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:

Pop's love affair is a 3-ring circus!

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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

The screenplay originally called for only a few trick photography shots of Hayley Mills in scenes with herself; the bulk of the film was to be shot using a body double. When Walt Disney saw how seamless the processed shots were, he ordered the script reconfigured to include more of the special effect.

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Goofs

When the twins' mother (Maureen O'Hara) is singing the song the song that was played on her first date with their father, her lips do not match the words that are being sung.

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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 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Swamp Diamonds (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Colonel Bogey March"
(1914) (uncredited)
Written by Kenneth Alford (a pseudonym of F.J. Ricketts)
Whistled by the camp girls as Sharon and Susan are taken to their new tent

User Reviews

EXCELLENT family movie. Fun and light-hearted.

The Parent Trap is one of those ageless family movies. It is light-hearted and filled with down-to-earth humor. Without a doubt you will see this listed as one of those Disney classics.

This is a must see for the whole family but especially for those children with the vivid imagination.

Steve Kaden