Ruth Brooks Flippen wrote this poignant slash outrageous episode. Ruth was one of the best, cranking out some classic episodes for such shows as THAT GIRL and the BRADY BUNCH, many others. She also wrote two GIDGET movies in the early 60s.
It all has to do with a pet alligator, who belongs to Gidget's neighbor, Davey (played by Frankie Kabott).
Charlie, the alligator, sadly dies and his mom just wants him to bury it. Davey is very attached to the gator -- so Gidge has a plan.
Why not freeze him???
Super idea, that is until Gidgets's well-meaning sister, Anne, hastily gets food out of the fridge, including frozen Charlie and cooks dinner? OMG.
Best line department: Gidget frantically calls a pet shop and asks if they SELL any "deceased" alligators???
There's even more complications when the state bureau of animal protection happens to stop by...
Lots of goofy stuff and with a good cast, including funny guy Marvin Kaplan as Jeff. Marvin was in dozens of movies and tv sitcoms, usually as a victim of circumstances. Frankie Kabott was a popular juvenile actor in 60s sitcoms, and turns on the tears in this one.
Final episode of the series, and it's really a shame the show did not continue, mostly due to strong competition on rival networks. GIDGET, though, has survived and is still around after all these years, also due to the popularity of Sally Field. I agree with the last reviewer that Sally was immediately cast in another series, THE FLYING NUN, as her career was beginning to take off. And if you ever catch that series, Sally, at times, acts like Gidget.
On a historical note, Gidget's house (and many other famous tv sitcom houses) on the Warner Brothers/Columbia Picture lot in Burbank was razed in the summer of 2023 to make way for new soundstages. Gidget's house was quite famous, originally used by the THREE STOOGES in the 30s and 40s as a backdrop, later in such films as LETHAL WEAPON.
SEASON 1 remastered color dvd Columbia box set.