The Parent Trap (1961)

The Parent Trap (1961) is a warm, playful family comedy about identical twin sisters—one raised in Boston, the other in California—who meet by chance at summer camp, discover they’re sisters, and switch places in a mischievous plan to reunite their divorced parents. Watching the film, you’ll follow Sharon and Susan (both played with sparkling charm by Hayley Mills) as they swap lives to learn about the parent they never knew and then conspire to make Mom (Maureen O’Hara) and Dad (Brian Keith) fall in love again. The girls’ scheme produces a steady stream of comic set pieces—camproom battles, fish-out-of-water city scenes, and clever pranks—while the presence of Mitch’s new romantic interest, Vicky (Joanna Barnes), raises the stakes and provides the main obstacle to the twins’ scheme. The experience is lighthearted and affectionate: Hayley Mills’s dual performance is delightful, the supporting cast brings sincere warmth, and the film balances slapstick and witty dialogue with genuinely touching family moments. The tone is nostalgic 1960s Disney—bright, wholesome, and emotionally satisfying—so expect plenty of laughs, a few tender scenes, and a feel-good payoff when secrets are revealed and hearts are mended. Perfect for family viewing and anyone who enjoys charming, old-school romantic comedies with clever kids at the center.

Actors: Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith

Director: David Swift

Runtime: 129 min

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance

5.5 /10 73 /100 7.2 /10 6.7 /10