Gidget (1965)

Gidget Lawrence, fifteen and a half years old, falls in love with Jeff, a college student, and takes up surfing to be with him. Gidget has a healthy, trusting relationship with her widowed father, Russell Lawrence, an English professor. However, Gidget's married sister, Anne, constantly checks on Gidget. In this, Anne is abetted by her husband, John Cooper, a student psychiatrist. Anne comes upon Gidget's diary and reads of a romantic episode, described with lurid overtones. Anne and John immediately relay their find to Russell. Slightly worried, Russell discusses possible problems that may have arisen for Gidget. When Gidget finally learns what he is referring to, she points out that the incident is entirely imaginary, being dated for the following day.Russell agrees to go along when Gidget writes another postdated entry, stating she is about to end it all. On reading it, Anne and John rush to the beach with Russell in tow. There, Jeff has been playing up to another girl to annoy Gidget. With the help of her friend, Larue, Gidget reaches an understanding with Jeff. Anne and John are embarrassed by the way they have been misled, but it is apparent that despite Russell's warning, they will not stop trying to run Gidget's life. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget tells Russ she hasn't a date for Saturday's Luau. Suddenly both seize on John, Anne's husband, as the logical last minute choice as an escort. Gidget's appeal for sisterly help puts Anne in a generous mood. She overrules John's protests, convincing him he could use his research at the Luau for a term paper. Before the Luau, Anne begins to worry when she sees how mature some of Gidget's girl friends are, particularly "Treasure." Anne and Russ wait for the pair's return, until Anne, jittery, decides to go home. At the Luau, John achieves a unique notoriety with the kids by the direct, sensational nature of his field work questions. Unable to contain herself, Anne dons a Luau outfit and sets out for the party. Russ, deciding Gidget and John need protection from Anne, also heads for the beach. Arriving while John is really swinging, Anne lights into him, just as Russ is dragged from the bushes. At home, Russ moans that he'll never live down his reputation as a "Peeping Tom," but Gidget concludes her friends will talk about her family for one reason, the love and protectiveness they showed for Gidget. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Twenty-eight year old Cass Cobb, known to the surfing set as the Great Kahuna, takes up with Gidget to fend off Buff, a blonde beauty who has followed him from Hawaii. Not only does her relationship with the older man fill her waking hours, but Gidget dreams of an idyllic life with him on a native island. Russ goes to the beach to meet Kahuna. To Gidget's disgust, they become friendly. Russ gets Gidget to invite Kahuna to dinner. Kahuna arrives, having completely divested himself of all traces of his unconventional way of life. Gidget is stunned when Kahuna tells of his plans to settle down to a normal, completely unromantic existence. Although Gidget feels she is the victim of a plot hatched by Russ and Kahuna, she tries to fit herself into Kahuna's plans. Before he leaves, Kahuna suggests she have a talk with her father. The next day, at the beach, Gidget reads two letters, one from Kahuna, the other from Jeff, at college. Kahuna's letter announces he is settling down with Buff in Oahu; Jeff's tells of his plans to roam the world until he is about thirty. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Professor Russell Lawrence complains that surfing has become an obsession with Gidget. Pointing to his involvement in his professional duties, Gidget persuades her father to spend time at the beach with her. There Russ meets Sally Combs, an attractive woman in her mid-thirties. Gidget becomes alarmed by her father's interest in Sally, especially when Larue refers to Sally as a gold digger. When Russ takes Sally to dinner, Gidget gets really worried. Her efforts to arouse Anne and John fail, particularly when John, echoing her father, says that she is projecting herself into a mother role. At a late hour, when Russ doesn't return, Gidget, imagination working overtime, decides he has met with an accident. Gidget phones the police. Officer Joe Hanley locates Sally and Russ and is nonplussed when he discovers Russ' age. He tells Russ his mother wants him. Russ arrives home, furiously decrying the fact that he believed he could treat Gidget as an adult. He relents when Gidget makes him understand that she was genuinely concerned about his wellbeing. Gidget concludes that the world's problems arise because there is some adult in every child and some child in every adult. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Anne leaves John, claiming that he is so involved in his studies that he completely ignores her. With Anne taking over her room, constantly criticizing her and tying up the phone, Gidget searches for a way to get Anne to return to John. Mark Hillman tries to enroll Gidget in a dance course. Gidget arranges for Mark to give Anne a dance lesson, and phones John to come to the Lawrence home while the lesson is in progress. When Russ warns her not to meddle, Gidget tries to keep the three from meeting. All her attempts fail. The net result is that John and Anne, both blaming Gidget, are driven further apart. Sensing that she can effect a reconciliation if she gives Anne and John a mutual interest, Gidget sends a beautiful dance instructress to John's apartment. When John learns who sent her, he heads for the Lawrence home. There, forgetting all differences, Anne and John make up, after spanking Gidget, whom they regard as their mutual enemy. Gidget vows to stay out of other people's problems. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget decides that the purchase of a hearse owned by King Mannix will make her independent of waiting for lifts to the beach. Although King wants $300 for the hearse, he accepts $6.23 as a down payment. When Russ points out that the old car will be in the repair shop most of the time, Gidget enrolls in the auto shop course at school. Later she learns that Jack Collins and his friends have pooled their money and bought the hearse. To prove that a girl can make it in a man's world, Gidget continues with the course, and also practices on Russ' car. Horrified by the results, Russ has a heart-to-heart talk with Jack. As a result, the boys in the class really treat her as an equal, with all the hard work entailed. Gidget struggles valiantly, but finds that the cost of equality is just too much. She dates Dreamboat, a handsome young man, after selling her share of the hearse to Jack at a hundred percent profit. After Jack takes Gidget and Dreamboat for a ride in the hearse, she decides that no woman is ever helpless as long as there is a man around and she remembers she is a woman. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Donald Hardy, Gidget's English teacher, was a pupil of her father. Gidget complains that Hardy marks her papers according to the way he thinks Russ' daughter should have written them. Gidget is assigned to write a theme on outdoor observation. Finishing her own composition, Gidget decides to trap Hardy by handing her father's paper in. She tries to retrieve it, but both papers wind up on Hardy's desk. Melodramatically, Gidget announces to Russ and Anne that she has cheated. Russ tells her he knows she didn't cheat but chides her for trying to prove Hardy is prejudiced. Hardy surprises Gidget by asking her to read aloud the composition she wrote, which he feels captures the loneliness of the surfer. He gives her an A for her own work, but an F for the one he knows she copied. Gidget admits she wanted to see how Hardy would grade her father's work. Hardy tells her he tries to inspire her, because he owes so much to her father. Gidget tells Russ that Hardy is the English teacher she digs the most. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

On a blind date, Gidget falls for Roger Haines, Larue's cousin. She is mortified when he buys a junior ticket for her at the movies. Meanwhile, Mary Haliday, an adoring co-ed, is haunting Russell, who is her English professor. Russ surprises Gidget with a new formal. Gidget feels the dress, chosen by Anne, is too juvenile to impress Roger with her maturity. Observing Russ' reaction when Mary arrives all dressed up, Gidget persuades him to allow her to exchange the dress. She picks a slinky gown and then learns Roger has planned a "kidnap party." Dressed in their finery, Gidget and Larue await the arrival of the "kidnappers," but no one appears. The following morning, as Gidget, dressed in old blue jeans, is about to leave for a fishing trip with Russ, Roger comes to the door. Telling Gidget that the child's movie ticket was a policy to save money, Roger kidnaps her for a picnic. When she returns, Gidget tells her father the affair was just so-so. Alone, admitting to herself that Roger's whole attitude was juvenile, Gidget sees a picture of a young actor on a magazine cover and begins dreaming of a new romance. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Anne and John announce they have arranged a scholarship for Gidget at a school in Paris where she can become a sophisticated young lady. John tells Russ he is so dependent on Gidget that he will probably never marry and in time will be an elderly parent with a spinster daughter. Impressed, Russ decides to send Gidget abroad. Gidget tells Larue she can't understand why. Associate Professor Jerry Rogers, a swinger with the ladies, tells Russ he will move in after Gidget leaves and that together, they can lead a dolce vita existence. Overhearing this, Gidget pretends she wants to go to Paris. Hoping to change Russ' mind, Gidget's friends dramatize the perils facing Gidget abroad. Realizing their motives, Russ decides he may be mistaken in his reasons for sending Gidget to Paris. Questioned by Russ, Gidget tells him she thought he wanted to lead his own life. She is overjoyed when her father tells her life with her has been perfect. Later Gidget reflects that Anne and John should want to keep her at home, because without a target, they'd be fighting with each other. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Elected president of her school Civics Club, Gidget decides to fight injustice by opposing the local movie'splan to raise prices for the early Saturday night show. After Gidget, Larue and Bernard's picketing fails to impress Mr. Lefferts, the theatre manager, Gidget asks Billy Roy Soames, a bearded folk singer of songs of protest to champion her cause. Although Billy Roy is surprised by Gidget's proposal to use his talent for creating a ruckus, he is stung when she accuses him of wanting to get involved only in big deals. Billy Roy moves into the Lawrence home to spearhead Gidget's campaign. Feeling that demonstrations might engulf the campus, Mr. Evans, representing the university alumni, protests to Russ about Billy Roy. Russ tells Gidget the danger of getting lost in trivial causes. Although Gidget feels Russ is yielding to pressure,she questions the importance of her cause. Billy Roy can't understand why Russ doesn't enter a situation that could jeopardize his career. Before the demonstration, Billy Roy leaves, telling Gidget any cause depending on him is no cause at all. Later, Gidget tells Russ she has won, since Lefferts has raised all movie prices. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Stung by Dolly's criticism of Larue's appearance, Gidget starts a campaign to do her friend over. After telling Russ that Gidget is wasting her time trying to improve her, Larue adds she is really only unhappy when people she cares for are unhappy about her. Russ tells her she is a rare, wonderful girl. Larue tells Russ her only passion is to own an old horse named Snowball. Russ tells Larue that Snowball will be their secret. Gidget starts wondering when Larue tells her Russ is sweet, and Anne tells her Russ has been raving about Larue. Russ promises to drive Larue to the stable to see Snowball. Unaware they are talking about old Snowball, Gidget feels there may be something to the Russ-Larue thing when she overhears them discussing differences in age. After Gidget tells Anne of her suspicions, John announces he ,just saw Russ and Larue drive off together. Before Anne and John can reach Russ for an explanation, Gidget talks to Larue, who tells her they have been talking about a horse. Although Gidget rushes off to stop Anne and John from talking to Russ, she leaves an unhappy Larue with the impression Russ is in love with her. Finally after Snowball becomes Larue's very own, everything is ironed out. Gidget muses that every girl is all right when she has something to love, even if it's only a horse. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Observing how nervously Gidget waits for Mark to pick her up, Russ tells her, in his day, wooing the girl was half the fun and he is sorry for the boys, who, by taking the girls for granted, are missing the excitement of the chase. Taking this to heart, Gidget leads Larue and her other friends into subtly getting the boys to be more chivalrous. Knowing the boys are not asking for dates until reports on weekend surfing conditions are in, Gidget plans a slumber party for the girls in her home where they will be incommunicado. The party is held even after the girls learn there will be no surfing that weekend. Russ screens all phone calls, with the girls agreeing to accept only emergency calls.The boys fail to crash the party, but learn the girls will take emergency calls. Using this as a ruse, the boyssoon get all of Gidget's guests to leave the party, but everyone is depressed, since they feel they have let Gidget down. However, Gidget is overjoyed when Mark comes to ask for a date a week in advance. Certain the battle is far from won, Gidget decides no one can complain if the boys meet the girls halfway. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget, Bret and their friends find an isolated cove at the beach. When Larry, Darcy and four of their friends arrive, war breaks out between the two groups. The girls of both groups accept Gidget's proposal that they refrain from dating the boys until they call a truce. Gidget leads the girls to the beach to accept the boys' surrender, but finds them with six new girls. Gidget finds that Patty Cromwell has made a play for Bret. Gidget borrows a hypodermic and goes to see Patty. Confessing defeat, Gidget gives Patty Bret's sweater and then offers her the hypodermic. Gidget tells her that Bret bravely conceals that he is suffering from a serious vitamin deficiency. Patty takes the needle, thinking it might some day mean the difference between life and death for Bret.Patty hovers over Bret, waiting for the worst to happen. Learning the reason for Patty's concern, Bret takes the needle and chases Gidget down the beach. Later, Bret tells Gidget he is actually suffering from a rare disease. At first Gidget swallows his story, but then realizes he's been putting her on. Gidget feels the score is more than even when Bret gives her his surfing trophy. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gunner Malstrom brings his fiancée, Inge Lindner, to the Lawrence home as a houseguest until the university opens. Subservient to her husband-to-be, Inge insists on getting to her studies at once. Determined to bring Inge into the modern world, Gidget persuades her to study at the beach. Inge learns quickly how to get on with the boys they meet. Gidget realizes what she has done when Mark, her own boy friend, begins dating Inge. Then Gunner returns and is disturbed by the change in Inge. Gidget acts the compliant female, which meets Gunner's approval. When Inge, wishing to dance to more modern music, refuses to waltz with Gunner, he joins Gidget in the kitchen. Feeling Inge is using him to fight Gunner, Mark immediately follows, leaving Inge alone. Later, Inge demands more time for fun. Gunner describes Gidget as the thoughtful type of girl he would like for his wife. Getting no place with words, Gunner spanks Inge. With Gunner once more in command, Inge returns to her studies. When Gidget finds that Mark also likes to feel superior, she decides she has set women's rights back a hundred years. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Although annoyed at first, Gidget becomes quite interested when Tom Brighton, aged twenty-four, snaps photos of her at the beach. Gidget tells Russ that Anne and John are right in assuming she has fallen for Tom, but adds there is no problem, since Tom doesn't love her. Gidget poses for a magazine cover, Tom's first paid assignment. Unaware Tom is discussing the photo over the phone with someone named Pete, Gidget gets the impression Tom is in love with her. She tells Russ, and rushes off to meet Tom, sure he is about to propose to her. Russ learns that Pete's real name is Penelope Peterson and that she is Tom's fiancée. He tries to stop Gidget, butarrives just as Tom is introducing his bride-to-be to Gidget. Feeling Gidget has been hurt, Russ, Anne and John try to console her. Tom tells Russ that he became aware of Gidget's feeling for him when he looked at the cover photograph. When Gidget learns Tom does not plan to use the picture, she decides he must have loved her a little. Gidget realizes she herself will recover from the experience, but wonders whether Russ will. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Although cousins, football captain Tate Cook and basketball captain Corky Cook are bitter enemies. Unwittingly dating both on the same night, Gidget tries to placate the Cooks by giving them separate dates. Then she learns she has dated them both for the Founders Day Dance and that Jeff will be home for the affair too. Unable to break her date with the Cooks, Gidget hires Jimmy Speer to cycle her between the dance and her house, so she can make all three boys happy. Then Gidget finds what seems the perfect solution, substituting for Larue on the dance welcoming committee so she will not have to meet any of her escorts at home. Gidget performs feats of prestidigitation as she juggles the corsages each date has brought and maneuvers from one to the other while dancing the Frug. Disaster strikes when all three dates finally meet. Gidget, sure she has lost Jeff forever, goes home on Jimmy's cycle. However, she realizes Jeff's affection is undiminished when he follows her. When Jeff returns to college, Gidget resolves to devote herself to her studies, but when a new boy asks for a date, she protests and then tells him her number is in the phone book. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

With Jeff back at Princeton, Gidget prepares for a lonely existence. Then she becomes attracted to a handsome surfer in his late twenties. The surfer finally realizes the extent of Gidget's interest. However, everything he says to prove that she is too good for him only convinces Gidget that a perfect romance is in the making. Entering her math class with Larue the following Monday, Gidget discovers the teacher is Baxter Stevenson, her surfer. She runs from the class and then does everything to avoid attending school. Her absence from class alarms Russ, her father, Miss Stoddard, the assistant principal, and Baxter. Finally, Miss Stoddard, Baxter and Gidget meet with Russ in the Lawrence home, where the whole affair is straightened out, even though Gidget maintains she can't figure out why she became so involved with Baxter. Later, Russ explains that Gidget, searching for the reason she found Baxter attractive, decides that falling in love was the best excuse. Gidget happily concluded that she can love Jeff and still meet and like a lot of other men. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget's surfboard is stolen. Gidget and Larue discover it in front of the trailer of Zangara, a female fortuneteller. When Gidget retrieves the board, Zangara puts a hex on her. Then a series of mishaps plague Gidget. Scoffing at her, Russ gives her some anthropology books to read to see how foolish superstition can be. Later, Russ finds Gidget performing a rite described in the book to exorcise the evil spirit. Annoyed, Russ agrees that maybe Gidget's brother-in-law, John Cooper, should psychoanalyze her. Gidget goes to the Cooper home. Chaos erupts there. A three-year's collection of trading stamps falls into the washing machine and an important paper John has been working on for weeks drops into the flood. This sets off an argument between John and Anne and Gidget leaves. Russ gives Gidget a small figurine, which he claims will dispel curses. Protected by the figurine, Gidget successfully rides her surfboard and feels she has beaten the hex. Then Russ tells her the figurine is a tiepin. Although feeling cured, Gidget decides to take no chances. Avoiding a ladder, Gidget walks near the curb. A passing car splashes her with mud. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Determined to push Larue into popularity, Gidget gets her involved with Paul and Doug who are forming a singing group. Later, Peter Stone joins the group. Although Gidget insists the boys keep Larue, they definitely want Gidget, even of she only bangs a tambourine. Gidget writes to Rick Farmer, an M.C., calling his attention to the group. Impressed by their fresh appearance, Farmer auditions them. To dramatize their appearance, they adopt Beatnik attire and change their name to "The Gories" Paul asks Gidget to tell Larue they'll have to drop her to insure the success of the groups Larue tells Gidget she's been looking for a way out. Later, Gidget, involved an her own theatrical plans, tells Russ she only got involved to help Larue. Called on by Gidget to sign release forms, Russ delivers them to Farmer himself Farmer tells Russ he picked Gidget's group because they looked so healthy. John and Anne watch the TV show in the Lawrence living room. Russ looks sick when Farmer introduces "The Gories" because the boys wouldn't take Larue back. Later, alone, Gidget concludes Life is just an uncontrollable chain reaction. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Norman Durfner, a teenage nervous wreck, is known as "Durf the Drag" to his female classmates. To build up his self-esteem, Gidget dates him for the Spinsters Hop. Then she discovers that Russ is helping Chuck Batson, a gorgeous six-foot-three, to master grammar so he'll be eligible to quarterback the college team. Gidget's interest in Durf's ego drops rapidly as she schemes to get Chuck to take her to the Hop. After John tells Gidget that one positive experience will not do much for Durf, she decides to break her date with him. Meanwhile, responding to Gidget's interest, the new Durf has become the idol of the co-eds. Feeling Gidget has become too serious, and aware of his new status, Durf breaks their date himself. Russ cleverly arouses Chuck's interest in grammar by having him construct sentences about himself. Overhearing Chuck, Durf tells Gidget he never heard anyone so conceited. When it dawns on Durf that he must sound like Chuck to Gidget, he invites her to the Hop. Later, after a discussion with Russ, Gidget concludes that despite their many differences, boys have one thing in common with girls -- their ego. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget receives a letter from Jeff asking her to get in touch with his parents, Jim and Laura Matthews, who are stopping for a short time at the local hotel. He also sends a letter to his parents to prepare for Gidget's visit. Both Gidget and the Matthews conclude Jeff must have matrimony in mind. Made conscious of their age, the youthful looking Matthews await the girl they have never met. Accompanied by young but sophisticated Della May Pruet, Gidget goes to the hotel where a shoe convention is progress.A series of misunderstandings is climaxed when Jim mistakes Della May for Gidget. Although Della is not adverse to striking up an acquaintance with him, a wild argument results, since both are speaking at cross-purposes. Gidget is unable to stop the chaos that erupts when some of the salesmen come to Della's defense. Then Russ arrives. Feeling that Jim is annoying Gidget, he socks him. Later, after peace has been restored and all parties properly introduced, Gidget concludes that the best way to meet prospective in-laws is to catch themunaware, while they are still human. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget starts worrying when her boy friend, Toby, criticizes her close relationship with her father. Discussingit with Larue, Gidget concludes she might be jealous of her father's dates. To prove she doesn't mind Russ dating Barbara Leeds, Gidget insists on preparing dinner for both of them at home. When everything goes wrong and the dinner ends in disaster, Gidget faces the horrible truth of her jealousy. From then on, Gidget tries to avoid Russ. Both Gidget and her father discuss the rift at the Lawrence home with Anne. Resolved to teach Russ to get along without her, Gidget asks Barbara to bring dinner to the Lawrence home when she herself will be out. Russ invites Meg Denham to dinner the same night. Then, prompted by Anne and John, Pete Thatcher and his wife, her sister, and another couple arrive, making for an evening of chaos. Later, Russ makes Gidget realize that with her growing up, a change is inevitable, and that they might as well enjoy their companionship while they can. On a date with Perry, Gidget decides some things are beyond her control and that she'll find a little bit of her father in every boy she meets, if she's lucky. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The "Shaggy Dog," a hamburger shack, is the hangout for Gidget's crowd, because its owner, Henry B. Socrates, known as Socks, understands young people's problems. Larue tells Gidget that a committee is raising funds to buy out Socks and Gidget learns her father heads the group. Although Russ shows Gidget plans for a small art museum to replace "The Shaggy Dog," Gidget enlists her friends to save the joint. The battle between father and daughter reaches its height when Gidget's group and Russ' hold meetings at the Lawrence home on the same evening. Russ is angry on finding that Buzz Britton, a young magician, has been removing articles of clothing from Russ' committee members to sell at a rummage sale Gidget plans to collect funds for her cause. After an argument with Gidget, Russ goes to the "Shaggy Dog," where he hears young Dr. Gary Preeman credit Socks for his success. Chastened, Russ shows Gidget new plans for the museum. One corner has been reserved for Socks' new cafe. After Gidget leaves for a date with Buzz, Russ finds a rabbit in his pocket. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget and Larue join the screaming fans to welcome the Dingbats, Herbie and Arthur. When John says that the teenage adulation of the entertainers is a revolt against their parents, Gidget determines to test if this is so. By the time she reaches the estate where the Dingbats are hiding, many of her friends know where they are. When Gidget hears Arthur on TV, pleading with his fans to give him one quiet day so he can be married, she decides to warn him that because of her, this is impossible. She gets through the guard at the estate, but at first, doesn't recognize Herbie. Meanwhile, mobs of fans gather outside. Then Herbie realizes Gidget didn't recognize him without his wig. When the screaming fans follow their idols' limousine, carrying Gidget and Larue, dressed in the Dingbats' outfits, Arthur is able to proceed with his wedding in peace. Discussing the happy outcome with her father, Gidget feels he is the world's greatest, since Russ convinces her that everyone, young or old, is rebelling against something. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Russ entrusts Gidget to Anne and John while he goes on a fishing trip. Gidget is surprised when they allow her to attend the weekend surfing championships, unaware that Anne and John have given Scott Baker, a UCLA halfback, twenty-five dollars to watch over her. Gidget is surprised when Scott asks her to be his date for the weekend. When Sally Blake, Scott's girl friend, arrives unexpectedly, Gidget overhears Mel, Scott's friend, explain to Sally that Scott is just babysitting with Gidget. After upbraiding Scott, Gidget runs away. Larue finds her and convinces Gidget it would be an admission of defeat if she left the affair. Meanwhile, Richie Ryan decides Gidget must be a real swinger if she needs a chaperone. Scott, knowing Richie's reputation, is unable to stop Gidget from driving off with him. Even though Sally tells Scott he must choose between her and Gidget, he follows Gidget. Gidget has just extricated herself when Scott arrives. Later Gidget returns home, wearing Scott's fraternity pin. Although she announces that she is returning the pin, Gidget admits to herself that she enjoyed "jabbing" Anne and John with it. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Following a call from Shirley Marshall, Gidget throws a coat over her pajamas and rushes to her friend's home before Russ can stop her. There Gidget learns that Shirley and her parents, Herman and Hannah, want Gidget to drive with them to purchase a car for Shirley. Despite Gidget's protest that she is in pajamas, Herman, a loud little man, insists they leave immediately. On the way Gidget and Herman try to phone Russ, but the phone is tied up as Russ and Larue discuss Gidget's absence. Tension grows between Gidget and Herman. who blames her for all the mishaps that occur. At a service station, Gidget again tries to phone home. Since the line is still busy, she asks William, the attendant, to call her father and tell him she has not been kidnapped. Herman blows up and decides to take Gidget home.After receiving Willie's call, Russ decides to make sure Gidget doesn't get past him when she comes home. Testing the door, he locks himself outside in his pajamas. Arriving home, Gidget criticizes Herman and praises her father. Then she finds Russ outside in his pajamas. Gidget calls Herman and Russ the worst name she can think of -- adults. Later, after Russ explains adults are human beings who can make mistakes, Gidget admits Russ has not used up all of his. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget determines to surprise Russ with an expensive camera for his birthday. After her initial efforts to hold a job and earn the money fail, she hears that the Tom Cat Club, a sophisticated hangout, is hiring waitresses. There, both the interviewer, Miss Conway, and Gidget herself realize that she is not quite right for the job. Miss Conway refers her to "Its Kicks," a teenage discotheque serving ice cream in a hundred combinations, where she is hired. Meanwhile, Anne and John question Russ about Gidget's strange babysitting schedule. When Anne finds evidence that Gidget may be working at the Tom Cat Club, Russ goes to investigate.Russ doesn't find Gidget there, but later spots her at a bus stop in front of the Tom Cat. Despite a feeling of betrayal, Russ decides not to confront Gidget at this point. Gidget returns home to find her family waiting. She allays their fears by revealing she has been working at the teenage club to buy Russ a birthday present. Russ is elated, even though Gidget tells him he has set a bad example by even going near the Tom Cat Club. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

After Gidget takes a part time job in Franklin Whiting's florist shop, she finds she is expected to drive the delivery truck. She hires Larue secretly to drive the truck, while she takes driving lessons from Russ. As Anne has warned, this doesn't work out at all. John agrees to teach Gidget to drive, but this also ends in a violent argument. Gidget's efforts to find other teachers fail. Finally, Russ orders Gidget to tell the truth. She dismisses Larue from her driving duties and heads for the florist shop to confess to Mr. Whiting.Mr. Whiting tells her he is going to the hospital where his wife has just had a baby. As he dashes off, he tells Gidget to drive the truck filled with flowers to a wedding. Unable to get anyone to drive, Gidget is desperate. Russ, hearing that Gidget is in difficulties, arrives and takes over the truck. Later, Gidget goes to tell Mr. Whiting she has received her license. Whiting tells her he has rehired his former helper who can work longer hours. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget decides that "Ask Helpful Hannah," the advice column in the school paper isn't the least bit helpful. She finds that Norman Crowley, an engineering student, has unwillingly been running the column. When Norman quits, Peggy Bell, the editor, and Miss Beckley, the faculty advisor, persuade Gidget to take over the assignment. Then "Helpful Hannah" begins getting letters signed "Wretched." Gidget feels that the unfortunate writing the letters is in such a sad state that she must take a personal hand in his problem, but her attempts to discover his identity only result in several unfortunate mix-ups.Gidget concludes that her attempts to be helpful have failed when she discovers that "Wretched" is actually Norman. Then Peggy tells her she feels she could make some progress with him if her were not so occupied with model rockets. Gidget writes a feature story hailing Norman's achievements in rocketry. Norman is sure Peggy wrote the story. Although he learns he was mistaken, the story brings him and Peggy together. Happily, Gidget concludes it was all worthwhile. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

With Russ on his way to San Francisco, Gidget plans to stay with Larue. Larue asks Gidget's opinion of a mystery story she has written. Annoyed by Larue's reaction to her criticism, Gidget leaves for home. At the airport, Russ meets a friend, Stewart Gurner, who is a very nervous type. Russ invites Stew to spend the night at the 'empty' Lawrence home. Meanwhile, a thunderstorm breaks out. Hearing the whir of Stew's sleep-inducing machine, Gidget phones Larue to come over. Neighbors Herb and Fonya Feiler arrive home from a party. Fonya is dressed in a fairy costume, while Herb is Dr. Hyde. Fonya sends Herb to check on the lights in the Lawrence house. Terror mounts as all parties, unaware of each other's presence, are unable to account for the strange happenings in the house. Giving up, Stew and the girls decide to leave at the same time as two policemen arrive with Fonya. Believing they have captured a notorious burglar, the police arrest Stew, Gidget is surprised, when instead of being angry, Russ only laughs at the thought of Stew being mistaken for "Pajama Plotkin." © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Gidget and Toby Whitley would really have a wonderful time together if Toby's father, Professor Mel Whitley didn't insist on turning their dates into threesomes. When Toby forbids Gidget from discussing the problem with Russ, she goes to John for advice. When Gidget begins with "I have this friend who..." John concludes that Gidget is talking about her own relationship with Russ. Deciding that Russ is working twenty-four hours a day to be a pal to Gidget, John asks Russ' help in an experiment he is conducting in his lab every night. This does not improve the situation at all, since it even stops Mel from playing cards with Russ. When Gidget finally explains her problem to Russ, they realize they have been victims of John's error. Russ finds the solution by explaining to Mel the difference between being a father and a pal, when a pal is definitely not needed. John is hurt when Russ lets him know he wouldn't seek his advice for anything, but Gidget and Toby finally become a happy twosome. Story by: Gary Flaum © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

When Charley, a tiny alligator belonging to young Dewey Seldon dies, Gidget puts it into the Lawrence freezer in a casserole until the boy gets permission to preserve his pet. Meanwhile, Brian Mack, a magazine editor, sends reporter Jeff Tracy to interview Russ. The arrival of a representative from the Depart of Animal Regulation sets off a series of mad events. Davey, thinking the official has come for Charley, takes him out of the freezer. Gidget confuses the inspector with the reporter, who becomes completely befuddled when she tries to explain the situation. Then Anne takes a frozen casserole home for dinner. Gidget discovers Charley is missing and thinks Anne is cooking him for dinner. Tracy brings Mack to the Lawrence home to try to unravel the tangled story. Meanwhile, Anne and John have thrown away the casserole. While everyone is trying to find a replacement for Charley, Max arrives with a full grown alligator but leaves when Gidget tells him the beast is too short. The problem is solved when Davy comes in with Charley. After Tracy and Mack leave, Russ and Gidget hope for the best in the magazine article. © 1965, renewed 1993 CPT Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved.