Twice Upon a Time (1953 film)

Twice Upon a Time
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Emeric Pressburger
Written by Emeric Pressburger
Wendy Orme
Based on Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kästner
Produced by Emeric Pressburger
Starring Hugh Williams
Elizabeth Allan
Jack Hawkins
Cinematography Christopher Challis
Edited by Reginald Beck
Music by Frederick Lewis
Production
company
Distributed by British Lion Films
Release date
 6 July 1953
Running time
 75 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget £102,000

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.

Lotte and Lisa had already been adapted into the films Two Times Lotte (1950) and Hibari no komoriuta (1951). Twice Upon a Time was the first English-language film adaptation; the story was later twice adapted as The Parent Trap (1961 and 1998) and has been remade a number of times in English and many other languages. It was shot at Shepperton Studios with sets designed by the art director Arthur Lawson (designer).

The film is the only solo directing credit for Pressburger, whose other directing credits are in association with Michael Powell.

Plot

Twin sisters 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.

Cast