Gidget (1959): Cast, Box Office & Plot
Gidget is a 1959 romantic comedy directed by Paul Wendkos, starring Sandra Dee as Gidget, James Darren and Arthur O'Connell. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $248 worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Paul Wendkos
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Gidget About?
The premise of Gidget without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After a mishap while swimming, Francis meets charismatic surfer Moondoggie. Intrigued by his lifestyle, she joins his friends, who initially tease her but later teach her to surf. She quickly earns the nickname “Gidget” and gains their acceptance, though winning Moondoggie’s heart proves challenging.
Gidget Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- surfing
- tomboy
- nickname in title
- love
- beach
- teenage girl
- teenage boy
- teenager
- based on novel
- character name in title
- title spoken by character
- one word title
+38 more Show fewer
- man girl relationship
- romantic rivalry
- woman in jeopardy
- kiss
- fistfight
- police station
- u.s. air force veteran
- korean war veteran
- southern california
- pacific coast
- kelp
- falling in love
- water rescue
- summer vacation
- learning to surf
- pet bird
- myna bird
- surf bum
- misogyny
- mascot
- nickname
- near drowning
- tonsillitis
- swimsuits
- unrequited love
- breast exercises
- posing as someone's boyfriend
- dead bird
- burying a dead bird
- substitute
- woman trying to make love interest jealous
- police
- blind date
- airline pilot
- leaving home to go to college
- going steady
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- 17th birthday
Gidget Cast & Characters
Sandra Dee leads the cast as Gidget, with James Darren as Moondoggie and Arthur O'Connell as Russell Lawrence. Directed by Paul Wendkos; 15 actors are credited in all.
- Director Paul Wendkos
- Sandra Dee as Gidget
- James Darren as Moondoggie
-
Arthur O'Connell as Russell Lawrence -
Mary LaRoche as Mrs. Dorothy Lawrence
Also Starring in Gidget
· 11 more- Cliff Robertson The Big Kahuna
- Doug McClure Waikiki
- Robert Ellis Hot Shot
- Tom Laughlin Lover Boy
- Dick Clark Themselves
- Joby Baker Stinky
- Yvonne Craig Nan
- Jo Morrow Mary Lou
- Sue George Betty Louise aka B.L.
- Burt Metcalfe Lord Byron
- Patti Kane Patti
More from Paul Wendkos
More films directed by Paul Wendkos, best-rated first: The Mephisto Waltz, A Match Made in Heaven, Message from Nam and Guilty Until Proven Innocent.
Gidget Plot Summary
What happens in Gidget from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Francine Lawrence is about to turn 17 and is spending her summer break between the junior and senior years of high school. She resists the pressure to go “man-hunting” with her girlfriends and longs for the days when the girls could have fun together without boys. She also rejects her parents’ plan to fix her up with Jeffrey Matthews.
On a sun-soaked trip to the beach with her close-knit group of friends, she meets Moondoggie and, for a moment, is swept up by the idea of romance, though he doesn’t return her feelings in kind; Francine finds surfing more appealing than chasing after a boyfriend.
Full summary
The whole story of Gidget, scene by scene
Gidget Box Office
Gidget grossed $248 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$248
Gidget Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Gidget.
How Well Do You Know Gidget?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which actress portrays the teenage protagonist, Francine Lawrence, in the film?
Cars in Gidget
5 cars on screen, including the 1952 Ford Crestline Sunliner and the 1958 Ford Custom 300.
-
1952 Ford Crestline Sunliner Minor role -
1958 Ford Custom 300 Minor role -
1955 Ford Fairlane Sunliner Minor role -
1958 Mercury Commuter Minor role
Seen Gidget?
Movies Like Gidget
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Gidget Goes to Rome, Gidget’s Summer Reunion and Gidget Grows Up.
Gidget FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of Gidget, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Gidget?
Gidget runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Gidget released?
Gidget was released on April 9, 1959.
Who directed Gidget?
Gidget was directed by Paul Wendkos.
More films by Paul Wendkos Who is in the cast of Gidget?
Gidget stars Sandra Dee as Gidget, James Darren as Moondoggie and Arthur O'Connell as Russell Lawrence, among 15 credited actors.
How much did Gidget make at the box office?
Gidget grossed $248 worldwide.
Does Gidget have a post-credit scene?
No. Gidget has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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