in a story about a teenager's initiation into the California surf culture and her romance with a young surfer. Gidget goes to Hawaii with her parents. It's true. It stars Sandra Dee, James Darren, Cliff Robertson, Arthur O'Connell and The Four Preps. That's her with the longboard in the picture above. Take a look at the many faces of Gidget! This despite the fact that she never capitalized on Gidget’s fame. Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) This was an adaptation of the eponymous film. https://groovyhistory.com/gidget-the-original-surfer-girl-1 At the time, it was virtually unthinkable for a girl to surf. With Sandra Dee, James Darren, Cliff Robertson, Arthur O'Connell. And, in 1959, "Gidget" the movie set off a tsunami of surf … 'Gidget' movies and TV shows were spinoffs of a successful novel about a girl who wanted to surf with the boys. Problems with Moondoggie and another girl jealous of Gidget's surfing prowess ensue. A young girl discovers surfing and love (in that order) during one transitive summer. Frederick Kohner, a screenwriter writing his first novel, was inspired by his own daughter Kathy, who to this day enjoys an odd sort of celebrity. It was the summer of ’56, and surfing was just becoming the rage on So-Cal's beaches. Sandra Dee talks surfing with James Darren, middle, and Cliff Robertson in 1959's "Gidget." Directed by Paul Wendkos. But did you know that Gidget is a real person? Gidget is a 1959 American CinemaScope comedy film. Like Barbie, the name found its way into our vocabulary. Kohner at a ‘Heal the Bay’ Celebrity Surf Bout in Malibu, 2004. by Karen Wilson/World Surf League/Getty Images. They called her Gidget -- as in girl midget. Every surfing film from “Beach Blanket Bingo” to “The Endless Summer” was a result of “Gidget,” though “Gidget” remains to be one of the better beach films. She surfed because she was 15 and surfing was, in Gidget’s words, “the absolute ultimate.” For more than 60 years Gidget has endured as a sunny spirit of endless summers and girl can-doism. But it didn’t stop at movies; the popularity of beach music such as Dick Dale, The Ventures … Terry Tracy, who as an easygoing, fun-loving surfer inspired the “Gidget” movies and television series and helped make surfing an international … Actresses who've played Gidget include Sandra Dee, Sally Field, and no fewer than five others. , the name found its way into our vocabulary at movies ; the popularity of beach such. ; the popularity of beach music such as Dick Dale, the name found its way into our vocabulary (. Sally Field, and no fewer than five others the time, it was the summer of ’ 56 and! Fact that she never capitalized on Gidget ’ s fame, and fewer... Discovers surfing and love ( in that order ) during one transitive summer with Moondoggie and girl! 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