Gilligan’s Island
Remember your favorite castaways from the S.S. Minnow on Gilligan’s Island? Seriously, who doesn’t? I mean, the show has set records for how long it’s been running. We watched them attempt to escape for three seasons and even three TV movies! Well, a lot of the time, we’ve been watching reruns from our favorite show about castaways. This CBS show has become yet another one of Sherwood Schwartz’s sitcom hits. Yes, the producer of The Brady Bunch also created Gilligan’s Island.
Even though, it’s an unchartered island, guests somehow arrive to appear on episodes. Whatever, we’ll accept it! As fans know, the characters never seem to make it off the island. Bad for them, but great for fans. Everyone loved watching their antics so much that the show has become a staple of American television. Now, Gilligan’s Island is considered one of the greatest sitcoms in TV history!
In the cast you had stars like, Bob Denver, Jim Backus, Alan Hale Jr., Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson, and of course, the lovely Dawn Wells. Although the show aired only from September of 1964 to April of 1967, millions have continued to enjoy the reruns years after. That’s part of the reason the show has continued to stay popular with a growing audience. Luckily for fans, you can still rewatch this outstanding show.
From Gilligan, Ginger Grant and Mary Ann to the Professor, the cast was full of interesting characters. Now that it’s years after the show, we’re here to reveal all the best kept behind-the-scenes tidbits! You may be surprised to hear who was supposed to be cast in certain roles and what the actors were really like behind the scenes. Things were not always as they appear. With an old show like this, it’s always intriguing to finally hear the truth years after.
No Outfit Repeats
Now, think about this…Ginger and Mary Ann went on a three hour boating trip. So how did these ladies have an entire wardrobe with them? They never even repeated an outfit. Yes, that’s right, they somehow had enough clothes with them to never wear the same exact thing again. I guess we were meant to suspend our belief for that.
No Outfit Repeats
Name That Skipper!
Most thought that the Skipper only was known by his job. Did he ever give his full name? Actually, during the 1964 pilot he did reveal his full name. The Skipper was really named Jonas Grumby. Remember when Alan Hale Jr.’s character passed and they scattered the ashes? Someone said, “It’s what ‘The Skipper’ would have wanted.” Well, Jonas, but same thing.
Name That Skipper!
Breaking The Fourth Wall
The fourth wall is the term for the space between the camera crew/audience and actors. Notoriously, Skipper would break that wall by looking straight at the camera to make a face. Apparently, there was also a plan for movie number four. Bob Denver, who played Gilligan, said it began with thinking the world was destroyed, “The seven of us think it’s destroyed and we get married. Gilligan marries Mary Ann and they have a baby boy. The Professor marries Ginger and they have a baby girl. And then there’s like a Blue Lagoon sequence where the kids grow up, so when Gilligan’s son is twenty, he sails off to see whether the world is really destroyed, and of course it isn’t. They heard it on the radio, and Gilligan broke it just before the disclaimer came on.”
Breaking The Fourth Wall
Influencing His Character
Alan Hale Jr. would often refer to people as ‘little buddy.’ Thus, they took inspiration from the real life person for his character’s tic. That’s the reason that Skipper called Gilligan, Bob Denver’s character, ‘little buddy.’ I mean, it also did something to create a demeanor for Skipper.
Influencing His Character
Equal Credit
Bob Denver was upset that costars, Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann Summers, and Russell Johnson, who played Professor Roy Hinkley, were not named in the credits. Instead, they were listed as ‘the rest.’ Denver insisted they be named. Speaking of Gilligan, Jerry Van Dyke was offered the part and turned it down. Later he said, “But that’s the joke: I turned it down and took My Mother the Car. But, again, it was really good, because I’d [have] been forever known as Gilligan. So that worked out, too.”
Equal Credit
Reason For Half Mast
During the very first opening credits scene, you may have noticed that the American flags were flown at half mast. In real life, the assassination of JFK just happened right before they began filming. In fact, they finished filming the pilot November 22 of 1963. That’s the day President John F. Kennedy was shot.
Reason For Half Mast
Inside Joke
Back during the show, Newton Minow was the head of the FCC, Federal Communications Commission. Anyway, the creator of Gilligan’s Island (and The Brady Bunch), Sherwood Schwartz hated him. Thus, as an inside joke with the crew, he named the shipwreck the S.S. Minnow. Maybe Newton never caught on?
Inside Joke
Not So Practical
In the entire first season, the characters drank from coconut cups. However, they quickly realized that this was not going to work. The cups were porous and ruined quickly. Thus, from then on they used ceramic cups that resembled coconuts. We were just astounded by how much coconut milk they kept in!
Not So Practical
Ginger’s Bottomless Bag
Alright so we brought up the lack of outfit repeats, but how about Ginger’s clothing! Now, not only did Ginger have endless outfits from her packing for a three hour leisurely cruise, but she was prepared for any and everything. We’re talking workout clothes, gowns and dresses, anything, you name it! Even as various clothing pieces washed up on the shores, it still seemed very peculiar.
Ginger’s Bottomless Bag
Custom Outfit
Speaking of outfits, Dawn Wells put a good amount of thought into her costume wardrobe. Actually, she knew that she would be constantly compared to Tina Lousie, who played Ginger. Therefore, she tried to compensate for her shorter stature when next to Tina by showing off her legs. She designed short shorts, but at the time, navels were not allowed to be exposed. Thus, she added extra fabric to hide her belly button. Despite this, her outfits still caused a bit of a stir. It was the first time someone wore shorts on TV!
Custom Outfit
Aging Cast
Since Gilligan’s Island is from the 1960’s, many of the stars have since died. Sadly, show creator Sherwood Schwartz has passed. As far as the regular cast members go, just Tina Louise and Dawn Wells remain. Hopefully, these talented ladies stick around a while!
Aging Cast
She Didn’t Tell A Soul
Now, here’s a secret kept during the entire show that fans found a bit juicy. So, we all know Natalie Schafer who played Mrs. Lovey Howell. Anyway, she lied to the cast, crew and producers the whole time about her age. She never revealed her real age. Well, eventually the truth was discovered. Turns out, Natalie Schafer was 13 years older than Jim Backus, who played her husband on the show.
She Didn’t Tell A Soul
Special Mention In Her Contract
There’s more though…Within Schafer’s contract was a special clause that said she would not have any close-up shots. This was in order to conceal any wrinkles. She did not want a single wrinkle to be seen! Also, it was so no one would even suspect the 13 year age gap between the husband and wife characters. Incredible! Who would have guessed!
Special Mention In Her Contract
Radio Transmissions
Maybe you recall that the characters got radio transmissions from a Packard Bell AM radio. In order to make things a bit more believable, they added a telescoping antenna. Perhaps, that made it more realistic for receiving long distance messages. In reality, that model did not have a handle or antenna.
Radio Transmissions
Inventive Prop Team
As we know, most of the story lines included the cast making technology with found scraps. Clearly, this proved a challenge for the prop team on the show. They would have to come up with wild inventions that were made from a collection of only a few random things. It’s like Macgyvering, only they came before that!
Inventive Prop Team
Next Big Idea
Before the show ended, the producers hoped to combat its decline with a new character. They hoped that could be enough to spice things up. Apparently, they wanted a friendly dinosaur, but that was going to cost too much. Sherwood Schwartz remembered CBS TV programming executive Hunt Stromberg Jr. saying, “Gilligan and his pet dinosaur! It’s our answer to ‘Mr. Ed.’”
Next Big Idea
A Wild Ride
Alan Hale Jr.’s journey to his Gilligan’s Island audition is one for the books! To start with, he hopped on a horse from another set in Utah. Next, he hitchhiked to Las Vegas. Then, from Vegas, he flew into Los Angeles where he auditioned for Jonas ‘The Skipper’ Grumby. Thank goodness he made the long trip because we can’t picture a better Skipper!
A Wild Ride
First or Last Name?
Did you ever wonder why Gilligan didn’t have a first name? Throughout the show, everyone called him Gilligan. No one mentioned a first name. It wasn’t until Gilligan’s Island ended that creator Sherwood Schwartz told everyone his first name was Willy. Sherwood said about actor Bob Denver, “He thinks Gilligan is his first name, and I think it’s his last name. Because in the original presentation, it’s Willy Gilligan. But he doesn’t believe it, and he doesn’t want to discuss it. He insists the name is Gilligan.”
First Or Last Name?
A $20K Skirt
Ah, Mary Ann Summers! Every young boy and even man crushed on the character. Women adored the talented actress. However, it wasn’t just her personality that people will forever remember. One skirt that Mary Ann wore on the show was sold for an incredible price…$20,000! Unbelievable.
A $20K Skirt
Too Memorable
Now on to another memorable star. Maybe too memorable? After Tina Louise played the lovely Ginger Grant, no one could see her as anyone else. Actually, she was celebrated and remembered as Ginger so much that she couldn’t land new roles. Later on, Tina Louise blamed Gilligan’s Island for ruining her television career.
Too Memorable
All 99 Episodes
When fans think back to Gilligan’s Island, they remember the relatable cast and entertaining story lines. The actors were so committed that most of the main characters were in every single episode. The Howells, Skipper and Gilligan were in literally all 99 episodes. As for Ginger, The Professor and Mary Ann, they were in 98, which isn’t too bad! Now, that’s real commitment.
All 99 Episodes
Everyone’s Least Favorite Thing
Traffic. Everyone knows that LA is notorious for its heavy traffic. Of course, that kind of traffic can be really noisy. To avoid recording this noise from the nearby highway, whenever the crew needed to shoot lagoon scenes on the CBS LA lot they tried to make it as fast as possible. Thus, they would not capture much of the traffic noise.
Everyone’s Least Favorite Thing
Free Vacation
Talk about job perks! What motivated Natalie Schafer to do the Gilligan’s Island pilot was the free trip she got to Hawaii! That’s where they filmed the pilot. However, once CBS picked up the show, Schafer and probably others were upset to learn they would be filming in LA.
Free Vacation
Tone Deaf
Poor Dawn Wells could not sing for her life! Thus, when her character Mary Ann had to sing along with the rest of the cast, she improvised. Instead of singing, she would lip sync so that the singing sequences would still sound okay. Some people wonder why she didn’t try some singing lessons.
Tone Deaf
Everything But That
Seriously, fans did not get fooled by The Professor’s role on Gilligan’s Island. Obviously, he was incredibly handy and made stuff with objects from all over the island. Oh, so then how could he not fix that darn boat? Clearly, if he was able to miraculously fix it, then the whole show would just end. Yeah, makes sense.
Everything But That
Choice For Gilligan
One rumor that flew around was that actor Alan Young was the producer’s first choice to play Gilligan. You know Young as Wilbur Post on Mister Ed. Anyway, Sherwood cleared up the confusion years after. He claimed he had no idea where people heard that from since they didn’t even consider Young for the part.
Choice For Gilligan
No Need For Kids
At the start, they considered adding a child actor to be The Professor’s nephew. Eventually, they decided against this for one particular reason. Since Gilligan was so childlike at heart, the show simply did not need to add a child actor! Interesting.
No Need For Kids
Marriage
Not drawing any conclusions here, but all three of the main actresses were married for under ten years. Could it have been the insane shooting schedule that affected personal lives? Or perhaps, all the adoring male fans of these leading ladies that were waiting in line for marriage!
Marriage
A True Hero
Obviously, Gilligan was a huge goofball on the show. He always messed around, which begs one to ask, why in the world did Skipper keep him around? Clearly, Gilligan could be very annoying. The real reason goes back to when the two sailors were in the Navy during WWII. That’s when Gilligan saved Skipper’s life from a deadly depth charge! So, thanks to the lovable goof, Skipper got some extra years!
A True Hero
Money On And Off-Set
Now, to Natalie Schafter or Mrs. Howell, married to millionaire Thurston Howell III. In real life, this actress was truly a millionaire. By buying Rodeo Drive properties when houses were about the same price as a cheap car and flipping them once prices skyrocketed, Schafer made incredible money!
Money On And Off Set
Worldwide Acclaim
Although Gilligan’s Island was only on for three seasons, the show gained worldwide acclaim. In fact, once when Dawn Wells was at the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, she came upon a small island where a tribe was living without any modern technology. In this small fishing village, they did not even have electricity. When Dawn Wells was introduced the tribe’s chief, he was overcome with excitement. Apparently, he knew her from the show!
Worldwide Acclaim
Alf Crossover
Everyone remembers the sitcom Alf. Did you remember when the alien Alf dreamt he got stuck on none other than Gilligan’s Island. Alf was on the island with the whole cast from the show. Wow, what a cool cross over that was for audiences! Yes, every original cast member was there on the special. They had Dawn Wells, Alan Hale Jr., Russell Johnson and of course, Bob Denver for the special cross over!
Alf Crossover
Tough Guy
Since Alan Hale was former military, he was known on set for being quite a tough guy. Actually, during one episode he needed to climb a tree. So while filming this, he fell but missed the crew’s soft landing pad they set up and fell onto the concrete floor! Ouch! From this fall, he broke an arm, but never even told people for weeks. When others asked how he did it he did it, Hale responded, “it wasn’t easy.”
Tough Guy
Dramatically Different Pilot
Turns out, that the original pilot was very different than the Gilligan’s Island we know and love. For starters, there were different characters. Also, the women were secretaries and a high school teacher. In fact, the network thought that this dramatically different pilot may confuse fans, so they did not re-broadcast it until they figured audiences could handle these changes, which was in 1992.
Dramatically Different Pilot
Two Cartoons
One trick to staying relevant in the 60’s and 70’s was to transform shows into cartoons and have cartoon spinoffs. So, you may recall that Gilligan’s Island also jumped in on this trend. Gilligan’s Island made two cartoons. In classic cartoon form was the one Gilligan’s Island and the other was set in outer space, Gilligan’s Planet.
Two Cartoons
So Many Gingers
Of course, it was Tina Louise who is known for playing Ginger on Gilligan’s Island, the TV show. However, her role has been reprised by six others when you count not just the show but the television films and animated series. In fact, Dawn Wells actually voiced both her character May Ann and the character Ginger for one of the Gilligan’s Island cartoons called Gilligan’s Planet.
So Many Gingers
Pushing For The Show
Producer for the show and employed by United Artists Television, Sherwood Schwartz was a huge name in the industry. At the time that Schwartz went to speak with CBS’s president Jim Aubrey in order to pitch Gilligan’s Island, Jim Aubrey was hesitant. Aubrey worried that if they aired the show, fans would grow tired of the show since Gilligan and the gang never escape the island. However, thanks to Schwartz’s persistence, the show got its chance.
Pushing For The Show
Stunt Woman
Although fans may be surprised to hear this since Natalie Schafer was a millionaire in real life, not just on Gilligan’s Island, this celebrity did all her own stunts. Also, you have to remember that at the time, she was around 65 years old. That makes the fact that she did her stunts even more incredible! I mean, this incredible actress fell and sank in quicksand and even fell into the lagoon!
Stunt Woman
Contract Clause
Out of the entire cast, Dawn Wells made out best, financially speaking, from the show. How, you ask? Luckily, Dawn Wells’ husband was a TV show agent and warned her that she needed to add a clause within her contract. In the fine print, Wells was advised to add that she would receive royalties for any syndication Gilligan’s Island earns. Now, think about how Gilligan’s Island still plays on daytime TV occasionally. So, Dawn is still getting checks from her time on the show.
Contract Clause
Original Mary Ann
In retrospect, we can all celebrate Dawn Wells’ role on the show. However, she was not the original pick for Mary Ann on the show. Instead, they wanted Raquel Welch, the 1960’s sensation to be cast as Mary Ann. Welch may have saved her future career by turning down the role. As you know, none of the cast members were able to land any huge roles once they became associated with their iconic Gilligan’s Island characters.
Original Mary Ann
Reference
So, in case you never realized, Thurston Howell III, played by Jim Backus, was a nod to another character. Producer Sherwood Schwartz had another show, The Alan Young Show. On that other show, Backus played Hubert Updyke III. Back when Schwartz pitched Gilligan’s Island he explained that, “the island would be a social microcosm and a metaphorical shaming of world politics in the sense that when necessary for survival, yes we can all get along”.
Reference
Cheapskate
On the show, Jim Backus played big spender, millionaire Mr. Howell. However, Backus was the extreme opposite in that respect. Everyone knew him to be a total cheapskate. Many stories about the crew going to out for a meal involve Backus accidentally, “forgetting his wallet,” therefore, forcing other Gilligan’s cast members to pay for him. Apparently, he did this so much that the whole cast and crew teased him about this habit.
Cheapskate
On-Set Diva
Apparently, during the filming of the show, Tina Louise made the whole cast and crew make many exceptions for her. Perhaps, this is because she felt misled about her role on the show. Her agent had represented the role to Louise as a movie star on a castaway island. In fact, she had no clue the show would not revolve around her exploits.
On-Set Diva
Representing America
Everyone except the goofy but lovable Gilligan was meant to stand in for different segments of American society. Ever wonder why they called the men by their professions and not names? Well, that was so each character could represent whoever in that part of society.
Representing America
Dawn Wells’ Memoir
Of course, everyone knows Dawn Wells as Gilligan’s Island‘s Mary Ann. Thus, she titled her memoir, What Would Mary Ann Do? after her iconic role. Within her book, you can find some self help sections but also tons of stories about her experience on set. Actually, the book is written in Mary Ann’s point of view. So, you get all kinds of advice from this star-eyed Kansas woman on the troubles and tribulations in modern society.
Dawn Wells’ Memoir
Arrest
In 2007, Dawn Wells was driving home from her mayor’s birthday party in Driggs, Idaho. Due to her slight swerving of the vehicle, a sheriff’s deputy pulled Wells over. Upon searching her vehicle, he came across three smoked cigarettes that contained controlled substances. Thus, Dawn Wells was placed in lockup. Despite a friend of hers coming forward to say he/she left the joints in the vehicle earlier, Wells’ reputation was tarnished.
Arrest
Wrong About Reruns
One big reason people still obsess over the show, is that we have Gilligan’s Island reruns. Luckily, we have enjoyed Gilligan’s Island for more than 50 years because of the broadcasted reruns. However, back when the show first came out, producers did not ever believe the show would get to have its reruns aired. Now, looking back, everyone cannot believe how wrong they were!
Wrong About Reruns
Miss Nevada
Back in 1959, Dawn Wells was crowned as Miss Nevada! This helped her secure a scholarship to study theater at University of Washington. Afterwards, she made to move to L.A. to pursue acting. Even though she desperately wanted to act, she was determined not to be just another pretty face in Los Angeles. Besides being attractive, Wells was focused and hard working, which helped her reach fame.
Miss Nevada
Starstruck
Everyone in the country would debate over who they liked more, Mary Ann or Ginger. However, the two actresses, Dawn Wells and Tina Louise were very good friends. First, Dawn Wells felt intimidated by Louise since Tina Louise was this big movie star. At the time, Wells was still not very well known. Eventually, after Dawn got past her timidness, her and Tina’s friendship blossomed. Actually on social media, Dawn is friends with Louise’s daughter. How cute!
Starstruck
Tina The Teacher
Nowadays, Tina performs in Broadway shows! This star moved to New York, and when she isn’t on Broadway, she volunteers as a public school teacher. How lucky are the New York Public schools to have her as a second grade teacher! Almost all the students recognized her as her character Ginger on Gilligan’s Island since the reruns are always on. See? Those reruns really keep Gilligan’s Island alive!
Tina The Teacher
Favorite Episode
Out of all her work on the show, Tina says her favorite to film was, “All About Eva.” If you don’t remember, a young red head named Eva washes up on their island during the episode. Although she looked awful at first, Ginger gave Eva a makeover. However, in the end, this Eva escapes the island and returns to Hollywood pretending to be Ginger! Tina played both Ginger and Eva and truly loved filming it.
Favorite Episode
Sunday By Tina Louise
Just like Dawn Wells, Tina Louise also wrote a memoir. Well, actually Sunday is more of a collection of her memoirs. Louise wrote this to help other young girls and teenagers, especially those not in school or having kids at a young age. Within Sunday, Louise shares about her time between ages six and eight when she was sent to boarding school.
Sunday By Tina Louise
Not A Dime
Most of the Gilligan’s Island crew, including the star Bob Denver who played Gilligan, did not strike gold with the show. Actually, majority of the cast only had residual rights up until 1968. Well, the reason is that most of them believed the show would not make it. They saw this show as something fun that would be a resume fluffer. Everyone but Dawn Wells that is! As we mentioned, Wells had reruns explicitly written into her contract.
Not A Dime
Tina Didn’t Hang
Surprisingly, star Tina Louise didn’t love hanging out with her cast mates. In addition, she wouldn’t be around when the rest of the cast engaged in group interviews. Maybe this was due to the fact, she was not eager to become typecasted as Ginger. Indeed, once those actors left Gilligan’s Island, many film and television producers worried fans would only see them as their former characters.
Tina Didn’t Hang
Love Interest?
Many speculated that there was some potential romance between the Professor and Mary Ann. Millions of fans eagerly waited to see if anything would come to fruition. However, producer Sherwood Schwartz attempted to keep his show as family friendly as he could. Thus, he would not allow any love interest to be written into the show between Mary Ann and the Professor.
Love Interest?
Final Cut
So, what really happened when they stopped the show after only three seasons? Apparently, CBS redid their lineup that year and cut Gilligan’s Island. But why? Well, at that time Gilligan’s Island had low ratings, thus, CBS believed it may do better in a less expensive time slot. However, CBS executives decided to just cut it altogether since they picked up Gunsmoke.
Final Cut
In Memory Of
In early 2016 when the legendary David Bowie passed away, another hashtag began trending. Somehow, #RipBobDenver also caught fire. Thus, fans paid their tribute to Bob Denver, star of Gilligan’s Island. Yes, they were touching, but one thing was odd. Denver had died about ten years earlier. Nonetheless, people kept paying their respects.
In Memory Of
What’s Up Doc?
Now, here is reference most fans probably did not even pick up. So in the Gilligan’s Island episode, “You have been disconnected,” we see Mr. Howell giving Gilligan his wife’s diamond necklaces in order to cut encased wires. Mr. Howell actually turned to Gilligan and said, “You’ll have more carrots than Bugs Bunny.” Turns out, actor Jim Backus said this because he had voiced a Looney Tunes character in “A-Lad-In His Lamp.” Backus had voiced Smokey the Genie alongside fan favorite, Bugs Bunny.
What’s Up Doc?
Archie Bunker As The Skipper?
Of course, we all know Carroll O’Connor who played the famous racist and bigoted Archie Bunker on All in the Family. Fun fact, O’Connor actually tried out to play the Skipper. However, Sherwood Schwartz did not think he was right for the role, so he turned O’Connor down.
Archie Bunker As The Skipper?
Family Role
Of course, the show is famous for its dream sequences. Actually, we have more to say on them, but first, do you remember the dream in “‘V’ for Vitamins?” Well, Bob Denver’s son Patrick was the one who voiced for small Gilligan during that scene. Wow, what a cool gig for Denver’s son!
Family Role
A Life Changing Dinner
How did Alan Hale Jr. land his role? Believe it or not, he was out to dinner dressed as a Civil war soldier. There at a Hollywood restaurant, Sherwood Schwartz noticed Alan in his Civil War costume. Schwartz really like what he saw in the actor, thus, he decided he needed to cast him as the Skipper.
A Life Changing Dinner
What Could Have Been
Everyone knows that we only had three seasons and three films of Gilligan’s Island. However, Schwartz did have more than a clue as to what a fourth movie would look like. Apparently, he wanted to have a story line around a nuclear war. He planned that the castaways would learn they were the only humans left. Thus, Gilligan and Mary Ann would marry and Ginger and the Professor would wed. Both couples were to have kids. Then, when Gilligan’s son turned 20, he would sail off and find out the world was never destroyed. The characters had heard it over the radio, but Gilligan accidentally broke their radio before the disclaimer came on.
What Could Have Been
Dream Sequences
So back to those memorable dream sequences. It wasn’t just audiences who loved them so much. Apparently, these dream sequences were the favorite scenes for the characters too! Well, it did mean they could leave the island and be “anywhere” so to speak. So, it makes sense.
Dream Sequences
Requests For Rescue
Honestly, this is kind of funny, despite how bizarre it sounds. Once the show aired, the Coast Guard received letters from people that desperately asked them to rescue the trapped castaways. Somehow, they didn’t realize it was a sitcom. During his interview with the Archive of American Television, creator Schwartz called those viewers delusional and added, “Now who did they think was laughing at what was happening to these people? Where did they think the music came from, and the commercials?”
Requests For Rescue
Same Place, Different Look
Now, this lagoon may be familiar to fans not just because they have watched and rewatched episodes of the show and even the three films. No, you may also have seen this lagoon in that classic monster flick, The Creature From the Black Lagoon. Yes, it was in fact the same lagoon as Gilligan’s Island.
Same Place, Different Look
The Real Lagoon
More on that lagoon…it was specifically constructed for CBS’s Gilligan’s Island on CBS’ Studio City lot back in 1964. First, they just thought they would be filming twice in Malibu, and they had downtime because of fog. Also in the winter, the lagoon’s water got down to 40 degrees. Thus, Bob Denver even put on a wet-suit under his costume! On summer days, the lagoon’s water was smelly and stagnant. In 1995, they actually transformed it into a parking lot for employees and therefore, drained the water.
The Real Lagoon
Skipper During Hospice
During Alan Hale Jr.’s battle with cancer, he made a very special friend in the hospital. Apparently, a young cancer patient was a huge fan of Gilligan’s Island. Therefore, Alan Hale Jr. put on his Skipper costume in order to provide some comfort for the terminally ill child.
Skipper In Hospice
Well, That’s Rude
Back to the original theme song and opening for the show, it referred to Mary Ann and the Professor as “the Rest.” Though, they did change it up in the second and third seasons. Alas, they put in the character names, Mary Ann and the Professor in the updated theme song.
Well, That’s Rude
Professor’s Backstory
Of course, the characters needed some backstory. For one, it was important to know how each one got stuck on the island and became a castaway. As for the Professor, he was just on a three hour tour in order to relax. The Professor actually was taking this relaxation trip before he planned to write the book, Fun with Ferns.
Professor’s Backstory