"Gilligan's Island" Two on a Raft (TV Episode 1964) Poster

(TV Series)

(1964)

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6/10
First episode recast with three new additions
kevinolzak27 May 2016
"Two on a Raft" marked the series debut of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, with three new actors replacing three from the original pilot titled "Marooned." Instead of John Gabriel as the Professor (Roy Hinkley), we have Russell Johnson, a more mature looking actor with the right appearance for a learned man with 7 college degrees. Instead of wisecracking secretary Ginger (first played by Kit Smythe), we have a total makeover in glamorous movie and Broadway star Tina Louise, cast as movie star Ginger Grant, a red haired Marilyn Monroe-type, complete with endless, breathless appeal. The last new character was Dawn Wells as Mary Ann Summers (rather than sweet blonde secretary Bunny, played by Pittsburgh's Nancy McCarthy), small town clerk from Winfield, Kansas, a character that appealed to young girls as well as boys of all ages. A former Miss Nevada, Dawn Wells also enjoyed the greatest amount of fan mail throughout the series run, not surprising with the never ending Ginger or Mary Ann debate! Sherwood Schwartz had the answer for executives worried about exposition explaining the shipwreck, depicted by the theme song composed by Schwartz and George Wyle, performed this first season by folk trio The Wellingtons, later to play 3/4 of rock group The Mosquitoes in season 2's "Don't Bug the Mosquitoes." Only the opening moments of the beached Minnow are retained from the pilot, followed by an entirely new plot line, the Skipper and Gilligan building a none too sturdy raft to try to reach port and return with a rescue party. Due to Gilligan's constant craving for food, all of the safety remedies from the Professor are devoured before they can be used, in particular the shark repellent. Rather than abandon ship ("it's too late, it's already abandoned us!") they find themselves marooned on what they believe to be a different island, but we soon learn that it's the same one the others are stuck on. Concerns about the deadly head hunting Marubi tribe find both parties taking steps to safeguard themselves, each winding up in the same cave for the climax, before they realize that there aren't any savages loose. Not the cleverest or the best that the series would offer, but a comfortable introduction to what could have played out as a one trick pony, going on to produce 98 episodes, and would have gone to a fourth season were it not for the reinstatement of the long running GUNSMOKE. The first season's 36 episodes were in black and white (Sept 26 1964-June 12 1965), but have since been colorized for syndication.
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8/10
classic b/w Gilligan
markf-3114 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Gilligan and Skipper build a raft that gets eaten by a shark, but somehow they manage to get back to shore. They think they are on a different island with headhunters. Zanny, madcap, slapstick comedy ensues (who would have thought) with Gilligan having the last laugh. Fond baby boomer memories..........This was the first full episode after a pilot with different actors who played the professor and Mary-Ann. while I haven't seen the pilot, I'm glad they used this cast. We always had a running poll on who you liked better...........Mary-Ann or Ginger? These early shows are silly, but they still provided entertainment way before any 'real' people were stranded on desert islands!
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8/10
The First Episode Sets the Tone for the Rest
kmcelhaney00524 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Although not the pilot episode (which would not be seen for nearly 30 years), "Two on a Raft" is an excellent introduction episode for Gilligan's Island. Here, we see the continuation of the story from the title credits when the Skipper wakes up on the SS Minnow that is beached on a lost tropical island.

After hearing on the radio that the search for them is dying down, the Skipper decides to build a raft and head out to sea with Gilligan to get help. However, the Professor discovers artifacts from the "Marubi" tribe, a group of vicious headhunters who may be on the neighboring islands.

The Skipper presses forward anyway and soon he and Gilligan sail out into the ocean for days, only to arrive on the shore of some unknown island. Meanwhile, the rest of the castaways see signs of intruders on their island and believe that the Marubi have returned. The final realization and conflict is both hilarious and well executed.

Of course, this is the first released episode of the series and it is remarkably well crafted. Funny bits include Gilligan's pride at finishing his "raft making" sign, Mr. Howell not wanting to be disturbed while putting and Gilligan's rather odd encounter with a woodpecker. The highlight however is the sight of the Skipper and Gilligan fighting off the sharks that start biting huge chunks out of their raft. What works really well is the great rapport between the Skipper (Alan Hale) and Gilligan (Bob Denver) who make a great Laural 'n Hardy-type team.

The rest of the cast seems to have stepped into their characters quite well also, even if their scenes are rather limited by comparison. However, it appears right from the get-go that Mr. Howell (Jim Backus) is having a ball with his role that he was seemingly born to play.

For those who may not have seen Gilligan's Island (the very few indeed), then this is the perfect introduction to the series. While the comedy may be a little basic in terms of slapstick and exaggerated line reading, the effect is pure fun and laughter.

  • As noted elsewhere, when we first see the Skipper you can see the two actresses who played Bunny and Ginger (a somewhat different Ginger) asleep in the boat. This is because that particular scene is from the original pilot episode. Also, during the title credits for the first season, you can see all three of the actors who didn't make it to the series standing on the deck of the Minnow as it leaves the harbor.


  • There are many firsts in this episode, but the one that is very familiar to all fans is an exasperated Skipper looking at us (into the camera) after Gilligan screws something up. It first happens after they reach the "new" island when Gilligan is sent to get more wood for the fire.


  • Another trademark of the series is how one episode has very little to do with any other episode in the series. Here, the dreaded "Marubi" tribe is never heard from again, although arguably could be one of the many "savages" that will visit Gilligan's Island in the future.


  • The final scene is actually most unusual for Gilligan's Island in that it is a continuation of the previous scene. Almost all final scenes for the rest of the series would happen well after the penultimate scene.
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7/10
How do you outwit a hungry shark?
mark.waltz24 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Especially when your little buddy has eaten the shark repellent...

That's the issue for skipper Alan Hale Jr. in the premiere episode of "Gilligan's Island", filmed before with several different cast members and rewritten slightly for the actual first episode to air. It appears that some of the footage was kept, particularly the scenes of Hale and Bob Denver (Gilligan) by themselves. The voice of the radio announcer acts as a narrator, introducing each of the characters by name (although Lovey's real name was Eunice, not mentioned here), one of the few times outside of Ginger Grant that we heard Mary Ann's full name and the skipper and professor's given name at all.

It's obvious that the characters were altered to create some sort of diversity and that creates the potential of more conflict. For the first season, Thurston Howell (Jim Backus) is presented as a bit of a snooty potential villain whose greed will create plenty of conflict, although Natalie Schafer's gracious society hostess never altered. Ginger (Tina Louise) speaks in a softer, breathier voice as well and this too will change.

As for the opening plot, we start with the skipper waking up and the realization that they are shipwrecked. Gilligan and the skipper attempt to build a raft and end up surrounded by sharks, eventually ending back on the same island, unaware that the other castaways are on the other side. It is a great way to start a new series, and even if the critics hated it, the A audience members didn't.
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8/10
Gilligan beaches the odds
Ralphkram13 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Gilligan's Island has a pretty well-deserved reputation as being goofy, juvenile, and outlandish, but this pilot is solid, fast-paced, and fun; it's one of the more underrated pilots in sitcom-dom. It's close to iconic, with only a hiccup or two keeping it from a perfect score.

We start off with footage from the unaired Marooned pilot. The Skipper and Gilligan are shocked to discover their beloved Minnow is beached on a jungle island. The Skipper is sure that they can somehow return to Hawaii, but his jumpy first mate is less confident and comes off a little neurotic.

The first new scene is a rare expositional one used to introduce the Minnow's crew and passengers. They learn through their transistor radio that they are stranded and feared lost at sea, and no help is forthcoming.

The impatient Skipper isn't about to sit around and wait and decides to undertake the show's first of many rescue attempts. His project is simple and straightforward: he and Gilligan will build a bamboo raft and set sail for civilization.

The Professor, quickly established as the voice of reason, warns our heroes they're embarking on a suicide mission. They'll have to contend with the currents, waves, jagged coral reefs, and man-eating sharks. He also has uncovered the headdress of a Marubi headhunter on their island. Gilligan is ready to give up the ship, but the brave and sure Skipper orders him to go full steam ahead.

Much of the heavy comic lifting is done by our two leads in this one and their amazing chemistry is on full display. Easily the centerpiece of the episode is the comic duo's encounter with those pesky sharks. It's a hilarious scene with solid special effects and cute musical cues as the raft is gradually chomped to bits.

The rest of the cast is largely relegated to the sidelines fretting their would-be rescuers return. At least the Howells get in a few putts.

The second act is less fun and more contrived. The sailors stumble onto the beach on the other side of the island. Their smoke signal attracts the attention of the others, who mistake it for a Marubi landing party. The Skipper and Gilligan are soon convinced that the others are also Marubi, and the episode descends into a lot of weak gags and overall silliness. The low point is easily our heroes disguising themselves as a tree and bush in disguises that wouldn't fool a tree and a bush. Also Gilligan 'speaks' to a woodpecker.

Much better is the final sequence at the cave where everyone stumbles into each other. The Professor settles their momentary confusion over who's who, but Gilligan, overeager to reunite with his new island family, accidentally springs the Professor's vine trap, leading to an intentionally rocky start.

COCONOTES

From the radio report, we learn the Minnow set sail on a Tuesday; the Skipper's full name is Jonas Grumby; the Howells are billionaires; Mary Ann hails from Winfield, Kansas; and Ginger is wearing an evening gown from her nightclub act.

Also according to the announcer, Professor Roy Hinkley is a college professor, research scientist, and 'well-known' Scout Master. His scouting must be pretty good to overshadow his seven degrees and many inventions.

The Professor's warning that it's impossible to cross the sea is interesting, in that none of those conditions stop any of the visitors to the island from making it.

Jim Backus steps into his role as Thurston Howell with upper-class haughtiness and boisterous energy. He and Natalie Schafer come into the episode fully formed. Natalie stumbling out of the cave with her tattered parasol is a sight.

On the other hand, Tina Louise is subdued and a little unsure of her character in her debut. The close up of her during her Hawaiian spiel is awkward and goes on too long. Dawn Wells doesn't get to do much, either, but she does look great in short shorts.

"But Mr. Howell, I have important news." "Not while I'm putting." "I believe the Marubi may be here." "I don't care who's here. They are not playing through!"

Ginger's only gown is shredded by the end of the episode, but is miraculously restored by the next week.
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7/10
Post-pilot
safenoe1 January 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Here is Gilligan's Island with its reboot, being the first episode following the pilot, which remarkably wasn't rebroadcast until 30 years later. Anyway, here the S Club 7 crew are together here on Gilligan's Isle, and they gel well as a team. I first started watching Gilligan's Island back in the 70s I think and it's also become a metaphor of being marooned forever and forever on a road to nowhere. In fact, I was recently reading an article about the ill-fated three year voyage that went belly-up before it started, and a witty commentator said they would prefer watching Gilligan's Island for three years instead.
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10/10
WELCOME TO GILLIGANS ISLAND!
tcchelsey29 January 2024
NOT the pilot episode, called "Marooned," but the official first episode which is excellent, and filmed quite a bit on the famous Studio City man-made lake. There are some great outdoor, on location shots here which adds to the charm of the episode.

We also a catch a full shot of the battered SS Minnow, resting on the beach, which would turn up in the series credits and early episodes --and then disappear. The reasoning behind it all is that the castwaways probably took the darn thing apart to use the extra wood and amenities, which they sooo needed. Although lots of poetic license would be applied over the next three seasons, as to how everyone got this and that, not to mention several wardrobe changes. One heck of a mystery!

The opening finds the gang stranded on the island, listening to what would become the famous radio which would be their only connection to the outside world, at least to Hawaii. Character actor Charles Maxwell would play the radio announcer in 10 episodes. We also get to know the full names of the characters (super trivia questions!), particuarly the skipper, who is named Jonas Grumby and the professor, whose real name is Roy Hinkley. Ginger's last name is Grant, which is perhaps the most asked question of all! Mary Ann's last name is Summers, which fits her so well. Dawn Wells also lived very close to Alan Hale in real life (possibly in Studio City, CA) and they were lifelong friends.

It's quick, let's build a raft time! ---which is a total disaster as the Skipper and Gilligan try to put one together, which promptly falls apart, shades of many, many stories to come. Right off the bat, comes the very first question; where did they get the long, specially cut "logs" to make the raft in the first place?

Also, watching the Skipper and Gilligan bump into each other, as many have noted, there are shades of the great comedy team Laurel and Hardy, especially Alan Hale who adopts many of the frustrated mannerisms of Oliver Hardy. Watch carefully, including his frustrated looks into the camera! That was an Oliver Hardy trademark.

Bob Denver has shades (at times) of his character Maynard on DOBIE GILLIS --minus the short beard!

In fact, there was one episode on the series, a dream sequence, that had Maynard marooned on an island? One heck of a coincidence, you have to admit!

This is how it all began, and with a colorized print. The first season was originally filmed in black and white. Fabulously directed by John Rich, who brought us so many tv classics, such as ALL IN THE FAMILY, THAT GIRL and DICK VAN DYKE. Written by Lawrence Cohen, who wrote 5 episodes in all, known for his work on BEWITCHED and ANDY GRIFFITH.

Yes, the WELLINGTONS sing the original theme, though they did not get it on the music charts in 1964. Surprisingly, the show had low ratings, which did not impress the network brass, but has rightfully become a legendary show in tv reruns, perhaps as famous as I LOVE LUCY.

Dedicated to all us Gilligan addicts. SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 remastered/CBS release.
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4/10
An Abundance of Colonial Fictions
s-heck2 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Lush landscape, warm weather, tropical fruit and a relaxed sense of being is what comes to mind when people think about the Pacific Islands. Gilligan's Island uses this common theme of tropical paradise with the concept of seven unlucky boat passengers end up stranded on a beautiful deserted island after a storm causes their three hour tour near Honolulu to end in tragedy. Colorful and comedic characters mask the underlying message that comes across in the very first episode "Two on a Raft." The calm yet eager passengers appear to be unperturbed with the thought of being stranded on an uncharted island somewhere in the Pacific until the possibility of native islanders could be nearby. Underneath the comedy, there is the narrative of an underdeveloped, primitive culture that has yet to become as evolved as European culture. Paradise and danger come hand in hand in this castaway story.

The Professor brings a colorfully painted and oversized mask to the attention to the Skipper and Gilligan. The first item presented to the audience is a necklace made of "native arrowhead" and a "ceremonial mask" from a "savage" tribe called the Merubi. Somewhere off the coast of Honolulu in 1964, there are violent, savage groups of people collecting the heads of unsuspecting visiting white people. The show is building on the idea of the Pacific being this unknown, mysterious place where things can happen that don't happen on the mainland of America. If not completely possible, the image of "head collecting, savage natives" is associated with places where the people and culture are not as advanced as what white people are normally used to.

This fear of being attacked without warning by savages occurs when the Professor and Ginger, the movie star, see smoke on the other side of the island and think it is the Merubi tribe when it is really only Gilligan and the Skipper thinking they have washed up on another island. When they are seen, they are assumed to be the Merubi because those people are known to dress in such clothing built from nature and are attempting to hide and hunt them down. This information is not based on personal experience by the Professor but by what he has read and studied giving him the assumption that he is an expert on the practices and culture of the so called Merubi tribe.

An entire white cast rounds out the colonial fiction of the beautiful scenery and idea of the Pacific having danger awaiting unsuspecting white tourists from America. The possibility of spear wielding savages lurking around everyone corner seems to be a staple associated with "underdeveloped, simple" cultures. This idea is heavily present in people who Gilligan's Island is catered and pushed toward, white American's. This colonial fiction is built on the misconceptions white people have about unknown places different from the "norm" in an attempt to explain why they are different and what sets America and Indo-European cultures above the rest.
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play episode
tileemo3 March 2018
Am i supposed to be able to play episodes on this site. cos i cant seem to see a play button. Just posters???????
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