Classic-Movie Review: Gidget (1959)

One of the greatest classic movies of all time is Gidget. I know, it may be some years ahead of my time, but thanks to my mother, I have gained an appreciation for the movies of the 1950s and 60s. Before the era of beach party movies and teenage cult classics, Gidget hit big the screens with its lighthearted take about a naïve teenager who learns about love, life on the beach, and the true meaning of being a woman during the summer of her sixteenth birthday.

Sandra Dee stars as perky Francie Lawrence, who later becomes known as Gidget (combination of "girl" and "midget"). Francie questions everything and looks for life's answers in books. She owns who she is and won't allow anyone to influence her, including her parents and friends. This is apparent when Francie's friends decide to flaunt their assets at the beach to attract boys. She reluctantly follows them but after unsuccessful attempts at getting the boys' attention, Francie throws in the towel and goes swimming. It's not until she gets caught in some kelp that her life changes forever. A brave surfer named Moondoggie, played by the dreamy James Darren, rescues Francie from the kelp. They both catch a wave on his surfboard back to shore. Suddenly, Francie is smitten by the lure of the surf.

Francie coaxes her father (played by Arthur O'Connell) into giving her the money to buy a surf board. Immediately the next day, she rushes to the beach to begin her new life as a surfer. She makes friends with a group of college surf bums, led by surf veteran, the Big Kahuna, portrayed by the rugged Cliff Robertson. She is also reunited by her rescuer Moondoggie. But a disgusted Moondoggie sends her away, warning her that the surf is not a place for girls. His cold shoulder only fuels Francie and makes her even more determined to learn.

One of the things that appeals to me about Francie is that although she is stubborn and persistent, she reveals her vulnerability, questioning her lack of male suitors and interest in the opposite sex. She worries that something might be wrong with her. Her mother (played by Mary LaRoche) reassures her that love will happen someday for her and she will know when it hits her, "as sure as if she were hit on the head with a sledgehammer."

Sure enough, that is exactly what she experiences when she goes back to the beach the next day. Francie's immaturity and inexperience annoy Moondoggie and he nicknames her Gidget because "she's a girl and a midget, a gidget" (which is what I will refer to her as from now on). Gidget insists that she can hang with the rest of them so Moondoggie instigates an initiation. The boys carry her off into the ocean, forcing her to collect some underwater kelp in order to join them. But the fun turns fatal when Gidget doesn't resurface. Moondoggie, again, rescues the damsel in distress. Hours later, Gidget wakes up in Kahuna's shack with Moondoggie at her side. Suddenly, after Moondoggie takes off, she reveals to Kahuna that she feels like she'd "been hit with a sledgehammer".

Now, Gidget's quest is two-fold: 1) to learn how to surf and 2) to somehow attract Moondoggie.

Throughout the movie, Gidget never gives up on her quest, even when she is confined to her room after contracting tonsillitis. She manages to learn how to surf from books and practicing on her bed. Her persistence pays off. Gidget proves herself as a surfer and the guys finally accept her. But she still has not attracted the object of her affection, Moondoggie.

However, Gidget's persistence also gets her into some hot water. In the midst of trying to win Moondoggie's heart and her desire to become a woman, Gidget manages to spark a feud between Moondoggie and Kahuna after using Kahuna to make Moondoggie jealous. Luckily for her, Kahuna is able to restrain himself and not get caught up in Gidget's immature games. Gidget realizes that all her efforts are lost and that she would have to face her senior year not yet a woman. In the end, though, Gidget does get her man, but in an unexpected way.

Sandra Dee's portrayal of Gidget is delightful. Her flawless beauty glues you to the screen. Some may think that her quirkiness and innocence are over the top, but that is what makes her so likable and charming. Gidget is the "Pollyanna" of the beach, spreading her optimism and inspiring even stubborn men to change for the better. She also becomes the first surfer girl of Hollywood. Sandra Dee and James Darren share great chemistry together. James Darren lures you in with his soothing singing voice and perfect hair. But not only that, he successfully portrays Moondoggie as the chivalrous, sensitive man that every female looks for. Together, Dee and Darren embark on a romance that makes want to sigh and say, "I wish that could happen to me."

Although the surf scenes are not so convincing and the plot is predictable and simplistic, Gidget is one of those lighthearted movies that makes you smile. Sometimes, it's just nice to watch a movie that is simple, down-to-earth, and uncomplicated. Gidget is that kind of movie.

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