Rescue From Gilligan’s Island

Rescue from Gilligan’s Island (1978) starring Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Dawn Wells, Natalie Schafer

In 1978, the Rescue from Gilligan’s Island reunion show was filmed. it’s now available on DVD.  The basic plot is that a Soviet satellite (yes, this is the tail end of the Cold War) crashes on the island, the Professor uses a piece to build a barometer. Which he uses to discover that the island is about to be devastated by a tsunami!

That’s bad! No, that’s good, because the castaways can lash their huts together as a large raft, and use the tsunami to move them out to the shipping lanes, where they can be rescued!  That’s good!  No, that’s bad, because the rest of the film deals with how unhappy the castaways are back in civilization—Mary Ann doesn’t want to marry the fiancee she left behind, Ginger doesn’t want to do nude scenes in movies, the Skipper’s fighting with the insurance company, etc.  And, they have to keep out of the grip of Soviet spies who are trying to recover a piece of the satellite that Gilligan’s wearing as a good luck charm.

On the one hand, it’s not a bad film, and there are many funny moments.  On the other hand, there aren’t enough of them.  If you a Gilligan’s Island fan, check it out from your library, or buy it to complete your collection—but don’t expect it to be as funny as the classic Gilligan’s Island series.

On the positive side, nearly the entire cast was reassembled for the movie (except for Tina Louise). And the repartee between the Skipper and Gilligan seems as fresh as ever.

Funny movie quotes from Rescue from Gilligan’s Island

Mary Ann (Dawn Wells): He didn’t mean any harm, Skipper.
Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.): Neither did the iceberg that sunk the Titanic.

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Professor (Russell Johnson): [about the tsunami] Mind you, I haven’t worked out all the details.
Mrs. Howell (Natalie Shafer): I have one thing to say to you, Professor. Work out the details.

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Mr. Howell (Jim Backus): Captain, can you give me one good reason why you haven’t put up the sail?
Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.): Yes, Mr. Howell, we haven’t got a sail.
Mr. Howell (Jim Backus): Can you give me another good reason?

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[The castaways are planning to tie their huts together to make a raft]
Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.): Only question is, will it have enough bottom?
Gilligan (Bob Denver): If that’s the question, Skipper, you sure got the answer.

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Gilligan (Bob Denver): Hey Skipper, why don’t you donate your pants? When they fill with air, we can fly to Hawaii.

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[The seat of the chair the Skipper is sitting in has varnished]
Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.) : What could be stupider than varnishing the seat of a chair?
Gilligan (Bob Denver): Sitting in the seat of a chair that’s just been varnished.

[Spotting a Coast Guard helicopter]
Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.): I can’t believe it. After 15 years, we’re finally rescued.
Mr. Howell (Jim Backus): Rescued.
Mrs. Howell (Natalie Shafer): Rescued.
Ginger Grant: Rescued.
Mary Ann (Dawn Wells): Rescued.
Professor (Russell Johnson): Rescued.
Gilligan (Bob Denver): Rescued.

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Back in civilization

Dean: We’re expanding. This will be the biggest university on the west coast.
Professor (Russell Johnson): But we’re on the east coast.
Dean: That’s how big I want it to be.

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Professor (Russell Johnson): Miss Ainsworth, turn off your macho!

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[last lines]
Gilligan (Bob Denver): [after the castaways have been re-stranded] What’s wrong, everybody? We’re home again!
Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.): Yes, Gilligan,
[shouts]
Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.): we’re home again!

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