Gidget

Released Apr 10, 1959

1h 35m

Romance

Comedy

List

55%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

86%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

Diminutive teenager Francie Lawrence (Sandra Dee) has a bunch of boy-crazy friends, but she could care less about boys. That is, until she goes to the beach one day and meets surfer Jeffrey "Moondoggie" Matthews (James Darren) and his friends, including Burt "The Big Kahuna" Vail (Cliff Robertson). Now, Francie, whom the boys call "Gidget" -- short for girl midget -- wants to learn how to surf, so she buys a used board and dives into the sunny world of Southern California surfing fever.

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

A must-see artifact and lots of fun.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 30, 2004

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aimed squarely at the teenagers of the day, Gidget still registers as an agreeable diversion marked by a suitably vivacious performance from Sandra Dee.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 18, 2021

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

I thoroughly enjoyed Gidget, and I look forward to catching up with the sequels

Rated: 8/10

Jun 8, 2019

Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

It's interesting in how very dated it has become, but all of that interest is extra-textual.

Rated: 5/10

Jul 17, 2014

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A sincere and perceptive coming-of-age teen film.

Rated: B

Apr 2, 2010

Full Review

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

Rated: 1/5

May 6, 2006

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Steve D

One of the thinnest stories ever put to film.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/12/23

Full Review

ashley h

Gidget is a cute movie. It is about a young girl who discovers surfing and love during one transitive summer. Sandra Dee and James Darren give terrific performances. The screenplay is good but a little slow in places. Paul Wendkos did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the humor and romance. Gidget is a must see.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

fun wholesome teen surfing movie

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Milquetoast teen tale of summer romance - and nearly loosing yourself in the dream. Watch for several faces that would become well known over the next 40 years, except for star Sandra Dee who fell in love a year later and married singer Bobby Darrin. They divorced after 8 years & one child, she succumbed to alcohol and never married again.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The 1st Gidget film was the only Gidget film with a great script ; the other 2 were scribed by a different screenwriter & lack the authentic Gidget vibe. Also, Sandra Dee was irreplaceable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was one of my sister and my favorite films to watch when we visited our Grandmother's house growing up. It is a classic coming-of-age story about a young woman who is trying to enjoy her summer while struggling with the pressure to fit in and to grow up. It offers several wonderfully positive messages, and it encourages young women to be who they are. This movie is a rare gem!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Paul Wendkos

Director

Sandra Dee

Francie Lawrence

James Darren

Jeffrey Matthews

Cliff Robertson

Burt Vail

Arthur O'Connell

Russell Lawrence

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Synopsis

Diminutive teenager Francie Lawrence (Sandra Dee) has a bunch of boy-crazy friends, but she could care less about boys. That is, until she goes to the beach one day and meets surfer Jeffrey "Moondoggie" Matthews (James Darren) and his friends, including Burt "The Big Kahuna" Vail (Cliff Robertson). Now, Francie, whom the boys call "Gidget" -- short for girl midget -- wants to learn how to surf, so she buys a used board and dives into the sunny world of Southern California surfing fever.

Director: Paul Wendkos
Production Co: Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 10, 1959, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 30, 2013
Runtime: 1h 35m

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