12 Rare ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Behind-the-Scenes Photos: See What Really Went On with the 7 Castaways
As you'll see, Bob Denver, Tina Louise, Alan Hale Jr. and the rest had a great time making the show
Despite what the critics thought of Gilligan’s Island when the show made its debut in 1964 (and their comments were not kind), the audience fell in love with the show and has never let go in the 58 years since it ended its run. Amazingly, parents have handed the show down to their children, who have continued that process, keeping the misadventures of seven stranded castaways very much alive. And the nice thing is that cast members Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells bonded with each other during those years, creating friendships between many of them that lasted the rest of their lives.
These 12 rare photos capture some of the behind-the-scenes fun that they and series creator Sherwood Schwartz had bringing Gilligan’s Island to life. So just sit right back and you’ll hear—or see—a tale of a fateful trip that has been entertaining all of us for all these years.
1. Gilligan reaches new heights
Is it us, or has Gilligan’s outfit given him the power to fly? Guess he really wanted to take a look at the camera.
2. Captain Hook, we presume?
Admittedly, it’s not really Captain Hook, but Gilligan’s Island guest star Hans Conried voiced the Neverland pirate in Disney’s classic animated take on Peter Pan.
3. Kid star Kurt Russell
Most people probably aren’t aware of the fact that movie star (and Goldie Hawn’s true love) Kurt Russell began his career as a child actor. In February 1965, he shot a guest appearance on an episode of Gilligan’s Island.
4-5. The island before the arrival of the seven stranded castaways
These rare photos above and below show the set for Gilligan’s Island being put together, which puts to rest the belief that many people have had that the show was actually shot on location.
6. Sherwood Schwartz and the Skipper
Series creator Sherwood Schwartz (who would go on to create The Brady Bunch just a few years after the end of Gilligan’s Island) with actor Alan Hale Jr, a.k.a. the Skipper.
7. Ladies man
In this very cute behind-the-scenes image, Gilligan (Bob Denver) finds himself the object of Mary Ann’s (Dawn Wells) and Ginger’s (Tina Louise) affection.
8. Maybe things didn’t work out after all!
Knowing the way things usually go with Gilligan, he probably said or did something dopey and found himself cast off by the ladies, literally and figuratively.
9. But Gilligan refuses to give up!
Obviously, Gilligan decided to jump off that raft and try one more time to woo Ginger. And with that, our little imaginary tale about Gilligan and the ladies is over.
10. Where’d they get a wheelbarrow?
Admittedly, the seven stranded castaways brought way more with them than anyone going on a three-hour tour would need, but the wheelbarrow shown here just pushes credibility past the breaking point. ‘Cause, you know, everything else about Gilligan’s Island makes so much sense (not that it’s supposed to).
11. More fun than a barrel of Skippers
Bob Denver and Alan Hale Jr. developed a real connection and friendship with each other that lasted far beyond the 1967 cancelation of Gilligan’s Island.
‘C’mon, Sherwood! Get us off this island!’
From left, Dawn Wells, Natalie Schafer, Jim Backus, writer and producer Sherwood Schwartz (at typewriter), Alan Hale, Jr., Tina Louise, Bob Denver (in bucket hat), Russell Johnson, on-set in 1965.
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