A sad note: with news (as of 2023) of the corporate bigshots deciding to tear down Gidget's old house (and many other famous houses) on the Warner Brothers backlot, there's even more memories in this episode. Every day crews are tearing down Hollywood history, at least in Burbank.
This is both a funny and poignant episode, especially if you think back to your own high school days daze! Durf the Drag (Richard Dreyfuss), suffering the pangs of NO confidence, minus an ego, is taken in by Gidget --who works her magic. Or atleast makes a bold attempt. She's also been working on a hopeless case known as Chuck, the high school quarterback, not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but a cool guy. If you're patient enough, right?
Getting back to Durf, after a crash course of self confidence 101 -- Gidge creates an ego maniac --who she has to "gently" bring back down to earth. And if things really work out, take her to the Spinster Hop Dance. This was Dreyfuss' third or fourth tv appearance, having done bits on such shows as BEN CASEY.
Well written by Barbara Avedon, who previously did many episodes for DONNA REED. Of course her claim to fame was CAGNEY AND LACEY. Jerrold Bernstein directed, who worked with the Three Stooges(!), and was behind some 50s cult films. He brings out the best in Sally Field here. Actually, there's more goofy scenes with her dad than Dreyfuss!
Check out the opening high school scene, filmed on the Warner Brothers lot. The park across the street, which was featured in so many tv shows, later had a swimming pool. Now filled in, bulldozed to make way for new soundstages.
On a sentimental note, catch a glimpse of Larue's cool red Mustang. Now that's a happy ending. SEASON 1 EPISODE 21 remastered color dvd box set.