Jordan Hall Gidget originated as a character created by noted screenwriter Frederick Kohner based on his own daughter for the novel "Gidget, the Little Girl with Big Ideas". Gidget is a portmanteau of "girl" and "midget". The novel follows the adventures of a teenage girl and her surfing friends on the beach in Malibu. Columbia Pictures purchased the filming rights and released three movies between 1959 and 1963. In 1965, it was picked up by Screen Gems for a sitcom executive produced by legendary developer Harry Ackerman. Ackerman was simultaneously producing "Bewitched" and the house on Gidget is situated beside the "Bewitched" home. The exterior and kitchen on "Gidget" was lifted from that of "Hazel", which was in it's final season at the time. Field, who was 18, made her TV debut by beating out 75 other girls for the part of Gidget. She lied of her surfing experience and had to learn how to even pretend to surf for the camera.Reflecting upon the series, "Gidget" had various appealing aspects, but rarely did they all fire at the same time. Some of the more well-written shows, in my opinion, were devoid of comedy ("Now There's a Face"), and some of the funnier shows devoid of being well- written ("We Got Each Other"). The series' highlights are when they do meet to some degree at the end of its run, as in "Take a Lesson" and "A Hard Night's Night". As such, after mostly dragging along for the season, I feel the series was finally hitting its stride near the end. Like many one-season series, the characters were generally more likable than the plots they were in. Gidget was an identifiable happy-go-lucky well-meaning teen figure with a knack for getting into trouble. Her father was a stoic character lacking dimension. Still yet, they shared a nice father/daughter relationship that gave emphasis for moral lessons on the show with first-person narration that felt as if inside Gidget's diary of teen drama. Anne, too, had little character development. Her husband John was a much-needed touch of comedy, even if it felt like watching a carbon copy of Darren Stephens from the show's sister production "Bewitched". The show worked best for me when it utilized John's character in sitcom settings, rather than a light teen comedy with Gidget paired exclusively with her best friend Larue. The series faced strong competition from other notable series and was canceled by ABC in 1966 after 32 episodes. Entering the summer, the network realized the show had reached a strong teen following. Being too late to renew Gidget, they worked quickly to place Field in a role she disliked in "The Flying Nun". Nevertheless, Field's screen presence was established.

atlasmb Only a few years after "The Patty Duke Show", the comedy "Gidget", based upon the film, mines the same veins of comedy.Gidget, played by Sally Field in her first credited role, is the personification of cute. Wholesome, not hot. Cute also describes the show's humor. Any problems are fairly benign in the safe and fuzzy world where she lives with her father.Gidget provides voice-overs that describe her inner feelings and provide commentary about her life. What's worse is the laugh track. It only serves to magnify how corny the humor is.The best thing about this show is Sally Field herself. Her portrayal of the fifteen year old is expectedly cute and corny, but it also displays real acting talent. She built her early career on being cute, but there is evidence of the thoughtful woman who would later become "Norma Rae".The second best thing about "Gidget" is the theme song.

qormi Gidget was a very funny show with a very talented cast. Sally Field revealed herself to be a very talented actress at such a young age. Peter Duel was hilarious with his mugging and reactions. Betty Conner as Gidget's sister was very funny as well. Don Porter, who played her dad, was like a country club cardigan-wearing Ward Cleaver. This show was great and it's too bad it lasted only one season. Can you imagine Gidget 2013? Episode 1: Gidget supports gay and lesbian prom partners. Episode 2: Gidget's friend Larue confides that her uncle molested her. Episode 3: Gidget smokes weed and Larue drops acid. Episode 4: Gidget gets a tongue piercing and a tramp stamp. Episode 5: Gidget receives a sext message on her I-phone. Episode 6: Larue gets an abortion. ...and so on.

Mychills I love the show I got it and watch it all at least every other month. I love the story line and her crazy kid one moment and as wise as an oldster the next as it really is for kids. I know it's hard to believe in the world today but their are still kids like that and they don't flash gang signs or carry guns but U may not want to believe this but they were there then as well. Just didn't have the weapons down like now. I love the Gidgets character she is sweet and a normal kid as I was. But then I've alway crushed on Sally Field and loved all of her work. Like Smokey and the Bandit that was just fun and a feel good show but when she wanted to make a statement she can and did do that with just as much zing in Norma Rae she made you think. This talent has helped me think and look at life in a different way from time to time. Very glad she and her talents were there to say and feel what I couldn't say for the lack of writers>LOL> Thanks Ms. Field. Sincerely; Big Mike H.;Ivanhoe,Ca.