The Parent Trap

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Mikelle F A Classic Charmer. Although the split-screen technique had been around for a decade or so, it was usually more noted for its failures than its success, and the actor required to play dual roles usually took tremendous heat for their failure to create two physically identical but distinctly different characterizations on screen. But with THE PARENT TRAP, with the difficult dual role resting on the shoulders of an extremely young star, Walt Disney struck gold. It would be the single highest grossing film the studio had released up to that time, and even some forty years later the baby-boomers who flocked to see it in 1961 regard it as one of their favorite movie experiences. But THE PARENT TRAP has a lot more going for it than mere nostalgia. The cast is really, really good, featuring the ever-likable Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith in leading roles and a host of great character actors (including Leo G. Carroll and Nancy Kulp) in minor roles. And then there is Haley Mills. The daughter and sister of noted English actors, Mills was no newcomer to the screen when THE PARENT TRAP went before the cameras--she had even picked up an Oscar for her earlier Disney film POLLYANNA. Even so, this was no guarantee that she could pull off the feat of double roles, something that had daunted even the legendary Bette Davis. But she did. The story has been told so often that surely every one knows it by now. A wife delivers twin daughters--but shortly afterward divorces her husband, and each wins custody of one child. The children are raised without any knowledge of each other's existence... until they unexpectedly bump into each other at summer camp, put two and two together, and devise a scheme to get their parents back together again. Even today, and in spite of its familiarity, it's an amusing idea, and while the actual script is weak in spots the cast, and especially Haley Mills, makes the most of it. There's plenty of slapstick, lots of laugh-out-loud scenes, and enough charm to beguile all but the most cynical viewers. And Haley Mills clearly demonstrates why she was regarded as the single most gifted child actor of her era: although she plays both Susan and Sharon with the same edge of mischievous fun, they do indeed come off as completely different personalities. Of course, digital technology has left the old split-screen technique in the dust, and today its easy to see the flaws in the technique that weren't so obvious at the time. And the quality of the film transfer is not the best: while this isn't the worst transfer I've seen, it is full of artifacts nonetheless. Even so, the appeal of the story, the cast, and most particularly Haley Mills make up for a lot, and this Disney double DVD comes complete with a host of bonuses (including a making-of documentary and an audio commentary track by director David Swift and Haley Mills) that fans will enjoy quite a bit. If you were a fan of the film then, you'll remain a fan of it now. And if you want to introduce your family to a truly charming movie experience, you couldn't make a better choice. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/03/24 Full Review Blu B A Classic Comedy. Really well made all around and the twin playing effect is amazing with really smooth editing and camerawork in regard to it. The knit picks are all pretty minor stuff. It's a bit long, sometimes it loses focus and becomes more about the parents than the twins for long periods as well. The settings are really nice but every once in a while there is odd rear projection shots that are out of place and just look weird. Must've been reshoots. Also this is more plot driven than character driven in regards to the twins who are very well acted in regards to one kid playing both but they don't have much individual personality. The parents honestly have a lot more. The humor is really good in this and some solid slapstick as well. It's pretty balanced overall. It does move amazingly fast in the first 15 minutes etting everything up and does slow down in the middle. But it's really good overall. anyone who is a fan of Walt Disney flicks, comedies, the direcotr, or any actors in this will like this a lot. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review Dale R This is the movie I felt Hayley Mills really shined in and I really felt she drove the movie to the third star. I did not buy the parents getting back together and that plot point (the point of the entire movie) was wrapped up too quickly at the end of the movie. The supporting characters were likable, and the villain was so-so. I would have liked to see the grandmother from Boston go at the villain in a scene later in the movie. A good movie worth your time. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/07/24 Full Review Dorothy F My favourite movie of all time! I love Maureen O'Hara, this was a joy to watch as a child in the 1960's and as an adult now too... It never gets old, love it... Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/24 Full Review Russell H Started off good and slowed down. A little long and sappy. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/20/23 Full Review Eye C Cute film, the girl is a wonderful actress. But, I like it better the 90s version. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Parent Trap

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