To me, this movie is perfection.

Memorable, crazy movie

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Gidget (1959): Dir: Paul Wendkos / Cast: Sandra Dee, James Darren, Cliff Robertson, Yvonne Craig, Arthur O'Connell: High spirited surfer comedy about innocence in that Gidget is all about fun and enjoying life. She and her parents are vacationing and she hits the beaches only to be singled out for her sexuality. She slowly learns to surf but becomes caught between two males. One is much older than she is and other she uses to make the former jealous. Simple plot but develops nicely with fine direction by Paul Wendkos who started a new genre of surfer films and teenage beach films aimed at younger viewers. Sandra Dee holds the film together with her innocence. She is the apple in the eye of her parents but candy to the eye of hormonal males. James Darren plays Moondoggie, the male whom she is trying to obtain but who plays hard to get. To say that they eventually connect is an understatement but the film isn't dumb fluff. Cliff Robertson plays the leader of a surfer gang whom becomes Gidget's opportunity for attention. She attempts unsuccessfully to use this for greater gain against Moondoggie. Yvonne Craig also graces with her appearance although stealing attention away from Gidget is a task of its own. Finally there is Gidget's parents who are bewildered constantly with their daughter. Somewhat daring film about adolescence and that urge to be someone with somebody. Score: 8 / 10

sun, beach, surfing, love, wise advices, easy naive story. the spirit of pop culture from '' 60 and nothing more. the charming James Darren, the profound Cliff Robertson, the innocence of Sandra Dee 's character and few footage are pillars of a comedy not different by many other from period, mixture of romanticism, nice music and children - parents relation. a film who say almost nothing to the viewer of present but remains interesting for the spirit and sensitivity of a public. because it has all ingredients and spices for real success at the beginning of ''60's. a summer story who could be good example for a kind of America. nothing complicated, nothing serious. only a teenager story. and the classical end.

Sandra Dee gets to play the first "Gidget" (combining "Girl and Midget"). She's seems too made-up and beautiful for the role, but she acts the perkiness well. James Darren has a good role with "Moondoggie". Cliff Robertson is the "The Big Kahuna" of the beach. At different times, Ms. Dee's Gidget seems to want to: have fun, have sex, grow up, grow out, stay young, and/or learn to surf (which is not at all unusual). Most of all, Gidget wants a boyfriend.This film seems much more significant in hindsight; since, the Gidget character proved to be so enduring, and filmmakers discovered an audience for teenagers in swimsuits was ready for action. As a film, "Gidget" only fair, and its story is standard. The most interesting part was Mr. Robertson's character - do you want him to "grow up" and leave the beach, or should he become an old beach bum? You do get an answer, at the end of the movie. Also interesting is how Robertson relates to the younger characters. The music is slight. Mr. Darren does the title song nicely (later on); and, the soundtrack often sounds like the melody to "Tammy" is about to begin. **** Gidget (4/10/59) Paul Wendkos ~ Sandra Dee, James Darren, Cliff Robertson, Arthur O'Connell

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.