kids encyclopedia robot

Gidget facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
GidgetCover
Sandra Dee as Gidget in the 1959 film, (VHS cover)

Gidget is a popular 1959 American movie. It is a romantic drama about teenagers. The story takes place in sunny California. The movie follows a teenage girl who discovers the exciting world of surfing. She also finds romance with a young surfer.

The movie stars Sandra Dee, Cliff Robertson, and the famous pop singer James Darren. Gidget is based on a novel written by Frederick Kohner. The book was called Gidget, the Little Girl with Big Ideas. Paul Wendkos was the director of the movie.

About the Gidget Movie

Gidget is known as the first "beach party" movie. It started a whole new trend in films. This movie was very important because it introduced surfing and the surfing lifestyle to many people across America.

The Story of Gidget

The movie tells the story of Frances "Gidget" Lawrence. She is a young girl who is spending her summer vacation at the beach in Malibu, California. She feels a bit left out because all the boys are interested in surfing, and she doesn't know how.

Gidget soon meets a group of surfers. She becomes friends with them and learns how to surf. She also develops feelings for one of the older, more experienced surfers named Moondoggie. The movie shows her adventures, friendships, and first romance during that memorable summer.

Main Characters

  • Gidget (played by Sandra Dee): She is the main character. Gidget is a lively and curious teenage girl who wants to fit in and learn to surf.
  • Moondoggie (played by James Darren): He is a handsome and popular surfer. Gidget falls in love with him.
  • The Big Kahuna (played by Cliff Robertson): He is an older, more serious surfer. He becomes a mentor to Gidget.

Gidget's Impact on Culture

Gidget was a huge success. It made surfing look cool and fun to a lot of people who had never tried it before. The movie helped make surfing a popular sport and lifestyle in the United States. It also led to many other "beach party" movies in the 1960s.

The movie was so popular that it led to more stories about Gidget. There were two sequel movies that continued her adventures. There were also several television series and made-for-TV movies based on the character. This shows how much people loved Gidget and her surfing world.

kids search engine
Gidget Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.