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Gidget

  • Rating: StarStar
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Movie Type: Romantic Comedy, Beach Film
  • Director: Paul Wendkos
  • Main Cast: Sandra Dee, Cliff Robertson, James Darren, Arthur O'Connell, Joby Baker, Mary Laroche
  • Release Year: 1959
  • Country: US
  • Run Time: 95 minutes

Plot

Teenager Francie Lawrence (Sandra Dee) is known to her surfing friends as "Gidget" or a "girl midget" (she is kinda on the short side). Unable to compete with the curvaceous bikinied lasses at the local beach, Gidget is assured by her understanding parents (Arthur O'Connell, Mary LaRoche) that boys will eventually pay attention to her. Turns out that Mom's right on the money, as surfers Moondoggie (James Darren) and Kahoona (Cliff Robertson) vie for Gidge's attention during the summer of her 16th birthday. Based on the novel by Frederick Kohner (who based the title character on his own daughter), Gidget was one of the surprise hits of 1959. The film spawned a host of theatrical and TV-movie sequels, not to mention the 1966 TV series starring Sally Field -- and the 1987 sitcom starring Caryn Richman. In addition, Gidget boosted the careers of several stars-to-be, including Yvonne Craig, Doug McClure and Tom Laughlin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Review

Although the very title prompts snorts of derision from many, Gidget is actually not a bad little teenaged flick from the '50s. Great art it definitely isn't, but as frivolous, lighthearted entertainment, it more than fits the bill. Those who know it only by reputation will probably be surprised to find that it does attempt to deal with the problems of life as seen by a teenager -- and that, while some of those attempts are silly, many of them come off quite well. It also paints a very convincing picture of the beach-bum lifestyle, much more so than the Frankie Avalon-Annette Funicello beach party movies. Yes, there's plenty to laugh at (including some surf sequences that barely attempt to hide the fact that rear projections are being used), and the character of Gidget herself is likely to seem a bit too dated for many modern viewers, but for the most part, the film is pleasant and fun. And if Sandra Dee sometimes comes across as too cute and perky, that's really due more to the way the part is written than the way in which it is played. Approached with the right attitude, Gidget is actually a lot of fun. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide

Cast


Yvonne Craig - Nan; Jo Morrow - Mary Lou; Tom Laughlin - Lover Boy; Sue George - B.L.; Robert Ellis - Hot Shot; Patti Kane - Patty; Burt Metcalfe - Lord Byron; Richard Newton - Cop No. 1; Ed Hinton - Cop; The Four Preps - Themselves; Doug McClure - Waikiki

Credit

Burnett Guffey - Cinematographer; William Lyon - Editor; Lewis Rachmil - Producer; Morris W. Stoloff - Composer (Music Score); Morris W. Stoloff - Musical Direction/Supervision; Paul Wendkos - Director; Ross Bellah - Art Director; Frederick Kohner - Book Author; Gabrielle Upton - Screenwriter

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Wikipedia: Gidget (film)
Gidget
BigGidget.jpg
Sandra Dee in her role as Gidget
Directed by Paul Wendkos
Written by Frederick Kohner
Gabrielle Upton
Starring Sandra Dee
Release date(s) 1959
Country United States
Language English
Followed by Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961)
IMDb profile

Gidget is an American film starring 1950s teen icon Sandra Dee, released in 1959. Adapted from the novel by Frederick Kohner, and with a screenplay by Gabrielle Upton, this popular film was directed by Paul Wendkos. It follows the life of teenager Gidget and friends, in a predictably sweet love story.

There were two sequels, Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961), starring Deborah Walley, and Gidget Goes to Rome (1963), starring Cindy Carol.

The character Gidget has been revived several times, first in the film sequels and then in a 1965 television sitcom starring a teenage Sally Field, whose brown hair was a departure from the standard blonde (although Deborah Walley was a redhead). Very young guest stars included Paul Lynde, Bonnie Franklin, and Daniel J. Travanti (of Hill Street Blues fame). This Gidget character was brought back as an adult in a little-watched 1980s television sitcom The New Gidget.

Plot

While other girls are filling out their bikinis and laying on the beach, Gidget, with her flat chest and bottom, feels left out. At the beach, she feels the worst, as no boys pay attention to her boyish figure. Bored and lonely, she goes swimming in the ocean. When a cute young surfer rescues her from a tangle of seaweed, she decides then and there to learn to surf. Eventually, she learns the basics of the sport, enough to return to the beach and make friends with the local surf gang. In the gang is her rescuer, Moondoggie, and the gang's leader, The Big Kahoona. In the movie, her surfing improves, she finds new popularity with the guys, and even attends "beach party", where her ploys for Moondoggy's attention peak. Gidget tries to use The Big Kahuna to make Moondoggy jealous, but her plan backfires, leaving her feeling foolish and outcast. In the end, Moondoggy professes his love and asks Gidget to "wear his class pin", a sign of their devotion.

Cast of 1959 film

Film notes

  • The studio wanted Elvis Presley to play the role of Moondoggy, but his fees were too expensive.
  • In the anime Eureka Seven, the character Moondoggie's real name is James Darren Emerson, a reference to James Darren. The character Moondoggie is also dating the character Gidget in the anime.
  • The popularity of the film led to a "Miss Gidget" contest which was won by Barbara Bouchet in 1959.

External links


 
 

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Movies. Copyright © 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Movie Guide ® , a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Gidget (film)" Read more

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