{"id":26491,"date":"2012-07-13T12:22:25","date_gmt":"2012-07-13T19:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=26491"},"modified":"2021-02-04T09:09:34","modified_gmt":"2021-02-04T16:09:34","slug":"parent-trap-the-1961","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=26491","title":{"rendered":"Parent Trap, The (1961)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;The nerve of her, coming here with your face!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Poster-196x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"196\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-26492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Poster-196x300.jpg 196w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Poster-83x128.jpg 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Poster.jpg 236w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA pair of estranged identical twins (Hayley Mills) &#8212; one (Sharon) living with their mother (Maureen O&#8217;Hara) in Boston, the other (Susan) with their father (Brian Keith) in California &#8212; meet each other accidentally at summer camp, and concoct a plan to switch identities temporarily. When Sharon discovers that her father is planning to marry a gold-digger (Joanna Barnes), she enlists Susan&#8217;s help in bringing O&#8217;Hara out to California to try to break up the impending marriage and bring their parents back together.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Brian Keith Films<\/li>\n<li>Divorce<\/li>\n<li>Hayley Mills Films<\/li>\n<li>Maureen O&#8217;Hara Films<\/li>\n<li>Mistaken Identities<\/li>\n<li>Summer Camp<\/li>\n<li>Twins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary notes that while Disney&#8217;s follow-up to <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5146\"><em>Pollyanna<\/em> (1960)<\/a> is &#8220;a long way from being Hayley [Mills]&#8217; best film&#8230; it&#8217;s the film her loyal fans feel the most nostalgia for because it really delighted [young viewers] at the time&#8221; it was released &#8212; both the &#8220;boys who had crushes on her and girls who wanted to be her&#8221;. He points out that while it&#8217;s an &#8220;overlong, predictable comedy&#8221; without &#8220;much humor&#8221;, &#8220;O&#8217;Hara and Keith make a spirited screen couple&#8221;, &#8220;there are many fine supporting performances by veteran characters actors&#8221;, and &#8220;Mills is, of course, a delight&#8221;. He argues that Mills&#8217; &#8220;vibrant energy, wit, imagination and an optimistic view of the world&#8221; &#8212; in addition to her &#8220;mature talent, pretty features, and striking pre-Beatles British accent&#8221; &#8212; are &#8220;what made her so popular&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills-1024x614.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"384\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-68544\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills-1024x614.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills-300x180.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills-128x77.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills-768x461.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills-450x270.png 450w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills.png 1529w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills2-1024x624.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"390\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-68545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills2-1024x624.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills2-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills2-128x78.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills2-768x468.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills2-443x270.png 443w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Mills2.png 1535w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s no disputing the cult status of this beloved film, the &#8220;second [Hollywood] adaptation of Erich Kastner&#8217;s [1949] novel <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lottie_and_Lisa\"><em>Lisa and Lottie<\/em><\/a>.&#8221; The first version, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0046472\/\"><em>Twice Upon a Time<\/em><\/a> (1953), was directed by none other than Emeric Pressburger, but remains oddly elusive; I&#8217;ve never seen it, and have no idea how to go about finding a copy. Meanwhile, two other previous non-Hollywood versions were made as well (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0042409\/\">one in Germany<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt2009490\/\">one in Japan<\/a>), and in addition to later being adapted quite a few more times internationally, it was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0120783\/\">remade by Hollywood in 1998<\/a> with Lindsay Lohan in Mills&#8217; roles. Clearly, the ludicrous storyline &#8212; Kastner was purportedly inspired by the similar plot device in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=25855\"><em>Three Smart Girls<\/em> (1936)<\/a> &#8212; resonates with young viewers, who love to imagine that all their divorced parents need is simply a strong nudge towards reintroduction in order to happily reunite. Meanwhile, Kastner added the universally appealing notion that we may have an identical doppelganger out in the world, someone we know nothing about, but who we may run into by chance, and who will quickly become our closest confidante and companion. What&#8217;s not to love about this fantasy scenario? <\/p>\n<p>Adult viewers, however, will likely have a terrible time accepting the notion that O&#8217;Hara and Keith split up their twin daughters at an early age and failed to tell either one about the other; it not only strains credibility, but leaves a decidedly sour taste in one&#8217;s mouth about their parenting decisions. Regardless, O&#8217;Hara and Keith do indeed make for an appealing would-be couple: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Couple.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Couple.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1521\" height=\"921\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-68543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Couple.png 1521w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Couple-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Couple-1024x620.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Couple-128x78.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Couple-768x465.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Couple-446x270.png 446w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1521px) 100vw, 1521px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; especially when contrasted with the cartoonishly evil gold-digger played by Barnes (whose frosted hair and matronly hairdo make her appear much older than her actual 27 years of age). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Barnes.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Barnes-1024x614.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"384\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-68540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Barnes-1024x614.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Barnes-300x180.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Barnes-128x77.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Barnes-768x461.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Barnes-450x270.png 450w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Barnes.png 1519w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And Mills&#8217; performances &#8212; helped tremendously by fantastic double-exposure special effects &#8212; make the film easy to sit through, even when all its other elements fail to inspire. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hayley Mills as Sharon and Susan<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins2-1024x610.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"381\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-68542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins2-1024x610.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins2-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins2-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins2-768x457.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins2-453x270.png 453w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins2.png 1523w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine special effects<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins-1024x607.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-68541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins-1024x607.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins-768x455.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins-456x270.png 456w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Parent-Trap-Twins.png 1527w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a cult favorite, and for Mills&#8217; performance(s).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cult Movie<\/li>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0055277\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.digitallyobsessed.com\/displaylegacy.php?ID=7923\">Digitally Obsessed Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/24419\/the-parent-trap#articles-reviews?articleId=212729\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.stomptokyo.com\/movies\/parent-trap-61.html\">Stomp Tokyo Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The nerve of her, coming here with your face!&#8221; Synopsis: A pair of estranged identical twins (Hayley Mills) &#8212; one (Sharon) living with their mother (Maureen O&#8217;Hara) in Boston, the other (Susan) with their father (Brian Keith) in California &#8212; meet each other accidentally at summer camp, and concoct a plan to switch identities temporarily. When Sharon discovers that her father is planning to marry a gold-digger (Joanna Barnes), she enlists Susan&#8217;s help in bringing O&#8217;Hara out to California to&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=26491\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=26491"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68547,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26491\/revisions\/68547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=26491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=26491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=26491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}