Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961)

A lot of people are very fond of Gidget Goes Hawaiian, but even its biggest fans would be hard pressed to call it a very good film. Sure, it's light and fizzy and got in on the ground floor of 1960s Hawaii movies, and when you're in the mood to just sit back and let a movie roll over you, Hawaiian is just the kind of flick you want. But it's pretty poor as drama, with a screenplay that's too concerned with inventing silly reasons for Gidget to be a bit vexed, with the result that the leading character comes across as a little too peevish. And while Deborah Walley is cute and energetic in the lead, one does miss the little something extra that Sandra Dee brought to the part. Also, for a movie that promotes its location to such an extent, there's too little actual on-location lensing. Still, Hawaiian does have a few things going for it, from a strange but diverting dream sequence to a couple of good James Darren numbers to some very impressive dancing from Michael Callan. There's also Carl Reiner, Peggy Cass and Eddie Foy, Jr., not given enough to do but doing it quite well. Fans of Gidget will have a fine time, and those that aren't such fans can tune in whenever the adults are on screen. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide