Not everyone (?) here may be old enough to remember 2 Brits of note: Edward VIII and King George VI, and how a film of Errol Flynn’s, literally, came BETWEEN them… if you don’t remember~ read on courtesy of Wicki:
“The Prince and the Pauper is a 1937 film adaptation of the 1881 novel of the same name by Mark Twain. It starred Errol Flynn, twins Billy and Bobby Mauch in the title roles, and Claude Rains and has been described as “a kids’ fantasy.”[2]
The film was originally intended to coincide with the planned coronation of Edward VIII in 1936. However, its release was delayed until the following year.[3] The film was released on May 8, 1937, four days before the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
According to Warner Bros records, the film earned $1,026,000 domestically and $665,000 foreign making it the studio’s most popular film of the year.[1]
Frank S. Nugent of The New York Times wrote, “Bobby and Billy justify their twinship completely, not merely by investing the Twain legend of mistaken royal identity with a pleasing degree of credibility, but by playing their roles with such straightforwardness and naturalness that the picture becomes one of the most likable entertainments of the year … The novel and the screen have been bridged so gracefully we cannot resist saying the Twain and the movies have met.”[9] Variety published a negative review, reporting: “The fragile plot scarcely holds together a full length screen play”, and suggesting that its running time could have been trimmed at the beginning so Flynn could enter the film earlier.[10] John Mosher of The New Yorker praised the film as “a fine spectacle”.[11] Harrison’s Reports called it “An excellent costume picture” with “outstanding” performances.[12]”
— Karl
Ralph Schiller
May 6, 2023 at 8:27 pm
Thank-you Karl for reminding us what a classic swashbuckler the “The Prince And The Pauper” in 1937. Mark Twain would have loved it, and next to “The Adventures Of Robin Hood” (1938) and “Kim” (1952), is the best Errol Flynn movie for children of all ages. He took backseat to the twins and with a great supporting cast made this a superb literary adaptation.
shangheinz
May 8, 2023 at 9:42 am
[img]https://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DD374BE8-9DB4-49B9-A93E-95B48B2DDFD2.jpeg[/img]
King Karl; Eddie VIII turned out to be quite an eightball for the Windsors, originally from the German house of Saxon-Coburg and Gotha. When he renounced the crown for an American divorcée, he was out of the royal picture, but in the international limelight. The odd couple rose to plebeian prominence, whenever in need though of regally recognition, from then on they had to visit the Fuhrer at Eagle’s Nest. Spouse Wallis Simpson was intimate friends with the cousin of Barbara Hutton, a louse in his own right. He stood in as best man for Errol‘s pest pal Freddie McEvoy at Barbara Hutton‘s wedding with Prince Troubetzkoy, whose wingman in turn was Baron Eddie from Fein-Falz.(www.theerrolflynnblog.com…) When asked what in his view made Wallis so special, cousin answered quite mundanely: “Best sockcucker ever.“ Makes you wonder, who wanders more in the blunderer‘s footsteps: Charles or Harry?
Karl
May 8, 2023 at 11:29 pm
Wow, Homily Heinz… you certainly out-TWAINED me with that one…
Well executed, indeed, as we might also surmise of the two oblique referents!