Another scalding-hot piece of visual proof that These ARE the good, old-fashioned days! for we perpetually persecuted fanciers of good, old-fashioned, NEVER TOO OLD SPANKING!

Gidget Gem Still Shines Bright! Rare Dual Spanker Delight from 1965 TV Series Starring Sally Field Resurfaces on TV Land!

Based on the hit, 1959 movie, Gidget, starring Sandra Dee, TV's short lived series (Sept. 1965-1966) about cute, spunky, quintessentially California teen, Frances Lawrence (Gidget), starred none other than academy award winning and still acclaimed dramatic film actress, Sally Field, (above), with a supporting cast that included Betty Conner (below left) as big sis, Anne, and Peter Deuel (below right) as bro-in-law, John.

Part philosopher, all precocious girl, Gidget got into plenty of predicaments by sticking her perky nose into other people's business, but only once did she go too far and get what she deserved. (There was a second cute, spanking clip featuring a visiting Swedish couple from this series, making us wonder what might have been had the series lasted more than 32 episodes, but Gidge only got it this one sensational time.)

That momentous occasion (at least for those old enough to remember it flickering by and lusting after it since!), occurred on October 13, 1965 when episode # 5, Gidget's Gadget, presented perky young Sally/Gidget playing a sneaky marriage counselor to her feuding big sis and bro-in-law when they let a minor spat become so major that Anne moves back home and hints at what was still the dirty "D" word back in '65.

Well, Gidge just can't sit by and let that happen, so she orchestrates a stunt to make her brother-in-law jealous enough to come running back to Anne. He does, of course, for the feel-good show's usual happy ending... And an even happier one for us when John and Anne discover Gidget's interference and, in response to what her plan could have wrought, decide to teach her a lesson about meddling in their marriage by bending Gidget over the back of the living room couch in front of her Dad and warming her cute little caboose in turn!

As you can see, the cast plays out the scene well, especially Sally, who some of us sensed would fly far and high on her talent. And no, not just to her next TV role as The Flying Nun. But to her eventual triumph at the Oscars and now infamous, girlishly excited exclamation, "You like me! You really like me!!"

Oh, yes, Sally. We do indeed!! - cm