The Parent Trap (1961)

Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith

Directed by David Swift

Available to stream on Prime Video

Our last "When They Were Older" film features Disney's young star Hayley Mills supported by several veteran actors of both the stage and screen. In The Parent Trap, twins Susan and Sharon, separated as babies, discover each other at summer camp and concoct elaborate plans to switch places and get their divorced parents back together.

Hayley Mills and Hayley Mills in "The Parent Trap"

Why we love it: One of  Disney's most beloved movies, The Parent Trap succeeds on many levels.  It has plenty of humorous gags and slapstick situations to keep children entertained -  from the cake falling on Miss Inch to the tricks played on the hapless Vicky on the camping trip. Talented young Hayley Mills is at her best in the dual role of Susan and Sharon.

But The Parent Trap is more than just children's entertainment.  The film has a great cast of adult actors whose stories are equally entertaining.  The rekindling of the romance between beautiful Maureen O'Hara and gruff Brian Keith is delightful.  Then there are the old pro actors from an earlier Hollywood who add so many special touches -- Una Merkel as the housekeeper, Leo G. Carroll as the bourbon-drinking minister, Charlie Ruggles and Cathleen Nesbitt as the Bostonian grandparents -- altogether making a movie that is still fun for all ages 63 years after it was first released.    

Fun Facts:

Charlie Ruggles (1886-1970), who plays grandfather Charles McKendrick, had one of the longest careers in Hollywood. He first appeared on screen in 1914 and continued acting in movies and television until his death. Some of his more famous appearances are in The Smiling Lieutenant (1931), Trouble in Paradise (1932), and Bringing Up Baby (1938).

Charles Ruggles in 1938

Charles Ruggles in 1961

• The housekeeper, Verbena, is played by veteran actor Una Merkel (1903-1986) who appeared in a few silent films and on stage before she gained popularity in the 1930's usually in supporting and best friend roles. Known for her southern accent and wise-cracking retorts, she appeared as a chorus girl along with Ginger Rogers and Ruby Keeler in 42nd Street (1933). Other notable roles were in Private Lives (1931), Bombshell (1933), and Destry Rides Again (1939). She also appeared in Murder in the Private Car (1934) with Charles Ruggles!

Una Merkel and Charles Ruggles in 1934

Una Merkel in the 1930's

Una Merkel in 1961

• Renowned stage actor Cathleen Nesbitt (1888-1982) plays grandmother Louise McKendrick. Nesbitt made her London stage debut in 1910 and acted in London and on Broadway for the rest of her life, making occasional appearances in films. Her first Hollywood film appearance was in Three Coins in the Fountain (1954). She also appeared as Cary Grant's grandmother in An Affair to Remember (1957).

Cathleen Nesbitt in 1961

Cathleen Nesbitt in 1913

• Another famous stage actor, Leo G. Carroll (1886-1972), plays the entertaining role of Dr. Mosby. Carroll preferred the stage to films, but he became quite a well known character actor, appearing in more Hitchchock films than any other actor. Some of his well known roles are in Rebecca (1940), Spellbound (1945), Father of the Bride (1950), Strangers on a Train (1951), and North by Northwest (1959).

Leo G. Carroll in "The Parent Trap"

• Irish born actress Maureen O'Hara (1920-2015) was discovered by Charles Laughton at the age of 19 and became a star from her two first film appearances - Jamaica Inn (1939) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939). She also starred in Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and The Quiet Man (1952). She never worked with Walt Disney again, however, because she had wanted top billing in The Parent Trap and he insisted on Hayley Mills receiving top billing.

Maureen O'Hara in the 1940's

Maureen O'Hara in 1961

• The Parent Trap was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Sound and Best Film Editing.

• This was Hayley Mills's third film and second for Disney. She had appeared first in the British thriller Tiger Bay (1959) opposite her father, John Mills, when she was only 12. Walt Disney noticed her and signed her to a five-year contract.

  
  

• Actor John Mills, Hayley's father, has a small cameo as Brian Keith's caddy in the golfing scene.

Brian Keith and John Mills

• Originally, most of the film was to be made using a body double for Hayley Mills in scenes where the twins appear together. Walt Disney was so pleased with the split screen editing, however, that more were added to film. Susan Henning still appeared in many scenes as the other twin, uncredited.

Hayley Mills and body double Susan Henning

Featured Cocktail:

Mint Julep

Served at the Kentucky Derby as long ago as the late 1800s, the mint julep became the Derby’s official drink in the late 1930s. Like many bourbon drinks, it probably was originally made with cognac or brandy.

At the modern Kentucky Derby over 125,000 mint juleps, made with mint-infused sugar and Woodford Reserve bourbon, are served.

2-3 oz (60-90 ml) bourbon, depending on the size of your glass

1-2 tsps (5-10 ml) sugar syrup – to taste

8-10 fresh mint leaves

Put the sugar syrup and mint leaves in the bottom of the glass. Gently muddle. Add the bourbon and stir to mix. Fill the glass with crushed ice and stir until very cold. Add more ice to fill the glass. Garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a small straw. (Can be made in a highball glass, but a silver or pewter julep cup is preferred.)

Cheers to the Classics!