Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History (2001) (TV)

Director:

Paul A. Kaufman

Writer (WGA):

Duane Poole (teleplay)

Release Date:

14 October 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

The Scandals. The Egos. The Fights. Find out what when on when the cameras went off.

Plot:

A fun behind-the-scenes look into the 60's television series, "Gilligan's Island."

Plot Keywords:

Television | Television Series | Fame | Television Industry | Television History

Cast

Jon Wellner	...	Gilligan / Bob Denver
Dawn Wells	...	Herself (archive footage)
Russell Johnson	...	Himself (archive footage)
Bob Denver	...	Himself (also archive footage)
Kristen Dalton	...	Tina Louise
Samantha Harris	...	Dawn Wells
Dwayne Hickman	...	Network Executive #1
Eric Allan Kramer	...	Alan Hale Jr.
Aaron Lustig	...	Sherwood Schwartz
E.J. Peaker	...	Natalie Schafer
Steve Vinovich	...	Jim Backus
Michael Wiseman	...	Russell Johnson
Jerry Van Dyke	...	Himself
Christopher Neiman	...	Network Executive #2
Terry Davis	...	Friend's Sister

Also Known As:

Surviving Gilligan's Island (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

CBS Entertainment Production

Goofs:

Anachronisms: As Dawn Wells, Samantha Harris says she won the 'Ms. Fitness' contest, but there was no such thing at the time "Gilligan's Island" was being filmed. The first fitness contest was held in the mid-nineties.

Movie Connections:

References "ABC's Nightlife" (1964)

Just Sit Right Back...

I never saw the promos for this wonderful feat of nostalgic fun, but as a Gilligan fan, I knew it was coming up. It was as funny and as cartoonish as the series with the last three survivors (if you consider Tina Louise killed "Ginger") telling in front of the camera their favorite anecdotes and having them acted out for all the fans who already know them. The host segments were wonderful, and the flashbacks were made wonderful by actors who looked like the castaways. I have seen Eric Allen Kramer and Steven Vinovich play other roles, but it was this movie that convinced me just how much they look like the Skipper and Mr. Howell. Samantha Harris and Kristen Dalton were equally wonderful as Mary Ann/Dawn Wells and Ginger/Tina Louise. I wonder how Tina is going to take this bashing portrayal of herself as a prima donna. If anything, I'd love to see these new actors take over the roles and bring back the series. If they can return us the the series, maybe they can bring back the series.