Gidget Já é Adulta

Loosely adapted from Frederick Kohner's novel "Gidget Goes New York", This 1969 ABC MOW is remarkable principally for two standout performances: Karen Valentine is excellent as Gidget (of the seven women who have portrayed her in cinema and TV, I rank her second only to Sally Field), and Paul Lynde is hilarious as Louis B. Latimer, Gidget's eccentric and narcissistic landlord. Paul Peterson is alright as Jeff (though sometimes boring), and Robert Cummings is a bit flat as Russ Lawrence. Edward Mulhare seems to think he's in a 1960's soap opera. There are some truly beautiful performances in the smaller parts: Nina Fochs, for example, is magnificent as Mrs.Crosby, Gidget's job trainer (shades of Miss Jean Brodie), and the two girls who play Gidget's roommates are delightful and lovable. The plot is lame, and moves slowly, but Valentine and Lynde do a good job of buoying it.

No mention is made of Gidget's mother or sister, perhaps in an attempt to fudge continuity with both the Hollywood movies (no sister Anne) and the 60's sitcom (mother deceased).

Gidget fans will enjoy "Gidget Grows Up", but for anyone else it is a slightly above average MOW.

This is a late 60s incarnation of Gidget...with Karen Valentine instead of Sandra Dee, Deborah Walley or Sally Field. In fact, to date 8 different ladies have played this character! Because it's the late 60s, the film has a definite stamp of the era--with groovy (?) music and fashions...as well as a love of the UN and an optimism you'd never see today.

When the film begins, Gidget has returned home from a long trip to Europe. During this time, she stupidly send letters to Moondoggie (Paul Peterson) saying she was being wined and dined by a lot of men. He is, not surprisingly, cold towards her and soon announces he's heading off to Greenland...as he's joined the Air Force!

Soon Gidget sees the US ambassador to the UN on TV talking about a need for young folks to volunteer to work as 'Peace Heroes'. Well, in typical Gidget fashion, she rushes into this role--with very little forethought...but lots of energy! She eventually finds herself in a training program and seems to fall into the routine rather well (other than practically causing a major incident involving Mobutu). But there is a hitch...she really does love Moondoggie and vice-versa but neither is willing to take the first step. So, in the meantime, she begins dating a man much, much older (Edward Mulhare, who was 46). Can she ever get down to business with Moondoggie or is she destined to marry this nice Aussie (who actually was played by an Irishman)?

This is mildly enjoyable BUT with one major warning--the music is often god-awful! There are many musical montages which would make most viewers today ill...very ill. Even for the standards of the day, the music sucked and was very invasive. Apart from that, enjoyable and slight--exactly what you'd expect from a Gidget outing.

Upon finally returning to the United States, a young woman named "Francine 'Gidget' Lawrence" (Karen Valentine) is disappointed to find that her long-time sweetheart "Jeffrey 'Moondoggie' Griffith" (Paul Peterson) has since moved on and found another girlfriend. Of course, one of the factors in that decision was the fact that, while in Europe she continually wrote letters about meeting other men simply to make him jealous. Complicating matters even further, before she has a chance to make amends, Jeff--who is an officer in the United States Air Force--is sent to Greenland at the last minute. So, after watching an ambassador give a rousing speech, she decides to volunteer to work as a low-paid assistant at the United Nations in New York to start life anew. What she doesn't realize, however, is just how difficult that will be. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an okay romantic-comedy which could have been better with a bit more comedy and a little less romance. I say this because the romantic encounters between Gidget and "Alex MacLaughlin" (Edward Mulhare) was rather dull and boring. Likewise, the made-for-television format certainly didn't help in that regard either. In any case, while I don't consider this to be a good comedy necessarily, I suppose it passed the time well enough, and I have rated it accordingly. Average.

Personally I can't believe this Gidget movie is given such a low rating.

It was my favorite of all the Gidget movies.

It was a switch from the Gidget surfing to Gidget getting out on her own and experiencing life.

I wish they'd bring it out on DVD so I could get the movie for my youngest daughter because I know she'd like it.

I'd even sit and watch it with her.

I would enjoy seeing it again.

It's a good movie for young girls to watch, I wish they'd still make movies like this.

Karen Valentine did a great job as Gidget and Paul Peterson as Moon Doggie.

Good movie in my opinion.

I am so old now I remember watching Gidget Grows Up when it premiered on television when I was twelve years old! :) I loved the on-screen chemistry Karen Valentine had with Edward Mulhare in this film, plus the snappy, upbeat soundtrack. Paul Lynde was also delightful in the supporting cast, and had me laughing out loud. In the intervening years I have re-watched this delightful version numerous times. It's also great to see NYC in 1969 when everything looked so clean and everyone dressed so nicely. It was a different world and honestly I miss it very much. RIP Edward Mulhare, our beloved Captain Gregg. I will always love you.