....But not a naval by Jeannie on 'I Dream Of Jeannie?'

It just doesn't make sense, that the censors would allow Mary Ann to wear such tiny shorts, but had a big problem with Barbara Eden's belly button showing?!?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hdc0MeTrNqk/Sp2ilT-S9UI/AAAAAAAABtc/Dn2Z2PRwxHA/s1600/dawnwells.jpg

Well, they freaked out over MA's belly button, too. Both Barbara and Dawn had that issue.

I guess belly buttons are more offensive than your butt almost hanging out of your shorts. Shrug.

Also, the censors were probably guys. o.O

That's what puzzles me, I mean granted, I am not complaining about Mary Ann's shorts, but they were quite risque for the time. lol

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Niiiiiice!

Great post Jim! LOL

I like and see nothing wrong with short shorts!!. There was a lady at work who wore short shorts and it was Disgusting to see the other women say negative things because they were Jealous of her :eek:

Dakert, I don't see anything wrong with the shorts either, just curious why they were allowed and Jeannie's naval wasn't.

I think the censors should have left it up to the professor to decide. He had an answer for everything. Of course maybe it was really Tina that protested because she wanted all the eyes on her.

It had something to do with the "intermittent navel rule" that Russell Johnson, and Sherwood Schwartz, talked about in their respective books about Gilligan's Island. If you notice, Mary Ann couldn't have her navel showing either for most shots.

As far as the shorts go, I think short shorts were the "in" thing at that time.

I think the censors should have left it up to the professor to decide. He had an answer for everything. Of course maybe it was really Tina that protested because she wanted all the eyes on her.

No one protested, though. Except maybe Dawn, even though she designed them to "make her look taller." LOL.

It's funny that they had no problem with the shorts' length, but they had to be high-waisted. Oh well.

Niiiiiice!

Great post Jim! LOL
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You know, that's really a good question, Brian.

At first I thought it was just down to the weird navel obsession the censors seemed to have back then, i.e. exposed thighs weren't considered as "daring" as a bare navel.

But as I look at those (wonderful) pictures that Jim posted, it occurs to me that not only were Mary Ann's shorts 'short', they were also, more importantly, VERY TIGHT. I mean, those are some form fitting pants! Remember how the Capri pants worn by MTM during the Dick Van Dyke show were so taboo? Why wouldn't they have applied the same standard to Mary Ann's wardrobe?

Ultimately, it's all a bit silly, when you think about what is shown on today's shows. But it's really true that there did seem to be some major inconsistencies in what was considered 'appropriate' back then! :nod:

It had something to do with the "intermittent navel rule" that Russell Johnson, and Sherwood Schwartz, talked about in their respective books about Gilligan's Island. If you notice, Mary Ann couldn't have her navel showing either for most shots.

As far as the shorts go, I think short shorts were the "in" thing at that time.
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....But not a naval by Jeannie on 'I Dream Of Jeannie?'

It just doesn't make sense, that the censors would allow Mary Ann to wear such tiny shorts, but had a big problem with Barbara Eden's belly button showing?!?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hdc0MeTrNqk/Sp2ilT-S9UI/AAAAAAAABtc/Dn2Z2PRwxHA/s1600/dawnwells.jpg


For one thing, you have to remember that back in the 1960s, nobody had anything remotely resembling a VCR. Therefore, a quick shot was really just that-the vast majority of the audience wouldn't catch it. It was only much later that a significant number of people would have the technology to focus on such things.
I don't enjoy Brian's post nearly as much as some others on here. Even some of those pictures aren't that good (and very few actresses look better than Dawn Wells). The captions aren't funny at all. The pictures themselves, though, suggest the show might not have originally been nearly as clean as people are making it out to be.

For one thing, you have to remember that back in the 1960s, nobody had anything remotely resembling a VCR. Therefore, a quick shot was really just that-the vast majority of the audience wouldn't catch it. It was only much later that a significant number of people would have the technology to focus on such things.
I don't enjoy Brian's post nearly as much as some others on here. Even some of those pictures aren't that good (and very few actresses look better than Dawn Wells). The captions aren't funny at all. The pictures themselves, though, suggest the show might not have originally been nearly as clean as people are making it out to be.

Most of the pictures you mention were posted by Reverend Jim. I enjoyed them and his accompanying text. And I thought Brian's question was, as usual, very thought provoking and fun.

I appreciate the Dawn Wells pictures. And yes, definitely 'cause the censors were GUYS!!!!!

For one thing, you have to remember that back in the 1960s, nobody had anything remotely resembling a VCR. Therefore, a quick shot was really just that-the vast majority of the audience wouldn't catch it. It was only much later that a significant number of people would have the technology to focus on such things.
I don't enjoy Brian's post nearly as much as some others on here. Even some of those pictures aren't that good (and very few actresses look better than Dawn Wells). The captions aren't funny at all.
I totally disagree. I love those "captions" [though technically, they're comic strip balloons superimposed over photos.] Reverend Jim did a super job.

Mary Ann says: "If you liked my short shorts, guys......[wink] ou would have ;loved me nude...like when Gilligan fished my bathing suit out ["Beauty Is and Beauty Does",1965] or when Ginger and I are nude in the mud bog ["High Man on the Totem Pole",1967]. :wink:

PS HOW do I WATCH this show WITOUT being distracted b y Mary Ann's shorty shorts?

PS HOW do I WATCH this show WITOUT being distracted b y Mary Ann's shorty shorts?

How can I reconcile the fact that Mary Ann's meant to be this sweet little virgin girl when she hardly wears any clothes??

Except sometimes she'd go to the other extreme and wear turtlenecks and jeans. (On a tropical island.) :lol:

How can I reconcile the fact that Mary Ann's meant to be this sweet little virgin girl when she hardly wears any clothes??

Except sometimes she'd go to the other extreme and wear turtlenecks and jeans. (On a tropical island.) :lol:

You do realize that in the 1960s, TV sitcom characters were not allowed to engage in fornication, right?

....But not a naval by Jeannie on 'I Dream Of Jeannie?'

It just doesn't make sense, that the censors would allow Mary Ann to wear such tiny shorts, but had a big problem with Barbara Eden's belly button showing?!?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hdc0MeTrNqk/Sp2ilT-S9UI/AAAAAAAABtc/Dn2Z2PRwxHA/s1600/dawnwells.jpg




It would of been a crime for the censors .To say anything about her shorts.They we're the best part of the show:lol:

And again, I love those shorty shorts. But they weren't short enough.

I think part of the difference may have been that Gilligan's Island largely took place outdoors, and Mary Ann's clothing could arguably be beach wear.


Good point!!!!;)

Well, they freaked out over MA's belly button, too. Both Barbara and Dawn had that issue.

I guess belly buttons are more offensive than your butt almost hanging out of your shorts. Shrug.

Also, the censors were probably guys. o.O

I think that Uhura's navel did pass through the censors over on Star Trek once, though?

And again, I love those shorty shorts. But they weren't short enough.

Love them, and Mary Ann.

What's this I'm seeing about Mary Ann not even being in the pilot (which I've never seen) but rather replaced there by someone named... Bunny?

Originally Posted by antman67:

I LOVE lost pilots and un-aired footage and stuff like this. On a related subject check this out....
Gilligan's Island "Lost Pilot Episode" Intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpimVRP3EW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLIHQTVLRz4
Different song, SO WEIRD. Now we know why they didn't use it. Also, the credits only go as far as the Howel's!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBq4KMkH8ug
Check it out, different cast too!

Read more: "The Happy Days" Pilot - Page 4 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=310985&page=4#ixzz3yH6WWXSf

Pretty weird, but glad it never stuck.

:)