Customer Reviews

Gidget Goes to Rome [VHS]

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

The viewer from Houston's mom is right there are other Gidget movies. They were made-for-television and followed the three released for theaters (Gidget with Sandra Dee 1959, Gidget Goes Hawaiian with Deborah Whalley 1961, and Gidget Goes to Rome with Cindy Carol 1963).

They were Titled "Gidget Grows Up" and "Gidget Gets Married" "Gidget Grows Up" (approx 1968) had Karen Valentine (Room 222) as Gidget working in New York as a Tour Guide at the United Nations. Moondoggie, played by Paul Petersen (The Donna Reed Show) appears only briefly at the end of the film as a soldier shipping off to Vietnam. "Gidget Get Married" (approx 1973) had Moondoggie return from Vietnam to Gidget a nursery school teacher and they begin married life as a suburban couple in southern California.

There was of course the Gidget television series with Sally Field in the mid-1960's. There was also I believe in the mid-1980's another Gidget series, with a 30-something Gidget and Moondoggie and there young niece.

Gidget began as a book written by Frederick Kohner based on the adventures of his teenage daughter and her friends on the Malibu beaches of the 1950's and early 1960's.

Does anyone remember why Jeff "Moondoggie's" last name changed from film to film. Wasn't he Jeffrey Matthews in the original then became Jeffrey Stevens in Hawaii?

Gidget was total fantasy, nothing to do with real surfers, or for that matter real teenagers. But they were fun. 40+ years later young girls still love Gidget and they always will.

There are two problems with this movie. First, I do not like Cindy Carol as Gidget. I liked Sandra Dee and Deborah Walley a lot better. Second, there is not much surfing. Overlooking those two things, this is still a fun movie. It seems there aways has to be something to come between our favorite couple: Gidget and Moondoggie. And what Gidget movie would be complete without Gidget misreading situations? Gidget goes to Rome with her two gal pals, Moondoggie, and his two friends (Judge from Gidget goes Hawaiian returns). There is a lot of nice footage showing Italian landmarks. Gidget, of course, gets herself in trouble and has a separation from Jeff, played by gorgeous James Darren, but everything turns out for Gidget in the end. Doesn't it?

While this is nowhere near the best "Gidget" film, it is entertaining in its own right. Cindy Carol(whatever happened to her?)doesn't hold a candle to Sandra Dee and Deborah Walley (both RIP), but she does have spunky personality to spare. James Darren, impeccably tanned and handsome as always, is right in his element, singing under the Roman sun. The beautiful scenery, lively colors, peaceful music and the humorous performances are enough to recommend this movie.

Gidget, enjoying her last summer before college, manages to convince her folks to let her go to Rome for the summer with her friends and a chaperone. She and Moondoggie arrive in the Eternal city, hand in hand, only to again fall into problems when Jeff becomes infatuated with their beautiful guide, Daniela (the lovely Danielle de Metz). Gidget then begins seeing an older man, Paolo Cellini (Cesare Danova), thinking of it as romance, unaware that he is actually and army buddy of her dad's, whom he had asked to watch over the Gidge. Many misadventures, misunderstandings, and girl midget fantasies abound!!! Trudy Ames, as Gidget's friend Libby, is hilarious, ("They have to help the poor girl because she's so top heavy!"), and she has a perfect foil in Noreen Corcoran, as Lucy, ("Yes, that's probably what made her ankles so thick."). Joby Baker, back as Judge, nearly steals the show with his goofy and appealing portrayal. Jessie Royce Landis is priceless and Judge's aunt Albertina, serving as the group's chaperone, who has no idea which side of Judge's family she's related to. Oh, and I liked her wigs and her cute little dogs, Howard and Ethel too. Cesare Danova, suave and sensitive, is everyone's idea of a Roman, and Lisa Gastoni is wonderful as his understanding wife. I rather liked Don Porter as Gidget's dad, and it was nice to see Jeff Donnell back as her mom.

Am I the only one who notices that every movie, Gidget gets a new house, new parents, new set of female friends, and a complete makeover? And she doesn't seem to age much past seventeen? Lucky girl. The bottom line: this movie is harmless fun!!! But if you watched it for the scenery alone, you still wouldn't be disappointed.

The viewer from Houston's mom is right there are other Gidget movies. They were made-for-television and followed the three released for theaters (Gidget with Sandra Dee 1959, Gidget Goes Hawaiian with Deborah Whalley 1961, and Gidget Goes to Rome with Cindy Carol 1963).

They were Titled "Gidget Grows Up" and "Gidget Gets Married" "Gidget Grows Up" (approx 1968) had Karen Valentine (Room 222) as Gidget working in New York as a Tour Guide at the United Nations. Moondoggie, played by Paul Petersen (The Donna Reed Show) appears only briefly at the end of the film as a soldier shipping off to Vietnam. "Gidget Get Married" (approx 1973) had Moondoggie return from Vietnam to Gidget a nursery school teacher and they begin married life as a suburban couple in southern California.

There was of course the Gidget television series with Sally Field in the mid-1960's. There was also I believe in the mid-1980's another Gidget series, with a 30-something Gidget and Moondoggie and there young niece.

Gidget began as a book written by Frederick Kohner based on the adventures of his teenage daughter and her friends on the Malibu beaches of the 1950's and early 1960's.

Does anyone remember why Jeff "Moondoggie's" last name changed from film to film. Wasn't he Jeffrey Matthews in the original then became Jeffrey Stevens in Hawaii?

Gidget was total fantasy, nothing to do with real surfers, or for that matter real teenagers. But they were fun. 40+ years later young girls still love Gidget and they always will.

This is my favorite and, I think, the best of the Gidget movies. James Darren is still extremely "dreamy" as Moondoggie, and Cindy Carol portrays a more grown-up Gidget. Though Sandra Dee is the very first Gidge, I believe Carol gives her quite a run for her money. Who couldn't love the "Gigetta" theme, and Moondoggie's sonata to Gidget? The fact that I'm an Italian with hopes for visiting Rome just make me love this movie even more! It was lovely!

Another Gidget movie to love! Gidget takes a "grown up" trip to Rome, Italy with Moondoggie and their pals. Gidget's her usual perky, mischievous self, and Moondoggie belts out more great tunes. There's a breakup, a romantic rival and Gidget gets into more trouble than you can remember that will leave you laughing. Enjoy!

This movie was such a dissapointment after watching the first Gidget. The story line is weak and boring.

Not as good as the previous two Gidgets ( the first one was the best and it would have been better if Sandra Dee was in all of them but alas ! ) and the whole surf theme was kinda lost in this installment, except in the beginning , but still a fun movie to watch . You have to do a Gidget marathon day !!!

This's not my favourite Gidget movie,there is not much surfing and I love Debora Walley as Gidget, but still a lovely one. The prettyish scene is when the coin join the necklace! Gidget and Moondoggie are aways a "surf's movie" favourite couple in my country. Italian landmarks are really beautifull too, and after all is funny see how the cat jumps between G. and M.

This's not my favourite Gidget movie,there is not much surfing and I love Debora Walley as Gidget, but still a lovely one. The prettyish scene is when the coin join the necklace! Gidget and Moondoggie are aways a "surf's movie" favourite couple in my country. Italian landmarks are really beautifull too, and after all is funny see how the cat jumps between G. and M.