The Parent Trap

Two identical sisters, separated after their parents' divorce, meet years later at a summer camp and discover they are living with split families. One has grown up with their mother, the other with their father, and they instantly realize they could be exchanging places to shake up their world. After the camp ends, they switch identities and move into each other's households, testing whether a bit of mischief can coax their parents back together. Their first target is a man pursuing the father who seems more interested in wealth than romance, a plan the girls pursue with comic tenacity and sibling scheming. The lakefront setting and summer chores give the story color, and the sisters learn how a house becomes a stage for misdirection as they juggle school, friends, and a growing plan.

Directed by David Swift, The Parent Trap arrived in 1961 from Disney. It adapts Erich Kästner's Das doppelte Lottchen, turning a German classic into a cheerful family comedy anchored by Mills's twin performances, a notable showcase of her range worldwide.

Box office performance was solid, with worldwide earnings of 29,650,385 dollars, reflecting the film's broad appeal to families and long-standing repeat viewings, helped by broad holiday releases, cherished TV airings, and Mills's winning charm. That influence extended to family entertainment.

Over the years the film has stayed a touchstone in family cinema, cited for its twin swap premise and sunny humor. Mills' dual role as Susan and Sharon helped define the kid actor double performance and became iconic for Disney comedies. Its pace and costumes helped it travel to screenings.

Critics praised its light storytelling and Mills' spirited performance, while audiences enjoyed its wholesome tone and comic misunderstandings. The film explores family reconciliation, identity, and the power of siblings to influence adults with warmth and humor, offering a simple, satisfying escape for multiple generations and continuing to charm new ones.