The Totally, Completely, Unofficial
Parent Trap Page
The Original - The Hayley Version
The Purpose of this site is to let me go on and on about how great the Parent Trap movies are. I will present to you mostly my opinions, and some information that perhaps you didn't know about the Parent Trap.
Considered a classic, mostly by those who saw it as children, but none the less a great movie. Available on video, but not letterbox, may possibly be on DVD.
I was 8 years old when The Parent Trap came out, in 1962. I have vague memories of seeing the trailer, but mostly I recall how two of the "cool" girls at Parkway Elementary bragged how they had bought the 45 record and claimed they could sing the song "Let's Get Together" and play the guitar as accompaniment. I doubt they learned the chords, but that didn't stop me from also getting the record, which I still have today. It's the version sung by Hayley Mills, not Annette Funicello.
There are three acts to this movie. First camp, second when the twins switch places, and third Dad's house.
The camp sequence is perfection and without a flaw. It's supreme commander Miss Inch runs Camp Inch. There is an aura of pseudo military trappings combined with scouting lore at the camp. Miss Inch carries a riding crop, wears khaki, and although forgets her own name, still rules with authority.
One of the main themes of the two movies is that the females are in control. The men are well meaning, but basically clueless. They are presentable, intellegent, well heeled, and smart enough to get out of the way. Let's face it, just the way we want them to be.
At camp there is a sizing up that goes on between the girls, both between cabin mates and the twins. Real bonding begins when some one "shows up wearing your face". Back in the '60's I have a vague remembrance of two starlets who showed up at the Oscars or a Hollywood party wearing the same designer gown. I think they are referring to this incident and why it was such an outrage between the girls.
The twins play awful tricks on each other, but the best is at the dance. The dance is classic. While one Hayley is dazzeling "trooper Stafford" the other Hayley snips the back panel off the first Hayley's dress. What follows naturally is a wopping cat fight, and a classic Disney dessert table explosion.
The cabin scene is a delight. I love trying to spot the teen idol 'hotties' of the past. There's Elvis, of course, Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, and my personal fav, Bobby Rydell. If you notice others please email me. The discovery of their parents is still touching today. Back in the 60's I wanted to be the Californian twin. Horses, pool, and ranch--it was all too open and free. Now I suppose I would prefer to be the Boston twin. Music lessons, art openings, Rolls Royce with servants, and big soirees. Unfortunately you would have to put up with the grandmother, what a bossy-boot
I love when things turn screwball at the ranch, with the mom and dad mixing it up again. Maggie is delicious as the catty ex-wife, messing with Mitch's head, and mesmerizing Rev. Mosby. Mitch is turned every which way but loose. He falls over furnature, and into the lake, everything in his world is turned upside down.
Mostly it's pretty painful to watch Mitch and Maggie romance each other, even though we want them together. Somehow their battle of wills probably wouldn't end after the wedding. But hey, they deserve each other.
Disclaimer: all photos are used without permission of their creators, who legally hold their respective copyrights. Where known, all photos include credit information. This site is in no way trying to infringe on the respective copyrights or businesses of these entities.