Gilligan's Island (TV Series) Erika Tiffany-Smith to the Rescue (1965) User Reviews

One Interesting Episode, Dah-ling!

[kmcelhaney005 · 7/10 · 5 April 2014]

The very famous and fabulously wealthy Erika Tiffany-Smith lands on Gilligan's Island looking for a deserted island and finds the castaways instead. It's not long before Ms. Smith is smitten with the Professor, but will love really prevail?

Highlights include Gilligan's first reaction to meeting Erika Tiffany-Smith, Mrs. Howell not being too happy about being rescued by Ms. Smith and their first meeting, Mr. Howell mispronouncing Mary Ann & the Professor's last names, although it's understandable given how few times we hear them, Mr. Howell's reaction to Ms. Smith gazing upon the Professor, Ginger being playful with Gilligan as his eyes are shut, the Skipper asking Ginger for advice and reciting a poem straight from the "...Nantucket" school of thought, Ginger "schooling" the Professor, and the final scene of Gilligan tossing out the Skipper's clothes from his sea chest.

Overall, this is actually a fun episode that allows Zsa Zsa Gabor to interact with all the castaways in her unique manner. The fact is that Erika Tiffany-Smith is basically Zsa Zsa Gabor anyway, which makes it all the more fun. Admittedly, the reaction to her arrival does seem rather odd considering that immediate rescue would be on their minds instead of trying to impress Ms. Smith, but it does work well enough to make this one of the better episodes of the season.

Tidbits & Trivia

• Arguably the most famous aspect of this episode is the implausible nature of the ending where Ms. Smith cannot remember the location of the island. She doesn't have to remember, there is Johnny whom we saw in the episode who can remember it for her. Even producer Sherwood Schwarts admitted that it was a goof beyond comprehension.

• This is the first color episode where a motorized boat appears in the lagoon.

• The scene of the Professor talking to Gilligan about Ms. Smith uses words that are about as close to sexual metaphors as we ever get on Gilligan's Island, even if that was not the Professor's intent.

• The brief shot of the turtle the Professor is talking about is clearly stock footage in what appears to be semi-arid or even desert environment, something not found on a tropical island. Plus, we see a turtle in the epilogue scene, why didn't they shoot a single shot of that instead?

• Oddly, the Professor is pacing in the Skipper and Gilligan's hut when Mr. Howell arrives to tell him the bad news. Shouldn't he be in his own hut?

• The epilogue scene is another rare one for the series as it ends the plot of the show rather than comments on it. However, why after three days is the Skipper still packing his sea chest when he was packing it during the storm just after Ms. Smith left?

Gilligan Goes Gabor.

[Ralphkram · 7/10 · 2 March 2018]

On its face, this episode shouldn't be as good as it is. There isn't much of a plot, the castaways don't do very much but mill about, and its lead is largely an afterthought. But this episode still manages to be fun, entertaining, and memorable. Its success is due to the strength of its glamorous guest star and a stand out scene between two of the castaways. The episode moves along briskly, has no dull spots, and has an iconic scene or two. It's a light, breezy affair.

Socialite Erika Tiffany Smith glides into the lagoon in her motorized boat. She has plans to turn the poor, battered little island into a grand luxury resort. Once she discovers it's populated with 'instant' men, she adds finding a husband to her to do list, and we have what passes for a plot.

After we get past the other introductions of the castaways, some comically bungled by Mr. Howell, we are sidetracked by the forgettable flirtation of Erika and the Skipper. The pair is mismatched from the start and exhibit little chemistry together. Their scenes feel like needless padding. Once Erika lays eyes on the handsome, square-jawed Professor, she sees instant husband material, and the Skip is thankfully cast aside.

For one of the few times in the series, the Professor gets to take center stage, and he doesn't disappoint. He manages to be his usual logical, dispassionate self while also being funny, charming, bewildered, and hopelessly naïve about Erika's intentions. Being an asexual character who isn't interested in romance, he doesn't understand that he is being courted and only sees Erika as a wealthy supporter of science who will fund him enough money to build a research laboratory. Once he learns that she interprets his asking her for funding as a proposal of marriage, it may be the only time the steady Professor is in over his head.

Erika soon discovers, though, that he doesn't have a romantic side, and begins to lose interest in him. Confused and desperate, he goes to Ginger for guidance. In the best scene in the episode, the movie star schools the Professor in the art of romance. (Seduction, really). The lesson is both sexy and funny with a lot of clever lines, and ends with an aggressive takedown 'for his own good.' Unfortunately, it doesn't take.

He gets let off the hook, though, when Erika reconsiders the proposal, and focuses back on the resort. She takes off for the mainland, and the castaways start packing. Predictably, a storm has other ideas; Erika proves indecipherable in civilization, and the island remains less than grand.

COCONOTES:

Not having to do anything more than be herself, Zsa Zsa glides through her role with ease. She is witty, attractive, and a big reason why the episode works.

Like Mrs. Howell's cool reception to her.

Like Gilligan reminding the Professor of 'the direct approach.'

"Now kiss me...On the lips, Professor." "On both of them at once?" "It's the only way to fly!"

GRANTING FAVORS IS MY FAVORITE INDOOR SPORT!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 9 July 2023]

So says the fabulously wealthy (and filthy rich) Erika Tiffany Smith, played to the hilt by none other than legandary Zsa Zsa Gabor. Zsa Zsa, like her sister Eva, were media sensations and tv favorites. Zsa Zsa also did dramatic roles and was in some very good episodes of BURKE'S LAW, prior to this appearance, also a regular guest on LAUGH IN. Where else?

The gag story here has Tiffany, somehow out of the blue, reaching the island and seriously considering purchasing it? The castaways again, without fail, look at their surprise guest as yet another way to exit the island -- but comes a lot of complications. First and foremost, it's a duel of the upper classes between Mrs. Howell and Tiffany, who definitely are frenemies. As for all the men on the island, Tiffany takes a sudden liking to the professor while the Skipper has pangs of puppy love!

Interestingly... Ginger and Zsa Zsa have no scenes together. Missed opportunity, especially for a nifty wardrobe change!

THE definition of a classic episode that hits all the high notes, and its a shame Zsa Zsa did not appear again. David Harmon, who wrote a ton of cop shows, such as MANNIX and IRONSIDE, penned this episode and gives Zsa Zsa the best one liners. She would next co-star in the cult classic PICTURE MOMMY DEAD (1966), for producer Bert I. Gordon. Watch it if you ever have a chance.

10 Plus Stars for all us castaway fans.

SEASON 2 EPISODE 15 restored color CBS/Paramount.

Zsa Zsa Gabor as...Zsa Zsa Gabor

[kevinolzak · 4/10 · 17 June 2016]

"Erika Tiffany-Smith to the Rescue" guest stars the much married Zsa Zsa Gabor in the role of...Zsa Zsa Gabor, announcing her full name: 'Lady Erika Tiffany, the Countess of Capri, the Baroness of Blenford, and the Duchess of Devonshire and Smith.' The unexpected arrival on the island of one of the world's wealthiest and most famous women naturally doesn't sit well with Mrs. Howell, the Professor her chosen paramour, the Skipper inspired to compose a poem: "the boy stood on the burning deck, his feet were filled with blisters!" As an academic the Professor believes that Erika's interest in him means a new laboratory, hardly the romantic soul that she wants to marry. The best scene has Ginger offering the Professor a kissing lesson, and it's always a pleasant surprise to see a more animated Russell Johnson. Zsa Zsa is actually more amusing than expected, but the final result remains a disappointment, particularly in how rescue gets foiled again.