The Parent Trap (1961)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

David Swift

Writers:

Erich Kästner (book)
David Swift (written by)

Release Date:

21 June 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

It's Strictly a Laugh Affair

Plot:

Hayley Mills plays twins who, unknown to their divorced parents, meet at a summer camp. Products of single parent households...

Plot Keywords:

California | Summer Camp | Twins | Divorced Parents | Gold Digger

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Hayley Mills	...	Sharon McKendrick / Susan Evers
Maureen O'Hara	...	Margaret 'Maggie' McKendrick
Brian Keith	...	Mitch Evers
Charles Ruggles	...	Charles McKendrick (as Charlie Ruggles)
Una Merkel	...	Verbena
Leo G. Carroll	...	Rev. Dr. Mosby
Joanna Barnes	...	Vicky Robinson
Cathleen Nesbitt	...	Louise McKendrick
Ruth McDevitt	...	Miss Inch
Crahan Denton	...	Hecky
Linda Watkins	...	Edna Robinson
Nancy Kulp	...	Miss Grunecker
Frank De Vol	...	Mr. Eaglewood

Runtime:

129 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:Approved (certificate #19646) | USA:G (re-rating) (1992) | Australia:G | Finland:K-8 | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

Susan Henning took on the role as Hayley Mills' body double for several of the twin shots in the film. As part of her contract, she signed away her rights to be credited. At the wrap party, Walt Disney presented her with a small statue of Donald Duck, called The Duckster, in recognition of the "best unseen performance on film." Only 2 other Ducksters have ever been awarded. To her credit, Ms. Henning did later star with Elvis Presley.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The Thunderbird Mitch Evers is driving is in park.

Quotes:

Sharon McKendrick: [after telling her he's going to marry Vicky] Don't you see, Dad, it's all relative. Compared to her, you're an old man.
Mitch Evers: I am not an old man!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: The Parent Rap (#13.2)" (2001)

Soundtrack:

Let's Get Together

Wonderful Family Film with winning performances

Hayley Mills does a spectacular job playing twins Sharon and Susan who are split up at birth and then reunited at summer camp. Of course they plan to reunite their divorced parents before a new woman can get her hands on their father! It's not hard to see why this film has remained popular, Mills, O'Hara, and Keith all are wonderful, and even if the story isn't the most believable it is perfectly suited for younger viewers. Forget the 1998 remake, stick with the original.