Some on-screen moments of movies seem effortless but off-camera, they’re anything but. For the cast and crew of the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, the now-classic pool scene at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey was a masterclass in patience, precision, and raw comedic charm. It was also the perfect storm of logistical nightmares, creative improvisation, and good old-fashioned collaboration.
Almost three decades after, 17 cast and crew members shared what really went into creating Dennis Quaid’s iconic splash. From miniature Armani suits to innovative visual effects, their experiences show how much heart and hustle went into creating one of the movie’s most endearing moments. Here are the behind-the-scenes details that created the classic scene.
1. Dennis Quaid’s Four-Day Soak
Director Nancy Meyers still marvels at Quaid’s dedication: “Dennis was very game to fall into the pool a few times in a row, which meant drying off, changing and taking another spill.” For four straight days, he rotated through six identical Armani suits, each one shrinking a little more from the chlorine. Costume designer Penny Rose even had the Ritz’s pool water tested to see how badly it would affect the fabric.
Between shots, Quaid warmed up in the jacuzzi, got hosed down to renew his appearance, and maintained morale. Costume designer Carolyn Dessert remembers the evening routine of shipping the suits to La Cienega Dry Cleaners, only to receive them again at 5 a.m. to do it all over again. All the grind notwithstanding, Dessert describes him as remaining “easy going” and “a trooper” throughout.
2. Lighting Tricks from Dean Cundey
The California sun was as much a performer in the scene as the actors sometimes overmuch. Director of photography Dean Cundey’s greatest challenge was keeping young Lindsay Lohan from squinting in the sunlight. Location manager Rory Enke recalls his easy solution: have her shut her eyes towards the sun for a minute, then turn away and open them just as they were about to start shooting. The result? Natural, easy shots with no squint. It’s a minor technicality, but one that demonstrates how ingenuity on-set can rescue a shot without complicated equipment or reshots.
3. A Comedic Callback for Fans
Composer Alan Silvestri noticed a secret reference in the pool gag. He noted that Meyers and producer Charles Shyer had orchestrated a similar tumble in Father of the Bride, explaining, “Filmmakers have their motifs… inherently there are Easter eggs that are sometimes incredibly subtle.” For long-time fans, Quaid’s fall wasn’t merely amusing, it was part of a lighthearted thread throughout the duo’s work. They assist in developing a director’s stylistic signature, allowing audiences to feel a sense of recognition and association throughout various films.
4. The Speedo Standoff
Butler Martin’s player, Simon Kunz, wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about wearing a tight Speedo in a Disney movie. Penny Rose had to “persuade” him into the guise, which Meyers insisted would be humorous. Lisa Ann Walter, playing Chessy, recalls she and Natasha Richardson sharing a raised eyebrow when Kunz came out, promising him there was “nothing to be ashamed of. The instant became one of the scene’s endearing aspects and part of Kunz’s legacy. “If ever I do get remembered these days, Speedos is mentioned. Handshake and Speedos. That’s pretty much it,” he said with a chuckle.
5. On-Set Chemistry Beyond the Script
Walter and Kunz’s chemistry immediately translated on screen. Off set, Walter initiated London-based actor into the workings of LA with her hospitality, inviting him home and introducing him to her family. Their camaraderie was so real that they organized their own mini photoshoot during break times by the pool pictures Walter refers to as her “favorite on-set pictures ever. That real-life bond made their characters’ quick connection in the film feel authentic and warm.
6. Motion Control Magic
The pool scene wasn’t merely about bodily humor there was also cutting-edge motion control technology at play, which enabled Lindsay Lohan to look like two twins in the same photograph. Elaine Hendrix, cast as Meredith, was among the select group of actors other than Lohan to be photographed with the technology. She remembered Meyers saying he believed in her to get exactly the right, repetitive movements. Visual effects producer Gayle Busby compared the process to “flying the plane while building it,” with seven technicians composited shots in real time so Meyers could select her favorites on the fly.
7. Continuity Under Pressure
Script supervisor Jeanne Byrd had the Herculean challenge of maintaining consistency in every detail from take to take down to what hand Quaid was waving around when he came up out of the water. “It was a nightmare,” she laughed, and admitted she didn’t sleep for days leading up to the shoot. The reward came when the scene was finished and the entire set applauded. Byrd subsequently commented that, despite the tension, she preferred the pool sequence over other motion control shots due to the energy and friendship on the set.
8. A Location with Enduring Fame
The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey continues to be a pilgrimage site among fans. Ed Curry, director of sales and marketing at the hotel, comments, “Out of all the shooting we have had at the hotel in the last 35 years, that is the film that the guests talk about most.” The top management even watched the scene for inspiration while making recent pool area renovation plans. Location scouts such as Rory Enke and John Panzarella collaborated with production designer Dean Tavoularis in turning actual locations into the film’s opulent environments, contributing to the timelessness of the movie’s visual beauty.
The Parent Trap pool scene is perhaps only a few minutes long on the screen, but for those working on it, creating it was a test of endurance, imagination, and teamwork. From Quaid’s affable dives to the precision of motion control shots, all the details were guided by a team at the peak of their abilities. Years later, it’s obvious that they succeeded in what Charles Shyer had dreamed as the credits ran: this was one that would endure and it has, in audiences’ hearts and the annals of family film.
