From now until September, I thought I would highlight some of my favorite classic movies that were set in summer, and I'm going to begin with one of my favorites, Gidget*.
Back then I watched most of my favorite old movies on Turner Classic Movies or AMC, which is where I first remember watching Gidget*.
Based on a novel by Frederick Kohner, Gidget: The Little Girl with Big Ideas*, the movie was released on April 10, 1959. It was so popular that some consider this film as the beginning of the entire beach party genre of films. It inspired several sequals, a television series starring Sally Field, and more than one made for television movie.
Gidget highlights one summer in the life of Francis Lawrence, a young seventeen year old girl who finds that her playful, tomboyish ways no longer fits with her girlfriends who have moved on to "man hunts". While the girls do everything they can to catch the attention of the local beach boys, it's sweet innocent Francis who ends up stealing the show. When Francis shows an interest in learning to surf, the guys quickly nickname her Gidget, part girl, part midget. And while it takes a little work and determination, she quickly masters the board and becomes one of the "boys", eventually winning the heart of Moondoggie, who asks her to wear his pin. It's a sweet, innocent movie, that sends the message that the best way to make friends (and maybe win a boy's heart), is to simply be yourself!
Following the original movie there were a number of sequels, a few released in theaters and a few more on television.
Released in 1961 and starring Deborah Walley as Gidget
Released in 1963 with Gidget portrayed by Cindy Carol
These three films inspired the TV series, Gidget, starring Sally Field, which is one of my favorite adaptations, but sadly did not do well in the ratings and only lasted one season.
Then, beginning in 1969, there were a few made for television movies, including;
Gidget Grows Up which starred Karen Valentine in the title role.
followed by,
Gidget Gets Married in 1972 when Monie Ellis was featured.
and finally . . .
Gidget's Summer Reunion released in 1985 with Caryn Richman in the final role of the pint sized surfer.
Last summer Amazon Prime featured all of the movies as part of their subscription plan, but they no longer appear to be available. And while you can pick up the first three movies in the series relatively cheap (if you buy a good used copy), I did manage to find them available free online, should you want to watch them.
Gidget on Tubi
Gidget Goes Hawaiian on Tubi
Gidget Goes to Rome on You Tube
Gidget (TV Series) on Tubi
Gidget Grows Up will be available on Tubi beginning August 1, along with . . .
and finally, you can watch Gidget's Summer Reunion in two parts on Daily Motion,
- Part 1
- Part 2
Of the series, my favorites are the original, the TV series, Gidget Grows Up and and Gidget Gets Married. Gidget Goes Hawaiian is cute, too, I'm just not a big fan of Deborah Walley and found her far too different from Sandra Dee.
Oddly enough, James Darren portrays Moon Doggie in the first three movies, along side three different actresses! Apparently they wanted Sandra Dee to reprise the role, but by then she was under contract to Universal Studios and filming the Tammy series of movies (another of my absolute favorites that we'll discuss soon), and they would not release her. Deborah Walley did not reprise the role in Gidget Goes to Rome due to pregnancy.
There are also a number of other inconsistencies in the films as well, most notably that in the first three movies Gidget has a mother, but the role was dropped with the television series and the first two made for television movies. In Gidget Goes to Rome, Gidget's father is portrayed by Don Porter, who I absolutely adored! He went on to reprise the role in the TV series. Lynette Winter also portrays LaRue, Gidget's best friend in the TV Series, another character I adored, as well.
If you've never watched the Gidget movies, I highly recommend me. I've already mentioned my favorites, but if you've never watched them I would definitely start at the beginning and just work your way through. The acting is a bit campy, especially in the made for television movies, but I personally like the nostalgia. If you are familiar with these movies or decide to watch them, let me know which ones are your favorite!
❊
* We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
and this post contains affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase
we receive a small commission from Amazon.
We appreciate your support
No comments:
Post a Comment