27 reviews
Two years after the original comes this sequel, with Deborah Walley replacing Sandra Dee in the titular role of Francie Lawrence/Gidget. Like the first film, this one is nothing highbrow: just some teen-based comedy and drama revolving around the exploits and misadventures of Gidget.
Gidget and family go to Honolulu for vacation, an excellent excuse for plenty of shots of Hawaiian culture, wrapped around the usual surf and sand center.
The best parts of this film are the Hawaiiana, the dance sequences (surprisingly), and the presence of some adult actors known more for their TV work: like Peggy Cass (who had previously acted in "Auntie Mame") and Carl Reiner (known best, perhaps, for the "Dick Van Dyke Show").
Watch for Vickie Trickett---whose film career spanned only two years---in her thankless role as Abby Stewart, Gidget's main rival and a passive-aggressive gossip.
As the film goes on, it gets better, but it never rises above the level of mildly amusing.
Gidget and family go to Honolulu for vacation, an excellent excuse for plenty of shots of Hawaiian culture, wrapped around the usual surf and sand center.
The best parts of this film are the Hawaiiana, the dance sequences (surprisingly), and the presence of some adult actors known more for their TV work: like Peggy Cass (who had previously acted in "Auntie Mame") and Carl Reiner (known best, perhaps, for the "Dick Van Dyke Show").
Watch for Vickie Trickett---whose film career spanned only two years---in her thankless role as Abby Stewart, Gidget's main rival and a passive-aggressive gossip.
As the film goes on, it gets better, but it never rises above the level of mildly amusing.
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-
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-
The first "Gidget" (1959) hit the sand running, with sweet 'n' sexy Sandra Dee in the title role and James Darren (as Jeff "Moondoggie" Matthews) making as many groins throb. In that outing, Ms. Dee seemed too Holly-worldly for the part, which results in the opposite sort of problem as "Gidget Goes Hawaiian". Herein, cute 'n' perky Deborah Walley (as Frances "Gidget" Lawrence) takes the lead, in a script that appears to have been written with Dee in mind - she would have been more likely than Ms. Walley in attracting every hunk on the beach. Also, Dee would have been more believable as a rival for beautiful dark-haired Vicki Trickett (as Abby Stewart), who should have attracted more attention. No wallflower, Ms. Trickett's legs go on forever...
Conversely, Walley would have done better with the original film's script. Yet, on balance, this picture is a little bit more fun, with its appealing young cast, and older veterans like Carl Reiner and Peggy Cass lending some shtick. The plot is that "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" and is mistaken for a tramp. The story suggests a young woman having sexual intercourse faces a battle more daunting than drug addiction. The main men vying for Walley's attention, Mr. Darren and Michael Callan (as Eddie Horner), handsomely hold the camera's spotlight, with dreamy singing and dancing numbers. Both men were named "Stars of Tomorrow" by Quigley Publications, in 1960 and 1962, due to "Gidget" films. And, Walley received a "Photoplay" newcomer of 1961 award.
***** Gidget Goes Hawaiian (6/2/61) Paul Wendkos ~ Deborah Walley, James Darren, Michael Callan, Carl Reiner
Conversely, Walley would have done better with the original film's script. Yet, on balance, this picture is a little bit more fun, with its appealing young cast, and older veterans like Carl Reiner and Peggy Cass lending some shtick. The plot is that "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" and is mistaken for a tramp. The story suggests a young woman having sexual intercourse faces a battle more daunting than drug addiction. The main men vying for Walley's attention, Mr. Darren and Michael Callan (as Eddie Horner), handsomely hold the camera's spotlight, with dreamy singing and dancing numbers. Both men were named "Stars of Tomorrow" by Quigley Publications, in 1960 and 1962, due to "Gidget" films. And, Walley received a "Photoplay" newcomer of 1961 award.
***** Gidget Goes Hawaiian (6/2/61) Paul Wendkos ~ Deborah Walley, James Darren, Michael Callan, Carl Reiner
- wes-connors
- Jun 5, 2010
- Permalink
- kristen_clemens
- Mar 31, 2005
- Permalink
In my honest opinion,Deborah Walley was the definitive gidget.I also believe this was the best of the movies.
The supporting cast is really terrific,and although it may seem a little dated and corny,if you watch it with an open mind, it is definitely entertaining.
Peggy Cass gives the film's true standout performance as the mother of Gidget's nemesis.
The supporting cast is really terrific,and although it may seem a little dated and corny,if you watch it with an open mind, it is definitely entertaining.
Peggy Cass gives the film's true standout performance as the mother of Gidget's nemesis.
The most fun of the "Gidget" movies. Filled with misunderstandings and jealousy, this flick is sure to amuse as Gidget's life turns more complicated than even she knows.
James Darren is quite a catch.
James Darren is quite a catch.
Three movies with that beach loving California teen baptized Francine Lawrence, but known to one and all as Gidget were made in the Eisenhower/Kennedy years. And with three different Gidgets. Gidget Goes Hawaiian, a title which explains all, has Deborah Walley introduced as the surfing crazed teen dream.
In the first Gidget film Gidget learns to surf and gets involved with James Darren, AKA Moondoggie who was also in the crest of his teen idol years. Parents Carl Reiner and Jeff Donnell surprise Gidget with a family trip to Hawaii which should have been a dream come true for one into surfing. But she's less than enthusiastic because she'll have to leave her Moondoggie. Then they fight and Walley goes off with her parents.
Reiner and Donnell buddy it up with Eddie Foy, Jr., and Peggy Cass and their daughter Vicki Trickett who is a vixen with a jealous streak. She's a teen queen in her own right and doesn't like Walley moving in on all the available boys which includes Michael Callan. She spends the rest of the film scheming against Walley. Eventually Darren being the surfer dude he is goes to Hawaii and I think you know where this is all going.
Gidget Goes Hawaiian is all good clean teen fun circa 1961 with a couple of songs for Darren, a couple of dances for Callan and lots of curves and waves on the beach. You can't make a bad picture in a Hawaiian location I've always maintained, some are just better than others.
In the first Gidget film Gidget learns to surf and gets involved with James Darren, AKA Moondoggie who was also in the crest of his teen idol years. Parents Carl Reiner and Jeff Donnell surprise Gidget with a family trip to Hawaii which should have been a dream come true for one into surfing. But she's less than enthusiastic because she'll have to leave her Moondoggie. Then they fight and Walley goes off with her parents.
Reiner and Donnell buddy it up with Eddie Foy, Jr., and Peggy Cass and their daughter Vicki Trickett who is a vixen with a jealous streak. She's a teen queen in her own right and doesn't like Walley moving in on all the available boys which includes Michael Callan. She spends the rest of the film scheming against Walley. Eventually Darren being the surfer dude he is goes to Hawaii and I think you know where this is all going.
Gidget Goes Hawaiian is all good clean teen fun circa 1961 with a couple of songs for Darren, a couple of dances for Callan and lots of curves and waves on the beach. You can't make a bad picture in a Hawaiian location I've always maintained, some are just better than others.
- bkoganbing
- Sep 5, 2012
- Permalink
"Gidget Goes Hawaiian" (1961) was the first Gidget (girl plus midget) sequel. James Darren continued as love interest Moondoggie but Sandra Dee was replaced by Deborah Walley. This role made Walley (a serious and talented actress) into a sudden teen sensation and probably insured that her acting would never be taken seriously. She was my first really big crush although not from this movie (I was too young to care about teen movies) but from "Summer Magic", a children's film she did for Disney several years later.
Walley, who did many of her own surfing sequences for the film, was super cute back then and had a great smile. She looks a lot like a pre-starvation diet Lindsey Lohen. She was only 5'2" and in this film looks a bit dumpy; in part because the clueless costume people gave her a particularly unflattering wardrobe and in part because she was cast opposite Vicki Trickett who would make almost any girl look bad in comparison. But Walley does an excellent job with the role and it is not hard to believe that all the boys would go for Gidget over Abby (Trickett's character).
"Gidget Goes Hawaiian" was released the same year as Elvis's "Blue Hawaii" and if you chopped up the two films and edited them together it would be difficult to tell their sequences apart. Trickett even looks like Elvis movie regular Shelley Fabares. Trickett was the first actress to use the term "best friends for life" (BFFL) in a movie; little realizing its future as a mainstay of text messaging.
The film gave teen girls pop singing star Darren. Darren sings the excellent title song along with a much weaker track titled "Wild About You". Teen girls also got a dancing Michael Callan ("Cat Ballou"). Watch for his impromptu dance sequence with Eddie Foy, Jr.
"Gidget Goes Hawaiian" is short on beautiful Hawaiian scenery and clever scripting but its target audience got plenty of Darren, Callan, and Hollywood's cutest redhead.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Walley, who did many of her own surfing sequences for the film, was super cute back then and had a great smile. She looks a lot like a pre-starvation diet Lindsey Lohen. She was only 5'2" and in this film looks a bit dumpy; in part because the clueless costume people gave her a particularly unflattering wardrobe and in part because she was cast opposite Vicki Trickett who would make almost any girl look bad in comparison. But Walley does an excellent job with the role and it is not hard to believe that all the boys would go for Gidget over Abby (Trickett's character).
"Gidget Goes Hawaiian" was released the same year as Elvis's "Blue Hawaii" and if you chopped up the two films and edited them together it would be difficult to tell their sequences apart. Trickett even looks like Elvis movie regular Shelley Fabares. Trickett was the first actress to use the term "best friends for life" (BFFL) in a movie; little realizing its future as a mainstay of text messaging.
The film gave teen girls pop singing star Darren. Darren sings the excellent title song along with a much weaker track titled "Wild About You". Teen girls also got a dancing Michael Callan ("Cat Ballou"). Watch for his impromptu dance sequence with Eddie Foy, Jr.
"Gidget Goes Hawaiian" is short on beautiful Hawaiian scenery and clever scripting but its target audience got plenty of Darren, Callan, and Hollywood's cutest redhead.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
- aimless-46
- Dec 16, 2007
- Permalink
- CitizenCaine
- Aug 14, 2009
- Permalink
"Oh Daddy! You think because of an accident of birth you can run my life!"-Francine
Francis "Gidget" Lawrence is back and she has been recast in this the second Film in the Gidget franchise. Not only has Gidget been recast, but so has her father...mother and just about the whole cast with the exception of Jeffery "Moondoggie" Matthews (James Darren) who leaves his signature crooning voice as the hallmark of the first three Gidget movies that started a craze of beach blanket teen films in the sixties.
Sandra Dee is my favorite of the Gidgets, but this one did have a fun Hawaiian flare. Unfortunately it also had some hideous 1960's fashion and a horrible character that spreads rumors about Gidget having had an "unfortunate accident" implying that she had sex and was continuing to be a girl of loose morals.
"Now shall I talk about me or you talk about me?"-
The film starts with Gidget and Moondoggie having a fight, which is really more of a misunderstanding, when he encourages her to go to Hawaii for the experience and she thinks that means he doesn't care and they are breaking up.
"Aren't you going in?"-Russ Lawrence "No, Daddy...I couldn't. That's the same ocean Jeff and I used to swim in."-Gidget
Gidget ends up moping around Hawaii, until talked into it she goes out with some new friends. When she gets caught by Moondoggie kissing another boy...well the two do their best to make the other jealous.
Of course there is a whole parental storyline that adds a lot of comedy to the movie.
"Nice! The negligée is not bad either."-Russ Lawrence
With the foot stylings of Michael Callan and the smooth singing of James Darren, this is still one of the better beach blanket era movies of the 1960's. This is a recommendation but a stronger recommendation if you are a beach blanket movie fan!
Francis "Gidget" Lawrence is back and she has been recast in this the second Film in the Gidget franchise. Not only has Gidget been recast, but so has her father...mother and just about the whole cast with the exception of Jeffery "Moondoggie" Matthews (James Darren) who leaves his signature crooning voice as the hallmark of the first three Gidget movies that started a craze of beach blanket teen films in the sixties.
Sandra Dee is my favorite of the Gidgets, but this one did have a fun Hawaiian flare. Unfortunately it also had some hideous 1960's fashion and a horrible character that spreads rumors about Gidget having had an "unfortunate accident" implying that she had sex and was continuing to be a girl of loose morals.
"Now shall I talk about me or you talk about me?"-
The film starts with Gidget and Moondoggie having a fight, which is really more of a misunderstanding, when he encourages her to go to Hawaii for the experience and she thinks that means he doesn't care and they are breaking up.
"Aren't you going in?"-Russ Lawrence "No, Daddy...I couldn't. That's the same ocean Jeff and I used to swim in."-Gidget
Gidget ends up moping around Hawaii, until talked into it she goes out with some new friends. When she gets caught by Moondoggie kissing another boy...well the two do their best to make the other jealous.
Of course there is a whole parental storyline that adds a lot of comedy to the movie.
"Nice! The negligée is not bad either."-Russ Lawrence
With the foot stylings of Michael Callan and the smooth singing of James Darren, this is still one of the better beach blanket era movies of the 1960's. This is a recommendation but a stronger recommendation if you are a beach blanket movie fan!
- bensonmum2
- Apr 1, 2006
- Permalink
- lizziebeth-1
- Aug 12, 2002
- Permalink
This is my favourite of all the Gidget Movies...Its just such a great movie to watch and laugh and every time i watch it it get embarrassed for the characters... I don't know why but i just do...
It's a funny movie that looks not only at the beach but how different people are...it's really just a great classic chick flick!
When I first saw that Michael Callan was in it i thought it was crazy that he was singing and dancing...but he was really good.
I love how kinda of tacky it is...I love how Moondoggie and Gidget are fighting and go off with other people...haha so funny.
It's definitely my favourite of the Gidget movies!
It's a funny movie that looks not only at the beach but how different people are...it's really just a great classic chick flick!
When I first saw that Michael Callan was in it i thought it was crazy that he was singing and dancing...but he was really good.
I love how kinda of tacky it is...I love how Moondoggie and Gidget are fighting and go off with other people...haha so funny.
It's definitely my favourite of the Gidget movies!
Deborah Walley sucks, although she can dance pretty well. I wish a shark had eaten her. The dark haired chick is way hotter. Carl Reiner has definitely been funnier elsewhere. Only Corrigan from TJ Hooker gives a good performance.
- TheOldGuyFromHalloween3
- Feb 24, 2022
- Permalink
That's what I basically did during the second half of the film.James Darren's songs are the only ones that are even halfway interesting (and they aren't that good!) Deborah Walley is a TERRIBLE actress and her voice is sooo annoying.Sandra Dee should have really considered doing the sequel (and a Better one!!)
This movie was an entertaining family comedy. I viewed it in a group consisting of an age range of 3 to 35 year olds. Everyone was entertained, especially the children present. This a very light weight comedy that parents can enjoy with their children. So if you are looking for something different for the entire family to enjoy then this is a good choice.
- jenny_freddie
- May 4, 2005
- Permalink
- anaconda-40658
- Jun 23, 2015
- Permalink
This film essentially begins with a teenage girl named "Frances 'Gidget' Lawrence" (Deborah Walley) being told by her parents that they are going on a vacation in Hawaii. Although this news would typically be received with some measure of happiness, Gidget is not at all thrilled as she and her college boyfriend "Jeffrey 'Moondoggie' Matthews" (James Darren) had just begun a steady relationship. Her disappointment is compounded by the fact that, upon hearing of the news, she misinterprets Jeffrey's response of happiness for her being able to go to Hawaii to one of complete nonchalance about her leaving. That being the case, she immediately breaks off their relationship and boards an airplane to Hawaii with a heavy heart. While on the airplane, she meets another teenager named "Abby Stewart" (Vicki Trickett) who is also traveling with her parents. Although the two quickly becomes friends, Gidget tells Abby of her recent breakup but accidentally overemphasizes some parts which is misinterpreted by Abby. At first, this isn't any problem, but things change when the two become rivals for the same boyfriend--a young man who has recently flown to Hawaii named Jeffrey 'Moondoggie' Matthews. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that, although this movie wasn't bad by any means, it didn't quite have the same appeal as its predecessor, partly because Gidget seemed too young and innocent in comparison to either Jeffrey 'Moondoggie' Matthews or "Eddie Horner" (Michael Callan). It almost seemed like they were robbing the cradle. Again though, while I don't consider this to be a bad movie necessarily, I don't believe it was as good as its predecessor and I have rated it accordingly.
Gidget Goes Hawaiian is a good movie despite what other people say. O.k., so its another of "beach" movie made in the '60's But this one, to me, stands out. It doesn't focus all on the beach, but partly on the "games" people play. This is, in my opinion, the best of the Gidget movies, TV movies, and TV shows.
Fun and involving beach comedy-melodrama. Walley and Darren try to get each other jealous before flinging up their arms to stay together. Walley is cute and conveys some subtlety in the "Girl Midget" role she inherited. One odd aspect of the film is its seemingly outdated jazz-style music. But maybe by the early 60s the rock thing really WAS out (I wasn't there, so I don't really know).
The production numbers are smart and fairly well-written, especially Gidget's dream of being a "fallen woman." You don't usually see things like this in a beach movie, and that's what makes this one of the better beach party movies. It's equally as good as AIP's beach movies (in which Walley appeared), though without quite as good a cast.
Walley was eventually married to and then divorced from actor/musician/filmmaker John Ashley. She more or less retired from acting in the 70s after making the original "Benji", and in the 80s and 90s she appeared at numerous conventions (where she was always a very friendly presence that I'm sure a lot of people appreciated as much as I did). She passed away a couple of years ago, and I guess this classic beach film is now a kind of monument to her. Because I think people will be watching and enjoying this movie many, many years into the future. I don't know if they will respect it, or like it, or hate it, but they will probably enjoy it
The production numbers are smart and fairly well-written, especially Gidget's dream of being a "fallen woman." You don't usually see things like this in a beach movie, and that's what makes this one of the better beach party movies. It's equally as good as AIP's beach movies (in which Walley appeared), though without quite as good a cast.
Walley was eventually married to and then divorced from actor/musician/filmmaker John Ashley. She more or less retired from acting in the 70s after making the original "Benji", and in the 80s and 90s she appeared at numerous conventions (where she was always a very friendly presence that I'm sure a lot of people appreciated as much as I did). She passed away a couple of years ago, and I guess this classic beach film is now a kind of monument to her. Because I think people will be watching and enjoying this movie many, many years into the future. I don't know if they will respect it, or like it, or hate it, but they will probably enjoy it
I didn't think I would like this movie since Sandra Dee wasn't in the starring role, but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Debrah was brilliant as Gidget and so was James as Jeff. A true classic! A fun romp in the summertime Hawaiian sun with Gidget and her pals! A++
- Noirdame79
- Mar 7, 2005
- Permalink
After the first Gidget film ends with Jeff declaring his love, the couple goes apart for a year. Now, Moondoggie - James Darren - comes back still crazy about Francie - Deborah Walley replacing Sandra Dee. Ditto for her she loves him. But then her Dad Russ - Carl Reiner - announces the family is going to Hawaii on vacation. Gidget tells Jeff thinking he will say she cant leave him. He tells her she mustnt miss Hawaii. Miffed Gidget throws his pin back at him and bawls her way to Honolulu. On the way, she meets pretty but jealous teen Abby and 4 young males including hot dancer Eddie - Michael Callan. Just as Dad wires Jeff to come join them and cheer up Gidget, Francie starts having fun with Eddie. Seeing green, Abby makes a play for Moondoggie. Uh oh This cute sequel loses a tad with Walley replacing Dee. But, shes cute and dances great. Thank God for Darren who charms sings and romances. Reiner is funny and the rest of the cast likeable. Naturally the scenery is stunning plus the costumes are terrific. Any Gidget fans will adore this zesty sequel.