In our series sharing Thanksgiving moves & Shows we can watch on Thanksgiving today were going on a three-hour tour! So grab your favorite snack, gather the family, and join Gilligan, the Skipper, Mary Ann, Ginger, the Professor, and Mr. and Mrs. Howell for another adventure on that little island in the Pacific.
If you grew up watching classic television, chances are you remember singing along to the familiar theme song. Even if you weren’t around when the show first aired, you’ve probably seen the reruns. Which both Charlie and Suzzane had the opportunity to watch with me.
For my family there was something special about these seven castaways. They were so different from one another, but somehow they became a little family. They didn’t always agree, their plans didn’t always work, and poor Gilligan seemed to find a way to complicate just about everything! Today we’re revisiting an episode that gives us a little Thanksgiving humor, a bank robber, a stolen fortune, and plenty of coconut!
Before we get into today’s episode, let’s go back to the beginning. Gilligan’s Island premiered on CBS on September 26, 1964. Created by Sherwood Schwartz, the sitcom followed seven people who set out on what was supposed to be a three-hour boat tour aboard the S.S. Minnow.
Unfortunately, the weather had other plans! The tiny ship was tossed and turned, and the passengers found themselves stranded on an uncharted desert island. The original series ran for three seasons, producing 98 episodes before its cancellation in 1967. That’s a whole lot of time to watch the show.
Here are a few television facts:
- First episode: September 26, 1964
- Final original episode: April 17, 1967
- Network: CBS
- Seasons: 3
- Total episodes: 98
- Creator: Sherwood Schwartz
- Original cast: Seven main castaways
Although the show only lasted three seasons, it became a television favorite through years of reruns and reunion movies. I would like to invite you to watch Season 1, Episode 17 which originally aired January 23, 1965 with me. This time, our castaways encounter an unexpected visitor named Jackson Farrell, played by guest star Larry Storch.
Unfortunately, he’s not exactly the kind of visitor you’d invite over for Thanksgiving dinner! Farrell is a bank robber who has stolen more than half a million dollars. His accomplices leave him on the island, planning to return once the police stop looking for him.
The island seems like the perfect hiding place because it isn’t even on the maps. But there’s one person he didn’t count on meeting: Gilligan! While collecting dates, Gilligan discovers Farrell. Farrell tells him that he’s a doctor who was on his way to help people suffering from tropical diseases.
Gilligan believes him and happily introduces the stranger to everyone. Mr. Howell is especially impressed when he hears about the supposed doctor’s plans to build a hospital. He’s even willing to contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars! Of course, there’s just one little problem. The money isn’t a charitable donation. Farrell stole it!
When the castaways hear a radio announcement identifying Farrell as a wanted criminal, the truth comes out. Farrell pulls a gun and takes everyone hostage. Now the gang has to figure out how to get out of their predicament. The Skipper and Gilligan come up with a plan, but as usual, things don’t go quite as expected.
Ginger even tries using her Hollywood charm to distract Farrell and get closer to his gun. Unfortunately, he catches on. Eventually, Farrell’s accomplices arrive, and the castaways are forced to pretend they’re natives who don’t speak English. The gang finally leaves by boat, but Gilligan manages to cause one more problem for the crooks. The boat’s propeller chops up their stolen money!
The crooks discover that their gun is full of water, and Gilligan’s accidental interference helps keep them from getting away with their plans. The Coast Guard eventually captures the gang, and the castaways hear the good news over their radio. But Gilligan isn’t finished with the money just yet! He collects pieces of the chopped-up bills and announces that he’s going to make one long million-dollar bill. Another day on the island, another adventure involving Gilligan!
Here’s the reason I wanted to include this particular episode in our Thanksgiving family viewing collection. Early in the episode, the Skipper asks what’s for breakfast. Mary Ann’s answer is coconut. Gilligan has apparently reached his limit. He’s tired of eating coconut sliced, diced, baked, fried, and just about every other way imaginable.
Then Ginger announces that they’re going to have something special for Thanksgiving dinner. Gilligan gets excited and asks what it is. Coconut drumsticks! Now, I don’t know about you, but after eating coconut every day, I think even a simple turkey sandwich would sound like a Thanksgiving feast! Don’t you?
It’s a funny little moment that makes this episode especially appropriate for our holiday collection. And it reminds us that Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be perfect. Sometimes we have to make the best of what we have, enjoy the people around us, and find something to laugh about.
One of the things I enjoy about this show is the friendship between the castaways. Mary Ann was the sweet, practical girl next door, while Ginger brought the Hollywood glamour. They were very different, but both were important parts of the island family for different reasons..
In this particular episode, the main comedy revolves around Farrell, his stolen money, and the castaways trying to escape his gun. Ginger gets a memorable opportunity to use her charm on the criminal, but this isn’t specifically a Mary Ann and Gilligan comedy storyline. Instead, we get plenty of the familiar Gilligan mishaps that made audiences laugh for years.
Here’s a little television history that still makes me wonder why Gilligan’s Island ended after only three seasons. The reason is one that classic television fans still talk about. CBS was planning to cancel another long-running program, Gunsmoke, a Western that had already been on television for years.
However, network chairman William S. Paley reportedly wanted to keep Gunsmoke on the schedule. The network changed its plans, restored Gunsmoke to the schedule, and Gilligan’s Island lost its place. Now, I know plenty of people love Westerns. They have their fans, and I certainly understand that. But man oh man, sometimes a girl just wants a little comedy instead of another cowboy riding off into the sunset!
Gunsmoke went on to run for 20 seasons, finally ending in 1975. Meanwhile, Gilligan and his six fellow castaways were left stranded after only three seasons. Wouldn’t it have been nice if CBS had found room for both? I understand that television networks have to make decisions about ratings and programming, but I still think our seven castaways deserved another season!
You might think the final episode would have shown our seven friends finally finding their way home. But that didn’t happen! The original series ended with an episode called “Gilligan, the Goddess,” which aired April 17, 1967. The creator, Sherwood Schwartz, expected the show to return for another season.
Because he didn’t know the series was ending, he never gave the castaways a proper rescue finale. They remained stranded in the television world. Man, on man that just wasn’t fair to the characters was it? Fortunately, fans eventually got their wish which was a nice ending for fans.
In 1978, NBC aired Rescue from Gilligan’s Island, a reunion movie that finally brought the castaways home. There were additional reunion productions afterward, giving fans more opportunities to visit their favorite castaways. One difference was that Tina Louise did not return as Ginger for the first reunion movie. Judith Baldwin took over the role. Which was crazy.
It’s hard to believe how much time has passed since these actors first brought their characters into our homes. Let’s take a moment to remember the people behind the characters.
Bob Denver – Gilligan– Bob Denver played the lovable first mate whose good intentions frequently turned into trouble. Before Gilligan’s Island, he was known for playing Maynard G. Krebs on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He continued acting and returned for reunion productions. Bob Denver passed away in 2005 at age 70. May he RIP.
Alan Hale Jr. – The Skipper– Alan Hale Jr. played Jonas Grumby, better known as the Skipper. His friendship with Gilligan was one of the show’s most memorable relationships. He continued working in television and film after the series. He passed away in 1990 at age 68. May he also RIP.
Jim Backus – Thurston Howell III– Jim Backus brought the wealthy Mr. Howell to life. He was also famous for voicing the cartoon character Mr. Magoo. He had a long career in entertainment before and after the island. He passed away in 1989 at age 76.
Natalie Schafer – Mrs. Lovey Howell
Natalie Schafer played the elegant Mrs. Howell, who managed to maintain her wealthy-lady personality even while stranded on a deserted island.
She had a long acting career in theater, film, and television. She passed away in 1991 at age 90.
Tina Louise – Ginger Grant
Tina Louise played the glamorous movie star Ginger Grant.
After the series, she continued acting in television and movies, wrote books, and became involved in children’s literacy programs.
Born February 11, 1934, she is 92 years old in 2026 and is the only surviving member of the original seven main castaways. May he also RIP.
Russell Johnson – The Professor– Russell Johnson played Roy Hinkley, the Professor. Whenever something needed fixing, building, or inventing, the Professor was usually the person everyone turned to. He continued acting after the series and appeared in many television programs. He passed away in 2014 at age 89. RIP as well.
Dawn Wells – Mary Ann Summers– Dawn Wells played the sweet and practical Mary Ann, a character who became a favorite with generations of viewers. She continued acting, participated in fan events, and remained connected with the show’s legacy. Dawn passed away in 2020 at age 82. May she also RIP.
It’s bittersweet to think that six of the original seven castaways are gone. But their performances remain with us, and families can still enjoy their adventures together. The guest star in today’s episode, Larry Storch, also had a long career in television and comedy. He is remembered by many viewers for playing Corporal Randolph Agarn on F Troop. He passed away in 2022 at age 99.
A Little Gilligan’s Island Trivia for the Family= After watching today’s episode, here are a few questions to get everyone talking:
- What would you miss most if you were stranded on a deserted island?
- Would you rather be stuck with Gilligan, the Skipper, or the Professor?
- How long do you think you could eat coconut every day before getting tired of it?
- Would you rather have Mary Ann cooking or Ginger entertaining everyone?
- If you could bring one thing from home to the island, what would it be?
- Would you have voted to save Gunsmoke or give Gilligan’s Island another season?
And here’s one more question: If you had been stranded on the island, do you think you would have found a way home, or would you have settled in and made the best of it?
I wanted to remind you sometimes the best family traditions aren’t about having the biggest meal, the fanciest decorations, or the newest movie. Sometimes they’re about sitting together, remembering the television shows we grew up watching, introducing those shows to our children, and laughing at the same silly jokes all over again.
Gilligan’s Island reminds us that seven very different people can find themselves in an unexpected situation and still become a family. And if they can make Thanksgiving dinner out of coconuts, I suppose there’s hope for the rest of us! So grab your favorite snacks, gather the family, and join us for a little island adventure.
We’re Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed to have another opportunity to make family memories. What about you? Did you grow up watching Gilligan’s Island? Were you Team Mary Ann or Team Ginger? And would you have given the castaways another season instead of saving Gunsmoke? I’d love to hear your memories!
Episode Information
- Show: Gilligan’s Island
- Episode: “Little Island, Big Gun”
- Season: 1
- Episode number: 17
- Original air date: January 23, 1965
- Guest star: Larry Storch as Jackson Farrell
- Director: Abner Biberman
- Writers: Dick Conway and Roland MacLane
- Genre: Classic television comedy
- Viewing time: Approximately 30 minutes
Ready to join us for a three-hour tour? You can watch today’s featured episode, “Little Island, Big Gun,” Season 1, Episode 17, on Tubi, where it is listed for free! The episode runs approximately 26 minutes, making it an easy addition to your Thanksgiving family movie night. So grab your family, settle in, and get ready for a little island adventure with Gilligan and the gang!
Streaming availability may change.
Greatful Moments
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
