Gidget Goes Hawaiian 1961

imdb-logo 5.7 / 10

Gidget Goes Hawaiian

Francis is desperate: her parents want to force her to come with them on vacation to Hawaii - just during the two weeks when her beloved "Moondoggy" is home from College. When he suggests her to go for it, she's even more in panic - doesn't he care to be with her? So she sets out for Hawaii in the worst mood. On the plane she meets the sociable Abby, who gives her the advice to forget about Jeff - and regrets it shortly after, when Francis follows the advice and steals her boyfriend Eddie, a famous dancer. But then Jeff discovers he's missing Francis...

Francis is desperate: her parents want to force her to come with them on vacation to Hawaii - just during the two weeks when her beloved "Moondoggy" is home from College. When he suggests her to go for it, she's even more in panic - doesn't he care to be with her? So she sets out for Hawaii in the worst mood. On the plane she meets the sociable Abby, who gives her the advice to forget about Jeff - and regrets it shortly after, when Francis follows the advice and steals her boyfriend Eddie, a famous dancer. But then Jeff discovers he's missing Francis...

Videos & Photos

All 1 Videos & 4 Photos

... Francine "Gidget" Lawrence

... Jeffrey "Moondoggy" Matthews

... Eddie Horner

... Russ Lawrence

... Mitzi Stewart

... Monty Stewart

User reviews

See All 1 Reviews

23 Jun 2021 by Wuchak

Fun early 60’s beach flick; lacks the depths of the first film RELEASED IN 1961 and directed by Paul Wendkos, "Gidget goes Hawaiian” chronicles events when Gidget (Deborah Walley) breaks up with Moondoggie (James Darren) and goes to Hawaii with her parents. By the time Moondoggie eventually shows up, Gidget is making time with a celebrity singer/dancer (Michael Callan) and soon has a rep as an “easy” girl. Walley has better curves than Sandra Dee in the original 1959 movie and she’s generally fine as the new Gidget, but her annoying facial expressions paint a (seemingly) weaker, whinier protagonist. Dee was underdeveloped at 16 when “Gidget” was shot, but there was something precious, dynamic and strong about her version of Gidget; moreover, the way the surf dudes cherished her was heartwarming. This sequel comes up with its own group of five guys and five girls in Hawaii. The first half is entertaining as a fun early 60’s beach drama, but the second half devolves into zany “mistaken situation” shenanigans (think Three’s Company). Thankfully, this is made up by a commentary on the destructiveness of low-life gossip/slander. Miscellaneous observations: The beautiful Vicki Trickett is a highlight as Abby, which is contrasted by her two-faced, ignoble character. Trickett was 22 during shooting while Walley was 19. Callan has a remarkable song & dance sequence with a couple of masked females. The guy who plays Gidget’s dad (Carl Reiner) is reminiscent of Nicolas Cage. There’s an amusing bit on the Hawaiian moo moo dress, which is actually spelled muumuu or mu’umu’u. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 41 minutes and was shot in Malibu, California; Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii; and 90 Mile Beach, Northland, New Zealand. WRITERS: Ruth Brooks Flippen & Frederick Kohner. GRADE: B-

Directors:

Paul Wendkos

Release Date:

Jun 02, 1961 (United States)

Run Time:

1hr 41`

MMPA Rating:

NR

Original Language:

English

Production Countries:

United States

Status:

Released

Related Movies To

Gidget Goes Hawaiian

Write Review

Found 1 reviews in total

23 Jun 2021 by Wuchak

Fun early 60’s beach flick; lacks the depths of the first film RELEASED IN 1961 and directed by Paul Wendkos, "Gidget goes Hawaiian” chronicles events when Gidget (Deborah Walley) breaks up with Moondoggie (James Darren) and goes to Hawaii with her parents. By the time Moondoggie eventually shows up, Gidget is making time with a celebrity singer/dancer (Michael Callan) and soon has a rep as an “easy” girl. Walley has better curves than Sandra Dee in the original 1959 movie and she’s generally fine as the new Gidget, but her annoying facial expressions paint a (seemingly) weaker, whinier protagonist. Dee was underdeveloped at 16 when “Gidget” was shot, but there was something precious, dynamic and strong about her version of Gidget; moreover, the way the surf dudes cherished her was heartwarming. This sequel comes up with its own group of five guys and five girls in Hawaii. The first half is entertaining as a fun early 60’s beach drama, but the second half devolves into zany “mistaken situation” shenanigans (think Three’s Company). Thankfully, this is made up by a commentary on the destructiveness of low-life gossip/slander. Miscellaneous observations: The beautiful Vicki Trickett is a highlight as Abby, which is contrasted by her two-faced, ignoble character. Trickett was 22 during shooting while Walley was 19. Callan has a remarkable song & dance sequence with a couple of masked females. The guy who plays Gidget’s dad (Carl Reiner) is reminiscent of Nicolas Cage. There’s an amusing bit on the Hawaiian moo moo dress, which is actually spelled muumuu or mu’umu’u. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 41 minutes and was shot in Malibu, California; Honolulu, O’ahu, Hawaii; and 90 Mile Beach, Northland, New Zealand. WRITERS: Ruth Brooks Flippen & Frederick Kohner. GRADE: B-

Cast & Crew of

Gidget Goes Hawaiian

Directors & Credit Writers

... Director

Cast

... Francine "Gidget" Lawrence

... Jeffrey "Moondoggy" Matthews

... Eddie Horner

... Russ Lawrence

... Mitzi Stewart

... Monty Stewart

... Dorothy Lawrence

... Abby Stewart

... Judge Hamilton

... Larry Neal

... Wally Hodges

... Barbara Jo Wells

... Dee Dee Waters

... Clay Anderson

... Himself

... Plane Passenger (uncredited)

... Mr. Matsu (uncredited)

... Waiter (uncredited)

... Blond Girl in Lobby (uncredited)

... Hotel Night Clerk (uncredited)

Videos & Photos of

Gidget Goes Hawaiian

Videos ( 1)

Photos ( 4 )

Related Movies To

Gidget Goes Hawaiian

Found 12 Movies in total

poster-Heads of State
Heads of State (2025)

0 /10

The UK Prime Minister and US President have a public rivalry that risks their countries' alliance. But when they become targets of a powerful enemy, they're forced to rely on each other as they go on a wild, multinational run. Allied with Noel, a brilliant MI6 agent, they must find a way to thwart a conspiracy that threatens the free world.

Run Time: 1hr 53` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 02 Jul 2025

Director: Matthew Sharp , Ilya Naishuller , Jo Beckett

Producer: Peter Safran , Idris Elba , André Nemec

Stars: Idris Elba , John Cena , Priyanka Chopra Jonas , Paddy Considine , Stephen Root , Carla Gugino

poster-Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitch (2025)

0 /10

The wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family.

Run Time: 1hr 48` . MMPA: PG . Release: 17 May 2025

Director: Stephanie Tull , Dean Fleischer Camp , Kate Pulley

Producer: Jonathan Eirich , Aldric La'Auli Porter , Dan Lin

Stars: Chris Sanders , Maia Kealoha , Zach Galifianakis , Billy Magnussen , Sydney Agudong , Hannah Waddingham

poster-Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado
Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2025)

0 /10

Dora, Diego, and their new friends trek through the perilous dangers of the Amazonian jungle in search of the ancient and powerful treasure of Sol Dorado to keep it out of enemy hands.

Run Time: 1hr 36` . MMPA: PG . Release: 02 Jul 2025

Director: Alberto Belli

Producer:

Stars: Samantha Lorraine , Jacob Rodriguez , Christian Gnecco Quintero , Mariana Garzón Toro , Tiago Martinez , Daniella Pineda

poster-KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

0 /10

When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey aren't selling out stadiums, they're using their secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats.

Run Time: 1hr 36` . MMPA: PG . Release: 20 Jun 2025

Director: Sean Tadlock , Chris Appelhans , Elizabeth Schantz

Producer: Adele McCann , Scott Berri , Nicole Perlman

Stars: Rolando Davila-Beltran , Arden Cho , May Hong , Ji-young Yoo , Ahn Hyo-seop , Yunjin Kim

poster-A Minecraft Movie
A Minecraft Movie (2025)

0 /10

Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve.

Run Time: 1hr 41` . MMPA: PG . Release: 31 Mar 2025

Director: Nick Satriano , Jared Hess , Maddy Powell

Producer: Nick Satriano , Jill Sobel Messick , Alex McShane

Stars: Jason Momoa , Jack Black , Matt Berry , Pauline Chalamet , Jennifer Coolidge , Danielle Brooks

poster-Long Distance
Long Distance (2024)

0 /10

After crash-landing on an alien planet, an asteroid miner must contend with the challenges of his new surroundings, while making his way across the harsh terrain to the only other survivor – a woman who is trapped in her escape pod.

Run Time: 1hr 27` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 12 Jul 2024

Director: Cliff Lanning , Josh Gordon , Will Speck

Producer: Jonathan Rothbart , Josh Gordon , Kevin Vafi

Stars: Anthony Ramos , Naomi Scott , Kristofer Hivju , Zachary Quinto , Izzy Jones , Leon Nurse-Joseph

poster-Baby Blue
Baby Blue (2023)

5 /10

A group of teens stumble across the story of now dead serial killer Baby Blue and decide he'd be the perfect subject of a true crime vodcast. But when they start digging, they quickly discover that his murder spree never stopped. Now they are being targeted from beyond the grave.

Run Time: 1hr 30` . MMPA: . Release: 16 Apr 2023

Director: Adam Mason

Producer: Johannes Roberts , Bradley Pilz

Stars: Dylan Sprayberry , Lia McHugh , Anthony Turpel , Aramis Knight , Alexia Ioannides , Oliver Cooper

poster-Open
Open (2025)

0 /10

The perfect summer turns into a blood-soaked nightmare as counselors at an isolated camp are hunted by a killer and the truth behind the murders is darker than anyone imagined. If the killer doesn't get you, the drama definitely will.

Run Time: 1hr 4` . MMPA: . Release: 14 Jun 2025

Director: David Saban

Producer: Eliot Schuler

Stars: Kayla Decilio , Ethan Michaels , Dimitry Bilanicz , Kylie Rose Collins , Marlee Lewis , Mike Lavit

poster-Moana 2
Moana 2 (2024)

0 /10

After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys alongside Maui and a new crew to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.

Run Time: 1hr 40` . MMPA: PG . Release: 21 Nov 2024

Director: Dana Ledoux Miller , David G. Derrick Jr. , Jason Hand

Producer: Yvett Merino Flores , Osnat Shurer , Jared Bush

Stars: Auli'i Cravalho , Dwayne Johnson , Alan Tudyk , Rachel House , Temuera Morrison , Nicole Scherzinger

poster-Jack in Time for Christmas
Jack in Time for Christmas (2024)

0 /10

Christmas is approaching and Jack Whitehall is racing to get home in time to spend it with his family. Stranded on the other side of the world, he enlists the help of some famous faces and embarks on a far-fetched quest across the globe. His cast of celebrity do-gooders includes Jimmy Fallon, Dave Bautista, Rebel Wilson, Tom Davis, and Michael Bublé. But will they get him back in time for Christmas?

Run Time: 1hr 5` . MMPA: . Release: 02 Dec 2024

Director: Phil Ashton

Producer: Richard Ackerman

Stars: Jack Whitehall , Michael Bublé , Dave Bautista , Rebel Wilson , Jimmy Fallon , Daisy May Cooper

poster-Deep Cover
Deep Cover (2025)

0 /10

Kat is an improv comedy teacher beginning to question if she’s missed her shot at success. When an undercover cop offers her the role of a lifetime, she recruits two of her students to infiltrate London’s gangland by impersonating dangerous criminals.

Run Time: 1hr 39` . MMPA: R . Release: 12 Jun 2025

Director: Tom Kingsley , Kelly Maracin Krieg

Producer: Colin Trevorrow , Walter F. Parkes , Tim Dennison

Stars: Bryce Dallas Howard , Orlando Bloom , Sean Bean , Paddy Considine , Ian McShane , Nick Mohammed

poster-Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation
Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation (2024)

0 /10

When thrill-seeker Cricket tricks his family into taking a "road trip" in space, chaos in the cosmos quickly ensues. Despite growing frustrations between Cricket and his dad, Bill, the two must learn to appreciate each other's unique perspectives in order to prevent Big City from being destroyed by an interstellar disaster.

Run Time: 1hr 22` . MMPA: PG . Release: 06 Jun 2024

Director: Anna O'Brian

Producer: Abigail Swoap , Stephen Sandoval , Mike Coughlin

Stars: Chris Houghton , Artemis Pebdani , Marieve Herington , Bob Joles , Wendi McLendon-Covey , Zeno Robinson