Gidget (1958)
Based on Frederick Kohner’s 1957 novel Gidget, the Little Girl with Big Ideas, the first Gidget movie is by far the best. One of just a few beach movies to tell its story from the teenager’s point of view, Gidget shines, courtesy of the perky Sandra Dee. As the film begins, Francine “Gidget” Lawrence (Dee) and her friends are preparing for a trip to the beach. While the other girls are interested in boys, a tomboy, Gidget isn’t yet interested in the opposite sex.
When Gidget runs into trouble in the water, a popular surfer named Jeff “Moondoggie” Matthews (James Darren) saves her life. He then introduces her to his cool circle of friends. At first, she is ignored by the group, but soon enough, she charms them and fits in well. She’s good friends with Moondoggie, but is romance in the cards?
Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961)
In this first sequel, Sandra Dee is replaced by Deborah Walley as the title character. Gidget is noticeably more mature. At the dawn of the 1960’s, she’s self-confident, independent and aware of her power over men. Francine “Gidget” Lawrence and Jeff “Moondoggie” Mathews (James Darren) have just become an item—just in time for Gidget’s father (the legendary Carl Reiner) to announce a surprise trip to Hawaii. Because Moondoggie is home from college for the summer, Gidget insists she won’t go. When she tells Moondoggie about the trip, she is offended when he encourages her to go on this trip of a lifetime.
On the plane ride to Hawaii, a miserable Gidget meets some new people, including socialite Abby Stewart (Vicki Trickett), whose parents get along well with Gidget’s parents. Also on the plane is famous dancer Eddie Horner (Michael Callan) who, like most boys, takes an immediate interest in the surfer girl. Nonetheless, Gidget can’t even fake enthusiasm. This prompts her father to invite Moondoggie to Hawaii as a surprise. Predictably, he arrives just as Eddie and Gidget embrace, leaving our favorite couple at odds.
While Deborah Walley can’t match Sandra Dee in the role, she brings her own mature enthusiasm to the part that works.
Gidget Goes to Rome (1963)
The third installment in the franchise, Gidget Goes to Rome starts Cindy Carol as the titular character. Given the continuity in place previously, Gidget Goes to Rome isn’t entirely divorced from the previous films. James Darren is back as Moondoggie, so there’s that.
Now college aged, Gidget and Moondoggie are vacationing in Rome for the summer with friends. Along to chaperone, is Aunt Albertina (Jessie Royce Landis), an eccentric old lady with an assortment of wigs. Predictably, Gidget gets jealous when Moondoggie takes a shine to the group’s tour guide, the gorgeous Daniela (Danielle De Metz). Soon though, Gidget finds herself in the company of Paolo Cellini (Cesare Danova), a writer who wants to do a profile on an American girl’s first time in Rome. Despite the obvious age difference, Gidget develops a serious crush on him.
Like the other films in this collection, Gidget Goes to Rome is fluffy entertainment and probably only of interest for the Gidget fanatics out there.
The first two movies share a 50GB disc, the third film shares a 50GB disc with the made for TV movie, Gidget Gets Married. All four features are presented in 1080p high definition in their original aspect ratios. They look surprisingly good, even if they don’t appear to have been taken from new scans. Colors are full and detail is solid. While not quite reference quality, print damage isn’t a problem.
Audio for the features is a English language 24-bit LPCM 2.0 Mono track. well balanced throughout, dialogue is clear and concise throughout. The tracks are free of hisses and other audio anomalies.
English subtitles are included.
The following extras are available:
- Gidget Gets Married: A 1972 TV movie, this finds Moondoggie (now played by Michael Burns) finishing his stint in the military and taking a job as an engineer. Given his new financial stability, he and Gidget (now played by Monie Ellis), a first-grade teacher, are ready to tie the knot. Things are good until Jeff’s job begins to take up all of his time. Gidget is determined to do something about it.
- Theatrical Trailers for the first two films.
