Gidget Goes to Rome (1963)

The worst of the Gidget films, 3 April 2006

Gidget Goes to Rome is easily the low point of the series. The comedy is lame and the story is neither original nor as sweet as Gidget. While Cindy Carol makes a better lead than Deborah Walley did in Gidget Goes Hawaiian, she's not going to make anyone forget about Sandra Dee. The series should have ended in Hawaii.

Maybe it's just me, but I found a few things about Gidget Goes to Rome a little weird. First, take the relationship between Gidget and Moondoggie as presented in this movie. James Darren looks to be about twice the age of Carol. Seeing the older Darren snuggling up to a girl half his age is just a little too creepy for me to enjoy. Second, Moondoggie spends the entire movie ignoring Gidget and wooing the hot Italian tour guide. He even asks her to marry him. Yet when she refuses and sends him on his way, Gidget takes him back with open arms and without any questions. Again, it's just too creepy.

3/10