Movies - TV
The Gilligan's Island Crew Members Were At Risk Of A Real Crash Landing
By BEN PEARSON
During the production of the pilot episode for "Gilligan's Island," the crew members, including creator Sherwood Schwartz and star Bob Denver, were at risk of a real crash landing.
As per Schwartz's memoir "Inside Gilligan's Island," they were flown to the filming location, Moloaa Bay on Kauai, Hawaii, in a Constellation aircraft, a rickety, outdated plane.
Director Rod Amateau was furious about this choice, expressing anger and concern over the safety of the propeller-driven plane, especially since jets were already in use by 1963.
The decision, made by production manager Bill Porter to use the budget more efficiently, could have jeopardized the entire show's creation had the aircraft experienced any issues.
Fortunately, the flight went smoothly, allowing the cast and crew to proceed with filming, ultimately resulting in a beloved sitcom that has stood the test of time.