Ask just about any woman who grew up in America in the 60's and she will remember going to see Hayley Mills movies. And judging by the number of little girls who are now called Hayley, she still has a lot of fans. I know that I wanted to be Hayley: I wanted to be in movies, to sing and dance, and have the adventures around the world that she did, instead of living my dull existence in suburbia.

She was born in 1946 to the actor John Mills and his wife, the writer, Mary Hayley Bell. Discovered when a child actor (was written for a young boy) was needed for the film "Tiger Bay" in 1959. Walt Disney was looking a little girl to play "Pollyanna", her performance was seen, and history was made. For her performance she won a special miniature Oscar for outstanding juvenile performance (and I believe the last one of its type ever presented).  She proceeded to make several pictures for Disney through her teens, including the hugely popular "The Parent Trap", where she played twins. She also did more dramatic roles in "The Chalk Garden" and "Whistle Down the Wind".

She continued acting as an adult with films like "The Family Way" and returned to make "Parent Trap" sequel movies. On television she did mini-series, "The Flame Trees of Thika", and was in the original cast of "Saved By the Bell".  She just completed a stage tour performing in "The King and I".

Some her movies I would like to recommend are:
Tiger Bay: She is a young child who is kidnapped and then protects a criminal on the run.
Pollyanna: The "Glad Girl" who brings happiness to a town with people soured on life.  (Hayley was awarded a special Oscar as outstanding juvenile performance.) [Note: Disney just released this movie in DVD with terrific voice over by Hayley Mills.]
The Parent Trap: Plays two sisters separated while babies due to their parents’ divorce. Meet at camp and plot to get their parents back together. (An interesting note, I have seen this story done in an American 40's -title unknown - and a British 50's version called "Twice Upon a Time". Story is by Erich Kastner and was recently redone by the Disney Studios.)  [Note: Disney just released this movie in DVD with terrific voice over by Hayley Mills.]
Whistle Down the Wind: Children find a fugitive and believe that he is Jesus.
In Search of the Castaways: A rollicking fun story about two children who go in search of their missing father - lots of adventures and Michael Anderson Jr. gives Hayley her first screen peck.
The Chalk Garden: She plays a young teen with emotional problems who is helped by her governess, Deborah Kerr.
The Moon-Spinners: A mystery story filmed in Crete involving jewel smugglers and a real screen kiss!!
The Truth About Spring: One of my guilty pleasures is the performances in this movie, including her father, John Mills’, as a rascally skipper.
That Darn Cat: Hayley is a modern teenager who solves a kidnapping with the help of her Siamese cat.
The Family Way: She plays a young married woman whose husband hasn’t consummated their marriage and whose families get involved in the matter.

Check out some really neat photos taken from a 1963 circa teen magazine - Pages One-Two-Three-Four