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Discovering The Mauch Twins

8/16/2014

19 Comments

 
PictureCourtesy of findagrave.com
How many people can you think of that have appeared on the cover of Time Magazine that are now largely forgotten by the pages of history?

I had never heard of the Mauch Twins (pronounced “Mock”,) until I acquired a stash of movie star scrapbooks from an elderly woman in Ohio.  She had meticulously cut out articles and pictures of her favorite stars, when she was growing up in the 1930’s and 1940’s. 

Among her articles were those of Billy and Bobby Mauch, identical twin child actors of that time.  I had to know more.  Here is their story:

Billy and Bobby Mauch were born on July 6, 1921 in Peoria, Illinois.  Billy was the older twin by ten minutes. Their father, Felix, worked for the railroad and their mother, Dorothy, a homemaker, was also a twin.  

 She taught the boys songs, and they began to entertain at banquets and radio stations in Peoria, eventually moving to New York.  Billy and Bobby auditioned there and were signed for CBS and NBC radio, performing on shows such as “Beauty Box Revue,” “Lucky Strike,” “Show Boat,” and “March of Time.” Besides singing, the twins could also dance and play the piano.  In New York the boys attended  The Professional Children School.

It was their radio work and appearance in the musical comedy, “Mr. Smith,” that brought them to the attention of Warner Brothers. They were on the look-out for a child actor to play a young Frederic March in the movie “Anthony Adverse.”  Warner Brothers wanted a boy that resembled Frederic March at a younger age. After auditioning, Warner’s only wanted to sign Billy, but Mrs. Mauch insisted that Bobby be signed also, and Bobby was the stand-in.

The twins were very close and devoted to each other.  Billy and Bobby were notorious for their practical jokes and switching places constantly, even while filming.  Their mother also had trouble telling them apart.  She told an interviewer that Bobby wears a ring with a setting, and Billy wears a plain band ring.  The interviewer asked how could she be positive that they never swapped rings?  She looked worried.

When the Mauch Twins moved to Hollywood, they attended the famous Mar-Ken Professional School.

Besides, “Anthony Adverse” in 1936, their other big role came in 1937’s “The Prince and the Pauper.”  MGM child actor, Freddie Bartholomew, was considered for the double role as MGM had the rights to the film; however, Warner Brothers purchased “The Prince and the Pauper,” from them realizing real twins would be better in the roles and Billy and Bobby Mauch were signed. Critics complained because Errol Flynn (the star of the film) was not in it that much.

Between 1937 and 1938, the boys starred in the “Penrod” series of films about a group of Junior G-Men who tried to solve crimes.

Bill and Bobby did not want to be film actors when they grew up, they were more interested in behind the scenes.  Although, they did some acting separately up until the 1950’s, the Mauch twins also served in the Air Force during World War ll in the Philippines.

Billy Mauch eventually became a sound editor at Warner Brothers and Universal and Bobby Mauch became a film editor with work on the TV show, “Dragnet,” among other shows.

Billy married Marjorie Barnewolt in 1953 and had a son, William J. Mauch ll; Bobby married Georgia Shattuck in 1971 and had no children.

In child actress Sybil Jason’s book, “Five Minutes More,” Sybil recalled a time when she decided to invite a whole list of child stars she worked with at Warner Brothers for her husband’s surprise birthday party in 1979.  Sybil invited both Billy and Bobby Mauch, but only Bobby was able to make it. She remembered how Mrs. Mauch (their mother) was surprised that Sybil was the only one who could tell the twins apart.  Bobby and Sybil rekindled their friendship.

In Sybil Jason’s book, “My Fifteen Minutes,” Bob Mauch quoted, “To be a friend of Sybil Jason you know you have a real friend. She has a sense of humor and a way of knowing how you feel and is willing to help in any way. The years go by but Sybil remains Sybil…a treasure for all who are blessed by her friendship.  I know Bill (Mauch) feels the same way.”

William “Billy” Mauch died on September 29, 2006 at the age of 85  and is buried Swan Lake Memory Garden in Peoria, Illinois.  Robert “Bobby” Mauch died on October 15, 2007 at the age of 86 and was cremated.


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Autograph reads: To Joyce Freeman. Best Wishes Always, Billy Mauch
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Autograph reads: To Joyce Freeman, Best Wishes Always, Bobby Mauch
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From "The Prince and the Pauper"
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From "The Prince and the Pauper"
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Photographed by ex-child star, Delmar Watson are Peggy Ann Garner, Edith Fellows, Bob Mauch and me at my husband's birthday party. Photo courtesy of "Five Minutes More" by Sybil Jason. Copyright 2007 Sybil Jason. Published by BearManor Media.
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At my husband Tony's surprise birthday party. All kid stars! Left to right: Luanna Patten, Edith Fellows, Peggy Ann Garner, Bob Mauch and me. Snapped by shutter bug Delmar Watson! Photo courtesy of "My Fifteen Minutes" by Sybil Jason. Copyright 2005 Sybil Jason. Published by BearManor Media.
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A Christmas list courtesy of Bobby and Billy Mauch.
19 Comments
Lois Carvelli
8/16/2014 09:17:53 pm

Bobby, your writing style brings these old stars to life again. This was very enjoyable to read. I can't wait for the next chapter!

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assignment writing services link
9/29/2017 06:46:59 pm

Having twins during childbirth is a rare occurrence. It only happens in an instant. However, these twins may acquire individualistic characteristics as they grow up. An example is the Mauch Twins. They were child actors during 1930s. Having starred in films such as the Prince and the Pauper of Mark Twain, William John and Robert Joseph were introduced to Hollywood. Their career skyrocketed in the limelight. The Mauch Twins created their legacy magnificently. Wherever they are now, I know that they're at peace.

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John C. Withington
7/18/2020 10:41:56 pm

The will Be Missed, This is a CLASSIC Movie in all it Glory with Errol Flynn, and the twins Bill & Bob are great

Gary Loncki
8/16/2014 11:05:50 pm

Cool story. Good research. Thanks for sharing your work.

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Karen Halus
8/17/2014 10:36:51 am

excellent job can't wait till the next one ( the nextRobert Osborn!

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Debbie Sulecki
8/18/2014 11:45:02 am

This is so interesting. I had never heard of these young men before. Nice! I especially enjoyed the Christmas Wish List.

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Corinne June Wagner
1/17/2017 11:41:49 am

I absolutely loved reading about the Mauch twins, Bobby & Billy. The other day I was watching "The Prince & The Pauper." They did quite an acting job in that movie and they were adorable. I also loved reading that the twins were very close to each other. You see, my sister & I are identical twins too!! We are very close to each other to this day. We will be 66 on January 23, 2017, live & be well. We both look out for one another and we are always there for each other. I wish my sister & I could have been in movies when we were younger. That would have been a wonderful experience. I was sad to read that Bobby & Billy were not buried together. The twins who founded the town of Twinsburg, Ohio were buried together. I could not live without my twin sister. She is everything to me and I love her very much.

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Sally Hatzopoulos
10/11/2023 06:13:07 am

To have such a close relationship with a sibling is real love. I could only dream of receiving and giving such devotion to another brother or sister. I hope your children are also close with one another

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Leo link
4/21/2019 05:21:25 pm

Great story about the Mauch twins!

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steve laplante
10/24/2020 04:17:59 pm

i wish Penrod And His Twin Brother was available on dve

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James
11/8/2021 08:21:38 am

It was easy to tell the difference as Bobby's chin was larger. I thought their surname was pronounced "Mawk"?

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Gabriel Vidrio link
11/24/2021 09:33:31 pm

Holy Cow! I Love The Mauch Bros*

And here's a fun fact: They share the same birthday as the Mowry Sisters!

MINDBLOWN!

Tia & Tamera with Billy & Bobby would've had the best opportunity 2 meet when they were alive. I wished that happened.

Anyways, the Mauch Bros will forever be some of my fav celebrities of All time. Next 2 Bobby Long & Dena Penn.

God Bless Them Both*

PS: I have yet 2 see the rest of their movies, cause I already saw Prince & Pauper, and they were phenomenal*

Reply
Kiernan OCallaghan
9/21/2022 10:13:31 pm

Great article. I just finished “The Prince and the Pauper” and was surprised to see that it wasn’t with Freddie Bartholomew. They are as identical as any twins I have seen. Happy to see they continued to have good lives.

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Jacob
9/24/2022 05:40:08 am

If only they had moved to Hollywood when they were 10 instead of 14. By the time "The Prince and the Pauper" was released they were already almost 16.

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Douglas Owens link
10/10/2022 09:12:28 am

Look region measure south part role sure. Phone bank former plan soldier.

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Michael Odom link
10/10/2022 04:17:31 pm

Close must field box. Fund leader determine debate PM well. Assume a two finish friend price itself chance.

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Kevin Johnson link
10/19/2022 11:54:28 pm

Type water war big.
Interest notice reduce he. Medical pull cost its hot something.

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ERROL Jones
8/10/2023 02:37:30 pm

How blessed were the set of twins? To have such a happy, loving energy that came through in the characters that they played I shall always remember the impact they’re acting had on my personal life when it comes to brotherhood.

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David
10/13/2023 08:14:44 pm

Just watched Penrod double trouble. Very cool comraderie.

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    Bobby J. (Robb) Sulecki.
    Self-Made Film Historian  and Entrepreneur

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