The Parent Trap
Seen it?1961 | 129 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (90% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics, anyone who wants a laugh and families. If you loved The Parent Trap or Freakier Friday, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny, romantic.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 2 hr 9 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1961: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Two identical twin sisters, separated at birth by their parents' divorce, are reunited years later at a summer camp, where they scheme to bring their parents back together. The girls, one of whom has been living with their mother and the other with their father, switch places after camp and go to work on their plan, the first objective being to scare off a gold-digger pursuing their father.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
90% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$30 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 230K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Parent Trap Saturday SpecialA 1998 remake of this film: a romantic comedy, and a Saturday Special.
It Takes Two
Weeknight WatchAnother romantic comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Freakier Friday Saturday SpecialAnother comedy, and a Saturday Special.
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Saturday SpecialAnother comedy, and a Saturday Special.
Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare Weeknight WatchAnother comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by David Swift
- Hayley MillsSusan Evers / Sharon McKendrick
- Maureen O'HaraMargaret 'Maggie' McKendrick
- Brian KeithMitch Evers
- Charles RugglesCharles McKendrick
- Cathleen NesbittLouise McKendrick
- Una MerkelVerbena
- Joanna BarnesVicky Robinson
- Linda WatkinsEdna Robinson
- Crahan DentonHecky
- Leo G. CarrollRev. Dr. Mosby