Thursday, July 31, 2014

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing around here... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, Gidget Goes Hawaiian.

I love this movie and with my recent trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, I love it even more. It's the second movie in the Gidget series and my personal favorite. Made in 1961, Gidget (Deborah Walley) is the happiest she's ever been because her steady man Jeff (James Darren) has just given her his college pin to wear. Trouble brews in her house though when her parents surprise her with a trip to Hawaii. Gidget not wanting to leave Jeff behind for his last two weeks of summer vacation is devastated. She tells her parents she won't go.

When Gidget runs off to tell Jeff the news he thinks it's an amazing experience for her and that she should go. On the inside he really doesn't want her to go because he'll miss her but he knows that the trip is one of a lifetime. Upset by his reaction Gidget breaks up with him because she thought she meant the world to him. She rushes home to tell her parents she's ready to go to Hawaii now. Once the family gets on the plane, Gidget's feeling are raw and she's sad that her relationship is over and misses Jeff. On the flight though she meets a girl named Abby (Peggy Cass), who's around the same age. They start talking and begin to get along.

Once in Hawaii, Gidget realizes she needs to stop moping around and try to have fun. Abby gets jealous that Gidget is popular with the guys because her surfing and dancing abilities. Jeff surprises Gidget at the wrong moment in Hawaii and from then on out things get crazy on the island of Hawaii. The movie is littered with catchy tunes that you'll find yourself singing along. Warning: It'll also make you want to jump on the next plane to Hawaii!

A little tidbit... the hotel that they filmed the majority of the movie at is actually still in business. It's called the Royal Hawaiian. It's got beach access and the buildings are still the same color pink as in the film. Warning it's pricey! I thought our Hilton was expensive but this place beats even the Waikoloa Village.

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