the parent trap

the year: 1961

the genre: comedy



the cast: Hayley Mills (Susan Evers / Sharon McKendrick); Maureen O’Hara (Margaret “Maggie” McKendrick); Brian Keith (Mitch Evers); Charles Ruggles (Charles McKendrick); Leo G. Carroll (Reverand Moseby); Una Merkel (Verbena)



the plot: Thirteen year olds prim and proper Bostonian Sharon McKendrick and tomboyish Californian Susan Evers meet at summer camp. It's hate at first sight because besides the differing length of their hair, they look exactly the same. After the girls carry out one battle after another against each other, the camp administrators place the two in solitary confinement with each other. Since they’re stuck with each other, the girls finally get a chance to know each other and learn that they are indeed twins, separated when they were babies when their parents divorced. Wanting to get to know the parent they never met, Sharon and Susan decide to switch places. They figure that their parents would ultimately have to 'un-switch' them, and the girls hope when they do, they will fall in love all over again. In California their plan hits a snag when Mitch introduces his daughter to Vicky Robinson, who aspires to be the second Mrs. Mitchell Evers. Sharon and Susan have to figure out a way to get rid of Vicky and bring Maggie to California quickly so that their parents can reconcile and the foursome can be one big happy family.



count: how many time Verbina says “I don’t say a word.”



don’t miss: Miss Inch’s welcome to the girls at camp.


check out: Reverend Moseby. And Grandpa McKendrick. It’s a toss up for which I like more.




listen for: “That plus-faced child bride and her electric hips!”




also listen for: “I shan't tell my aunt about the ants nor the debutantes. Shall I?”



did you know: 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. But when Walt Disney saw how seamless the processed shots were, he ordered the script reconfigured to include more of the special effect.




extra bonus points: if you can name the two artists who sang the title song. Hint: they were on the lot shooting Babes in Toyland.