Original subtitles

"Help Wanted." Well, at least that's in English.

You need an interpreter for the ad in the paper.

"Wanted for aft school employ. Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat morn.

"Ambit yng stu assist flor shop.

"See Mr. Whiting. Excel op.

Good sal. No ex per nec."

Well, if that's what they're looking

for-- someone with "no ex per nec"--

I'm his girl.

Well, good afternoon.

Would you care for some roses today?

Or perhaps some carnations?

Some lovely pink carnations to go with your cheeks.

Oh, thank you. But, no, thank you.

I came in answer to your ad. Oh. About the job?

Well, I was hoping for another boy-- to replace the old one.

Have any boys answered your ad yet? No, not yet.

Then that shows you who's ambitious, 'cause here I am.

Well, I, uh-- I would need someone

who's very good with flowers.

When it comes to flowers, I'm all

thumbs-- and they're all green.

Someone who can make deliveries...

and who's hardworking and dependable.

"Dependable's" my middle name.

My first name's Gidget. Gidget "Dependable" Lawrence.

Well, as I say, I-- I was hoping for another boy.

But... I like your initiative.

The job is yours. Oh!

Thank you, Mr. Whiting. You won't be sorry.

I'll be here right after school on Monday.

By the way, can you drive a panel truck? Why, no.

Well, don't worry. It's the same as driving a car.

Oh, good. Bye.

[sighs] That was Cinchy enough.

Now all I have to do is learn how to drive a car.

Oh, swell.

♪ [jazzy pop]

♪ If you're in doubt about angels ♪

♪ Being real

♪ I can arrange to change

♪ Any doubts you feel

♪ Wait till you see my Gidget ♪

♪ You'll want her for your valentine ♪

♪ You're gonna say she's all that you adore ♪

♪ But stay away Gidget is spoken for ♪

♪ You're gonna find that Gidget is ♪

♪ Mine ♪

[door closes]

Ta-dum! Friends, family and countrymen.

Lend me your ears. I have an announcement to make.

You have, huh?

You know how I've wanted to earn some money...

so I could go to Hawaii next summer on that surfing safari?

Well, I'm practically there. I have a full-time part-time job.

Well, aloha.

Tell me what business it's in so I can sell my stock.

Oh, ha ha.

I hope it's someplace where you can get me a discount.

It's in a florist shop-- you know, Buds 'n Blooms.

And I'll be arranging flowers and

sweeping up and selling things...

and just all sorts of odds and ends for Mr. Whiting.

I might even do some delivering.

How are you gonna deliver on a surfboard?

You didn't tell Mr. Whiting you could drive, did you?

No, I didn't.

But I could learn, you know. I am old enough.

Seems only yesterday you were learning how to walk.

Yeah, and look how groovy I was at that.

Well, if you're hinting around

for driving lessons, count me out.

I just finally got my nails to the length I want them.

You can forget about me too. I married

into this family for better or for worse,

but I'm not prepared for the "worse" yet.

Anybody around here except us chickens?

- [clucking] - I bow to the inevitable.

Oh, insane, Dad. Thanks.

Uh, Gidge, let's go upstairs and

see if you have any more magazines.

Not now. Not now. I want-- I would like those recipes now.

Oh, Anne's always cutting out recipes.

She must be a very good cook by now.

Actually, we never eat dinner.

We just sit down at the table and read the ingredients.

[laughing] It's your move.

Okay, Anne, what's all this "secret agent" stuff?

Gidget, could I give you some sisterly counsel?

Well, sure. It's a free bedroom.

Learn how to drive with someone else, not Dad.

Why not? He's a natural teacher.

English, yes.

But when it comes to sitting next to you

in the front seat of a car, forget it.

He's a regular Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Boy, it must get pretty crowded in that front seat.

I'm serious. When he tried to teach me to drive,

his entire personality underwent a change.

The patient, gentle, understanding man I knew...

suddenly became an unreasoning, shouting, overwrought... father.

Every time he took me out for a lesson, I came home in tears.

Well, thanks a lot, Anne, but I'm different.

Besides, Dad's probably mellowed by now.

Besides, I've just gotta learn how to drive.

Okay. All I can say is...

drive carefully and carry a big handkerchief.

But, Gidget, how could you take

a job that means driving a car...

when you don't know how to drive?

You're not even an experienced passenger.

What are friends for? I don't know.

But anytime you ask me that

without a reason, there's a reason.

You're a licensed driver, right?

So, anytime Mr. Whiting asks me to go out on a delivery,

you're standing by to take the wheel.

Simple? Simple, no. Fuzzy, yes.

Gidget, I babysit in the afternoon.

So I'll pay you-- Oh. I'm sorry.

I'll pay you for it. It'll sort

of be like subcontracting the job.

Only Mr. Whiting won't know about it. Well--

It won't be for very long, just till I learn how to drive.

Okay, I'll help you out,

but you better learn to drive, like, full speed ahead.

I'm already in motion. I just put my dad on red alert.

You mean to say your father's going to give you the lessons?

Oh, no. You've been talking to Anne.

Oh, no. I've been talking to myself.

Take my advice. Don't take from him.

But your father taught you. He only started to.

He had to quit on account of his health.

The doctor said it was very bad for him

to turn purple every time he took me out.

No offense, Larue, but my dad isn't

like that. All dads are like that.

You just have to make one turn

without giving the correct signal...

or stop short in front of another car or miss a red light,

and blooey-- the veins in his neck stand out.

How am I gonna learn how to drive then?

You're not old enough to teach me.

Go to a driving school, same as I did.

The instructors are trained not to turn purple.

Driving schools cost money. So? You're working.

You know I'm trying to save enough money to go to Hawaii.

And now you're on my payroll.

Why don't you give me a hand with the inside of the windows,

O prophet of doom and gloom.

♪ [whistling]

Well, I'm glad to see you're taking an interest in the car.

Up till now, the frequency of my car washes...

has coincided with the annual rainfall.

We're almost through. All we have to

do is rinse it off and let it drip-dry.

Good. Blow the horn when you're ready.

We'll go out for lesson number one. [clicks tongue] Great.

Suit yourself, Gidget, but if you insist

on taking lessons from your father--

[sputters] It's your wipeout.

Now just relax, baby. It's not gonna bite you.

I am relaxed. I just don't want you to be nervous.

With you teaching me, Dad, how could I ever blow my cool?

There's some people that believe gasoline and fathers don't mix.

Oh. How cubey can you get?

Right. We'll show 'em we're different. Right.

Now, starter works on the key. Okay.

Why are you turning in here? You said, "Turn here."

I meant at the corner. You didn't say at the corner.

You said, "Turn here." Never mind. Just back it up.

- Gidget. - [brakes squeal]

Gidget.

You see that "R" on the gearshift?

That stands for "Reverse."

Oh, I thought it stood for "Russ."

Just back it out, please.

[tires screeching] [horn honking]

[man] Watch it there! You're gonna get yourself hurt!

Watch where you're backing out!

Where'd he come from?

It's probably his driveway. Oh.

You're supposed to watch where you're going. I was.

I just wasn't watching where he was going.

I think we've had enough lesson

for the day. Pull over to the curb.

But, Dad-- Do as I say.

I can't. Gidget, I'm ordering you.

Pull over to the curb.

We will change places and go home.

Maybe those cubey people are

right. [motorcycle approaching]

Fathers and gasoline don't mix,

if only because daughters are so inflammable.

[motorcycle revs, stops]

May I see your driver's license, sir, please?

Something wrong, Officer?

I'll bet you're just asking that because, uh,

you happen to be headed in the wrong direction,

you're parked in the middle of the street...

and there's a fireplug right there.

- Thank you. - I tried to tell you, Dad.

Don't talk to me. Just don't talk to me.

Professor Lawrence and Mr. Hyde all over again.

Gidget, this is a rush delivery. 323 West Elm Drive.

They're having a dinner party

tonight. It's as good as on the table.

Here are the keys to the truck. Oh. Thanks.

I hope you won't have any trouble now.

Bye.

[horn honks] Trouble, Gidget?

No. Just making sure I know where everything is.

If you're looking for the starter, I'm down here.

Stay down there till he goes inside.

Quick. He's goin' inside. Okay.

[sneezes] God bless you and hurry up.

I'm paying you enough. You're gonna have to pay me more.

I think I'm allergic to flow-- flowers.

[sneezes]

[Gidget thinking] Talk about your dilemmas.

If I don't take any more driving lessons, I'll be out of a job.

But if I take them from my father, I'll be out of a father.

John's my only resort, and he's not much of a resort.

He's more like a slum area.

[mouthing words]

[sighs] Go on. I'll come back tomorrow.

Gidge, he's ripe now. Go on. Oh!

Oh, hello, Gidget. This is a pleasant surprise.

Uh, John, Gidge came over to ask a favor of you.

Oh. It's still a surprise.

[chuckles] What can I do for you, Gidget?

Well, uh, Gidge would like you to give her a driving lesson.

Me? What happened to Russ?

Speak up, Gidget. Nothing happened to Russ.

- It's just that I-- - I understand.

Here. Sit down. I thought you would.

Sit down.

Looking at this psychology-wise,

Russ doesn't really wanna give you driving lessons...

because he really doesn't want you to learn how to drive.

It's a sign that he'll be losing his little girl.

I'm the one that goofed at the wheel.

That's because you realized he

really doesn't want you to grow up.

Oh. I didn't realize I realized that.

Russ is the wrong one to give you driving lessons.

What you need is someone not emotionally

involved-- someone cold and impersonal.

That's why I'm asking you.

I always thought parallel parking was a snap.

All you have to do is back up

till you hit the car behind you...

and then go forward till you hit the car in front of you.

Just watch what you're doing, huh?

- [loud crunch] - Not bad.

Now just pull out and head up the street.

You think I'm ready for traffic? Nobody ever is.

Look in your side-view mirror and make sure it's safe. Okay.

John, I'm worried. You drive. I'll worry.

Isn't that car following pretty closely?

Just keep driving.

Remember-- He who hesitates, gets bumped in the rear. [laughs]

John! Don't panic, but there's a dog driving that car.

Be reasonable, Gidget. How could a dog drive a car?

Simple. He's got a license.

[horn honking] [tires screeching]

John!

You don't know how lucky you are. Yes, John.

You could've been arrested for reckless driving and car theft.

Yes, John.

Not to mention dog napping. Yes, John.

If you ever ask me to take you driving again, don't ask.

I guess he really doesn't want me to grow up either.

[sighs]

Well, another four deliveries, another two dollars.

At this rate, the closest to Hawaii I can

afford to go is the end of Malibu Pier.

Quick, change. There he is.

Gidget, you're not supposed to carry

passengers when you're making deliveries.

Oh, we're all through. I mean-- I'm all through.

Sorry. No riders. Well.

Sorry. No passengers. Thanks anyway.

Bye. Friend of yours?

- Yes, sir. - Hmm.

Seems like a nice girl. But you'd better tell her,

if she wants to get around town, she'd better learn how to drive.

Right. [exhales]

[kids chattering]

[Gidget] Somewhere on this beach, there's gotta be a boy...

who can teach me how to drive and rescue me from my fate--

Sweet 16 and never been licensed.

I wish you'd either learn how to drive or give up the job.

I'm getting tired of being the girl behind the girl.

What about Brad?

No. He won't be 18 till the summer.

- Maybe Mike. - Too fast.

Oh, I can handle him.

I mean he drives too fast. Oh.

- How about Eric? - Yeah. How about Eric?

- Hi, Eric. - Hi, Gidget girl.

[grunts] Oh!

You okay? Yeah, I'm all right.

I guess I just didn't hear the signals.

Okay, Coach, what's the next play?

That all depends on whether you're busy tonight or not.

Methinks I hear the bluebird of happiness flapping his wings.

If you're not doing anything, would

you take me out for a driving lesson?

- Anything you say. - Oh!

[grunts]

[Gidget sighs Eric] Like the view?

I've seen it. Can we start now?

So soon?

What's the point of wasting time?

Remind me to name the next hurricane after you.

Remind me to name the next earthquake after you.

Hey! Don't turn me on and then off again.

- I'm no lightbulb. - And I'm no Mulholland Molly.

You were the one who asked for a driving

lesson. What's a guy supposed to think?

He's supposed to think that I want a driving lesson.

All right. If that's the way the surf rolls in,

I guess I'll just take you home.

Yes. I guess you'd better take me home.

Only can I drive?

Hi, Dad.

I'm glad you're home early. There's

something I want to discuss with you.

Oh. I guess you're still angry

about that spooky driving lesson.

No, I'm not angry about that. That's past and forgotten.

Oh, good. 'Cause it's not easy to learn how to drive...

when you don't know anything about it.

It's like looking up a word in the dictionary...

when you don't know how to spell it.

Francie, I am angry about something.

While you were out, Mr. Whiting called.

He wants you to come in a little earlier tomorrow.

Apparently he believes you've

been driving that delivery truck.

Me? By the way, who is driving it?

Larue. In other words, you've been deceiving Mr. Whiting.

It was just a little white lie.

The trouble with little white lies

is you have to keep laundering them,

or else you can't tell them from the real thing.

What'd he say when you told him I didn't know how to drive?

I didn't tell him.

I figured that comes under the heading

of unfinished business-- for you.

But if I tell him, I'll lose my job.

Nevertheless, you will explain the whole thing to him tomorrow.

Bu-- The subject is closed.

Thanks for giving the condemned man

a chance to smell his own flowers.

You're sure you're not gonna need me this

afternoon? 'Cause I can do some shopping.

No. Once I tell Mr. Whiting, it's all over.

Roses are red, violets are blue.

If you think I can drive-- [raspberry] it sure isn't true.

I guess honesty is the best policy.

Yeah, especially when nothing else works.

Well, bye.

[footsteps] Gidget. Thank heaven you're here!

My wife just called. She's going to have a baby.

Congratulations. Now you have something to look forward to.

You don't understand. She's going to have it any minute now.

I've got to get to the hospital. Oh, yes. You'd better go.

I'll take care of the store. Never mind about the store.

There's a wedding order for you to

deliver. It's already in the truck.

It goes to the Park Vista Hospital--

I mean the Park Vista Hotel.

Mr. Whiting, I-- Never mind. You'd better go.

Yes. I mustn't miss the baby. Now,

Gidget, I'm relying on you completely.

Right.

But, John, I'm desperate.

No. Anne isn't home.

No. I can't ask Dad.

He's-- He's busy.

Two hours? The wedding will be over in two hours.

And all the flowers will be dead, and so will I.

Thanks anyway. toodles.

[dialing]

[line ringing]

[busy signal beeping]

Oh, hey.

Cab, miss?

No, but could I hire you to drive this truck for me?

What are you, one of those college kooks?

You look as though you've lost your last petunia.

Oh. Hi, Dad. What are you doing here?

I'm on my way to the bookstore.

I've got a paper due in a couple of weeks.

Where's Mr. Whiting? Oh, he's, uh, gone for the day.

Left you to watch the truck,

huh? Yes. That's what I'm doing--

Just standing here on this corner, watching the truck.

Quite a load of flowers you got in there.

Yes. I'm, uh, watching the flowers too.

I guess Mr. Whiting was pretty

disappointed to learn you couldn't drive.

Yes. Very disappointed.

Daddy, he had to go have a baby,

and I'm supposed to take these flowers to a wedding,

only I can't find anybody to do it for me.

And he's relying on me, and I'm in

the choicest mess I've ever been in.

You didn't tell him, right?

Well, I was going to, only his wife is having a baby.

If he knew I couldn't drive, he'd

have to take these flowers himself.

At least this way, he just finds out I'm unreliable.

He doesn't miss the most important moment of his life.

Move over.

What are you gonna do?

I am going to deliver these flowers...

sometime before that couple has

their golden wedding anniversary.

Oh, Dad! You're an angel.

[laughing] No, I'm not, Francie.

I'm just a father-- plain garden variety.

You know, John told me you were in a jam.

Why didn't you phone me?

Oh, I don't know. I--

I just didn't think you'd come.

You know, not telling Mr. Whiting and all.

Francie, never forget this.

You and I are gonna have a lot of

arguments and disagreements in our lives.

But whenever you need me, I'll be there, I hope.

Is that a tear? No.

I just always cry at weddings.

Ah.

Mr. Whiting? Mr. Whiting.

I got it! I got it! That's wonderful.

Got what? My driver's license. I got my driver's license.

Now I can make deliveries for you again. Really make them.

That's fine, Gidget. I-- I--

Where do you want me to go first?

Gidget, I don't know how to tell you

this, but, you see, I already have a boy.

Oh, I know that. I remember how

excited you were the day he was born.

No, no. I don't mean the baby. I

mean, my former helper came back.

Oh. Mr. Whiting, you said I was a good worker.

You said I could return after I got my driver's license.

I'm sorry, Gidget, but I needed someone right away.

And this boy can work longer hours,

and I can get home more often.

You understand.

Yeah, sure, I understand.

Well, anyway, I did get my license-- first try.

So you did. So you did.

And in honor of the occasion, I

have a little presentation to make.

Oh. Mr. Whiting, you shouldn't have.

That's all right, Gidget.

The owner of the horse couldn't pay for it.

Well, even though I lost out, I-- I look like a winner.