At the Movies

This week we visited Hotel California on Wednesday and the beautiful Migis Lodge in Maine yesterday. Progressive California and traditional New England together suggests one summer movie classic, continuing from my last Hayley Mills theme and that of course is The Parent Trap. Those of a certain age surely have fond memories of this film. But I would bet that many of the younger readers have never even seen this original version.

I can’t tell you how many times I watched this film. Hayley Mills as twins – it certainly didn’t get any better – double the appeal of my then favorite star.

I’m sure you all know the story: girls at summer camp discover they are twins, separated shortly after birth by their divorcing parents – one sent to live with their mother in Boston and the other with their father on a ranch in California – and scheme to reunite their parents.

This was Disney’s single highest grossing film the studio had released up to that time and it’s easy to see why. The movie had a unique clever plot that appealed to both adults and children. Maureen O’Hara and Brian Keith (in his first comedy) as the twins’ parents had amazing on screen chemistry and of course Mills’ depictions of the two girls was brilliant, although I’ve read that she found it very challenging.

Other than idolizing Mills, I remember thinking how elegant and subtlely sexy Maureen O’Hara was – what a chic mother. Poor Brian Keith didn’t stand a chance.

She really shines in this film. One of the more humorous and charming scenes in this version is with Leo G. Carroll, who is really delightfully mischievous in his role as the reverend. And although hardly a secret, for those who didn’t already know this fun tidbit, Joanna Barnes, who plays Vicky in this clip, played Meredith’s mother, Vicky in the remake.

Of course one can’t talk about The Parent Trap without including the famous duet Hayley Mills performed with her “partner” self. You won’t be able to shake this little ditty after hearing it. So on this note, I wish you all a great summer weekend. Hoping you have a little time to get together with some of your family and/or friends as well.

18 thoughts on “At the Movies

  1. I had forgotten all about this golden oldie …..but now you have reminded me of one of my very favourites growing up….I used to be so intrigued that Hayley could be on the screen as two different people at the same time! xv

  2. You have got to love those necklines on Miss O’Hara’s wardrobe! Great film…I so remember seeing this for the first time. A great childhood film…so different from Harry Potter…

  3. One of my all time favorite movies that I never get tired of watching!! Although I enjoyed and liked the remake very much the original in my opinion is still the best! Thanks for the reminder, when my niece comes to visit I bet she would love to see it.

  4. I need to rent this! I used to love Brian Keith in re-runs of Family Affair and it looks like a good summer late night movie! Thank you for this reminder, it’s so nice to find really great classics to watch. Hope you have a great weekend!

    xo Mary Jo

    p.s. Thank you for the giveaway tweet :)

  5. I used to love the parent trap and Brian Keith, I had a serious crush on him growing up. I sort of had this thing for Mr. French too from Family Affair…ah memories. I’m going to have to rent that movie!

  6. I’ve been thinking about this one since you posted on “The Trouble with Angels” and I was already humming the song before I got to the end of the post. This one was one of my top 5 favortie movies growing up, never could get enough. I wanted that ranch, actually still would love to have it :) I had a crush on eveyrone and everything in the film. VERY fun revisit!

  7. Love this film! Such a part of my youth. I saw it so many times. I can hear that song “Let’s Get Together” right now. And I loved when they went camping with their father and Vicky and the twins sabotaged the whole thing. The whole Boston/Monterey dichotomy with the parents. Just wonderful! Puts a smile on my face.

  8. Oh you are certainly taking me back. I love the original Parent Trap. No telling how many times I’ve seen it.

  9. Brings back so many wonderful and nostalgic childhood memories! I’m glad the remake was so well done but there’s nothing like the original. Loved watching the clips…now I have a smile fixated on my face…thank you!
    xo J~

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