The Parent Trap- the original!

In case you all are wondering, I don't usually keep up this blog as regularly since I have a family blog that keeps me pretty busy. But I will try and update this several times a month, if not more.

I was just watching the original version of The Parent Trap this evening with my seven year old. She had seen the second version several times, thanks to the Disney Channel, but I kept telling her she just had to see the first one! I finally found it in our public library and happily took it home with us. She wanted to watch it right away, and frankly, I did too!

Just as I hoped, she loves this original just as much- if not more- than the re-make. (And I have to say, overall I thought they did a pretty nice job updating and remaking such a famous childhood classic in 1997. But like a lot of modern remakes, it just doesn't capture the pristine magic of the original.)

Never mind, the obvious flaws...such as why does Hailey Mills have such a strong British accent as both the California girl and the Bostonian? We can easily brush that aside, to enjoy the pure fun and chemistry that the movie brings. And then there is the storyline itself of both versions...would a couple really consent to each never seeing one of their kids...ever? OK, that's a big hurdle for me now, but when I first saw it at age twelve, I never gave it a thought.

Others on the young end of the Baby Boom have had the same experience as I have- even my own husband. We seem to all remember first watching the movie on TV at around eleven or twelve, and being completely swept away into the magic of it all.

Perhaps it was because we could identify with the kids so well, and loved the sense of power they acheive as they switch places and later work to bring their parents back together after all those years. As kids, we don't have too much athority at our fingertips, so it probably made us giddy to see what these twins could accomplish! And better yet, it was all for good!

It's fun to see the scenes at camp when the girls initially run into each other and quickly become rivals. One revenge leads to another until they are punished by having to share a cabin. And when they rivalry turns to sisterhood, it is so touching to see. From there, the little plan to bring thier parents back together is hatched.

Brian Keith plays the gruff but lovable dad, while beautiful Maureen O'Hara plays the fiesty (as always- she's Irish AND a redhead) mother from old family wealth in Boston. When the couple meet up again at his ranch house, the fireworks fly. They are obviously still attracted to one another but each has a fiery personality- and the fact that he is preparing to re-marry a gold digger doesn't help matters.

Made in 1961, The Parent Trap is one of those movies that I don't mind seeing over and over again throughout my life. Some movies are just like that. Especially, when I became so drawn into it's charm once as a child. Especially, too, when I can see it all over through the eyes of my own children.
*And would you believe as I was editing this, my husband and girls are watching it yet again?