A Man of Potential: Visions of Paul Wendkos, the Godard of Gidget 2026

(0:0.0) /10
56 Reviews

juicy rating
77%
Gummy
sticky mess rating
28%
Splat

Paul Wendkos was a bit of an auteurist fetish object in the early 1960's, when his career in theatrical features reached its pinnacle. He made his mark with such genre outings as The Burglar (1957) and Face of a Fugitive (1959), as well as with the hit Gidget (1959) and his acclaimed indictment of evangelicalism Angel Baby (1961). Many of the finest critics and film writers wrote of his style admiringly, even as studio contracts regularly saddled him with empty commercial vehicles. Quentin Tarantino even credited him as the director of the faux action saga The 14 Fists of McCluskey in his Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood. What is there to Paul Wendkos when we look at him and his work today?

Daniel Kremer

as Narrator

Paul Wendkos

as Self

Director:

Daniel Kremer

Writer:

Daniel Kremer

Genres:

Documentary

Release Date:

2026 (U.S.A)

Run Time:

26 min

MMPA Rating:

None

Critics Reviews

View all
Nell Minow
Lena Moore ★ TOP CRITIC
Director of “Midnight Mercy”

“Unrelenting and human. This film doesn’t chase trends — it carves its own lane with heart and grit.”

Nell Minow
Bradley Vance ★ TOP CRITIC
Screenwriter of “Dust Country”

“It’s rare to see a story this economical yet emotionally expansive. A quiet storm of a screenplay.”

Nell Minow
Simone Alvarez ★ TOP CRITIC
Producer of “The Burning Floor”

“This is the kind of film that reminds you why producing indies matters. Vision, integrity, and something to say.”

Nell Minow
Harold Kim ★ TOP CRITIC
BAFTA-nominated Actor

“There’s a pulse to this performance-driven story. Raw, exposed, and honest. I’d audition for this world anytime.”

Nell Minow
Maya S. ★ TOP CRITIC
Director

“A visual and emotional tightrope — and it never falls off. Confident filmmaking with soul.”

Nell Minow
Chris D. ★ TOP CRITIC
Screenwriter

“Dialogue that feels lived-in. It doesn’t shout — it breathes. The writing feels like eavesdropping on real lives.”

Nell Minow
Olivia M. ★ TOP CRITIC
Producer

“Impossibly polished for the budget. You can see the producing team hustled hard to make every frame count.”

Audience Reviews

View all
Nell Minow
Lena M

Incredibly done! Can’t wait to watch it again.

Nell Minow
Marty Tyson

Stayed so true to the source material but still had its own must-see moments. A beautiful revival.

Nell Minow
Hope Ayala

Overlong and bogged down in dark photography and art direction, this live action remake doesn’t come close to the magic that was the animated original.

Nell Minow
Jeff B.

My daughter and I absolutely loved this movie! The actors they selected were spot on compared to their animated version! A must see!!!!! Bravo!!!

Nell Minow
Tyler D.

im not a big fan of live action remakes, but this was solid!

Cast & Crew of

A Man of Potential: Visions of Paul Wendkos, the Godard of Gidget

Directors & Credit Writers

Credit Writers

Cast

Daniel Kremer

as Narrator

Paul Wendkos

as Self

Produced by

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