‘Gilligan’s Island’: Facts About The Iconic Show

Name That Skipper!

Gilligan’s Island fans probably thought Skipper never even got a name. In fact, that’s not true. In the 1964 pilot of the show, they said his name was Jonas Grumby. Remember when Alan Hale Jr.’s character passed away on the show? During that episode they scattered his ashes and someone said, “It’s what ‘The Skipper’ would have wanted.” Maybe they also forgot it was Jonas!

Name That Skipper!

Breaking The Fourth Wall

You don’t have to be a producer to know what the fourth wall is, but for those who are unaware, it’s the space between the cast and the audience or crew. Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.) was notorious for breaking down the fourth wall by looking directly at the camera to make a face. Actually, this wasn’t all that common on TV. Also, the show was supposed to work on a fourth movie, but that’s another story!

Breaking The Fourth Wall

Influencing His Character

Since actor Alan Hale Jr. would refer to others as, ‘little buddy,’ the crew got an idea. They drew on this tic to make art imitate life. Thus, that’s why the character Skipper would always call Gilligan (Bob Denver), ‘little buddy.’ They saw it as very fitting for Skipper’s overall demeanor.

Influencing His Character

Equal Credit

Star of the show, Bob Denver was all about equality. In fact, he was very upset to see that Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells were not named during the credits. So, he did everything in his power to change that. Speaking of Gilligan, legendary actor Jerry Van Dyke turned down the lead role, but later explained, “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

A real life tragedy was the reason that Gilligan’s Island flew the American flags at half mast. Turns out, the crew began filming right after the John F. Kennedy assassination. Wow! So, that’s the reason you see the half mast flag in the opening credits. In fact, Gilligan’s Island finished the pilot on the very day JFK was shot, November 22 of 1963.

Reason For Half Mast

Inside Joke

Years later, we’re letting the cat out of the bag with this one! Head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Newton Minow was not exactly a favorite of creator Sherwood Schwartz. Truth be told, Schwartz abhorred him. Thus, Schwartz found it humorous to name the shipwreck, the S.S. Minnow. It became a little inside joke amongst the crew of Gilligan’s Island. Hopefully, Minow never caught on!

Inside Joke

Not So Practical

The entire first season we saw Gilligan’s Island characters drink from authentic coconut cups. What fans never realized was how porous and completely unpractical these cups were! They got destroyed pretty fast. Once they finished the first season, they had to switch to ceramic cups that resembled coconuts. So, things were not completely as they appeared, but honestly, we’re astounded by how much coconut milk Gilligan’s Island characters consumed!

Not So Practical

Ginger’s Bottomless Bag

Sorry, but we need to revisit the outfits for this one. Before, we mentioned just how many clothes Ginger had, but how about the wide array? Although she packed for such a short trip, Ginger really had every option. We’re talking gowns, dresses, even workout clothes and more! Of course, clothing would continue to wash up, but still it seemed peculiar!

Ginger’s Bottomless Bag

Custom Outfit

Well now that we’re back on clothing, time to talk about Mary Ann’s outfits. Actually, actress Dawn Wells contributed more than fans knew to her character’s wardrobe. Wells knew she would forever be compared to costar, Ginger (Tina Louise). Therefore, to make up for her shortness, she wanted outfits that would display a lot of her legs. Thus, she came up with short shorts at a time when navels were not even allowed to be shown on television. Wells added extra fabric to hide her belly button, but the outfits still seemed flashy to audiences. You have to remember this was the first time a character wore short shorts!

Custom Outfit

Aging Cast

Of course, since Gilligan’s Island began airing in the 60’s, much of the cast has since passed. Actually, the famous creator Sherwood Shwartz also died back in 2011. When speaking of the main Gilligan’s Island cast, just Tina Louise and Dawn Wells are left. And we’re all hoping these lovely ladies stay around for much, much longer!

Aging Cast

She Didn’t Tell A Soul

We’re going to let you in on a little secret about actress Natalie Schafer. As you recall, Schafer played Mrs. Howell on Gilligan’s Island. Anyway, this actress was lying to the entire cast, crew, producers and frankly, also fans the entire time. She never revealed her real age to anyone, but then, the truth came out. Apparently, Schafer was 13 years older than Jim Backus, who played her on-screen husband. However, she never wanted people to know they had such a big age difference.

She Didn’t Tell A Soul

Special Mention In Her Contract

If we’re being honest, there’s even more to the story about Natalie Schafer. Apparently, she added a very special clause in her contract. The clause said that Gilligan’s Island would never film close-up shots of her face. Why? Well, she didn’t want anyone to see her wrinkles. Therefore, no one would ever suspect the 13 year age difference between her and actor Jim Backus!

Special Mention In Her Contract

Radio Transmissions

Of course, one of the key features of the show was that Gilligan’s Island characters received radio transmissions from a Packard Bell AM radio. Turns out, it was actually the crew who added in a telescoping antenna. They did this in order to make things more believable. The Gilligan’s Island crew though that the antenna may help audiences believe it a bit more that long distance messages would come through. However, the real Packard Bell model never came with an antenna or even a handle.

Radio Transmissions

Inventive Prop Team

Another key feature of Gilligan’s Island, was all of the outrageous technology that got made from island scraps. Of course, this was a huge challenge for the show’s prop team. They had to be really creative and inventive with just a small number of random things. People retrospectively call it Macgyvering, since that wasn’t a thing yet!

Inventive Prop Team

Next Big Idea

When Gilligan’s Island began declining, the producers decided a new character could save the show. However, this new character was not your average castaway. No, they thought a friendly dinosaur would really spice things up! However, this would be way too expensive. Creator Schwartz remembered what Hunt Stromberg Jr., the CBS executive told him, “Gilligan and his pet dinosaur! It’s our answer to ‘Mr. Ed.’”

Next Big Idea

A Wild Ride

The fact that Alan Hale Jr. made it to the Gilligan’s Island audition is a miracle in itself. Why, you ask? First, he began by jumping onto a horse from the set he was on in Utah. Then, he hitchhiked his way to Las Vegas, Nevada. That’s not all! Of course, from there he had to fly to Los Angeles to get to his audition. We are so grateful for that because who else could have been the Skipper!

A Wild Ride

First or Last Name?

Of course, fans always wondered about Gilligan during the show. Not just about his personality, no we all knew he was goofy, but what exactly was this man’s first name? Once the show ended, Schwartz finally told everyone that his name was Willy. Actually, Schwartz said that Bob Denver was even confused and Schwartz said about him, “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

What young boy or even man did not crush on the character, Mary Ann? Even all the women adored the extremely talented woman. Anyway, it was not just her personality that all fondly recall. People adored this character from Gilligan’s Island so much that one of her skirts even sold for a ridiculous amount of money. Seriously, one of her skirts sold for $20,000!

A $20K Skirt

Too Memorable

From Mary Ann to Ginger! Yes, we have to talk about Ginger Grant or actually, the actress who played the movie star, Tina Louise! In fact, Tina Louise did such an outstanding job in her role as Ginger that no one could see her playing anyone else. Not just in the usual iconic role way. No, Tina Louise really could not get another role afterwards. Even years after the show, Tina herself blamed Gilligan’s Island for ruining her television career.

Too Memorable

All 99 Episodes

Now, all who have watched Gilligan’s Island remember the hilarious story lines and relatable cast. However, maybe they never realized exactly how outstanding and committed these cast members were to Gilligan’s Island! Actually, most of them appeared in every episode. Well, to be technical, Skipper, the Howells and Gilligan were in every single one of the 99 episodes. However, Ginger, Mary Ann and the Professor are credited for 98 of those episodes, which surely is not bad! I mean, that’s commitment!

All 99 Episodes

Everyone’s Least Favorite Thing

Sure, no one likes traffic, but have you ever thought about how much noise it makes? Especially in L.A., traffic gets crazy and very loud! Well, that heavy traffic presented a big problem for Gilligan’s Island when they filmed at their L.A. lot. In order to avoid recording any traffic noises from the nearby highway, they tried to shoot lagoon scenes as fast as they could! What a challenge that must have been!

Everyone’s Least Favorite Thing

Free Vacation

How does this sound, a free trip to Hawaii? Amazing right? That’s what Natalie Schafer thought, and she honestly decided to do the Gilligan’s Island pilot because of that! They shot it in Hawaii, but sadly, once CBS picked up Gilligan’s Island, they moved shooting to L.A. What an unfortunate location change for the cast and crew!

Free Vacation

Tone Deaf

Unfortunately, Dawn Wells just did not have a singing voice. This became a bit of an issue when the entire cast was supposed to sing together. Therefore, Wells improvised on the spot and was able to lip sync along, so as to not ruin the harmony. Some say she should have taken singing lessons, but what she did seemed to work fine!

Tone Deaf

Everything But That

Fans caught on pretty quick to this one. Maybe you didn’t think twice, but there was something a little off about the Professor’s role. So, obviously his character was very handy. I mean, the man could make the most incredible things with random things found on the island. How is it he couldn’t fix the S.S. Minnow then? Of course, most understood that if he did, then Gilligan’s Island would simply end. Thus, we had to accept this.

Everything But That

Choice For Gilligan

One rumor that got some traction was that Schwartz had his eye on actor Alan Young for the role of Gilligan. Audiences remember Alan Young as Wilbur Post on Mister Ed. However, Schwartz cleared the air years later. He claimed he did not know where this rumor originated because he never even thought about Alan Young for his show.

Choice For Gilligan

No Need For Kids

Now, here is a bit of information about the dynamics of the show fans never were privy to! In the early stages, they considered having a kid play the nephew of the Professor. Though, they decided not to bring on a child actor because of one key element on Gilligan’s Island. Apparently, Gilligan himself was so childlike at heart, it made no sense to bring on an actual child!

No Need For Kids

Marriage

Now, there’s no judgement made about this from our end, but many liked to point out that the three leading ladies on the show were all only married for less than ten years. People guessed it could have been their intense filming schedules that interfered with personal lives. Others imagined that so many men were lining up waiting to marry these lovely women. Whatever the reason, the thing the three actresses should be best remembered for is their fantastic roles on Gilligan’s Island!

Marriage

A True Hero

Of course, Gilligan was a total goofball! Everyone was utterly confused as to why the Skipper kept this guy around! Yes, Gilligan could be a complete pest at times. However, if you know the backstory, then it all makes sense. The Skipper and Gilligan served in the Navy during WWII together. It was back then that Gilligan saved the Skipper from a depth charge. So, Skipper literally owed his life to this lovable buffoon.

A True Hero

Money On And Off-Set

Next up, we have to tell you about Mrs. Howell, well we mean actress Natalie Schafer. On the show, she played the wife of millionaire Thurston Howell III. Many didn’t realize that this woman was also a millionaire in real life. So, what Schafer had done was purchase a bunch of Rodeo Drive properties when they cost the same as a cheap car. Once the value spiked, she flipped them and made an incredible profit!

Money On And Off-Set

Worldwide Acclaim

Even though Gilligan’s Island lasted for just three seasons, it still gained acclaim all across the globe. In fact, we have a tale about how widespread the show became. When actress Dawn Wells was traveling in the South Pacific, she came to a small island in the Solomon Islands. There, a tribe was living a simpler life without modern technology. Nonetheless, in the fishing village that didn’t have electricity, they knew Dawn Wells! We kid you not. As Wells was introduced to the chief of the tribe, he became overwhelmed with excitement because he recognized her as Mary Ann!

Worldwide Acclaim

Alf Crossover

Speaking of old show, you remember Alf don’t you? Now, the real test is do you recall when Alf, the alien, dreamt of getting stuck on Gilligan’s Island? Yes, the alien ended up on the island with the entire Gilligan’s Island cast. That was a crossover for the books! They really had the whole gang there. Everyone from Alan Hale Jr. and Russell Johnson to Dawn Wells and Bob Denver got to appear on this special crossover episode.

Alf Crossover

Tough Guy

Alan Hale Jr. was a former military guy, thus, most of the crew knew him to be a very tough guy. On set he really lived up to this reputation. In fact, one incident happened when he was supposed to climb a tree for an episode. While they shot the scene, he fell from the tree but missed the soft landing spot the crew set out. Thus, he fell right onto the concrete ground. Ow! Alan broke his arm, but didn’t even tell a soul anyone for weeks. After others questioned him on how he pulled it off, he just said, “it wasn’t easy.”

Tough Guy

Dramatically Different Pilot

Now that we’re really getting into it, we have to break it to fans that the pilot wasn’t exactly in line with how the show ended up. First off, there were different Gilligan’s Island characters. In addition, the women were actually secretaries and a teacher for high school. Thus, the network realized this dramatically different pilot could confuse fans. Therefore, they didn’t re-broadcast it until they estimated audiences would be able to handle these discrepancies. That wasn’t until 1992!

Dramatically Different Pilot

Two Cartoons

In order to stay relevant, many shows during the 1960’s and even 70’s, would adapt to cartoons and have spin-off animated shows. Yes, Gilligan’s Island also did this. In fact, the show had two Gilligan’s Island cartoons. There was the classic one, Gilligan’s Island and the outer space one called Gilligan’s Planet.

Two Cartoons

So Many Gingers

When people hear Ginger from Gilligan’s Island, they automatically think of Tina Louise. Interestingly enough, there have been six people who reprised her role if you include the films and cartoons. Actually, the beloved Dawn Wells voiced not just Mary Ann, but also Ginger for Gilligan’s Planet.

So Many Gingers

Pushing For The Show

As a United Artists Television employee, Sherwood Schwartz was becoming a huge name in the television industry. Even so, when he wanted to speak to Jim Aubrey, president of CBS at the time, to pitch Gilligan’s Island, Aubrey felt some hesitation due to the concept. This CBS president anticipated that fans would grow frustrated with the cast not being able to escape the island. Luckily, thanks to Sherwood Schwartz’s persistence, Gilligan’s Island became a huge success.

Pushing For The Show

Stunt Woman

Back to the millionaire Natalie Schafer! This one may surprise people considering this actress was so wealthy on and off Gilligan’s Island. Anyway, she did in fact perform every one of her own stunts. Keep in mind, she was about 65 years old at the time! How impressive is that? Some of the stunts included falling and sinking into quicksand. Oh and falling into the famous lagoon.

Stunt Woman

Contract Clause

From the entire Gilligan’s Island crew, Dawn Wells made out the best financially from the whole show franchise. It all goes back to her husband at the time. He was a television agent and advised her to add a special clause in fine print on her contract. Within the clause, it said she was to receive royalties for every syndication Gilligan’s Island earns from then on. Now, when you consider that the show even plays reruns today, this is incredible. That means Wells still receives checks from playing Mary Ann!

Contract Clause

Original Mary Ann

Often times, the television show creators have someone particular in mind for a role, but they turn it down. Thus, they move on to the next best option. So, Dawn Wells was actually the back up choice. They wanted 60’s sensation, Raquel Welch to play Mary Ann. In fact, many saw Welch saved her future career by turning down Gilligan’s Island since the Gilligan’s Island couldn’t get roles afterwards. They forever became associated with the Gilligan’s Island characters.

Original Mary Ann

Reference

Maybe you already realized this, but the character Thurston Howell III (Jim Backus) was a bit of a nod to another Schwartz created character. Schwartz also had a show called The Alan Young Show on which actor Backus played someone named Hubert Updyke III. Thus, when producer Schwartz first pitched Gilligan’s Island he claimed, “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

Just because on Gilligan’s Island Jim Backus played the big spender, does not mean he was similar in real life. Actually, off camera, Backus was probably the very opposite. Everyone on the show knew him to be a total cheapskate. In fact, lots of stories about the crew eating out involve him ‘forgetting his wallet,’ thus, making the other cast members foot his bill. Apparently, this happened so frequently the crew began teasing Backus about this habit.

Cheapskate

On-Set Diva

Speaking of the crew’s opinions of cast members, Tina Louise sure made a lasting impression on everyone. We will get to more on that later. Apparently, during Gilligan’s Island shooting, she made the cast and crew make lots of special exceptions for her. Part of this was due to the fact that she felt misled about the role of Ginger on the show. According to her, her agent represented the part as a movie star stuck on a castaway island. Thus, she never realized the show wasn’t solely revolving around her characters’ exploits.

On-Set Diva

Representing America

Now here is a bit of inside information to give another layer to Gilligan’s Island. Everyone, except our goofy Gilligan, was representative of a segment of American society. Hey, now it makes more sense that they called the men by their jobs and not always their names. Anyone, each person was meant to stand for whoever in that specific part of American society.

Representing America

Dawn Wells’ Memoir

Yes, the world all knows Dawn Wells as Mary Ann of Gilligan’s Island. Therefore, Dawn chose to name her memoirs, What Would Mary Ann Do? Inside, she details personal stories from the Gilligan’s Island set and also includes some self help parts. Wells wrote the memoir from her former character’s point of view. Naturally, fans get different types of life advice from a Kansas, star-eyed woman on the troubles with modern society. An interesting take for sure!

Dawn Wells’ Memoir

Arrest

Back in 2007, Wells was on her way home from the birthday party of the Driggs, Idaho Mayor. Since she seemed to swerve her car, a sheriff’s deputy pulled her over. When he searched the vehicle, this officer found three smoked cigarettes with controlled substances. So, the actress was placed in lockup. Even though one of her friends confessed he/she left those joints in the car from earlier, her reputation was certainly tarnished from the incident.

Arrest

Wrong About Reruns

One huge thing that keeps people talking about Gilligan’s Island and appreciating it, is that we still have the reruns playing. Due to the broadcasted reruns, fans have enjoyed the show for over 50 years. It’s funny now to look back considering this. Apparently, producers of the show never thought the reruns would air when the first season began. Wow, they were really wrong on that one!

Wrong About Reruns

Miss Nevada

Did you know that Dawn Wells was actually crowned Miss Nevada in 1959? Winning the title helped the aspiring star secure a scholarship to attend the University of Washington where she studied theater. Once she graduated, Wells moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career. Though she wanted to act more than anything, she hoped to not just become another pretty face in Hollywood. Thus besides being conventionally attractive, Wells worked hard and remained focused in order to reach her goals of fame.

Miss Nevada

Starstruck

All over the country and world, people debated whether Mary Ann or Ginger was their favorite. In real life, these two stars were very good friends. Initially, Wells was intimidated by her costar since Tina Louise was a real big-time film star. When starting on the show, Dawn Wells was not very well known. Once Wells got past her fear, she and Tina got quite close. In fact, Dawn Wells is friends with Louise’s daughter now on social media. Aw, a lasting friendship!

Starstruck

Tina The Teacher

Since Tina Louise has passed her days on Gilligan’s Island, this star moved to Broadway shows. When she’s not working on Broadway, this New York resident is busy teaching. That’s right, she volunteers for the New York Public schools in the second grade. Actually, most of her second grade students immediately recognize her as Ginger. Now, that goes to show you that the reruns are really keeping Gilligan’s Island relevant!

Tina The Teacher

Favorite Episode

From all her episodes of Gilligan’s Island, Louise selected “All About Eva” as her favorite to film. That was the episode where a woman named Eva washes up. First, Eva is a mess, but then Ginger gives this other red head a complete makeover. Then, Eva ends up escaping the island at the end to return to Hollywood and take on Ginger’s identity! Of course, Tina Louise played both Eva and Ginger and absolutely loved filming this one!

Favorite Episode

Sunday By Tina Louise

Like her costar Wells, actress Tina Louise wrote her very own memoir and it’s called Sunday. Actually, it’s more like a collection of memoirs. Louise wrote this in order to help teenagers and young girls. She hoped to be a comforting and helpful voice for those having kids at a young age or not in school. In her book, she speaks about her personal experience from age 6 to 8 when she was sent away to boarding school.

Sunday By Tina Louise

Not A Dime

As we hinted at before, most Gilligan’s Island stars didn’t exactly strike gold from the show. Yes, that includes Bob Denver! Anyway, most the cast only retained residual rights until the year 1968. The true reason is that most of the cast never thought the show was going to be successful. Most of the cast looked at Gilligan’s Island as a fun, resume filler. Well, everyone but actress Dawn Wells! Luckily, she had reruns written in her contracts, so she did well!

Not A Dime

Tina Didn’t Hang

Now, this one might be a shocker to fans, but actress Tina Louise did not enjoy hanging out leisurely with her costars. Actually, even when the crew did group interviews she wasn’t really around. Perhaps, this goes back to the fact that she never wanted to be typecast as Ginger from Gilligan’s Island. However, once the actors moved on from Gilligan’s Island, film and TV producers did fear audiences would only see them as their iconic characters.

Tina Didn’t Hang

Love Interest?

Lots of people thought they saw a romance brewing between Mary Ann and the Professor. Millions hoped to finally watch something come to fruition with those two. However, Schwartz wanted Gilligan’s Island to stay completely family friendly. Therefore, he did not allow for any love interests to be part of the show even if everyone saw Mary Ann and the Professor as a natural fit.

Love Interest?

Final Cut

Okay, what was the real reason that Gilligan’s Island had to end after only three delightful seasons? Well, CBS had just redone their lineup for the year and felt they needed to cut the show. At the time, Gilligan’s Island didn’t have the best ratings. Therefore, the network first thought it could succeed in a less expensive time slot. Yet, the executives opted to cut it altogether once they picked up the show, Gunsmoke.

Final Cut

In Memory Of

Early in 2016, the famous singer/songwriter David Bowie died. Why are we telling you this? Well, at that same time somehow the hashtag, #RipBobDenver also became a trending topic. Fans began outpouring their love and adoration for the late star of Gilligan’s Island. However, this was very odd considering Bob Denver died about ten years before!

In Memory Of

What’s Up Doc?

Maybe this small reference slipped right past you. In “You have been disconnected” Mr. Howell passes his wife’s diamond jewelry to Gilligan. These necklaces are used to cut encased wires. Upon handing over these jewels he said to Gilligan, “You’ll have more carrots than Bugs Bunny.” The reason Backus said this was because he voiced in the Looney Tunes episode “A-Lad-In His Lamp.” Turns out, Backus voiced Smokey the Genie, so that’s what inspired the Bugs Bunny reference.

Whats Up Doc?

Archie Bunker As The Skipper?

Everyone associates actor Carroll O’Connor with his famous character of Archie Bunker, All in the Family‘s bigot. Apparently, O’Connor auditioned for the role of the Skipper. Though, Schwartz couldn’t see him as the Skipper. Thus, producer/creator Schwartz turned him down.

Archie Bunker As The Skipper?

Family Role

Naturally, when we reflect on Gilligan’s Island, we must remember all the dream sequences. Let’s focus on one in particular in the episode “‘V’ for Vitamins.” During that specific dream, there was a small Gilligan. Guess who voiced him? It was none other than Bob Denver’s own son! How cool is that?

Family Role

A Life Changing Dinner

Alan Hale Jr. was spotted out to eat one night, and that’s how he landed his famous role as the Skipper. Wait, there’s more to that story. Actually, Sherwood Schwartz saw Hale in a Civil War costume out to eat in a Hollywood restaurant. Upon seeing this sight, Schwartz really liked what he saw in Hale. That’s when Schwartz decided he needed him as the Skipper.

A Life Changing Dinner

What Could Have Been

Yes, we only got three seasons and also three movies, but Schwartz had more than a thought about a fourth Gilligan’s Island film. So, he wanted the story to revolve around nuclear war and the castaways thinking they were all that’s left on Earth. Then, Ginger would marry the Professor, while Mary Ann would wed Gilligan. After the two couples had kids and Gilligan’s son was 20 years old, he would sail off, discovering everything was still in tact. Everyone would hear it on their radio, but of course, Gilligan would break it by accident before the disclaimer.

What Could Have Been

Dream Sequences

Now, about those dream sequences…Not only were they a fan favorite, but the actors and actresses loved these scenes as well! Well, think about it. Those dreams allowed the characters to finally leave their island. So they could be “anywhere,” which gave a lot of flexibility. Yeah, makes sense.

Dream Sequences

Requests For Rescue

After the show first aired, people wrote frantic letters to the Coast Guard. Somehow, they believed these castaways needed to be rescued and failed to see this was a sitcom. When Schwartz was interviewed with the Archive of American Television he claimed those viewers were delusion. Schwartz asked, “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

Of course, the lagoon is one of the key parts of Gilligan’s Island. However, the lagoon may have looked strangely familiar to many viewers as they enjoyed reruns of the show and films. Actually, that’s because the same lagoon was used for the monster film, The Creature From the Black Lagoon.

Same Place, Different Look

The Real Lagoon

So about that famous lagoon! They built it specifically for Gilligan’s Island on a lot in CBS’ Studio City in 1964. At first, the crew imagined filming two times in Malibu. Due to some fog, they often had downtime. Oh and in the winter, the water sunk to 40 degrees. Burr! That’s why Bob Denver needed his wet-suit under his Gilligan’s Island costume. During the summer, the lagoon water became stagnant and very smelly. Years later in 1995, CBS turned it into an employee parking lot and thus, needed to drain the water.

The Real Lagoon

Skipper During Hospice

While Alan Hale Jr. battled cancer in the hospital, he met a young cancer patient. The two became close. Also this young patient loved Gilligan’s Island. Thus, Hale put on his old Skipper costume to cheer up and provide some comfort for the terminally ill kid. What a guy!

Skipper During Hospice

Well, That’s Rude

We briefly mentioned this earlier, but anyway during the original Gilligan’s Island theme song/opening, both the Professor and Mary Ann were called, ‘the rest.’ Luckily, they changed it for the next seasons. So, in both season two and three, the theme song was updated and they were named as Mary Ann and the Professor.

Well, That’s Rude

Professor’s Backstory

Naturally, all of the Gilligan’s Island needed a bit of backstory. Firstly, people wanted to hear how they each ended up on the island. So, for the Professor, this scholar was on a relaxing three hour boat tour. Actually, he went on the trip in order to get some relaxation before writing his book, which was to be called Fun with Ferns.

Professor’s Backstory

Lobster Barrel

Besides being the beloved Skipper, Alan Hale Jr. also owned and ran the restaurant, “Alan Hale’s Lobster Barrel” in Los Angeles. Actually, he did incorporate his character by dressing up as the Skipper to greet guests. After running successfully for 15 years, things started to go south. Thus, he shut down his restaurant and began a travel agency. Hale ran the agency until he passed away in 1990.

Lobster Barrel

Eenie Meanie Minie Mo

Usually, a character’s name is something special, meaningful or something one of the show creators has thought about for some time. However, with the star of Gilligan’s Island, you may be surprised to hear this was not the case. Turns out, they picked the name for Bob Denver’s character by randomly selecting a name from a phone book.

Eenie Meanie Minie Mo

The Beatles Parody

The Wellingtons did in fact sing the first version of the theme song. However, even after the show didn’t use their song, the band got to appear on Gilligan’s Island. They played the Mosquitoes, which yes, were supposed to be a parody of The Beatles.

The Beatles Parody

Origin Of Ginger’s Name

Now, for Bob Denver’s character, we explained they randomly selected the name Gilligan. However, a little more care came when choosing Ginger for Tina Louise. Apparently, they were inspired by two great legends of Hollywood’s Golden Era. That is, Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers. In fact, the show often referenced Cary Grant.

The Origin Of Ginger’s Name

Theme Song

So the original theme song was this calypso tune sung by creator Sherwood Schwartz in a sort of Caribbean patois. John Williams (at the time Johnny Williams) composed the tune. You know Williams’ work now from Star Wars and his work with director Steven Spielberg.

Theme Song

The City Of Denver

Fun fact about the star Bob Denver. So the capital city of Colorado, Denver was named for his great-great grandfather. Bob Denver’s great-great grandfather was James William Denver. However, our favorite Gilligan’s Island star is not related to the singer John Denver, whose real name is Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.

The City Of Denver

Confusing Addition

Something that threw people off during the final reunion film was that there was a Thurston Howell IV (played by David Ruprecht). During The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island, Jim Backus’ character had a son. In all previous Gilligan’s Island shows and films, the Howells did not have children. Although while filming the final film, Jim Backus was very sick with Parkinson’s disease. He did put forth his best efforts regardless for a cameo appearance, so because of this they introduced his son.

Confusing Addition

Skipper’s Backstory

In the novel Gilligan’s Wake loosely based on the show, we get a fuller picture of the Skipper’s backstory. However, this is not really official with the show, but we like to believe it to be true. Anyway, in the 2003 novel, we find out that Skipper was a PT with both Quinton McHale of McHale’s Navy and also JFK.

Skipper’s Backstory