14 Things You Never Knew about ‘Gilligan’s Island’

7. There’s a Backstory as to Why Skipper Puts Up with Gilligan’s Idiocy

If Gilligan was such an incompetent buffoon, why does the Skipper tolerate him to the point of bunking together in the same thatched hut? Well, according to the backstory, Gilligan actually saved the Skipper’s life on a destroyer during WWII. So he owes him one, even if that means he has to put up with silly banter from the hammock above.

8. JFK’s Assassination Delayed Production

The filming of the original pilot was due to wrap on Nov. 22, 1963. That was the day that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. As Lyndon Johnson was sworn in, all military installations including Honolulu Harbor were ordered to close for a two day mourning period, and filming was delayed by a few days. You can actually see the American flag flying at half mast during the first season opening credits in light of this tragic historic event.

9. The Skipper Broke His Arm and Didn’t Get It Fixed for Weeks

Alan Hale, who played the Skipper, was one tough guy with a strong work ethic. During a scene towards the end of season one, he fell out of a coconut tree but missed the crash pad, breaking his arm. Not wanting to disrupt the shooting schedule, he kept this snafu to himself and soldiered on for three weeks. At the wrap party, Hale mentioned to Sherwood Schwartz that he was going to take care of his arm now. Schwartz, who knew nothing of the mishap, couldn’t believe it, saying “How did you manage to haul coconuts and lift Bob Denver with a broken arm?” “It wasn’t easy,” Hale admitted.