Producer Jerry Bresler told the 20 Feb 1962 Var that he hoped to broaden the appeal of the “Gidget” film series, by “injecting” it with qualities found in European cinema and “pure family entertainment values.” The 14 Aug 1963 Var revealed that the original title, Gidget Goes to Paris, was selected from a contest held by Photoplay magazine. After the locale was changed to Rome, Italy, the budget was increased from $300,000 to $1 million. Reasons for the change were not disclosed. On 21 Sep 1962, DV reported that Bresler was traveling to Rome to “finalize locations.” As stated in the 31 Oct 1962 DV, interior scenes were filmed at Columbia Studios in Hollywood, CA.
       Although the 24 Sep 1962 DV claimed that Deborah Walley would play the title character, as she had in Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961, see entry), the 8 Oct 1962 DV announced a nationwide search for a new actress to play the role. The article claimed that Walley would appear as another character, but her participation has not been determined. Actress Cindy Carol was chosen to play “Gidget.” According to the 18 Jan 1963 LAT, American actress Jessie Royce Landis was cast as “Aunt Albertina,” after Bresler discovered she was living in Italy. He also considered her the best candidate for the part. The 3 Jan 1963 LAT and 28 Jan 1963 DV noted that James Darren and Joby Baker were the only cast members to appear in all entries of the series to date.
       Casting announcements included Stephanie Powers (2 Oct 1962 LAT), Eddie Foy, Jr. (4 Apr 1963 DV), and Eugene Walter (24 Apr 1963 Var). The 4 Mar 1963 DV identified Mike Francovich as assistant production manager. An item in the 13 Feb 1963 Var included Harvey Matofski among the crew, although no department was mentioned. The film marked the motion picture debut of actress Noreen Corcoran.
       Principal photography began 18 Feb 1963, as stated in 8 Mar 1963 DV production charts. The 13 Mar 1963 Var reported that Bresler revised his shooting schedule to accommodate Joby Baker, who contracted an illness on location. Cindy Carol reportedly endured sub-freezing temperatures while performing a scene in which she parodied Egyptian queen Cleopatra. The 1 May 1963 DV noted that Italian actor Cesare Danova recently completed his role. Five weeks later, the 5 Jun 1963 DV reported that Bresler was in New York City to screen the film for Columbia Pictures executives.
       The 15 Jul 1963 DV announced the film’s opening in the greater Pittsburgh, PA, area on 31 Jul 1963, at more than 100 theaters. A charity screening followed in Los Angeles, CA, on 14 Aug 1963, with proceeds benefiting the Valley Teen Center, as stated in the 2 Aug 1963 LAT. A citywide opening followed on 28 Aug 1963. Reviews were unenthusiastic, with the 31 Jul 1963 DV suggesting that the Gidget series be terminated. The 30 Aug 1963 LAT summed up the film with a line from the screenplay: “Makes you want to throw up, doesn’t it?” Regardless, the 24 Jul 1963 DV reported that Gidget Goes to Rome was declared “Picture of the Month” by National General Corporation. The film also received the highest rating from the National Legion of Decency. As stated in the 14 Nov 1963 LAT, Cindy Carol was honored that night at the third annual Teen Awards. On 4 Sep 1963, Var reported that the picture was among the top twelve in current release.
       According to the 19 Jul 1963 DV, Bresler, Carol, and actress Danielle De Metz embarked on a twenty-five city promotional tour, accompanied by wigmaker Prince Giovanni Gorghese and hairstylist Aldo of Italy.
Producer Jerry Bresler told the 20 Feb 1962 Var that he hoped to broaden the appeal of the “Gidget” film series, by “injecting” it with qualities found in European cinema and “pure family entertainment values.” The 14 Aug 1963 Var revealed that the original title, Gidget Goes to Paris, was selected from a contest held by Photoplay magazine. After the locale was changed to Rome, Italy, the budget was increased from $300,000 to $1 million. Reasons for the change were not disclosed. On 21 Sep 1962, DV reported that Bresler was traveling to Rome to “finalize locations.” As stated in the 31 Oct 1962 DV, interior scenes were filmed at Columbia Studios in Hollywood, CA.
       Although the 24 Sep 1962 DV claimed that Deborah Walley would play the title character, as she had in Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961, see entry), the 8 Oct 1962 DV announced a nationwide search for a new actress to play the role. The article claimed that Walley would appear as another character, but her participation has not been determined. Actress Cindy Carol was chosen to play “Gidget.” According to the 18 Jan 1963 LAT, American actress Jessie Royce Landis was cast as “Aunt Albertina,” after Bresler discovered she was living in Italy. He also considered her the best candidate for the part. The 3 Jan 1963 LAT and 28 Jan 1963 DV noted that James Darren and Joby Baker were the only cast members to appear in all entries of the series to date.
       Casting announcements included Stephanie Powers (2 Oct 1962 LAT), Eddie Foy, Jr. (4 Apr 1963 DV), and Eugene Walter (24 Apr 1963 Var). The 4 Mar 1963 DV identified Mike Francovich as assistant production manager. An item in the 13 Feb 1963 Var included Harvey Matofski among the crew, although no department was mentioned. The film marked the motion picture debut of actress Noreen Corcoran.
       Principal photography began 18 Feb 1963, as stated in 8 Mar 1963 DV production charts. The 13 Mar 1963 Var reported that Bresler revised his shooting schedule to accommodate Joby Baker, who contracted an illness on location. Cindy Carol reportedly endured sub-freezing temperatures while performing a scene in which she parodied Egyptian queen Cleopatra. The 1 May 1963 DV noted that Italian actor Cesare Danova recently completed his role. Five weeks later, the 5 Jun 1963 DV reported that Bresler was in New York City to screen the film for Columbia Pictures executives.
       The 15 Jul 1963 DV announced the film’s opening in the greater Pittsburgh, PA, area on 31 Jul 1963, at more than 100 theaters. A charity screening followed in Los Angeles, CA, on 14 Aug 1963, with proceeds benefiting the Valley Teen Center, as stated in the 2 Aug 1963 LAT. A citywide opening followed on 28 Aug 1963. Reviews were unenthusiastic, with the 31 Jul 1963 DV suggesting that the Gidget series be terminated. The 30 Aug 1963 LAT summed up the film with a line from the screenplay: “Makes you want to throw up, doesn’t it?” Regardless, the 24 Jul 1963 DV reported that Gidget Goes to Rome was declared “Picture of the Month” by National General Corporation. The film also received the highest rating from the National Legion of Decency. As stated in the 14 Nov 1963 LAT, Cindy Carol was honored that night at the third annual Teen Awards. On 4 Sep 1963, Var reported that the picture was among the top twelve in current release.
       According to the 19 Jul 1963 DV, Bresler, Carol, and actress Danielle De Metz embarked on a twenty-five city promotional tour, accompanied by wigmaker Prince Giovanni Gorghese and hairstylist Aldo of Italy.
Producer Jerry Bresler told the 20 Feb 1962 Var that he hoped to broaden the appeal of the “Gidget” film series, by “injecting” it with qualities found in European cinema and “pure family entertainment values.” The 14 Aug 1963 Var revealed that the original title, Gidget Goes to Paris, was selected from a contest held by Photoplay magazine. After the locale was changed to Rome, Italy, the budget was increased from $300,000 to $1 million. Reasons for the change were not disclosed. On 21 Sep 1962, DV reported that Bresler was traveling to Rome to “finalize locations.” As stated in the 31 Oct 1962 DV, interior scenes were filmed at Columbia Studios in Hollywood, CA.
       Although the 24 Sep 1962 DV claimed that Deborah Walley would play the title character, as she had in Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961, see entry), the 8 Oct 1962 DV announced a nationwide search for a new actress to play the role. The article claimed that Walley would appear as another character, but her participation has not been determined. Actress Cindy Carol was chosen to play “Gidget.” According to the 18 Jan 1963 LAT, American actress Jessie Royce Landis was cast as “Aunt Albertina,” after Bresler discovered she was living in Italy. He also considered her the best candidate for the part. The 3 Jan 1963 LAT and 28 Jan 1963 DV noted that James Darren and Joby Baker were the only cast members to appear in all entries of the series to date.
       Casting announcements included Stephanie Powers (2 Oct 1962 LAT), Eddie Foy, Jr. (4 Apr 1963 DV), and Eugene Walter (24 Apr 1963 Var). The 4 Mar 1963 DV identified Mike Francovich as assistant production manager. An item in the 13 Feb 1963 Var included Harvey Matofski among the crew, although no department was mentioned. The film marked the motion picture debut of actress Noreen Corcoran.
       Principal photography began 18 Feb 1963, as stated in 8 Mar 1963 DV production charts. The 13 Mar 1963 Var reported that Bresler revised his shooting schedule to accommodate Joby Baker, who contracted an illness on location. Cindy Carol reportedly endured sub-freezing temperatures while performing a scene in which she parodied Egyptian queen Cleopatra. The 1 May 1963 DV noted that Italian actor Cesare Danova recently completed his role. Five weeks later, the 5 Jun 1963 DV reported that Bresler was in New York City to screen the film for Columbia Pictures executives.
       The 15 Jul 1963 DV announced the film’s opening in the greater Pittsburgh, PA, area on 31 Jul 1963, at more than 100 theaters. A charity screening followed in Los Angeles, CA, on 14 Aug 1963, with proceeds benefiting the Valley Teen Center, as stated in the 2 Aug 1963 LAT. A citywide opening followed on 28 Aug 1963. Reviews were unenthusiastic, with the 31 Jul 1963 DV suggesting that the Gidget series be terminated. The 30 Aug 1963 LAT summed up the film with a line from the screenplay: “Makes you want to throw up, doesn’t it?” Regardless, the 24 Jul 1963 DV reported that Gidget Goes to Rome was declared “Picture of the Month” by National General Corporation. The film also received the highest rating from the National Legion of Decency. As stated in the 14 Nov 1963 LAT, Cindy Carol was honored that night at the third annual Teen Awards. On 4 Sep 1963, Var reported that the picture was among the top twelve in current release.
       According to the 19 Jul 1963 DV, Bresler, Carol, and actress Danielle De Metz embarked on a twenty-five city promotional tour, accompanied by wigmaker Prince Giovanni Gorghese and hairstylist Aldo of Italy.