GIDGET: OPERATION SHAGGY DOG (TV)
Summary
One in this series about a California teenager named Frances Lawrence, nicknamed Gidget.
In this episode, Gidget and her friends are shocked to learn that their "number-one hangout," a hamburger joint called The Shaggy Dog, is soon to be closed, though cantankerous owner Socrates, a.k.a. "Soc," seems resigned to the prospect of being bought out. Gidget appeals to her father for help, only to find that he has been placed in charge of the fundraising committee for the new establishment, an art museum, that is to take The Shaggy Dog's place. Outraged by his "betrayal," Gidget decides to form her own committee to support Soc; the two opposing sides then scramble to raise money for their respective goals. Gidget goes so far as to have a rummage sale in her own home, complete with some of Russell's items for purchase.
Russell loses patience with Gidget's "foolish idealism," arguing that the buyout is perfectly legal and fair, but Gidget retorts that The Shaggy Dog has sentimental value to both Soc and the customers; she accuses her father of a lack of compassion. Struck by this, he finally visits the restaurant and watches as a young man, Gary Preeman, shows off his new doctorate degree to Soc and explains that the cranky proprietor was the one who encouraged him to stay in school when he and his family fell on hard times. Russell changes his mind and agrees to a "ceasefire" with Gidget. Both parties are pleased with the eventual decision – though Russell is less thrilled when a "magic man" from the rummage sale comes by to take Gidget on a date. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: February 17, 1966 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:08
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:87714
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Teenagers
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1965-1966
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Harry Ackerman … Executive Producer
- William Sackheim … Producer
- Stan Schwimmer … Associate Producer
- Hal Cooper … Director
- Frederick Kohner … Created by
- Dorothy Cooper Foote … Writer
- Charles Albertine … Music by
- Howard Greenfield … Theme Music by
- Jack Keller … Theme Music by
- Johnny Tillotson … Theme Music by
- Sally Field … Cast, Francine "Gidget" Lawrence
- Don Porter … Cast, Professor Russell Lawrence
- Lynette Winter … Cast, Larue Wilson
- Betty Conner … Cast, Anne Cooper
- Peter Deuel (see also: Peter Duel) … Cast, John Cooper
- Burt Douglas … Cast, Gary Preeman
- Don Edmonds … Cast, Buzz
- Bob Beach … Cast, Toby
- Tim Rooney … Cast, Tommy
- Lew Parker … Cast, Socrates