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Tina Louise refused to do a scene until Gilligan creator Sherwood Schwartz stepped in
The behind-the-scenes occurrence nearly ruined an episode.
People management is one of the most difficult parts of any job. Even if you're the best in your field, chances are, you'll have to deal with some other folks in your day. Experts and professionals still have to be able to navigate the potential pitfalls of interpersonal problems. No one person is successful without context, and sometimes that "context" is other (read: difficult) people.
Television, just like film, is one of the most collaborative art forms there is. For any one episode of TV, dozens — if not hundreds — of people have to work together. For one person to do their job, they have to depend on an entire ecosystem of other professionals. What's a cameraperson without a subject? What's an actor with no script?
But tensions are high and tempers flare on a Hollywood set. In Russell Johnson's Here on Gilligan's Isle, the Professor invited series creator Sherwood Schwartz to recall some ways in which the production gave him headaches. As it turns out, dehydration from the island sun wasn't the only culprit.
Johnson sets the story up by first giving us a little background information. Specifically, the actor began by speaking highly of his former boss' people management skills. He praises Schwartz's ability to expertly corral the cast, getting what he needed out of all of them, deftly maneuvering around potential difficulties.
Speaking of difficulties, Sherwood mentioned that Tina Louise "spoke in nonsequiturs" compared to her more straightforward castmates. The producer added that he was often left dumbfounded by their conversations.
"One time, Tina refused to do a scene, for what reason I don't know," recalled Schwartz. "I had to step in to keep things going. So i went to her dressing room, where she had secluded herself, and I asked her what the problem was.
"She told me, 'This is a ridiculous scene, and I don't want to do it.' I pointed out that it was an integral scene and she would have to do it.
"Without a beat, she said to me, 'Would you have my dressing room painted grey?"
Apparently, the issue was resolved, and the rest of the episode was filmed without a hitch!
16 Comments
"a has-been than never was"... 🥱
Landon as an Albino. Jack Lord, Vic Morrow, Buddy Hackett with his thick Jersey accent
playing a good old boy, also with Robert Ryan and Aldo Ray in probably his best role.
Great song over opening credits. Based on the notorious book, in "Mr. Roberts"
Jack Lemon has underlined all the dirty parts. The movie was heavily censored,
the missing footage only restored many years later.
owned the first workout studio for women in California in the 1960's.
Before Gilligan's Island she did a LOT of TV, usually playing the beauty that was the
love interest.