Forget the Professor, Alan Hale Jr.'s father definitely could have invented something to get them off of that island

The Skipper's dad was more than just an actor.

How many times have you watched Gilligan's Island and said, "Okay, they definitely should have gotten off the island by now." After three seasons and countless near misses and might-have-been, it almost seems like they wanted to stay on that island. We're looking at you, Professor Roy Hinkley! How can you call yourself an inventor if you can't even invent a device to successfully get off that island? That man-made nitroglycerine before he made a proper escape route. 

All of this to say that we'd like to nominate a new man to take the Professor's place, as well as the mantle of island inventor: Alan Hale Sr. 

While you may remember The Skipper's father as a man of his own acting merit, with films like the 1922 film Robin Hood and It Happened One Night (1934), you may not know that he was also apparently an inventor. According to a 1935 edition of Popular Mechanics Magazine, Hale was involved in the creation of a new kind of chair.

The magazine stated, "Perfected by Alan Hale, veteran screen actor, a sliding theater chair allows spectators to push their seats backward instead of rising when latecomers arrive." According to Old Familiar Faces: The Great Character Actors and Actresses of Hollywood's Golden Era, written by Robert A. Juran, Hale was listed as a "successful inventor."

A 1950 Variety article also lists Hale's accomplishments after his death. It reads, "He [Hale] was also an inventor and promoter of inventions, in addition to acting chores. Among products he invented or financed were folding theatre seats, improved auto breaks [sic], hand fire extinguishers, and a formula for greaseless potato chips."

So step aside, Professor, our pal Alan Hale Sr. is here to save the day, and probably enjoy some greaseless potato chips while he does it! Now if only we could figure out a way to get him onto the island...

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8 Comments

Muleskinner 13 months ago
Alan Hale Sr.’s real name was Rufus Edward Macahan. He changed it to Alan Hale on the advice of a numerologist.
Rob 13 months ago
If I was stuck on an Island with Mary Ann, I would never leave!
Karellen 13 months ago
The Adventure of Robin Hood was a 1938 movie.
Runeshaper 13 months ago
Alan Hale Sr. would have ended that show on episode 1 getting them off of the island lol
LoveMETV22 13 months ago
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Runeshaper LoveMETV22 13 months ago
HAHAHAHA!
JHP LoveMETV22 13 months ago
Friggin Golden:) - super post
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