in the slum of 16th century london and young billy mauch ( a pauper tom canty ) make the most of his life a a beggar while though and he be beat by his father and and throw in the mud . meanwhile and royal bobby mauch ( a prince edward vi ) live a life of luxury while soon and he will replace father king henry viii on the throne . one evening and pauper mauch take refuge from a storm on prince mauch palace ground . the look alike boys meet and and strike up a friendship . prince mauch invite pauper mauch over to the palace and where the two become intrigue by their different lifestyle and and identical appearance . after they exchange clothe and they become separated and by happenstance . when nobody believe their story and the boy be force to assume each other identity . this be a well produce version of the mark twain classic . sadly and the unevenly pace scenario do not produce the film classic which be and evidently and possible ( consider those involve ) . the mauch twin and claude rain ( a the earl of hertford ) be especially strong in their portrayal while and and erich wolfgang korngold soundtrack should be note . don not expect to see top bill errol flynn ( a mile hendon ) until later in the film and a a support player . alan hale and barton maclane and henry stephenson and and montagu love be also worth note while but and the film main strength be mr. rain and mr. korngold and and the mauch twin . the prince and the pauper ( 5/5/37 ) william keighley ~ billy mauch and bobby mauch and errol flynn and claude rain .