The Parent Trap (1961)

Teenage twin girls swap places and scheme to reunite their divorced parents.

Director:

David Swift

Writers:

Erich Kästner (based on the book "Das doppelte Lottchen" by), David Swift (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Hayley Mills	...	Susan Evers / Sharon McKendrick
Maureen O'Hara	...	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 (as Ruth Mc Devitt)
Crahan Denton	...	Hecky
Linda Watkins	...	Edna Robinson
Nancy Kulp	...	Miss Grunecker
Frank De Vol	...	Mr. Eaglewood

Storyline

Hayley Mills plays twins who, unknown to their divorced parents, meet at a summer camp. Products of single parent households, they switch places (surprise!) so as to meet the parent they never knew, and then contrive to reunite them.

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Plot Keywords:

california | twins | divorced parents | summer | summer camp | 

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Taglines:

What these two look-a-likes do to a marriage is sheer DELIRIUM... What they do to the screen is sheer DELIGHT!

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Genres:

Family | Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Abba Mitares

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording) Dolby Digital (5.1 surround) (DVD Release)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Brian Keith's first comedy participation.

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Goofs

In the isolation cabin, when the window blows open and the girls try to close it, the stand-in's face is revealed.

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Quotes

Margaret 'Maggie' McKendrick: Oh darn!
Mitch Evers: What's the matter?
Margaret 'Maggie' McKendrick: Well, I've got a wet dishcloth on and I put some knots in it. Open it for me!
Mitch Evers: Maggie, as long as everybody's apologizing, I think maybe I better do mine too. I mean about the other night, well, I didn't mean for it to sound like uh... I guess I'm not very good with the compliments what growing up out here with the cows...
Margaret 'Maggie' McKendrick: Oh now, don't give me that old "growing up with the cows routine"! You handed me that years ago!
Mitch Evers: I did not!
Margaret 'Maggie' McKendrick: You certainly did!
Mitch Evers: Well it worked ...

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Connections

Referenced in Heart Condition (1990)

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Soundtracks

"For Now for Always"
(1961)
Written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Performed by Maureen O'Hara (uncredited)

User Reviews

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.