Above is a clip from the original, unaired 1963 pilot for Gilligan’s Island, featuring Kit Smythe and Nancy McCarthy as Ginger and Bunny, respectively, the two single ladies aboard the SS Minnow, both of whom were secretaries. Of course, these characters were changed from two secretaries to a movie star and a small town girl and recast with Tina Louise and Dawn Wells in the roles, forever giving rise to the eternal question; “Ginger or Mary Ann?” (and you can cast your vote here).
As a footnote, the other female character in the cast, Eunice “Lovey” Wentworth Howel, was played by Natalie Schafer from the pilot through the run of the series. A second footnote, that isn’t in fitting with the theme of this site, but will be added nonetheless; the other change made to Gilligan’s Island once the show was picked up for a series, was replacing the high school science teacher character, who was in the pilot, with the Professor, along with a different actor in that role. The rest of the characters in the TV series were the same and portrayed by the same actors as in the pilot.
Hat tip to Rock Baker.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
I see why these roles were recast. These two treated Gilligan poorly. The chemistry between Gilligan and Tina Louise’s Ginger and Dawn Wells’ Mary Ann was sure better.
I agree with you Brandon, but if you would allow me, I was the Ginger in that first pilot. I had to say what was written in the script for the original pilot. I was cast as a wise cracking, Eve Arden type secretary. I was not surprised that they recast our characters. I felt our roles were not well written. They made us both look like plain Janes.
Why didn’t they just change your character from wise cracking to something else…
There is no way either of you could look like a ‘plain Jane.’ I actually think it would have worked out better in the long run to have an “Our Miss Brooks” type character contrasted with the bubbly blonde.