The Untold Story of the 1960’s TV series “Gilligan’s Island”

“Gilligan’s Island” premiered on CBS on September 26, 1964. The show was an instant hit. Season one began in black-and-white, and season two started with a bang being showcased in full color.

“Gilligan’s Island” is a show that has forever impacted our culture, and about 60 years later, it’s still on the air. With all the time that passed, it’s a wonder to how this show came to be.

Jerry Van Dyke was Supposed to Play Gilligan

Sherwood Schwartz wanted Jerry Van Dyke to play the role of Gilligan. However, after reading the script for the pilot episode, Van Dyke turned it down, saying it was the worst thing that he had ever read.

Instead, he took the lead role in the short-lived television series “My Mother The Car.”

Alan Hale Went on an Adventure to Get to his Audition

When Alan Hale Jr. got the call to audition to play the Skipper, he was in the middle of filming “Bullet for a Bad Man” in St. George, Utah. Unable to get time off from filming, Alan snuck off the set.

He traveled to Los Angeles via horseback, hitchhiking, airplane and taxi cab to make it to his audition. And when it was over, he traveled back to Utah, in the reverse order.

Production was Delayed by the Assassination of President JFK

It took several days to film the pilot episode in Hawaii during November of 1963. Unfortunately, during filming, the crew received news that President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated.

Production was delayed when Lyndon Johnson announced that all military installations would be closed for a period of mourning.

Raquel Welch Auditioned to play Mary Ann

The bombshell of the 1960’s Raquel Welch was among the many actresses who auditioned for the role of Mary Ann on “Gilligan’s Island.” Raquel did not have the “girl-next-door” vibe, so she was out of the running. Eventually, the role went to Dawn Wells.