The Parent Trap is a 1961 American romantic comedy film written and directed by David Swift. It stars Hayley Mills (in a dual role), Maureen O'Hara, and Brian Keith. Based upon the 1949 book Lottie and Lisa (German: Das Doppelte Lottchen) by Erich Kästner, The Parent Trap follows two teenage twins on a quest to reunite their divorced parents.