Here on Gilligan's Isle/the Professor's Behind-The-Scenes Guide to Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gilligan's Island, Including a Complete E [Paperback]

Russell Johnson (Author), Steve Cox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1993

offers fans behind-the-scenes anecdotes and answers the oft-asked question: how was the professor able to build a nuclear reactor and a car but never a boat? 100,000 first printing. $30,000 ad/promo.

Product Details

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Perennial; 1st ed edition (July 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060969938
• ISBN-13: 978-0060969936
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Professor speaks . . ., January 21, 2004

By 

trebe - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Here on Gilligan's Isle/the Professor's Behind-The-Scenes Guide to Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gilligan's Island, Including a Complete E (Paperback)

Millions around the world know him only as "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island. However, before taking the role that would change his life, Russell Johnson was already an established actor in both film and television.

In this wonderful book, Johnson tells his life story in a modest and entertaining fashion. His good nature, and sense of fairness is evident throughout. The book covers Johnson's life as "Professor Roy Hinkley", his remembrances of the Gilligan's Island years, and thoughts about his fellow island castaways. The book has a multitude of terrific photos, many from behind the scenes. With nothing mean-spirited to say, this is a warm "feel good" read, that is over much too quickly.

There are many fascinating stories of interest to hardcore fans. Perhaps the most significant for the author, concerns the pilot episode. Shot in 1963, but never aired until 1992, the pilot featured different actors as The Professor, Ginger and Mary Ann. Circumstances led to the recasting of these roles with Johnson, Tina Louise and Dawn Wells.

Most fans know that the show's theme song was re-recorded for the second season to include "The Professor and Mary Ann". But in this book we learn that the musical group that performed the second version, later appeared on the program as the rock group "The Mosquitoes". Johnson devotes some time to the assortment of guest stars that visited the island, and the issue of censorship. Also covered are the post series years, and the events leading to the rescue movie, and other related Gilligan's Island projects. The "Ship's Log", a brief summary of the 98 episodes, concludes this thoroughly enjoyable book that all fans of the series will appreciate.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Handled just right!, March 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Here on Gilligan's Isle/the Professor's Behind-The-Scenes Guide to Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gilligan's Island, Including a Complete E (Paperback)

An excellent blend of humor, pathos, on the set stories and "gossip". Johnson takes us through his unsuccessful journey that starts with his attempt to get a TV series of his own to his reluctant agreement to play a shared role as just one of 7 castaways and how that led to his present day status as one of the magnificent 7 of perhaps the greatest pop culture phenomenon of our time -- Gilligan's Island. Could he have attained as much notoriety by himself? During his time, the Professor may have been the most underappreciated of the castaways but modern-day Gilligology is correcting this, and this book, not the least of which includes Sherwood Schwartz's excellent forward, helps put the Professor's role in the proper perspective. One of the burning questions of the hour always has been, "Why did the Castaways have all that equipment and clothing for what was supposed to be only a 3 hour tour?" Johnson boldly faces this issue, and his answer is more insightful than any offered to this point. He may well be right. Fans are well advised to purchase this book if they want their hunger for knowledge satisfied.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only GILLIGAN book you'll ever need!, July 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Here on Gilligan's Isle/the Professor's Behind-The-Scenes Guide to Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gilligan's Island, Including a Complete E (Paperback)

Of the books on GILLIGAN this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. It's written by a pro who knows 60's TV (Steve Cox) and from an actor's viewpoint, which is a must. The other books are barely readable; this is a quick, fun read and one which is surprisingly moving. Worth the search for it and worth the wait to find. If you love the show, this is your book. Find it!