Gidget (1959)

Let's be realistic.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

"Francis Lawrence" (Sandra Dee) is a 16-year old teenager who hasn't quite developed an attraction for boys yet even though all of her close friends are head over heels for them. So in an attempt to stimulate her interest—and meet some young guys themselves--they take her to the beach where they hope to meet a few hanging out and surfing. As luck would have it the girls are rejected by the guys because they are too young. However, Francis takes an immediate love for surfing and because of that they eventually come to accept her. They even give her the nickname of "Gidget" which they have come up with by combining the words "girl" and "midget". Not only that but the leader of the group, known as "the Kahuna" (Cliff Robertson), even takes her under his wing and mentors her on the sport. Soon one thing leads to another and before she knows it she falls in love with one of the surfers named "Moondoggie" (James Darren). Unfortunately, he prefers to focus on surfing and isn't looking for romance. But Gidget is extremely determined. Anyway, rather than reveal any more of the movie and risk spoiling the film for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this turned out to be a cute little film even by today's standards. As a matter of fact, this film was so successful that it became the precursor to the beach movies which were quite popular in the early 60's. Not only that, but it also spawned several sequels along with a television series as well. On a side note, look for a young Yvonne Craig (as "Nan") who later starred as "Batgirl" alongside Adam West in the television series "Batman". Be that as it may, although it loses some of its impact through the years it still retains its charm even today. I rate it as slightly above average.

I remember enjoying this movie when I saw it years ago on TV, so I decided to rent it on DVD, but it didn't register as well this time around. I believe this is the film that made Sandra Dee a big star, but her lack of acting skill really grated on me several times, especially when she was supposed to be bubbling over with enthusiasm, though several people here (not to mention contemporary fans) obviously thought she did a great job. On the other hand, she really was cute as a button, and the right age for her role (17), or perhaps even 2 years younger, if it's true about her birth date being falsified. I was surprised that Gidget's parents would be so concerned about her date not coming to her home to pick her up, but had no problem with their daughter spending all day, every day with an older, all-male crowd whom they never met! As for the movie itself, the obviously fake surfing shots annoyed me, and Gidget's first near-drowning made me think of the saying "When you're really drowning, you don't make much noise, because there's too much water coming in". I would have been more impressed with Moondoggie if he'd noticed something was wrong without a lot of fuss! Anyway, this film does have a bit more substance than some of the other "teen" movies of the time, and it's a pleasant way to spend 95 minutes.

Whenever I watch an older Hollywood movie like Gidget, I can't help but think about the scene in the latest remake of King Kong where Jack Black's character is meeting with a group of producers. One producer asks if there is going to be any breasts in the movie since people like to see breasts. Sex sells, even in a purportedly innocent film like Gidget.In the opening scenes, Gidget is shown wearing a sloppy one piece woolen swimsuit, but as the movie progresses, she wears increasingly revealing outfits that accentuate Dee's wasp waist--in one later scene Dee's erect nipples are clearly visible, something that I'm sure zoomed right over the heads of the censors.I may be cynical, but I can imagine that one of the producers whispered in the ear of the costumers that we need to give the (adolescent boy) fans a little something extra--and Dee was given a bra that was a little sheerer, and a slightly thinner top for that scene. Dee stated later in her biography that her breasts developed quickly to a 34 D, and while never exploitive, its obvious that someone else involved in the making of the film also noticed.Don't get me wrong, while I felt that this film was kind of corny, it was also very sweet--I was just surprised that they snuck that in, and I am sure it was just as calculated as the shots of Annete Funicello's tight sweater in the later Beach Blanket Bingo movies.

the film had loads of late 50s surfing symbols which had a lot to do with the surfing explosion of the mid-60s on the east coast. it had a sun loving and easy going lifestyle feel which accurately summed up California attitudes of the day. yes, glossy and middle of the road, but a huge surfing film nonetheless. in addition, there are subtle references to booze and sex. for nostalgic value, there isn't a boomer around who wouldn't be immediately mesmerized by this swinging movie. for surfers, the long boards are of interest. car lovers will love the vintage cars. the concept of the surfing shack was something not present on east coast beaches, and one wonders if the the local beach patrol would have allowed such a building to be built and occupied on a public beach. maybe in hawaii, but not California. the beach is assumed to be the famous surfing beach, malibu; however reference is made to santa monica. whatever, we know the movie is taking place in southern cali. if one were to guess the year, one is tempted to say early 60s--say, 1962 or 63. but the film is significant because it documents a solid, burgeoning beach culture which had been in place since the years immediately following W.W. 2. this film is a rich summation of what transpired on the beaches of southern California in the 1950s.