The Gidget movie franchise stopped, mercifully, at three: Gidget, Gidget Goes To Rome, and Gidget Goes Hawaiian. Despite only having three movies in its pantheon, the actress who plays Gidget is different in each film; the only constant is actor James Darren, singer-heartthrob of the era, aka "Moondoggie," Gidget's main squeeze.
Moondoggie is such a good boyfriend, he even sings a song about "Gidge," the chorus of which is as follows:
If she says she loves you
You can bet your boots she loves you
If she says she hates you
That can also mean she loves you
"No means yes"? Okay, Moondoggie, but don't let her dad hear you say that.
(In fact, don't let me hear you say that. How much more offensive could this be? The answer is none. None more offensive.)
The Gidget movies are full of Freudian overtones -- none more blatant than when Gidget's friend teaches Gidge to "surf" by putting her surfboard on Gidget's bed and having Gidget stand on it while rhythmically pushing on the edge of the bed to simulate "waves."
Gidget Goes To Rome is a bit more avant-garde, with dinner party attendees dancing mysteriously, to equally "mysterious" music, around Gidget, Moondoggie, and other party patrons. It also features a chase scene through Rome, including a trip down the Spanish steps, which is the highlight of the movie for those who are watching it purely as Romaphiles.
James Darren sings a song in Gidget Goes To Rome about Gidget, too, which is just as well -- since it's a different Gidge, he's got to impress her anew. This song is a bit less objectionable in content, though its insidious earworm-melody more than makes up for the less offensive lyrics:
Gidget, when you go to Rome
You'll never be the same
You'll even change your name...to Gegetta...
As unforgettable
As bellisima
And Gegettable as...
Gegetta, make Italy your own
Gidget Goes Hawaiian features a brunette bombshell Gidget, much taller and more curvy than her Gidget and Gidget Goes To Rome counterparts. That's all I know about the movie, gleaned from the cover picture -- I've never actually seen it.
And that's all you ever need to know or remember about the Gidget movies.
Watch them with friends, a bucket of cheese popcorn, and an MST-3000 attitude, and you'll have a great time despite them.
2 comments:
OMG - I was actually talking to a co-worker about Gidget today! How weird!
p.s. There's nothing like watching Gidget with you and Debbie post-Gilbert and Gubar.
And now I actually miss Lit Crit. Yikes. :)
Mmmm Gidget + Gilbert and Gubar!!
Lit Crit had its upsides, for sure; the course content just didn't happen to be one of them.
And, by the way, there's no reason at all that you can't know more about Gidget Goes Hawaiian come August 8th. . . . that is, if I can manage to remember to put it in my bag. Remind me if you remember to remind.
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