Hayley Mills, the middle child of actor John Mills and writer Mary Hayley Bell, captured the essence of English wholesomeness in the early 1960s through a string of beloved Disney films. With her blonde hair and striking blue eyes, Hayley Mills quickly became a symbol of youthful innocence and charm. Her career began to take off with a critically acclaimed performance as a young murder witness in Tiger Bay (1959), starring opposite her father.
Thanks to this impressive debut, Walt Disney took notice and signed Hayley Mills to a five-year contract. This led to a series of roles where she portrayed sweet and endearing characters, such as the optimistic Pollyanna (1960), which earned her a special juvenile Academy Award. She also took on a dual role in The Parent Trap (1961), playing a pair of clever twins determined to reunite their divorced parents.
In addition, Hayley Mills co-starred in Bryan Forbes’ Whistle Down the Wind (1961), a film adapted from a novel written by her mother. In this role, she played one of three children who mistakenly believe an escaped convict is Jesus Christ. Later, she starred in The Trouble With Angels (1966), directed by Ida Lupino, where she portrayed a mischievous student who eventually finds her footing in a convent school.
However, Hayley Mills made a dramatic shift in her career with a bold nude scene in The Family Way (1966), which surprised audiences and marked a departure from her previously pristine image. Around the same time, she married Roy Boulting, a producer-director who was three decades her senior, a decision that further altered the trajectory of her career and public persona.
Hayley Mills is perhaps best known for her role in That Darn Cat! (1965), which remains her highest-rated film to date. On the other hand, one of her less acclaimed performances can be seen in A Troll in Central Park (1994), which holds the distinction of being her lowest-rated movie. Throughout her career, Hayley Mills has delivered a range of performances, but these two films represent the extremes in terms of critical reception. While That Darn Cat! showcased Hayley Mills in a charming and engaging role, A Troll in Central Park unfortunately did not receive the same level of appreciation. Still, Hayley Mills’ contribution to cinema over the years continues to be recognized and appreciated by many.