The first beach flick with surprising mindfood minus the goofiness

RELEASED IN 1959 and directed by Paul Wendkos, "Gidget” is a beach drama about a 16 year-old tomboyish girl (Sandra Dee) who gravitates toward a group of surfing males in Southern Cal, specifically Malibu. Kahuna (Cliff Robertson), a surf “bum” and leader of the group, becomes her figurative big brother as she tries to attract the attentions of Kahuna’s mentee, Moondoggie (James Darren).

The film is iconic and influential, leading to two sequels and a TV series, not to mention scores of 60’s beach flicks, most inferior bec... read the rest.