Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story

How one girl's choice to tell her story changed the face of entertainment
Dawn Hunt, DVD Verdict --Narrated by Jorja Fox (CSI) and featuring interviews with Sally Field (Brothers and Sisters) and far too many pro surfers to name, Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story tells the tale of Kathy Kohner Zuckerman who began surfing in 1956. Nicknamed "Gidget" (a combination of girl and midget) she became an icon whose legacy endures.

The decision to focus on the impact of Gidget over the past five decades was the smartest move the filmmakers made, because the actual story of how Kathy Kohner became Gidget takes less than a minute to tell. Fifteen-year-old Kohner was looking for a way of life and a group of people to fit in with. Going to Malibu and hooking up with the local surf scene was the answer. She became so enamored with the people, what they were doing, and the new lingo (words like "Bitchin!" and "Cowabunga!") she felt it was a story that needed to be told. Kathy started by writing it all down in her journals, one of which she reads from here...

A lot of fun & surf history in this documentary about the real Gidget!
Any fan of the 1960's, surfing, and pop culture history will love this documentary about the original surfer girl - Gidget! From the earliest days of surfing to the hot young ladies who ride the waves today (and get paid for doing so!) this documentary looks at the story of one of the first gals who saw what the boys at the beach were doing and said, "I can do that!" Who knew that the famous book, movies, and tv shows were all based on a little lady from Malibu named Kathy? Lots of great retro beach footage & interviews with legends of the waves, modern day pro surfers, Academy Award winners Sally Field and the late Cliff Robertson, and narrated by Jorja Fox (from CSI). An entertaining and educational DVD the whole family can enjoy!

For surfers and non-surfers
My wife has never been on a surfboard in her life while I have surfed for 47 years. I got this DVD because I am aware of Kathy's environmental work and also interested in the story beyond the movies and tv shows. As a surfer, the movie was engrossing as it featured a who's who of surfers from the early days who all knew "Gidget" and it was interesting to see how this young girl got involved with famous surfers who were instrumental in the sports early days as well as her relationships with those that were on the entertainment side (movies, tv) of the Gidget story. Even more important was the reaction of my wife who enjoyed this equally as much as I did. It's one of those movies that when you realize it's coming to an end wish it would keep on going.

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