Yes, I agree! This episode is something else with the muscial version of
"Hamlet"! The actors really seem like amateurs trying to put on a
production and Phil Silvers is just hilarious!

What's with the seating arrangements of the castaways in the audience
during Hecuba's performance? Why are they seated like that?

It was curious to me that Hecuba, being a spoiled and bossy guy used to
getting everything he wants, somewhat like Howell, wouldn't be too soft
not to be more upset about being suddenly stuck on an island.

What a mean thing for him to do--leaving them behind--and he was just a
movie producer, not really a maniacal, evil type character. You would
think he could have struck some kind of deal with the castaways--maybe
bought them off--I'm sure he was rich enough!

I like the way in which Hecuba's arrival on the island means something so
different to Ginger than to the others. It usually seems to be the
castaways vs. the visitor in general most of the time.

I always laugh at the part where Hecuba is in bed and is suddenly woken up
by the music--it just strikes me as funny.

I wonder which one of them was the owner of the copy of "Hamlet." I would
guess Ginger.

Who do you think wrote the castaways production? Do you think it was more
than one of them working on it? OK. Obviously the Professor would know
the play and is both cultured and creative

Yes, I agree! This episode is something else with the muscial version of
"Hamlet"! The actors really seem like amateurs trying to put on a
production and Phil Silvers is just hilarious!


It was curious to me that Hecuba, being a spoiled and bossy guy used to
getting everything he wants, somewhat like Howell, wouldn't be too soft
not to be more upset about being suddenly stuck on an island.


Who do you think wrote the castaways production? Do you think it was more
than one of them working on it? OK. Obviously the Professor would know
the play and is both cultured and creative

The Hamlet production is indeed marvellous, and wonderful ammunition against anyone who calls "Gilligan's Island" dumb. I've shown this episode to my senior English students when they study Hamlet and they love it.

I would imagine that the Howells might have been two of the main driving creative forces behind the libretto of the musical. The Professor is certainly cultured, and is creative in scientific and practical ways, but I don't remember many instances of his being creative in the arts. The Howells, on the other hand, have an extensive knowledge of literature and music. They frequently quote from literary classics such as Shakespeare, Dickens and even ancient Greek drama, and it was Mrs. Howell who instigated the island orchestra. Also, since the records belonged to the Howells and they are devotees of opera, they would be the most familiar with this music and its structure.

Ginger may have also had a hand in the writing, being familiar with musical theatre. She might have contributed some of the more colloquial phrases such as "from Ophelia, no one can steal ya!"

I agree that it was improbable that Hecuba took to rustic island living so easily. His presence, like that of Erika Tiffany Smith, jars because it takes away from the island's remote, mysterious quality. If these soft civilized people can reach the island with such ease and feel completely comfortable there, then just how lost are the castaways? Silvers did do an excellent job with his character, though. For years I thought he really was a mean person just because his character was!

It was also years before I realized (having first seen the series as a child) that Tina was imitating Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. Her Marilyn is amazing.

One other thing besides the Hamlet production to love about this episode is the debut of the bamboo car. What fun! I've heard that the actors used to line up to try it out!