TV We Loved - Gidget
April 1st 2011 03:27
Before Smokey and the Bandit, Norma Rae, Forrest Gump and Mrs. Doubtfire. Before Flying Nun. This is where it begins for Sally Field.
Based on the 1959 movie of the same name starring Sandra Dee - this classic pop culture sitcom was first screened in 1965 and centered around Francine Lawrence (or Gidget to her friends) who lived with her father, Professor Russ a widower who lived in Southern California.
The young Sally Field in an early promo shot for Gidget
Naturally, Gidget spends most of her free time at the beach, hanging out with friends and surfing with a knack for getting in and out of trouble.
In a similar vein to the successful Patty Duke series - Gidget speaks to the audience during her journey to adulthood in a diarised series of soliloquy's.
Though 18-year-old Sally Field defeated 75 other teenage girls for the title role, she exaggerated her surfing experience and took lessons just to be able to pretend to surf for the cameras.
Yet in spite of the modern day love of the series - the plug was pulled on the show after just 18 months - having found stiff night time opposition from the likes of the Beverley Hillbillies and The Virginian.
For devotees, Gidget's home is situated next door to the principal residence on Bewitched, which was in production at the same time.
In select episodes, Samantha and Darrin Stephens' house is visible in exterior shots from Gidget's front yard.
It's classic 60s TV. It's wholesome, it attempts to convey life lessons applicable to the period but most of all it's just plain fun and deserving of a place in the annals of TV we loved.
Tootles!
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