I think these two young brothers did a tremendous job in this film. I loved this film as a child and I still do as an adult. When they look into the camera and smile, it is pure magic. Very cute and very talented, the Mauch Twins were always favorites of mine.....I sure wish their "Penrod" series were available on DVD...sadly Billy Mauch passed away in September of 2006. May he rest in peace.
shareThis wonderful adaptation of Twain (which actually improves upon the original in some respects, whilst dispenses with the Hendon subplot) was a favorite of mine as a child in the seventies. Last night I watched it with my nine-year-old daughter (after reading to her the original text). She was enchanted. The Mauch twins were absolutely superb, and perfectly charming. Their performances really carry the picture, though they are supported ably by a wonderful roster of Warner Brothers' character actors (and, of course, the definitive screen hero, Errol Flynn). We were both very sad to learn of the recent passing of Billy Mauch (who gave such a delicate, touching performance as little Tom Canty). But then, it is easy to forget that this film was made over seventy years ago! Such is the magic of the film that it retains its interest nearly three quarters of century later.
sharePLGRIEF.....Very well put.
shareWhich particular edition with which illustrations? Illustrations are very important in order to get and keep the attention of young readers.
God is subtle, but He is not malicious. (Albert Einstein)
Like the rest of you, I was entirely beguiled by their grace, vivacity and charm. If many children are drawn into the magic of Hogwarts these days, I must say that the world created by the Mauch twins, with a little help from Montague Love, Flynn, Rains and Hale, was every bit was wondrous to me in my youth.
Billy and Bobby are both dead now
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/movies/25mauch.html?_r=1&oref=sl ogin
but in my mind they will always remain twelve, staring back at me with gleaming, mischievous eyes and wonderfully tousled curls.
Thank you Lantanas for the info. on Bobby's passing. It was sad news indeed but at 86, he lived a long, rewarding life, I am sure. May God bless both Billy and Bobby.....
shareThanks so much for the link .. I enjoyed reading it .. saw the movie again today .. it has been years since I have seen it as a child .. but I had no problem telling them a part .. the pauper's chin is thinner and his cheekbones are higher than the prince's .. when you put them side by side it's easier to tell them apart .. peace to ya and thanks again .
shareThank you Mauch twins! Your film is truly a classic!!
I have become comfortably numb
They were sensational in this movie!! It's the first time I've seen them in anything. Sadly, it seems like Warner Bros. didn't know what to do with them as they were only in films only about three years, the studio should have really tried hard to keep their careers going as Fox did for Shirley Temple.
Bobby has the larger role of Edward (who then has to see what life is like as a pauper) which is interesting because Billy was the one the studio wanted to sign at first (and did) as a solo child performer. Sad that they are both now gone but both lived very long lives, dying in their late 80's.
I can't believe though they were fifteen though in this movie, I thought maybe they were twelve or so! Maybe that's why their careers didn't last that long because they were already in the last years before adulthood.
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