The Totally, Completely, Unofficial
Parent Trap Page
The Characters - Then and Now
THE TWINS: Susan/Sharon and Hallie/Annie
Hallie/Annie are almost 12, Annie has been raised in England, and Hallie has been raised in California. Annie is Continental, refined, a young lady. Hallie is California cool, owns her own horse, and thinks girls rule. Lindsay Lohan sparkles in the role. She is able to make each twin special, and unique. Most males prefer Annie (I'm not quite sure why). In the film Hallie gets to have more fun hanging with Mom, and getting to know her. Annie has to vie for Dad's attention because of Merediths presence. Annie and Nick do have fun riding alone together. Annie's little "Come on Dad" laugh as she beats him in the race is very sweet.
Susan/Sharon are nearly 13 years old, they have been separated by birth and one is raised by their mother, and one by their father. Hayley Mills plays both. Ok, we know all that. What's fun about the Hayley version is basically, Hayley. She was a wonderful child actor, that many of us grew up with. The girls wanted to be her, and the boys wanted to date her. I love to watch her at the dance scene. The way she prattles on about her life on the ranch, and how naked she is without lipstick. Also classic is how she handles her mother when mom is basically too busy with meetings, and things. Just the little goofy faces she makes when reacting to other actors is priceless.
THE DADS: Mitch Evers and Nick Parker
Mitch was raised on a ranch with the cows. Yet some how he got himself to The Big Apple to romance Mom. He's rich, the boss, has good social manners, cool car, great house, sharp dresser, and psychic about when things are about to happen. A little snotty to his daughter, to my thinking.
Nick is rich, the boss, ok manners, (he never gets properly introduced to Meredith's father), cool car, great house, nice dresser, not psychic, very loving to his daughter. The Dream Dad.
THE MOMS: Maggie McKendrick and Elizabeth James
Maggie McKendrick, since leaving Mitch, has turned into a society matron, with the help of her mother. She wears tailored dresses in drab colors. She's basically on the shelf when we meet her, living in a world of ladies aide meetings, and museum openings. Once off the shelf--Vavoom! She turns-up the volume with a new do, and off the shoulder dresses in bright colors, and prints. Once back in the game she's able to get everyone's attention.
Elizabeth James is chic, lovely, and calmly in control. A successful wedding gown designer now, and devoted to her daughter. We know she is still in love with her ex, because she comes completely unglued at the prospect of seeing him again, and wonders if he is looking forward to seeing her too. She basically never got over the fact that Nick didn't come after her, proving his love when she ran away with baby Annie.
The Moms-
Maggy Mckendrick is beautiful, a society matron, lets her mother rule her life, doesn't seem to have thought about a man and her ability to get one for quite some time. But once she get's herself off the shelf--vavoom! Elizabeth James is chic, British, refined, nice, smart, fun, and a sucessful designer. She can go weak in the knees for her ex's smile.
MINOR CHARACTERS:
From the 1962 version there is the Boston family: Grandpa, who is wonderfully played by Charlie Ruggles. He's intellegent, a nice dresser, loving, and caring. Grandmother is dictatorial, controlling, and has the last word in almost every situation. At the ranch is Verbena, she's aware of all that goes on (let's face it she does the wash), caring, and has to put in her two cents. Then there's Hecky, the ranch hand, who is basically there to be bossed around. Most enjoyable is Reverand Mosby, played by Leo G. Carol the original Cosmo Topper. He's absolutely delicious as the Rev. The stuff he says is priceless. Especially when he is going on about the apropo stripped awning tent. Then there is Vicky. She's out to get the dad, but is just out of her league with the society babes from Boston. Now her mother is well played, but doesn't have a big part.
AT CAMP:
Camp Inch is populated with an assortment of vivbrant characters. Best is the supreme commander Miss Inch. She's plump, dithering, yet wise once she gets clued in. She has a troop of females that assist her, notable is Nancy Kulp, once again cast as the no nonsense drill sargent-type.
The other notable is the head of the Thunderhead boys camp from the next hill top over. What a great casting pick--he's bald, boney kneed, and tucks his napkin into his collar. Yet you know this guy is decent and steady. The girl campers are enjoyable, and it's fun to see them size each other up at the beginning. Trooper Stafford is also easy on the eyes, and most presentable.
The Parent Trap 1998 camp characters are mostly unremarkable. The camp leaders and campers are just not well fleshed out. The only kids that I thought about after the movie were the lone boy at camp (Linsey Lohan's real life brother) and the girl who is completely loaded down with gear.
Meredith:
Meredith is extremely well played by Elaine Hendrix. She's snotty, and we love to hate her. Her every scene is excellent. Especially when confronting Annie, actually she's prophetic when she says "You're no longer the only girl in Nick Parker's life, get over it". The original Vicky plays her mother and it's delightful to see her again. She's excellent, and the actor that plays her husband is also very good, considering he has only two or three lines. I just love it when Meredith, and her parents have a good chortle together over Nick's money.
The Help--1998
Martin is the consummate butler, the lovable brother that just happens to wait on the James'. He's emotional, and fancys himself as a cool, leather clad bloke. Chessy is loving, and knowing. She's been there since the beginning and thinks food is the symbol for love. These are wonderful supporting characters, and are the comic relief
Back to Parent Trap Home