Gidget Grows Up Part One of Eight

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. Kind of fits right in. (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?) 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.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Gidget
• Karen Valentine
• Paul Petersen
• Paul Lynde
• Gunilla Knudson
• Robert Cummings
• Edward Mulhare
• Nina Foch

[Iluthra]

All I can say is a super thank you for posting one of my old faves!

[Christmasfellow2008]

You're welcome.  I had forgotten I even had this until I ran across it recently.

[CandyKane1]

The beautiful theme song is by Jean King of the Blossoms.

[Christmasfellow2008]

Thank you for solving that mystery. It certainly plays a prominent part in this film.

[MagicMaureen46]

This makes me so mad! Here I sign in to watch an innocent, wholesome film and see the f-word. Why did you have to use such a crude, offensive word? And to describe a woman??? Is this how you talk in real life??? I just hate the Internet. People think nothing of using terrible language.

[Dopestarslove]

Karen is my favorite Gidget!

[Iluthra]

@kpdysart Maybe James didn't want to play the part again?

[kpdysart]

Personly, I was rather dissapointed with the fact that they didn't use James Darren as Moondoggie! He was perfect and besides that, when they keep on changing the actor or actress for a certain character...it's just wrong! :(

[Skulldini]

@iscrca Sandra Dee played her originaly.

[Skulldini]

@RichHartley19671 Well, it can denote a lack of class in certain situations, .. however, I do think there is a proper time for profanity. Anyway, she didn't have to react in THAT manner. I'd say Maureen46 should use some of her magic to thicken her skinn and toughen her sensibilities some.

[Skulldini]

@MagicMaureen46 Ya know, if you react THAT way and they see it, then they'll likely just do it even MORE just to spite ya. I'd therefore advise you to just disregard it and avoid commenting on it if posible. Just a suggestion.

[frankd1965]

Aired on the ABC Movie Of The Week 12/30/69. haqve not seen this in years.

[tomservo56954]

The music is a high point...I like Shorty Rogers' work. He did the incidental music for the first season of THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY, and I prefer it to the subsequent compositions by Hugo Montenegro. He was also requested personally by legendary Warner Bros. animator Friz Freleng to do the jazz music for his 1957 cartoon THREE LITTLE BOPS--he didn't trust resident composer Carl Stalling to be hip enough.

[tomservo56954]

I hate the way they make Valentine look like Sally Field in the beach scene here....pigtails and push-up bra.

[Opium1958]

who could possibly resist these terrific movies!?