaves Flynn, and he’s the saving grace of the whole mess. He is charming and flamboyant, as was his norm in the later half of the ‘30s. He is also the only thing that makes this a Swashbuckler. All the swordplay is his, and it isn’t anything special, but it is still Flynn with a rapier which makes it better than most cinematic duels. Flynn is given top billing after his success in Captain Blood. Based on screen time, it is undeserved. He doesn’t appear till half way though the film and is in and out of the rest of the film. But if we go by reasons to watch The Prince and the Pauper, his name was right where it needed to be.

Errol Flynn’s Swashbucklers/pseudo-Swashbucklers are: Captain Blood (1935), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939), The Sea Hawk (1940), Adventures of Don Juan (1948), Against All Flags (1951), Adventures of Captain Fabian (1951), The Master of Ballantrae (1953), and Crossed Swords (1954), The Dark Avenger/The Warriors (1955).

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