It was a long time coming, but finally fifteen years after 'the ship set
ground on the shores of that unchartered desert isle', the Castaways
were returned to civilization via an NBC television movie - "Rescue from
Gilligan's Island" - the first of its kind the Rescue movie was something
brand new to network television, the first-ever reunion movie of a popular
TV series. Today, the rescue movie remains one of the highest rated
TV movies of all time with a whopping 52 share!
In Russell's own words:
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"It seemed as if it would never happen. You see, ever since we had gotten
canceled, Sherwood had savored the idea of someday going back and capping
the open lid he had left the viewers. Ten years went by and he couldn't sell the
idea. Fifteen years approached, and finally, because fate put him in the right
spot at the right time, he casually interested some network executives in
rescuing the Castaways. Different hands were on the network's rudders,
and Sherwood's idea was seriously considered this time around.
canceled, Sherwood had savored the idea of someday going back and capping
the open lid he had left the viewers. Ten years went by and he couldn't sell the
idea. Fifteen years approached, and finally, because fate put him in the right
spot at the right time, he casually interested some network executives in
rescuing the Castaways. Different hands were on the network's rudders,
and Sherwood's idea was seriously considered this time around.
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When I got the phone call, naturally I was interested in playing the Professor again,
but I wanted a little time to think about it. I had a lot of thoughts about doing the TV
movie, and one of them was that Sherwood was going to do the movie no matter
who was in it. So I talked it over with my wife and we both came to the same
conclusion: Yeah, do it, have a good time and reminisce with old friends.
but I wanted a little time to think about it. I had a lot of thoughts about doing the TV
movie, and one of them was that Sherwood was going to do the movie no matter
who was in it. So I talked it over with my wife and we both came to the same
conclusion: Yeah, do it, have a good time and reminisce with old friends.
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It was Mother Nature who had hit the island with a violent hurricane that put the
rescue in motion. Because of a little metallic disc that Gilligan found, the
Professor was able to activate a barometer to predict the catastrophic
weather. The Castaways lashed their huts together to stay afloat.
When the storm hit, the new community hut drifted out to sea.
rescue in motion. Because of a little metallic disc that Gilligan found, the
Professor was able to activate a barometer to predict the catastrophic
weather. The Castaways lashed their huts together to stay afloat.
When the storm hit, the new community hut drifted out to sea.
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Utilizing the Howells' vast wardrobe, the Castaways constructed a sail and
Gilligan bumbled once again when he started a fire to broil some snapper.
The hut caught fire and began to smoke, which attracted the
Coast Guard helicopter. Their plight had ended!
Gilligan bumbled once again when he started a fire to broil some snapper.
The hut caught fire and began to smoke, which attracted the
Coast Guard helicopter. Their plight had ended!
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The rescue scene was shot at Marina Del Ray, California, with sailboats,
fireboats and a Coast Guard cutter surrounding the hut being towed into
"Honolulu Harbor". It was an incredible sight. Coast Guard sirens were
blasting, and people were waving. There were bands playing and
hundreds, maybe thousands of extras all around the pier cheering us.
Many of them were tourists who wanted to witness the rescue.
fireboats and a Coast Guard cutter surrounding the hut being towed into
"Honolulu Harbor". It was an incredible sight. Coast Guard sirens were
blasting, and people were waving. There were bands playing and
hundreds, maybe thousands of extras all around the pier cheering us.
Many of them were tourists who wanted to witness the rescue.
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In the script, the Castaways finally decided to part ways and return to a
faster-paced society. As the crowds scattered, the Castaways were left alone
to say their good-byes. They realized how close they had become, so they
vowed to keep in close touch. The scene meant a lot to us. We finally got a
chance to hug and say good-bye. Officially. On film!
faster-paced society. As the crowds scattered, the Castaways were left alone
to say their good-byes. They realized how close they had become, so they
vowed to keep in close touch. The scene meant a lot to us. We finally got a
chance to hug and say good-bye. Officially. On film!
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After Tina decided she didn't want to be part of the Rescue movie,
she was replaced by actress Judith Baldwin, shown in this photo
with (from left to right) Alan, Natalie, Russell and Dawn.
she was replaced by actress Judith Baldwin, shown in this photo
with (from left to right) Alan, Natalie, Russell and Dawn.