The Parent Trap (franchise)

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The Parent Trap
The Parent Trap - official franchise logo.png
Official franchise logo, as released in 1998.
Based on Lisa and Lottie
by Erich Kästner
Distributed by The Walt Disney Company
Release date
1961–present
Running time
508 minutes (5 films)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$15,000,000
(1 film)
Box office<$106,759,044
(Total of 2 films)

The Parent Trap franchise [1] [2] consists of American family-comedies, including the original theatrical film, three made-for-television sequel movies, and a theatrical legacy sequel/soft-remake. Based on the 1949 novel Lisa and Lottie (published in the United Kingdom and Australia since 2014 as The Parent Trap) by Erich Kästner, the plot centers around identical twin sisters, who were separated at birth and rediscover each other while attending summer camp. The pair trade places upon returning home, and devise a plan to bring their family back together.

Contents

The original 1961 film received positive critical response, and was deemed a success. [3] Starting in 1986 three television sequels were produced and released as a part of The Magical World of Disney series. The 1998 film received critical acclaim and was a hit for the studio financially. [4] [5]

The franchise will continue, with a streaming exclusive reboot in development to be released on Disney+. [6]

Origin

The 1949 German fictional children's picture book by Erich Kästner originally published as Das Doppelte Lottchen (The Double Lottie), was originally written during WWII as the plot for a movie. In 1942, Kästner was allowed by Nazi officials to develop the project under the working title of "The Great Secret", before the authorities eventually forbade his continued work. After the resolution of the war, the author redeveloped the story into the successful novel that was released.[ citation needed ]

The plot follows Lisa Palfy and Lottie Horn (Luise Palfy and Lottie Körner in the current British translation), two identical twins who were separated in infancy when their parents divorced while each raised by one half of the respective couple. The unsuspecting sisters meet at a summer camp where they engineer a plan to switch places when they return home. Though their behavior differs greatly, the parents do not suspect that the daughters had switched places. Upon realization the family reunites and at the behest of the daughters, the couple gets back together. [7]

The book was adapted into various releases, including Walt Disney's adaptation. The novel was discovered by Disney's story editor Bill Dover who recommended the studio purchase the film rights. Production commenced in July 1960 under the working title of "We Belong Together", and went until September of the same year. [8] [9]

Films

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)
The Parent Trap June 21, 1961 David Swift Walt Disney and George Golitzen
The Parent Trap II July 26, 1986 Ronald F. Maxwell Stuart KriegerJoan Barnett
Parent Trap III April 9, 1989Mollie MillerJill DonnerDeborah Amelon & Jill DonnerJill Donner and Henry Colman
Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon November 19, 1989 John McNamara Charles Milhaupt and Richard Luke Rothschild
The Parent Trap June 22, 1998 Nancy Meyers David Swift
and Nancy Meyers & Charles Shyer 		Charles Shyer

The Parent Trap (1961)

Two identical twin sisters, Sharon McKendrick and Susan Evers, who were separated at birth due to their parents' divorce are unintentionally reunited years later at summer camp. Together, they devise a plan to bring their parents back together and reconcile their family. Sharon and Susan, one of which has lived with their mother and the other with their father, switch places after camp with intentions being to sway their parents into falling in love once more. Their attempts are problematically opposed by their father's gold-digging fiancé. The girls double their efforts in bringing their parents together. [10]

The Parent Trap II (1986)

Years after the first film, Sharon finds herself living the life of a divorced, single mother. While at summer school, her 11-year-old daughter Nikki befriends a girl named Mary. The pair work together as matchmakers to persuade Sharon into dating Mary's widowed father, named Bill. The young friends work to convince their parents that they should be dating. As Sharon plans to move to New York, Susan is brought into the plan in order to help the single parents realize they love each other. [11]

Parent Trap III (1989)

Upon returning from their respective summer vacations, triplets Megan, Lisa, and Jessie Wyatt discover that their father Jeffrey is engaged to a snobbish Cassie McGuire. When Cassie makes the unpopular decision to remodel the family's beach house in California, Susan Evers is hired to redecorate. Susan, who is now divorced, finds fulfillment in her work. As the triplets collectively decide that Susan is the right woman for their father, they develop a plan to bring the pair together. When their scheme doesn't seem to be working, they turn to Susan's twin sister, Sharon McKendrick-Grand for assistance. With the wedding quickly approaching, the women set out to prevent Jeffrey from marrying the wrong woman. [12]

Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon (1989)

Newlywed couple Jeffrey and Susan Wyatt inherit a family resort in Hawai'i from his late-aunt. Together, the couple, his teenaged triplets, and Susan's twin sister Sharon, move to the island to repair its run-down condition and restore the vacationing location so that they can run an operating business. Despite their attempts, the project proves to be more than its worth, so Jeffrey and Susan decide to sell the property once it is reinstated. As the triplets encounter experiences with the boys they meet at the beach, Jeffrey comes into contact with an old high school rival named Ray. Ray bargains to purchase the property, with a promise of keeping the resort as-is. It soon comes to light that Ray has ulterior motives, which may not only include the land. [13]

The Parent Trap (1998)

American-raised Hallie Parker and British-raised Annie James are twin sisters, who were separated at birth. By happenstance, the two attend the same summer camp and meet as complete strangers. Born to divorced parents Nick and Elizabeth, the preteen girls were raised on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. After overcoming their differences and becoming close friends, the pair create a plan to swap places when they go home, giving each of them the chance to spend time with the parent that they have not had an opportunity to build a relationship with. The twins soon decide that they want to get the family back together, and come up with ideas for reuniting their parents. [14]

Untitled reboot (TBA)

In November 2019, it was announced that a reboot is in development. The project will be released via streaming, as a Disney+ exclusive. [15] [16] [6]

Main cast and characters

CharacterFilm
The Parent Trap
(1961)		 The Parent Trap II Parent Trap III Parent Trap:
Hawaiian Honeymoon 		The Parent Trap
(1998)		 Untitled reboot
Principal cast
Sharon McKendrick-Grand Hayley Mills  
Susan Evers-Wyatt 
Margaret "Maggie" McKendrick Maureen O'Hara  
Mitchel "Mitch" Evers Brian Keith  
William "Bill" Grand  Tom Skerritt  
Nicole "Nikki" Ferris  Carrie Kei Heim  
Mary Grand  Bridgette Andersen  
Lisa Wyatt  Leanna Creel  
Jessie Wyatt  Monica Lacy  
Megan Wyatt Joy Creel 
Hallie Parker  Lindsay Lohan  
Annie James  
Nicholas "Nick" Parker  Dennis Quaid  
Elizabeth "Liz" James  Natasha Richardson  
Supporting cast
Vicky "Vicki" Robinson-Blake Joanna Barnes  Joanna Barnes 
Cassie McGuire  Patricia Richardson  
Nick  Ray Baker  
Ray  John M. Jackson  
Charlotte Brink  Jayne Meadows  
Charles James  Ronnie Stevens  
Chessy  Lisa Ann Walter  
Martin  Simon Kunz  
Meredith Blake  Elaine Hendrix  
Les Blake J. Patrick McCormack 

Additional crew and production details

FilmCrew/Detail
ComposerCinematographerEditor(s)Production
companies		Distributing
companies		Running time
The Parent Trap (1961) Paul Smith Lucien Ballard Philip W. Anderson Walt Disney Productions Buena Vista Distribution Company 128 minutes
The Parent Trap II Charles Fox Peter Stein Corky Ehlers Walt Disney Television The Walt Disney Company,
Buena Vista Television,
The Disney Channel,
Disney-ABC Domestic Television,
The Landsburg Company 		81 minutes
Parent Trap III Joel McNeely Isidore Mankofsky Howard Kunin & Duane HartzellBuena Vista Television,
Disney-ABC Domestic Television,
National Broadcasting Company 		85 minutes
Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon Michel Hugo Art Stafford & Karen I. Stern86 minutes
The Parent Trap (1998) Alan Silvestri Dean Cundey Stephen A. RotterWalt Disney Pictures Buena Vista Pictures Distribution 128 minutes
Untitled reboot TBATBATBA Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Disney+,
The Walt Disney Company 		TBA

Reception

Box office and financial performance

FilmBox office grossBox office rankingBudgetWorldwide total
net income		Ref.
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll time
North America		All time
worldwide
The Parent Trap (1961)$25,150,385$4,500,000$29,650,385#3,163#5,991Not publicly available<$29,650,385 [17]
The Parent Trap (1998)$66,308,518$25,800,141$92,108,659#1,257#3,340$15,000,000$77,108,659 [18] [5] [19]
Totals$91,458,903$30,300,141$121,759,044<$106,759,044

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
The Parent Trap(1961)90% (20 reviews) [3] 73/100 (4 reviews) [20] —
The Parent Trap II—(3 reviews) [21] ——
Parent Trap III—(2 reviews) [22] ——
Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon— [23] ——
The Parent Trap(1998)86% (51 reviews) [4] 64/100 (19 reviews) [24] A [25]

In other media

Streaming event

In May 2020, Nancy Meyeres announced a 22-year anniversary reunion event for the 1998 remake cast and crew. The anniversary event included Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Elaine Hendrix, Lisa Ann Walter, Meyers, Charles Shyer and Simon Kunz. In July of the same year, together they discussed the making of the movie, on Katie Couric's Instagram page as a charity fundraiser for World Central Kitchen. [26] [27]

Documentary

Family Films Productions has produced The Legacy of The Parent Trap series, a documentary film series that gives a retrospective insight into developing The Parent Trap. [28] [29] The film features memories and stories of various cast and crew, about the original 1961 film and its three sequels. Among the interviews, all-new footage featuring Hayley Mills is included. Additional interviewees include Tom Skerritt, Carrie Kei Heim, Creel triplets including, Monica Creel Lacy, Leanna & Joy Creel, Susan Henning, Ron Maxwell (Director of Parent Trap II, Mollie Miller (Director of Parent Trap III/Hawaiian Honeymoon), Tommy Sands, and Joanna Barnes and even Lynette Winters, and Kay Cole (camp inch scenes). Bridgette Andersen's Teresa Andersen her mother discusses reflections on experiences that occurred on-set during filming of The Parent Trap II, with director Ron Maxwell, among others including writer Stu Krieger who wrote the script for Parent Trap II. Marilyn McCoo also is featured sharing memories about recording music for Parent Trap II. Charles Fox wrote the theme, "Let's Keep What We Got" which was the title music in the opening for "The Parent Trap II", and the entire music score. He is also featured on-camera, with talking about his experiences in writing the song and music. Disney historian and authors (previous Disney employees) Bill Cotter and Lorraine Santoli are also featured on-camera.

The project analyzes and focuses on the life of Erich Kastner who wrote the original German book, Das Doppelte Lottchen that the films were based on. Luke Springman, German professor Aaron Pacentine is an executive producer of the film. This is the first full-length film documentary that details coverage on the 1980s Parent Trap films, and the first time the director, Mollie Miller, has spoken out publicly about the original film since then.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Parent Trap</i> (1961 film) 1961 film by David Swift

The Parent Trap is a 1961 American romantic comedy film written and directed by David Swift. It stars Hayley Mills as a pair of teenage twins plotting to reunite their divorced parents by switching places with each other. Maureen O'Hara, and Brian Keith play the parents. Although the plot is very close to that of the 1945 film Twice Blessed, The Parent Trap is based on the 1949 book Lisa and Lottie by Erich Kästner.

<i>Lisa and Lottie</i> 1949 German childrens novel by Erich Kästner

Lisa and Lottie is a 1949 German novel by Erich Kästner, about twin girls separated in infancy who meet at summer camp. The book originally started out during World War II as an aborted movie scenario. In 1942, when for a brief time Kästner was allowed by the Nazi authorities to work as a screenwriter, he proposed it to Josef von Báky, under the title The Great Secret, but the Nazis once again forbade him to work. After the war, Kästner worked the idea into the highly successful book. Subsequently, it has been adapted into film many times, most notably Disney's 1961 film The Parent Trap starring Hayley Mills, the subsequent film series, and their various translations.

<i>The Parent Trap</i> (1998 film) 1998 romantic comedy film directed by Nancy Meyers

The Parent Trap is a 1998 American romantic comedy film directed and co-written by Nancy Meyers, and produced and co-written by Charles Shyer. It is a remake of the 1961 film of the same name and an adaptation of Erich Kästner's 1949 German novel Lisa and Lottie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leanna Creel</span> American former actress, film producer, film director, screenwriter and photographer

Leanna Creel is an American actress, film producer, film director, screenwriter and photographer.

<i>Twice Upon a Time</i> (1953 film) 1953 film by Emeric Pressburger

Twice Upon a Time is a 1953 British comedy film directed by Emeric Pressburger and starring Hugh Williams, Elizabeth Allan, Yolande Larthe, and Charmian Larthe. It is based on the 1949 novel Lisa and Lottie by Erich Kästner. It concerns twin sisters who are separated when their parents divorce. They meet again by accident when they are sent to the same summer camp, and they hatch a plan to reunite their parents.

<i>The Parent Trap II</i> 1986 television film

The Parent Trap II is a 1986 American made-for-television comedy film and a sequel to Disney's 1961 film The Parent Trap and the second installment in The Parent Trap series. It premiered on the Disney Channel on July 26, 1986 as a part of the channel’s “Premiere Films” banner.

The Parent Trap may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lindsay Lohan</span> American actress and singer (born 1986)

Lindsay Dee Lohan is an American actress and singer. Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, Lohan was signed to Ford Models at the age of three. Having appeared as a regular on the television soap opera Another World at age 10, her breakthrough came in the Walt Disney Pictures film The Parent Trap (1998). The film's success led to appearances in the television films Life-Size (2000) and Get a Clue (2002), and the big-screen productions Freaky Friday (2003) and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004). Lohan's early work won her childhood stardom, while the teen comedy sleeper hit Mean Girls (2004) affirmed her status as a teen idol and established her as a Hollywood leading actress.

<i>Parent Trap III</i> 1989 television film

Parent Trap III is a 1989 American made-for-television comedy film and a sequel to The Parent Trap II (1986) and the third installment in The Parent Trap series. It originally aired in two parts as a presentation of The Magical World of Disney on April 9 and 16, 1989.

<i>Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon</i> American TV series or program

Parent Trap: Hawaiian Honeymoon is a 1989 American made-for-television comedy film and a sequel to Parent Trap III (1989) and the fourth and final installment in the original The Parent Trap series. It originally aired two parts as a presentation of The Magical World of Disney on November 19 and 26, 1989.

<i>Charlie & Louise – Das doppelte Lottchen</i> 1994 film by Joseph Vilsmaier

Charlie & Louise – Das doppelte Lottchen is a German children's film directed by Joseph Vilsmaier in 1994, starring Corinna Harfouch. It is a film adaptation of the 1949 novel Lisa and Lottie by Erich Kästner.

<i>Hibari no komoriuta</i> 1951 Japanese film

Hibari no komoriuta is a 1951 black-and-white Japanese film directed by Koji Shima. The movie is based on Lisa and Lottie, a 1949 novel by Erich Kästner later adapted as the 1961 film The Parent Trap.

<i>Do Kaliyaan</i> 0000 Indian film

Do Kaliyaan is a 1968 Indian Hindi-language film directed by R. Krishnan and S. Panju. The film stars Mala Sinha, Biswajeet, Mehmood, Om Prakash and Neetu Singh, credited as Baby Sonia. It is a remake of the 1965 Tamil film Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum which itself was based on the 1961 American film The Parent Trap, based on Erich Kästner's 1949 German novel Lisa and Lottie.

<i>Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum</i> 1965 film by Krishnan–Panju

Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum is a 1965 Indian Tamil-language children's film directed by Krishnan–Panju. It is based on the American film The Parent Trap (1961) which in turn was based on Erich Kästner's 1949 German novel Lisa and Lottie. The film stars Jaishankar and Jamuna, with Nagesh, Sundarrajan, G. Varalakshmi, Santha, Kutty Padmini, M. S. S. Bhagayam and V. R. Thilagam in supporting roles. It tells the story of twin sisters attempting to reunite their separated parents.

<i>Leta Manasulu</i> (1966 film) 1966 Indian film

Leta Manasulu is a 1966 Indian Telugu-language film directed by Krishnan–Panju and produced by A. V. Meiyappan under AVM Productions banner. The film stars Haranath, Jamuna and Kutty Padmini. It is a remake of the 1965 Tamil film Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum which itself was an adaptation of the 1961 film The Parent Trap, in turn based on Erich Kästner's 1949 German novel Lisa and Lottie. The film was released on 16 September 1966.

<i>Cheaper by the Dozen</i> (franchise) American film franchise

The Cheaper by the Dozen franchise consists of a series of films and stage adaptations, based on the real-life events of the Gilbreth family. Based on novels co-written by Frank B. Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, the series of movies include two biographical films and three loosely-remade family comedy films inspired by their story. The general plot centers around the lives of parents with a large number of children. Each depicts familial relationships, and working through the challenges that arise with an over-sized household.

Identical is a stage musical with music by George Stiles, lyrics by Anthony Drewe and a book by Stuart Paterson. It is based on the 1949 novel Lisa and Lottie by Erich Kästner.

<i>Freaky Friday</i> (franchise) Overview/details of the Freaky Friday franchise

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<i>Cheaper by the Dozen</i> (2022 film) 2022 American film by Gail Lerner

Cheaper by the Dozen is a 2022 American family-comedy film directed by Gail Lerner from a screenplay written by Kenya Barris and Jenifer Rice-Genzuk Henry, with Shawn Levy serving as an executive producer. It is the third film adaptation of the 1948 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and his sister Ernestine Gilbreth Carey following the 1950 and 2003 films. The film stars Gabrielle Union, Zach Braff, Erika Christensen, and Timon Kyle Durratt with supporting roles by Christian Cote, Sebastian Cote, Christina Anthony, Caylee Blosenski, Journey Brown, Brittany Daniel, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Cynthia Daniel Hauser in her first acting role since 2002, Abby Elliott, Ron Funches, Leo Abelo Perry, Luke Prael, June Diane Raphael, Andre Robinson, Kylie Rogers, and Aryan Simhadri. It tells the story of a restaurant proprietor and his second wife as they raise the kids from the restaurateur's previous marriage, the second wife's family, and the children they later conceived as their respective exes are still involved in their children's life.

References

  1. ↑ Shepherd, Josh (December 19, 2019). "22 Missing Or Incomplete Disney+ Film And TV Franchises". What's on Disney Plus. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  2. ↑ Q, Mandie (May 19, 2020). "8 Hayley Mills Movies Every Disney Fan Should Watch". Chip and Co's Disney Addicts. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "The Parent Trap (1961)". Rotten Tomatoes .
  4. 1 2 "The Parent Trap (1998)". Rotten Tomatoes .
  5. 1 2 "The Parent Trap (1998) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  6. 1 2 Goldberg, Lesley (February 21, 2018). "Disney Planning Another 'Muppets' Reboot for Its Streaming Service (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  7. ↑ Book Summary staff. "Lottie and Lisa". Book Summary. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  8. ↑ BY WAY OF REPORT By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 4 Sep 1960: 79.
  9. ↑ O'Hara, Maureen; Nicoletti, John (2004). 'Tis herself : a memoir. Thorndike Press. p. 417.
  10. ↑ Variety (December 31, 1960). "The Parent Trap". Variety. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  11. ↑ The Walt Disney Company (July 26, 1986). "The Parent Trap II". Disney.com. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  12. ↑ True Classic Movies (April 9, 1989). "Parent Trap III". True Classic Movies. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  13. ↑ True Classic Movies (November 26, 1989). "Parent Trap Hawaiian Honeymoon". True Classic Movies. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  14. ↑ Leydon, Joe (July 27, 1998). "The Parent Trap". Variety. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  15. ↑ Bajgrowicz, Brooke (November 28, 2019). "Disney+: Every Movie Getting A Reboot". Screen Rant. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  16. ↑ Bone, Christian (November 2019). "The Parent Trap Remake Reportedly Coming To Disney Plus". We Got This Covered. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  17. ↑ "The Parent Trap (1961) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  18. ↑ "The Parent Trap". Box Office Mojo.
  19. ↑ Knott, Matthew Hammett (May 29, 2014). "Heroines of Cinema: These 10 Female Filmmakers Prove Why Hollywood Studios Should Change Their Tune". IndieWire . Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  20. ↑ "The Parent Trap". Metacritic .
  21. ↑ "Parent Trap II (1986)". Rotten Tomatoes .
  22. ↑ "Parent Trap III (1989)". Rotten Tomatoes .
  23. ↑ "Parent Trap Hawaiian Honeymoon (1989)". Rotten Tomatoes .
  24. ↑ "The Parent Trap". Metacritic .
  25. ↑ "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  26. ↑ Murphy, Chris (May 21, 2020). "Lindsay Lohan and Nancy Meyers Hint at Potential Parent Trap Remake". Vulture. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  27. ↑ Ramos, Dino- Ray (July 19, 2020). "'The Parent Trap' Sets Reunion With Nancy Meyers, Lindsay Lohan And Dennis Quaid To Celebrate 22nd Anniversary Of Disney Film". Deadline. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  28. ↑ "The Parent Trap". familyfilmsproductions.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  29. ↑ FamilyFilmsProductions.com (23 June 2018). The Legacy of The Parent Trap - Official Film Trailer. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18 – via YouTube.
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