Gidget Goes Hawaiian

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!)