Gidget

A perfect period artefact, this quintessential California surf movie is actually much, much better than it should be, or was ever given credit for, largely owing to the stylish (and wise) direction by Paul Wendkos. Sandra Dee is the titular heroine yes, half-girl, half-midget and became identified with the role, though she didn't reprise it in the two sequels or in the two completely different TV series. Her beaus here are the likeable, if just too old, James Darren and Cliff Robertson, and there is a very real sense of enjoyment abroad when all three are together. The beach looks fabulous in CinemaScope and Eastmancolor, and, if you let your hair down, you'll enjoy the period slang and good-time atmosphere of one long-gone innocent summer.