Deborah Walley
Francine "Gidget" Lawrence
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Francis is desperate: her parents want to force her to come with them on vacation to Hawaii - just during the two weeks when her beloved "Moondoggy" is home from College. When he suggests her to go for it, she's even more in panic - doesn't he care to be with her? So she sets out for Hawaii in the worst mood. On the plane she meets the sociable Abby, who gives her the advice to forget about Jeff - and regrets it shortly after, when Francis follows the advice and steals her boyfriend Eddie, a famous dancer. But then Jeff discovers he's missing Francis...
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| Release Date | 1961-06-02 |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 1h 41m |
| Director | Paul Wendkos |
| Producer | |
| Writers | Ruth Brooks Flippen, Frederick Kohner, Stanley Styne |
Fun early 60’s beach flick; lacks the depths of the first film
RELEASED IN 1961 and directed by Paul Wendkos, "Gidget goes Hawaiian” chronicles events when Gidget (Deborah Walley) breaks up with Moondoggie (James Darren) and goes to Hawaii with her parents. By the time Moondoggie eventually shows up, Gidget is making time with a celebrity singer/dancer (Michael Callan) and soon has a rep as an “easy” girl.
Walley has better curves than Sandra Dee in the original 1959 movie and she’s generally fine as the new Gidget, but her annoying facial expressions paint a (seemingly) weaker, whinier protagonist. Dee was underdeveloped at 16 when “Gidget” was shot, but there was something precious, dynamic and strong about her version of Gidget; moreover, the way the surf dudes cherished her was heartwarming.
This sequel comes up with its own group of five guys and five girls in Hawaii. The first half is entertaining as a fun early 60’s beach drama, but the second half devolves into zany “mistaken situation” shenanigans (think Three’s Company). Thankfully, this is made up by a commentary on the destructiveness of low-life gossip/slander.
Miscellaneous observations: The beautiful Vicki Trickett is a highlight as Abby, which is contrasted by her two-faced, ignoble character. Trickett was 22 during shooting while Walley was 19. Callan has a remarkable song & dance sequence with a couple of masked females. The guy who plays Gidget’s dad (Carl Reiner) is reminiscent of Nicolas Cage. There’s an amusing bit on the Hawaiian moo moo dress, which is actually spelled muumuu or mu’umu’u.
THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 41 minutes and was shot in Malibu, California; Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii; and 90 Mile Beach, Northland, New Zealand. WRITERS: Ruth Brooks Flippen & Frederick Kohner.
GRADE: B-
— Wuchak