Gidget makes a comeback — on DVD

If you were a kid in the 1960s, you know that the local drive-in movie theater was the place to see Elvis flicks, "Beach Party" movies and campy horror films each summer. And, of course, the "Gidget" films.

So, here's a blast from the (seemingly) more innocent past — all the theatrical "Gidget" films in one DVD set.

OK, there were only three.

There is one major drawback, however. They are all in pan-and-scan instead of widescreen; formatted to fit the TV screen. Even though the first film was shot in CinemaScope! (They couldn't put both versions on the disc so we'd have a choice?)

Ironically, most of the trailers on these discs are in the widescreen format!

• "The Complete Gidget Collection" (Columbia, 1959/61/63, not rated, $27.95, two discs).

— "Gidget" (1959). Sandra Dee plays 17-year-old Frances Lawrence in this enjoyable, lightweight coming-of-age romp. When she learns to surf by hanging out with a group of college-age boys — led by the older beach bum the Big Kahuna (Cliff Robertson) — she, naturally, falls for the one guy who won't give her the time of day, Moondoggie (James Darren).

Dee is at her most charming here, and this film is by far the best of the trilogy. It also gets a boost from Arthur O'Connell as Gidget's father, who is amusingly blustery. And, of course, Darren occasionally breaks into song.

— "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" (1961). Spunky, energetic Deborah Walley, in her film debut, takes over as Gidget here. The plot has her family heading to Hawaii for a vacation, and Moondoggie soon follows. Typical silly jealousies ensue before the happy-ending fadeout. Darren is back as Moondoggie, and Carl Reiner takes over as Gidget's father, but the film is pretty bland. Despite a bit of Hawaii location shooting.

— "Gidget Goes to Rome" (1963). In the last film in the series, Rome is more on display than was Hawaii, but Cindy Carol is a forgettable Gidget (she only made one other film). Jessie Royce Landis adds some spark as the teens' devil-may-care chaperone, Darren is back for one more Moondoggie experience and Don Porter is Gidget's father. But it's very much a weak theatrical sitcom.

Two years later, "Gidget" was revived for television. In 1965, Sally Field took on the role for a one-season sitcom (with Don Porter back as Gidget's father). There followed four TV movies, each with a different actress in the role. And finally, in 1986, yet another sitcom, "The New Gidget" — which lasted two years!

Extras: Full frame, trailers, chapters.

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E-mail: hicks@desnews.com