"Gilligan's Island" (1964)TV series 1964-1967

Creator:

Sherwood Schwartz

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

26 September 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

Seven men and women are stranded on an uncharted island following a torrential storm.

Plot Keywords:

Pretty Girl | Beauty | Beautiful Woman | Castaway | Professor

Awards:

4 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Bob Denver	...	Gilligan / ... (84 episodes, 1962-1967)
Alan Hale Jr.	...	The Skipper / ... (84 episodes, 1962-1967)
Jim Backus	...	Thurston Howell III / ... (84 episodes, 1962-1967)
Natalie Schafer	...	Lovey Howell / ... (84 episodes, 1962-1967)
Russell Johnson	...	Professor Roy Hinkley / ... (83 episodes, 1964-1967)
Tina Louise	...	Ginger Grant / ... (82 episodes, 1964-1967)
Dawn Wells	...	Mary Ann Summers (82 episodes, 1964-1967)

Also Known As:

Gilligan's Travels (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (98 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1964-1965) | Color (1965-1967)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

New Zealand:G (season 1) | USA:TV-G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Honolulu, O'ahu, Hawaii, USA

Company:

CBS Television

Trivia:

The Skipper served in the Pacific during World War II.

Goofs:

Continuity: In "Two on a Raft", when the castaways are listening to the radio, the Professor is shown standing up, then sitting in the next shot.

Quotes:

Gilligan: What was that stuff you just gave me?
Eunice Wentworth "Lovey" Howell: That will help you sleep, it's a sedative.
Gilligan: Thanks, Mrs. Howell, but you're wasting your time. Those things don't work on me. I remember once...
[falls asleep]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in All Access Pass: The TV Land Awards (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle

Full of Fun

All right, so "Gilligan's Island" may not be "The Dick Van Dyke Show," or any other sophisticated physical comedy show-but all in all it is just pure fun to watch. I remember when I was little watching the reruns on TNT and TBS, and now own the complete first season on DVD. I don't know why it is, but I've always had a special place for "Gilligan's Island," it's one of my favorites. True, you can't take too many clothes on a 3-hour tour realistically, or how in the world can you do everything from build a hut to a lie detector, but can't make a fail-safe raft?

The ratings, in all its three seasons, shone high above many shows; despite the network's attempt of changing the time slot a few times. It beat Bonanza in its first season, and by the end of the third season, it had beat Star Treck, The Monkees, etc. If William Paley's wife hadn't loved Gunsmoke, "Gilligan's Island" would have easily gained at least two more seasons by ratings alone.

If you're looking for sophisticated humor, this show isn't it. It's silly, corny, but the cast is just a lovable one. You can't help but like the series (which is more than I can say for "Green Acres"; which gets annoying after a few episodes). The cast is brilliant in their roles, and the chemistry between Alan Hale Jr. and Bob Denver and Jim Backus' chemistry with Natalie Shcaffer is perfect. All in all, "Gilligan's Island" is just pure clean fun, which is more than I can say for shows on today. Watch it, give it a chance, and enjoy!