11 Comments
User's avatar
McAllister Judy's avatar

Andrew Hunt, is this you? You’re so good!

Expand full comment
McAllister Judy's avatar

I’m so happy I saw this! Wow!

Expand full comment
Andrew Hunt's avatar

Great to see you, Judy! Thank you so much for your kind words -- that means a lot to me!

Expand full comment
Deanne Stillman's avatar

Hi Andrew - Nice piece and thx for quoting me. I should also add that I'm the person who helped Gidget get the long out-of-print novella reissued, and wrote the full story of how it happened here. Https://www.truthdig.com/articles/americas-mermaid/ After the reissue, Malibu selected it for its One City One Read program and Gidget was resurrected. Https://latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-may-02-oe-stillman2-story.html.

Expand full comment
Chuck Howitt's avatar

Brilliant! I saw the Gidget movie as a teen and loved it. Never imagined that it came from a book.

Expand full comment
Jim Fields's avatar

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for sharing this with us. Growing up in the midwest, I only knew "Gidget" from the re-runs of the Sally Field t.v. show I saw on television. as a kid. I really enjoyed learning more about the origins of this character (and the name, "Gidget" too!) It's a fascinating history.

Expand full comment
Andrew Hunt's avatar

Thank you so much, Jim! I really appreciate your kind words and support.

Expand full comment
Chuck Erion's avatar

Thank you for another deep dive into part of the culture I knew little about. I wonder if the Cahuna character is also the subject of this podcast on surfing history.

https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/lost-hills

Expand full comment
Flicks & Forks's avatar

This is a wonderful read! I loved everything Gidget when I was younger. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!

Expand full comment
Andrew Hunt's avatar

Thank you so much, Jill! That means a lot to me. And I meant to tell you that I'm also really enjoying your wonderful Substack as well!

Expand full comment
Flicks & Forks's avatar

Thank you, Andrew! I truly appreciate your interest and support!

Expand full comment