James M. Crawford

On a blind date, Gidget falls for Roger Haines, Larue's cousin. She is mortified when he buys a junior ticket for her at the movies. Meanwhile, Mary Haliday, an adoring co-ed, is haunting Russell, who is her English professor. Russ surprises Gidget with a new formal. Gidget feels the dress, chosen by Anne, is too juvenile to impress Roger with her maturity. Observing Russ' reaction when Mary arrives all dressed up, Gidget persuades him to allow her to exchange the dress. She picks a slinky gown and then learns Roger has planned a "kidnap party." Dressed in their finery, Gidget and Larue await the arrival of the "kidnappers," but no one appears. The following morning, as Gidget, dressed in old blue jeans, is about to leave for a fishing trip with Russ, Roger comes to the door. Telling Gidget that the child's movie ticket was a policy to save money, Roger kidnaps her for a picnic. When she returns, Gidget tells her father the affair was just so-so. Alone, admitting to herself that Roger's whole attitude was juvenile, Gidget sees a picture of a young actor on a magazine cover and begins dreaming of a new romance.

Gunner Malstrom brings his fiancée, Inge Lindner, to the Lawrence home as a houseguest until the university opens. Subservient to her husband-to-be, Inge insists on getting to her studies at once. Determined to bring Inge into the modern world, Gidget persuades her to study at the beach. Inge learns quickly how to get on with the boys they meet. Gidget realizes what she has done when Mark, her own boy friend, begins dating Inge. Then Gunner returns and is disturbed by the change in Inge. Gidget acts the compliant female, which meets Gunner's approval. When Inge, wishing to dance to more modern music, refuses to waltz with Gunner, he joins Gidget in the kitchen. Feeling Inge is using him to fight Gunner, Mark immediately follows, leaving Inge alone. Later, Inge demands more time for fun. Gunner describes Gidget as the thoughtful type of girl he would like for his wife. Getting no place with words, Gunner spanks Inge. With Gunner once more in command, Inge returns to her studies. When Gidget finds that Mark also likes to feel superior, she decides she has set women's rights back a hundred years.