An EFB Four Score News Report: The Anniversary of The Prince and the Pauper
Louella O. Parsons – Extract from the Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News – May 12, 1937
“Miles Herndon, dashing soldier of fortune, delivers the rightful prince.
Warners are indeed fortunate in having Errol Flynn in the family to play Herndon.
Where I ask you, is there a more suitable actor for a role that calls for
a handsome devil-may-care adventurer? Errol may have had bigger roles, but
never one that suited him better.”
Elizabeth Yeaman – Extract from the Hollywood Citizen News – May 13, 1937
With the coronation in England dominating the headlines for days, nothing
could have been more timely than Warners’ film version of The Prince and
the Pauper, which is climaxed by an elaborate coronation sequence.
Harrison Carrol – Extract from the Los Angeles Evening Herald Express – May 13, 1937
If Mark Twain had been alive today and had written The Prince and the Pauper
under Hollywood assignment, he could not have turned out a more perfect screen
story for this coronation year and for two extraordinary child actors, Billy
and Bobby Mauch.
In its spectacular and veracious coronation scenes this is as timely a picture
as could be asked.
It is Errol Flynn, playing a good natured soldier of fortune, who takes the young prince under his wing – not the least believing his story – and finally clears the way for a nick-of-time restoration of the royal youth, just as the unwilling beggar boy is about to be crowned king of England. In the role, Flynn is a dashing figure.
Warners have made the coronation ceremony one of the year’s spectacular screen episodes.
The Prince and the Pauper is an excitingly narrated, handsomely prodeuced, finely acted picture – an artistic achievement for producer Hal B. Wallis and all concerned – and a box-office natural.
Heading the supporting bill is a color short, A Day at Santa Anita.
Flynn saves England!
Just in time for the Coronation!
— Tim
The Zaca
May 16, 2017 at 3:57 am
Oh the coincidence – I just happened to watch this on DVD the night before you posted this – truly a joy of a film even tho’ our hero does not make his entry until quite a spell into the film. And great supporting cast with Claude Raines, Alan Hale, and others. The coronation scene is a treat for the eyes and ears too with the boy’s choir. Another great post GT!
Sergio
May 20, 2017 at 12:18 pm
Speaking of Coronation -, don’t forget this Sunday at 6 AM; The Prince And The Pauper ( 1937) – here too, Errol does not come into the movie until half way through the film even though he gets top billing and the Munch twins who are the main character’s of the film get 5th and 6th billings. This also marks the first of Hale and Flynn films together, and the only one of which they were enemies. (Robin Hood log scene in my eyes does not make them real enemies, so I personally don’t count that one). Flynn kills Hale in a sword fight ,(no comparison of the sword mastership), to protect one of the Munch twins; one never knows which one it was because they would trade parts all the time and the studio never knew. One for the lads..LOL!
Maria
May 19, 2017 at 11:13 pm
One of my favorites!