Gilligan's Island: Angel on the Island

Gilligan's Island: Angel on the Island
CBS
December 12, 1964
Sitcom
DVD
B

The "angel" is Mr. Howell, who agrees (assuming their rescue in the near future) to finance the play that Ginger was supposed to be appearing in Broadway at this time.  This brings up a lot of unanswered questions, including whether the play is in fact going on without her, especially since this would've been her first major stage play, and it's not like she has a huge following for her movies and her fans would riot if the part were recast.  But then the Professor has apparently invented a telephone system for the island, and nothing comes of it after the opening scene.

Despite the sloppiness of some of the writing (by Alan Dinehart and Herbert Finn, who would collaborate again), this is the best episode of the season since "Wrongway Feldman."  Not only do we get the first of the castaways' stage productions, but there are some interesting character insights.  Ginger kisses her finger and tries to put it on Gilligan, but he of course knocks himself out.  Mr. Howell is more receptive when she kisses his cheek, making Lovey jealous.  And when Thurston is impressed by Ginger's acting and calls her "ravishing" and "beautiful," his wife gets so jealous that she insists on playing the lead role.  Ginger is very upset, and Mary Ann is quite sweet about her support of her friend.  But it's Gilligan who reminds Mrs. H that they're supposed to be putting on the play for Ginger's career, so Lovey fakes laryngitis.  Her husband recognizes her nobility when he finds out the truth.  Meanwhile, the Skipper is a terrible actor and Gilligan doesn't want to tell him.

By the way, Mel Blanc does the voice of the parrot, a role he'd sort of reprise.