{"id":20643,"date":"2011-11-30T12:42:07","date_gmt":"2011-11-30T19:42:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=20643"},"modified":"2021-01-09T20:25:33","modified_gmt":"2021-01-10T03:25:33","slug":"gidget-1959","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=20643","title":{"rendered":"Gidget (1959)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;When it&#8217;s the real thing, you&#8217;ll know it &#8212; as surely as if you&#8217;d been hit on the head with a sledgehammer!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Poster-165x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"165\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-20644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Poster-165x300.jpg 165w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Poster-70x128.jpg 70w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Poster.jpg 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 165px) 100vw, 165px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA teenage tomboy (Sandra Dee) spends her summer learning how to surf, and falls in love with an elusive surfer-boy (James Darren) who aspires to live a &#8220;beach bum&#8221; existence like his mentor, the Big Kahuna (Cliff Robertson).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cliff Robertson Films<\/li>\n<li>Coming of Age<\/li>\n<li>Counterculture<\/li>\n<li>Feminism and Women&#8217;s Issues<\/li>\n<li>Sandra Dee Films<\/li>\n<li>Surfers<\/li>\n<li>Teenagers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nBased on a <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gidget\">novel by Frederick Kohner<\/a> (who modeled the protagonist after his own surf-loving daughter, <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kathy_Kohner-Zuckerman\">Kathy<\/a>), <em>Gidget<\/em> is primarily remembered today for offering Sandra Dee one of her most notable roles, and for spawning a near cottage industry of sequels and spin-offs (including the short-lived but beloved <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gidget_%28TV_series%29\">television series<\/a> starring Sally Field). Upon revisiting this original iteration, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find that its unique coming-of-age tale is handled with honesty and insight, showing us the travails of an &#8220;underdeveloped&#8221; teenager who feels out of place with her boy-crazy friends, wonders when she&#8217;ll ever experience &#8220;true love&#8221;, and longs to be inducted into the thrilling world of surfing (then, as now, primarily a male sport). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing-1024x572.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"358\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing-1024x572.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing-768x429.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing-1536x857.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing-484x270.png 484w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Surfing.png 1815w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The mocking disdain shown when Gidget first attempts to enter the surfing clique&#8217;s hallowed turf rings all-too-true and painful; it&#8217;s especially disturbing to see &#8220;Lover Boy&#8221; (Tom Laughlin) being sexually aggressive with innocent young Gidget while purportedly teaching her how to surf (thankfully, she holds her own just fine). <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin-1536x863.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin-481x270.png 481w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Laughlin.png 1821w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Where the film falters a bit is in the casting of <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/James_Darren\">teen heartthrob James Darren<\/a> as Moondoggie, the object of Gidget&#8217;s affections. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren-1024x583.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"364\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren-1024x583.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren-768x438.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren-1536x875.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren-474x270.png 474w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Darren.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;s such a pill that we can&#8217;t help wondering why she persists in her crush (though of course, the heart knows no reason, and I suppose he&#8217;s good-looking enough in his way). Much more interesting, however, is the relatively complex role played by Robertson, whose character &#8220;The Big Kahuna&#8221; possesses an intriguing history as a Korean War vet; one wishes his storyline were given a bit more emphasis. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson-1024x566.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"354\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson-1024x566.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson-768x424.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson-1536x848.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson-489x270.png 489w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Robertson.png 1827w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then again, this film really is all about Gidget herself &#8212; and Dee is appropriately winsome in this central role. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1-1024x568.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"355\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1-1024x568.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1-1536x851.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1-487x270.png 487w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee-1.png 1831w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>She&#8217;s reason enough to check out the film once; meanwhile, film fanatics may also be curious simply to see the prototype for all beach-bunny films made thereafter (most notably the <em>Beach Party<\/em> franchise starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon). <\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Residents of Southern California will enjoy laughing themselves silly at the notion that Robertson could successfully set up and maintain a ramshackle home for himself right on the beach. Ha!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sandra Dee as Francie\/Gidget<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2-1024x577.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-62610\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2-1024x577.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2-1536x866.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2-479x270.png 479w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Gidget-Dee2.png 1829w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0052847\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1959\/04\/23\/archives\/screen-sun-and-surf-gidget-the-story-of-a-teenage-girl-opens.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/11666\/complete-gidget-collection-the\/\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=4843&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/4593\/gidget\/#articles-reviews?articleId=88154\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;When it&#8217;s the real thing, you&#8217;ll know it &#8212; as surely as if you&#8217;d been hit on the head with a sledgehammer!&#8221; Synopsis: A teenage tomboy (Sandra Dee) spends her summer learning how to surf, and falls in love with an elusive surfer-boy (James Darren) who aspires to live a &#8220;beach bum&#8221; existence like his mentor, the Big Kahuna (Cliff Robertson). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Cliff Robertson Films Coming of Age Counterculture Feminism and Women&#8217;s Issues Sandra Dee Films&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=20643\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20643"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62615,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20643\/revisions\/62615"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}