The Parent Trap (1961) is another movie that if you described the plot to someone it sounds like the craziest and cruelest story ever. A husband and wife divorce because of their tumultuous relationship. They decide to split up their baby twin daughters (Susan and Sharon) and raise each one on their own. By doing so, they act as if the other child never existed. And, here’s the kicker, they never tell the girls that they have a twin. When the girls are thirteen, fate brings them together and they wind up at the same summer camp. Once they discover the truth, they ignore the fact that their parents are wretched people and instead switch places so they can meet their estranged parents. They also hatch a plan to reunite them. It may sound like a callous plot but in 1961 it was Disney box office gold. And, WE LOVE IT! And how could we not with these adorable opening credits to draw us in (warning the jingle is catchy)
Many may be more familiar with the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, which will always be famous for Lindsay Lohan’s film debut. From what I remember, the remake was respectable and Lindsay was adorable. But with any remake, the story may be modernized but it’s hard to capture the charm of the original. And this movie has an abundance of charm.
Haley Mills perfectly plays both twins who have opposite personalities that mirrors the parents (Brian Keith and Maureen O’Hara) who raised them. It’s enjoyable to watch her play savvy teenagers who act so innocently while trying to break up their father’s engagement to his younger fiancée (Joanna Barnes) in order to clear the path for their mother. Both the fiancée and the twins know what each are up to and it’s a fun ride to see who’s going to win (but I think you can guess).
What really brings this film together though is the chemistry between Brian Keith and Maureen O’Hara. It’s endearing to see how they drive each other crazy even though they are crazy for each other. Brian Keith is masterful at playing the man who is completely at the mercy of all the women in his life. His most delightful scene in the movie is when he is frazzled after discovering his ex-wife (who he hasn’t seen in 13 years) is in his house at the same time as his fiancée and his future mother-in-law. And the hilarity continues when he tries to explain to his fiancée and her mother that there is nothing to worry about because his ex-wife is matronly. Then in walks Maureen O’Hara looking like an Irish Gina Lollobrigida. Maureen O’Hara soon proves that she can be just as cunning as her daughters in order to break up her husband’s engagement.
This is one of the few movies that I could watch today and it brings me back to the same feeling that I had when I watched it as a child. Growing up, one of my favorite scenes used to be when Haley Mills (playing both sisters) recreates their parents first date and as entertainment sings “Let’s Get Together.” I even remember that I used to play the song on the piano. Of course, I could only play the chorus and only use my right hand to play since I never mastered playing with two hands (you can imagine how happy my parents were after paying for piano lessons).
Interestingly, The Parent Trap was not an original idea. It was based on a 1949 German children’s book called “Das doppelte Lottchen” (“the double Lottie”, title in American as “Lottie and Lisa”) written by Erich Kästner. It was pretty forward thinking of Disney to produce a movie that acknowledged divorce in 1961. Back then the divorce rate was still relatively low. Yet, it’s almost prophetic when Haley Mills’ character says, “soon there will be more divorces than marriages.” For in the 70s, the divorce rate would reach its zenith. By the time, I saw this movie in the 80s divorce was as common as a cold. Of course, the movie also gives in to the idealistic notion that divorced parents will get back together – but what do you expect from a Disney movie.
Sometimes when I am flipping through the TV Guide I am so happy to see The Parent Trap is on. Then I realized it’s the Lindsay Lohan version. It just worries me in this age of remaking movies that younger generations will naturally be more influenced by the newer versions rather than seeing the original. Hopefully, people won’t forget the original Parent Trap movie because it worth remembering.
Did you Know?….
- From 1988-1989, Haley Mills played the title role in a Disney Channel TV series called Good Morning, Miss Bliss, a middle school comedy centered on a teacher and her class. It only lasted a year and Haley Mills’ role was short-lived. However, the show was revamped focusing on the crazy antics of some of the original cast members in high school…the new show was “Saved By the Bell.”
- According to Wikipedia, The Parent Trap debuted on June 21, 1961 and was #1 after the first opening weekend but the following week it was knocked out of the slot. It reclaimed the title after its 4th week in theaters and remained there for two weeks. However, in its 11th week (in early September), Parent Trap would reclaim the #1 spot yet again and hold onto it for four weeks in a row. Hollywood movies today couldn’t imagine such a successful box office run.
- In Mad Men Season 4 premiere (Public Relations), there was ongoing dialogue between Peggy and Joey as they cooed “John and Marsha” to each other. This was a reference to Stan Freberg’s 1951 comedy routine. Some Mad Men fans wondered why reference something from the 50s in a show set in the 60s. Was it just used as an homage to Freberg who was a comedian and adman? When I first saw that episode, I was familiar with the famous names but I couldn’t figure out how because I wasn’t alive in either decade. Then, I realized I know them from the opening credits to this movie. Like always, Mad Men hit it right on the nose because even though it may have been a reference to Freberg it was also a pop culture reference in the 60s.
Categories: Family Films, Romantic Comedies
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