Have you missed me? I thought so. Since the account is still here and functioning, despite the fact that I finally had to remove A Hollywood Christmas because another part of it was flagged (oh well...The whole movie was one big advertisement for Christmas Movie DVD's anyway so who's the loser here. Not me) I have decided to keep going...with a few things I've found that aren't holiday related although this film does have an Easter scene and a Fourth of July Scene.
I also thought it was fitting to bring you this edition of Gidget Grows Up because Room 222 Season One is making it's DVD appearance in March. Finally. Hmmm...wonder if there's a Christmas episode?
Anyway, Karen Valentine, who co-starred in 222 as Student Teacher Alice Johnson stretches her acting legs (well, maybe not) in this Made For TV edition of Gidget movies. And believe it or not, the movie's not that bad at all mostly thanks to the ever bubbly All American everybody's sweetheart (at that time) Valentine, who makes a pretty good Gidget and makes this movie more fun than it would have been otherwise.
Also on hand for some fun is Paul Lynde as a whacked out apartment owner/manager who is buried neck deep in movies nostalgia. He even has a marquee on his apartment building and that makes the brief 75 minutes you'll invest watching this movie worth it as well. Also on hand is Nina Foch, who shines also as a tour guide instructor and watch for a few quick scenes by Noxzema take it all off girl Gunilla Knudson as Moondoggie's main squeeze. Why is she the take it all of girl. You can find that video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_c_O8oJg10.
The job of playing Jeff "Moondoggie" Griffen lands on the shoulders of Paul Petersen from The Donna Reed Show, another series that just had its first season released on DVD and the part fits him although you won't get any songs from him like you did James Darren in the theatrical films. (Petersen did have a hit in the sixties called "She Can't Find Her Keys." Look it up.)
What really doesn't work is the romance between Edward Mulhare as Alex and Valentine's Gidget. When this movie was filmed he was about 46 and Valentine was a spunky 22 who seemed more like she was about 17. So Mulhare comes off as pretty much a lecherous old coot. Sometimes with the right combination, those kinds of relationships work on film. In this one it doesn't.
Which is probably why Gidget's dad, played here quite well by Robert Cummings, finally decides to meddle.
Oh, and we do get a song sung quite a few times by an artist who is unkown to me. This song gives Gidget a lot of time to walk around New York and Grow Up while the lyrics of the song go growing up and reaching out. (By Freezing the end credits, the name of the song is Growing up by Shorty Rogers, sung by Jean King. Hmmm..Where are they now?) Kind of fits right in. At any rate, I'm sure you'll get a kick out of seeing this again, or if it's the first time enjoy it for what it is.
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Gidget Grows Up Part Three of Eightby Christmasfellow20089,925 views
3.5 billion people. We've doubled in population since this film was made.
Iluthra 3 weeks ago
The Edward Mulhare - Karen Valentine thing doesn't work, but it isn't Mulhare's fault. It's the age difference and Karen Valentine's personality. He was great with Hope Lange on The Ghost & Mrs. Muir.
TennisSea 1 month ago
Karen, Karen, Karen ... my first crush.
goback3spaces 2 months ago
Even though nobody and no sets from Partridge Family are present, this film still made me think Partridge Family. Then, I read the end credits and found out why.
escritora08 5 months ago
The underrated, wonderful Nina Foch!!!
And Robert Cummings!!!
And a job at the UN!!!
LOL!!!
koln1996 10 months ago
The underrated, wonderful Nina Foch!!!
koln1996 10 months ago
Greenland is melting!!!
koln1996 10 months ago
I've been wanting to see this again ever since it first aired! Thank you
What about "The Girl Who Came Gift Wrapped"?
ronavila 10 months ago
I can't believe I use to wear may hair just like hers. I always loved the way she dressed and she was my favorite actress we all want to be Karen :)
KIZERVONZINGER 11 months ago
Wasn't "My Dad" also a big hit for Paul Peterson?
409442 2 years ago 2