Posted on 01/16/2014 12:04:13 PM PST by lowbridge
Dawn Wells has posted on her facebook page that Russell Johnson passed away this morning.
(Excerpt) Read more at facebook.com ...
Pilot Episode:
Due to the three significant character and casting changes between the pilot episode and the first series, the pilot was not shown when the first series was aired in 1964.
Four of the original seven pilot characters were identical to those of the series (including the actor/actress cast for each role): Gilligan, the Skipper, and the two Howells.
The three remaining original pilot characters differed from those of the series (including the actor/actress cast): In the pilot, the Professor was instead a high school teacher played by John Gabriel; Ginger the movie star was instead Ginger, a practical secretary with red hair, played by Kit Smythe; and Mary Ann the Kansas farm-girl was instead Bunny, a stereotypically cheerful “dumb blonde” secretary, played by Nancy McCarthy.
The pilot’s opening and ending theme songs, two similar Calypso-styled tracks written by John Williams with differing lyrics, were quite different from those of the actual series. The short scenes during the opening theme song (which is longer than the series opening theme song) include Gilligan taking the Howells’ luggage to the boat before cast-off and Gilligan attempting to give a cup of coffee to the Skipper during the storm that would ultimately maroon the boat.
After the opening theme song and opening credits end, the pilot proper begins with the seven castaways waking up on the beached SS Minnow and continues with them performing various tasks including exploring the island, attempting to fix the transmitter, building huts, and finding food. Contrary to some descriptions, no detailed accounts of the pilot characters’ backgrounds were written into the pilot storylines. The pilot then ends with the ending theme song and ending credits.
Lastly, the background music and even the laugh tracks of the pilot appear all but identical to those used during the series.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilligan%27s_Island#Pilot_Episode
Yes but I think Jan is a woman's woman...if you know what I mean.
Years ago I was watching in a theater a double feature showing old sci fi classics from the 1950s in 3D. One of them was It Came From Outer Space and Russell Johnson has a bit part in it. Unless you were paying attention to the credits you wouldn’t have been expecting him to show up but when he did a large number of the audience yelled out in unison It’s The Professor!!!. I still get a chuckle out of that spontaneous moment in my movie going life.
JoAnna Cameron also had a nice little role as the daughter in that late Bob Hope/Jackie Gleason film, “How to Commit Marriage” (1969).
Very, very pretty gal. And she hit precisely the right note in “Isis,” comporting herself with just the right touch of sincerity and innocence. Interesting looking back at her performance, along with similar-vintage actresses who played heroines back then (Lindsey Wagner, Linda Carter, etc.). They strike a sort of innocent, even ‘nurturing’ femininity that I can’t remotely imagine seeing depicted nowadays. It seems practically extinct in modern culture, replaced by nonstop, abrasive sarcasm and buttkicking.
Yeah, it’s strange to see actors you’re so familiar with pop up here and there in various other films and tv shows. I remember seeing “Sam Drucker” from Green Acres in some serious film role. It might also have been a Sci-Fi.
Bit parts are fun to look for in those old classics...remember Clint Eastwood in ‘Revenge of the Creature’ or napalming the snot out of the giant spider in ‘Tarantula’?
Yes, I’ve ONLY heard great things about Alan Hale, Jr. Seemed a truly marvelous guy. Talked to several people who knew or worked with him.
Sam Drucker from Green Acres (Frank Cady)
It must have been “When Worlds Collide” (1951)
Here’s another bit of trivia for ya.... Allen Hale and Jim Backus died exactly 1 year and one day apart.
Ginger? Or Mary Ann?
Marsha? Or Jan?
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Laura? or Nellie?
(Just kidding. EVERYONE knows the answer is Jeannie.)
Frank Cady also had a small role in “The Atomic City” (1952). Not quite a sci-fi film, but a ripping good suspense film. It used to make the rounds on one of my local channel’s afternoon theaters, alongside 50s sci-fi selections.
Edward Platt in Rebel without a Cause. His role as Chief in Get Smart had become so ingrained in my childhood when I watched the show that it was very odd to see him in another role when I later saw Rebel.
I don't know about that. Eve Plumb (Jan) has been married to the same guy for almost 20 years.
Marsha? Or Jan?
Laura? or Nellie?
WKRP: Jennifer or Bailey?
I remember one time Denver was arrested for
a little grass.The local paper reported Gilligan
was arrested for possession.
He made a statement Bob Denver was arrested not Gilligan.
He seemed likea great guy...WORK,
Speaking of Clint Eastwood, I was flipping through channels one Saturday a couple weeks ago and managed to find an episode of Rawhide on MeTV.
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