Gidget Goes to Rome was the third film to be inspired by the beach-happy characters created by Frederick Kohner back in the mid-1950s. This time, surfer gal Francie "Gidget" Lawrence is played by newcomer Cindy Carol. Per the title, the film finds Gidget vacationing in the Eternal City with faithful boyfriend Jeff, aka Moondoggie (James Darren). Chaperoning the pair is Aunt Albertina (Jessie Royce Landis), but that doesn't stop Gidge and Jeff from experiencing brief extracurricular flirtations in Rome. The question: how do the producers get Cindy Carol into a bikini without diverting from the plotline? The answer: a slapstick setpiece during a fashion show. The last of the theatrical Gidget features, Gidget Goes to Rome was followed by a handful of TV-movie sequels and two separate weekly sitcoms. Hal Erickson, Rovi
Teenager Francie Lawrence (Sandra Dee) is known to her surfing friends as "Gidget" or a "girl midget" (she is kinda on the short side). Unable to compete with the curvaceous bikinied lasses at the local beach, Gidget is assured by her understanding parents (Arthur O'Connell, Mary LaRoche) that boys will eventually pay attention to her. Turns out that Mom's right on the money, as surfers Moondoggie (James Darren) and Kahoona (Cliff Robertson) vie for Gidge's attention during the summer of her 16th birthday. Based on the novel by Frederick Kohner (who based the title character on his own daughter), Gidget was one of the surprise hits of 1959. The film spawned a host of theatrical and TV-movie sequels, not to mention the 1966 TV series starring Sally Field -- and the 1987 sitcom starring Caryn Richman. In addition, Gidget boosted the careers of several stars-to-be, including Yvonne Craig, Doug McClure and Tom Laughlin. Hal Erickson, Rovi
This second film in the "Gidget" series stars Deborah Walley as Francie Lawrence, better known as Gidget. After being disappointed in love by surfin' dude Moondoggie (James Darren), Gidge joins her parents (Carl Reiner, Jeff Donnell) on a Hawaiian vacation. Complications ensue when Moondoggie likewise arrives in the islands, only to find Gidget "that way" about local beach stud Eddie Horner (Michael Callan). In general, Gidget Goes Hawaiian isn't up to the standards of the original Gidget, though there are a few bright moments, including a satiric dream sequence. Once more, the film proved successful at the box office, spawning even more sequels and no fewer than two weekly TV series. Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Category Romantic Comedy, Beach Film
- Theme: Vacation Romances, Americans Abroad
- Studio: Columbia TriStar
- Run Time: 05 hr
- Edition: Special Edition
- Language: English
- Release Date: August 3, 2004
- Lead Actor: Sandra Dee, Cindy Carol, Cliff Robertson, James Darren
- Supporting Actor: Veronica Wells, Mimo Billi, Evi Marandi, John Stacy, Carmen Scarpitta, Matilda Calnan, Charles Borromel, Eddra Gale, Vadim Wolkonsky, Audrey Fairfax, Guy Lee, Ed Hinton, Vivian Marshall, Umberto Raho, Richard Newton, Jeraldo de Cordovier, Leonardo Botta, Antonio Segurini, Burt Metcalfe, Joe Kamel, Arnold Merritt, Patti Kane, Robin Lory, Jeff Donnell, Jan Conaway, Bart Patton, Robert Ellis, Claudio Gora, Sue George, Lisa Gastoni, Don Edmonds, Peter Brooks, Joby Baker, Tom Laughlin, Vicki Trickett, Noreen Corcoran, Trudi Ames, Yvonne Craig, Eddie Foy Jr., Jo Morrow, Danielle de Metz, Mary Laroche, Peggy Cass, Arthur O'Connell, Cesare Danova, Carl Reiner, Jesse Royce Landis, Deborah Walley, James Darren, Michael Callan, Jim Dolen, Yankee Chang, John Gilbert, The Four Preps, Doug McClure, Don Porter
- Director: Paul Wendkos
