The Parent Trap (1961)

The Parent Trap (Dir: David Swift, 1961). 

Hayley Mills' second movie for Walt Disney is also arguably her best for the studio. Indeed, nearly 60 years after release it remains one of the studio’s most popular and well regarded live action features.

Based upon Erich Kästner’s German language novel 'Das Doppelte Lottchen' (Lisa and Lottie) The Parent Trap tells the story of identical twin sisters Susan and Sharon (both played by Mills) who are separated at birth by their divorced parents. Thirteen years later they meet at summer camp and decided to switch places on their folks, knowing that they would have to meet up again in order to switch them back and hopefully reconcile their romance. So Susan heads to Boston to meet mom (Maureen O'Hara), while Sharon jets off to stay with dad (Brian Keith) at his sprawling California ranch. With unfortunate timing dad is just about to wed gold digging platinum blonde Vicky (Joanna Barnes), with whom he is besotted, forcing the twins to plot ever more elaborate schemes to 'submarine' Vicky and save their parents marriage.

While its plot is far fetched to say the least, the movie is executed with such skill and warmth that disbelief happily takes a vacation. That this was only writer/director David Swift’s second feature film is astonishing, such is the level of expertise in his handling of the script and of the expert performances he elicits from a first rate cast. Maureen O’Hara was never lovelier than she is here and Brian Keith was never more lovably oafish. Of course the real star is Mills in her duel role as the twins. Her deft performance displays genuine charisma and expert comedy timing in what is only her third screen appearance. She is backed by a top quality supporting cast which includes acting legends Charles Ruggles and Una Merkel. Joanna Barnes, previously seen in Spartacus (Stanley Kubrick, 1960), is so good in her role of vixen Vicky that it is surprising she did not become a much bigger star. 

The Parent Trap also looks fabulous. Save for the odd bit of obvious back project, the pre-digital effects are excellent; the movie would be far less effective if they were not. The trick photography that allows two Hayleys to appear on screen together is astonishing and completely believable. It is all beautifully photographed by cinematographer Lucien Ballads and its 1960s fashions and Mid Century Modern interiors contribute to make this one of the best looking and most stylish movies in the Disney catalogue. 

Perhaps The Parent Trap’s greatest achievement is that it works as a sophisticated romcom for adult audiences just as well as it does a slapstick comedy for kids. The movie is so affectionate, so funny and so expertly performed that I cannot offer any genuine criticisms of it. Perhaps, at 2 hours plus, it is a little on the lengthy side; an extended camp-out is merely stalling time before we reach the, by now, inevitable conclusion. But honestly, it is all so funny that it never once feels as if it has overstayed its welcome. The whole thing is topped off with a handful of songs from the legendary Richard and Robert Sherman, including the hit single ‘Let’s Get Together’. 

As unabashed as my love for The Parent Trap is, I genuinely cannot think of a more perfect movie. It is, for me, the best of the Disney comedies and one of the studio’s greatest achievements in live action movies, rivalled only by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Richard Fleischer, 1954) and the mighty Mary Poppins (Robert Stevenson, 1964). 

A belated sequel The Parent Trap 2 (Ron Maxwell, 1986), made its television debut over two decades later and an updated remake, also titled The Parent Trap (Nancy Meyers, 1998) was a hit with audiences a decade after that. A reboot for the Disney+ streaming service is also mooted. Yet, as is often the case, the original is the best. If you have never seen The Parent Trap or haven’t seen in a while, I highly recommend giving it a watch. It is a comedy gem whose warmth and charm is hard to resist!