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The Parent Trap

  • 1961
  • G
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
25K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,883
1,019
Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap (1961)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer2:14
1 Video
79 Photos
ComedyFamilyRomance

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

  • Director
    • David Swift
  • Writers
    • David Swift
    • Erich Kästner
  • Stars
    • Hayley Mills
    • Maureen O'Hara
    • Brian Keith
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    25K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,883
    1,019
    • Director
      • David Swift
    • Writers
      • David Swift
      • Erich Kästner
    • Stars
      • Hayley Mills
      • Maureen O'Hara
      • Brian Keith
    • 120User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:14
    Trailer

    Photos79

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    Top cast26

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    Hayley Mills
    Hayley Mills
    • Susan Evers…
    Maureen O'Hara
    Maureen O'Hara
    • Maggie McKendrick
    Brian Keith
    Brian Keith
    • Mitch Evers
    Charles Ruggles
    Charles Ruggles
    • Charles McKendrick
    • (as Charlie Ruggles)
    Una Merkel
    Una Merkel
    • Verbena
    Leo G. Carroll
    Leo G. Carroll
    • Rev. Dr. Mosby
    Joanna Barnes
    Joanna Barnes
    • Vicky Robinson
    Cathleen Nesbitt
    Cathleen Nesbitt
    • Louise McKendrick
    Ruth McDevitt
    Ruth McDevitt
    • Miss Inch
    • (as Ruth Mc Devitt)
    Crahan Denton
    Crahan Denton
    • Hecky
    Linda Watkins
    Linda Watkins
    • Edna Robinson
    Nancy Kulp
    Nancy Kulp
    • Miss Grunecker
    Frank De Vol
    Frank De Vol
    • Mr. Eaglewood
    Don Ames
    • Parent
    • (uncredited)
    Kay Cole
    Kay Cole
    • Betsy
    • (uncredited)
    Dave Goelz
    Dave Goelz
    • Teenager
    • (uncredited)
    Herschel Graham
    Herschel Graham
    • Parent
    • (uncredited)
    Barbara Hunter
    Barbara Hunter
    • Gwen
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • David Swift
    • Writers
      • David Swift
      • Erich Kästner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews120

    7.225.2K
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    Featured reviews

    7aashdon

    A Favorite During My Tween Years

    I first saw this movie on Sunday night TV Wonderful World of Disney in 1979 and was hooked. I bought the book at the school book fair and reread it a dozen times.

    My older sister had seen Parent Trap in the theater and knew all of the parts that 1970s TV had edited out.

    In the 1980s I finally got to see the whole film uncut on the Disney cable channel and finally got to figure out "the little dolls signing the parent trap song" my sister spoke of (there was 15 minutes I'd never get back)....

    Dorky animated cupids aside, as a kid I loved the movie's cross country saga. The camp cabin sabotage, the twins joining forces to prank dad's girlfriend.

    Although most kids will still enjoy the original movie's favorite kid moments of the punchbowl splashing into a chaperon, the timeless cake falling on Miss Inch's face, and Vicky's hissy fit, the movie's long pace might bore todays kids.

    Although some purists don't like the new remake of Parent Trap, I thought the remake kept the essence of the original story and updated it to match todays global travel, destigmatization of divorce, etc.
    TJBNYC

    Sassy, warm and genuinely funny

    "Family" movies usually make me cringe. Saccharine plots, cloying kiddie actors, goopy dialogue...no, thank you! But "The Parent Trap" succeeds admirably as both children-friendly fare and reasonably witty, sophisticated comedy.

    The high-class production values don't hurt, and neither does the superb cast, right down to the character roles. The ever-dependable Una Merkel is a gem as the smart-talking maid, having lost none of her streetwise timing since her brassy blonde days in the 1930's. Charlie Ruggles is extraordinarily lovable as the grandfather, and Cathleen Nesbitt plays wonderfully against type as the domineering grandmother. Leo G. Carroll once again benefits a film simply by his appearance, and even Nancy "Miss Hathaway" Kulp is on board as a butch camp counselor (quite a stretch).

    Of course, at the heart of it all, is the bravura performance of Hayley Mills as twins Susan and Sharon. She's never revoltingly sweet--there's a winning streak of spice in her personality that separates her from all other child stars. Plus, her kicky pre-Beatles British accent and snub-nosed beauty lend her a more worldly air than her contemporaries.

    The ravishing Maureen O'Hara, in one of her last major roles as the twins' mother, Maggie, begins the film as a nondescript cipher, but her glamorous metamorphosis in the latter half of the film shows just how funny and sexy she can be. Mitch, the twins' father, is played by the ruggedly handsome Brian Keith, who generates the right mixture of roughneck toughness and paternal warmth.

    And the criminally-overlooked Joanna Barnes plays Vicki, the predatory golddigger looking to sink her claws into Mitch. Vicki's verbal duels with Maggie and the twins are surprisingly catty for a children's film, and delivered with perfect villainy.

    The very 1961 flourishes are priceless: the hopelessly tone-deaf Tommy Sands and Annette Funicello "singing" the theme song; the "formal" dance, with the girls all decked out in crinolines and laces; Susan plastering her bungalow wall with pictures of her favorite pin up boys (Rick Nelson!); and, my personal favorites, Sharon and Susan showing each other their parents' photos: hyper-posed, glamorous Hollywood 8x10 glossies!

    The plot actually plays like a highly sanitized Rock Hudson/Doris Day bedroom farce, except that Susan and Sharon direct the course of action. You know what the ending will be even before you watch the movie, but it doesn't really matter. This is a delicious bon-bon of a flick, as irresistible to adults as to their children.
    Rebanne

    One of my all time favorites!

    This movie always brings me back to my childhood days, it is perfect for whenever I feel nostaglic! This version is WAY better than the 1998 remake, for the remake is too silly and cheesy (at least for me!) I always enjoy this movie, and feel good at the end because I have traveled back in time to my younger days. I hope my children will feel the same in the near future. **** out of ****
    Critic-31

    Great Family Movie

    I loved the parent trap. I think that it is an excellent family movie. Too bad that we can't get back to good family movies such as this one. The only thing is that I couldn't figure out who I liked best Susan or Sharon.
    MovieAddict2016

    Disney Classic

    What can I say, it's got the Disney magic to it, and a pretty good idea. If you like Disney films, you'll love this. It's a true "classic" to be quoted, and can be enjoyed by all ages. Just stay clear of the 1998 remake. 3.5/5 stars--

    JOHN ULMER

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The screenplay originally called for only a few trick photography shots of Hayley Mills in scenes with herself. The bulk of the movie was to be shot using a body double. After producer Walt Disney saw how seamless the processed shots were, he ordered the script reconfigured to include more of the visual effect with her playing both twins in the same scenes.
    • Goofs
      While singing "Let's Get Together," twice Sharon's hand momentarily disappears crossing over into Susan's frame.
    • Quotes

      Mitch Evers: [entering the dining room to see an empty table] Hey, uh, what happened to dinner?

      Verbena 'Ever's Housekeeper': Oh, dinner's being served on the patio tonight.

      Mitch Evers: Oh, whose idea is that?

      Verbena 'Ever's Housekeeper': It's none of my nevermind. I don't say a word.

      Mitch Evers: [turning to leave; deadpan] I know, you never say a word to anyone.

    • Alternate versions
      An early US laserdisc release is missing the car scene mentioned above, but not the pool transition a few minutes later. It is, on the other hand, also missing about 50 seconds at the start of the conversation between Margaret and her father as she tries to pack for the trip to CA (during which he informs her of the plane ticket, questions her choice of dress, and ponders what sort of lady Mitch might have married since the breakup). Like many Disney releases, it is also missing the distribution title card (Buena Vista) and the accompanying drummed introduction to the title song.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Magical World of Disney: The Title Makers/Nature's Half Acre (1961)
    • Soundtracks
      The Parent Trap
      by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

      Sung by Tommy Sands and Annette Funicello

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 21, 1961 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Disney's Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Operación Cupido
    • Filming locations
      • Bluff Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Walt Disney Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,150,385
    • Gross worldwide
      • $29,650,385
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 9 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.75 : 1

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