“If you ever need a friend you can depend on…”
Had Gidget not turned Sandra Dee into a Hollywood sensation, it probably would have been Imitation of Life, or A Summer Place, or one of the Tammy films.
But way back in 1959, Sandra Dee was the teen that every mother wanted their son to bring home.
That fact the she was the correct age for the character she played, which was the sweet innocent, while her friends, high school girls all, sexually harassed every young teen boy on the beach, even though the actors were all in their 20s… or older.
Gidget, almost sixty years later, seems a bit less shocking. When it was released, way back in April of 1959, it stood as a reminder to get rid of that winter fat, and find a new bathing suit, as spring was at hand.
And the beaches.
In the end, Gidget is a sweet trifle.
Fortunately, the Blu-ray, courtesy of Twilight Time, was prepped by Team Columbia, which means that the presentation will be as superb as it was in 1959.
This is important, as it was shot by Burnett Guffey, and if the name doesn’t ring a bell, think Bonnie and Clyde, The Reckless Moment, From Here to Eternity and Birdman of Alcatraz.
The film was directed by Paul Wendkos, who was apparently there.
“I’m blue, too, Sandra Dee…
Sandra Dee…
Sandra Dee…”
Image – 4.75
Audio – 5
Pass / Fail – Pass
Upgrade from the DVD – Yes
RAH
Robert has been known in the film industry for his unmatched skill and passion in film preservation. Growing up around photography, his first home theater experience began at age ten with 16mm. Years later he was running 35 and 70mm at home.
His restoration projects have breathed new life into classic films like Lawrence of Arabia, Vertigo, My Fair Lady, Spartacus, and The Godfather series. Beyond his restoration work, he has also shared his expertise through publications, contributing to the academic discourse on film restoration. The Academy Film Archive houses the Robert A. Harris Collection, a testament to his significant contributions to film preservation.
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