While the actors in the film try their best, the script is really terrible, and the film has fairly cheap and crummy production values. Oddly enough, there are only the slightest references to surfing and the beach lifestyle that "Gidget" represents-- for example, Gidget buys her husband a pair of surfboard cuff links, and they honeymoon at the beach. The story is a generic sitcom one about Gidget's struggles as a "young married"-- her husband works too hard for a demanding company, etc. that was already out of date by the time this film was made. For example, as soon as she marries, Gidget quits her job as a schoolteacher to become a full-time housewife, even though she doesn't have any children yet.
5 Reviews
They were more interesting when they were single.
mark.waltz27 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
More cast changes from the original movies to the TV series to the first TV movie to this, and it's more frustrating than "Peyton Place". In fact, this TV movie is more of a soap opera pilot rather than a sitcom pilot, and it ain't "Knot's Landing" with its cul de sac setting and big business based plotline. Monie Ellis, a name that will not live in mortality, has taken over the role of Frances Lawrence, aka Gidget, getting married to Moondoggie (Michael Burns, also a replacement) early in the film and moving to a private community in Florida run by the new company Burns gets a job with, all the same and all extremely stuffy.
There's a new dad for Gidget too, and it's MacDonald Carey (on a brief break from "Days of Our Lives"), closer to Don Porter than Robert Cummings from the 1969 TV movie. The only one who has returned from that is Paul Lynde, once again reprising his role as Louis B. Latimer, child star, seen dressed as little Lord Fauntleroy in his opening scene, and he's one of the few breaths of fresh air in the film. Don Ameche and Joan Bennett are reunited for this film as Burns' stuffy boss and his more easy going wife, and Elinor Donahue plays their neighbor who becomes Gidget's new best friend. Ameche's structuring of his corporate ladder are like something out of George Orwell, and that makes it sort of depressing.
The big problem with this film is that there's no chemistry with the two leads, so that leaves the quality of the film to the supporting players, and they don't get enough to do. Gidget's narration over the whole movie has just become a dated annoyance. Ellis, as cute as she is generally, just lacks screen presence and is rather generic, and Burns is a cold fish as the formerly fun (played by other actors) Moondoggie, so this feels like you're watching different characters then those from previous incarnations. This definitely put the lid on any future Gidget's, at least with this cast and format.
There's a new dad for Gidget too, and it's MacDonald Carey (on a brief break from "Days of Our Lives"), closer to Don Porter than Robert Cummings from the 1969 TV movie. The only one who has returned from that is Paul Lynde, once again reprising his role as Louis B. Latimer, child star, seen dressed as little Lord Fauntleroy in his opening scene, and he's one of the few breaths of fresh air in the film. Don Ameche and Joan Bennett are reunited for this film as Burns' stuffy boss and his more easy going wife, and Elinor Donahue plays their neighbor who becomes Gidget's new best friend. Ameche's structuring of his corporate ladder are like something out of George Orwell, and that makes it sort of depressing.
The big problem with this film is that there's no chemistry with the two leads, so that leaves the quality of the film to the supporting players, and they don't get enough to do. Gidget's narration over the whole movie has just become a dated annoyance. Ellis, as cute as she is generally, just lacks screen presence and is rather generic, and Burns is a cold fish as the formerly fun (played by other actors) Moondoggie, so this feels like you're watching different characters then those from previous incarnations. This definitely put the lid on any future Gidget's, at least with this cast and format.
Gidget Lays an Egg
thatcameraguy1 July 2008
"Gidget Gets Married" is probably the worst of the Gidget films (an argument could be made for "Gidget Goes to Rome"). There are some good performances in it: Paul Lynde returns as Louis B. Latimer, and Don Amiche is actually pretty funny as Jeff's stuffed shirt boss. Monie Ellis is good enough as Gidget--and awfully pretty, sporting the sweetest buck tooth smile. Michael Burns is fairly lame as Jeff (whose last name is Stevens in this incarnation; what's up with that?). At the end of the day though, the best actors in the world would be hard pressed to save this poor excuse for a screenplay; this dog has fleas.
"Gidget Gets Married" is a 1972 ABC MOW, and it smells like one.
"Gidget Gets Married" is a 1972 ABC MOW, and it smells like one.
This movie really blows
glamourina13 February 2019
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