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Gidget

Released Apr 10, 1959 1h 35m Romance Comedy List
55% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 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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Gidget

Critics Reviews

View All (11) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Read all reviews
Gidget

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Lewis J. Rachmil
Screenwriter
Gabrielle Upton
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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