# Gilligan's Island **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 6, 2014, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641 "2014-02-06T04:45:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Steerforth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Steerforth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steerforth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/1 "2014-02-06T04:45:48Z")
\*\* Reference: [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac1OvqiZmh0) 1. At the 20 second mark, you will see the flag in the background seemingly at half-mast. You can find plenty of online references that say this was because of JFK’s assassination, that the sequence was photographed just after November 22, 1963. I want to know if this is TRUE! 2. At the 28 to 30 second mark, the boat is seen in a violent storm. Was this clip ever used in another film or TV program? If so, what are they? Thanks very much! S.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/2 "2014-02-06T04:49:37Z")
The flag is not at half-mast. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/3 "2014-02-06T04:56:13Z")
That flag looks full-mast to me. And the footage of the ship in the storm _might_ have been re-used, though after the first season the opening credits were re-shot in colour. Heck, “boat in dangerous storm” footage pops up in any number of movies and TV shows. No surprise if a lot of it looks alike. ---
**Author:** ![Steerforth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Steerforth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steerforth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/4 "2014-02-06T05:04:38Z")
\*\* > [@running\_coach](#): > > The flag is not at half-mast. Thanks, but that is not answering my question. Plenty of online references attest to the fact that the flag is at half mast because of JFK’s assassination. That includes Wiki and Imdb Is this true?\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Steerforth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Steerforth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steerforth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/5 "2014-02-06T05:07:20Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > That flag looks full-mast to me. And the footage of the ship in the storm _might_ have been re-used, though after the first season the opening credits were re-shot in colour. > > Heck, “boat in dangerous storm” footage pops up in any number of movies and TV shows. No surprise if a lot of it looks alike. \*\*Somebody else in Another Place remarked that it looks about 4/5 rather than half. As I mentioned, plenty of online references attest to what I said, and I want to find out if it is true. Check Wiki and Imdb for starters. Thanks!\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/6 "2014-02-06T05:07:40Z")
Well, it might be true that wiki and imdb _say_ the flag is at half-mast, but it looks full-mast to me. ---
**Author:** ![Steerforth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Steerforth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steerforth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/7 "2014-02-06T05:10:30Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > The flag is not at half-mast. \*\*Not according to scores of references. Here are three: > **[Gilligan's Island (TV Series 1964–1992) - Trivia - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057751/trivia/)** > > Gilligan's Island (TV Series 1964–1992) - Trivia on IMDb: Cameos, Mistakes, Spoilers and more... [http://www.gilligansisle.com/goofs.html](http://www.gilligansisle.com/goofs.html) > **[Gilligan's Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilligan's_Island)** > > Gilligan's Island is an American sitcom created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz. The show's ensemble cast features Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson, and Dawn Wells. It aired for three seasons on the CBS network from September 26, 1964, to April 17, 1967. The series follows the comic adventures of seven castaways as they try to survive on an island where they are shipwrecked. Most episodes revolve around the dissimilar castaways' conflicts a... Is the story true and factual?\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/8 "2014-02-06T05:12:05Z")
> [@Steerforth](#): > > Somebody else in Another Place remarked that it looks about 4/5 rather than half. Well, he was president for less than 4/5ths of a term… Anyway, please stop abusing the bold function. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/9 "2014-02-06T05:17:52Z")
On further review, the flag at 0:21 (when the _Minnow_’s starboard side faces the camera) looks full mast, but maybe there’s a half-masted flag at 0:22 after the cut and the _Minnow_’s stern faces the camera. The resolution isn’t good enough for me to tell. In any case, let’s assume it’s true. So…? It’s a mildly interesting TV historical factoid. ---
**Author:** ![Steerforth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Steerforth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steerforth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/10 "2014-02-06T05:25:15Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, it might be true that wiki and imdb _say_ the flag is at half-mast, but it looks full-mast to me. \*\* Really, thanks for your reply, but let’s consider that the clip has been around for decades - as well as the story of the flag at half mast for the death of JFK. Now I know the flag may look at full-mast, but that ignores scores of references that says it is at half-mast for JFK. Surely somebody would have challenged the seemingly “official” stories, so what is going on? Is this a myth, tall-tale, or is it true?\*\* ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/11 "2014-02-06T05:25:29Z")
The thing is, G.I first aired on Sept 26, 1964. Supposedly the last day of shooting was Nov 22, 1963, thus accounting for the flag. Was it normal to have such a long gap between shooting and the first showing? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/12 "2014-02-06T05:39:13Z")
[Here’s a screenshot](http://s176.photobucket.com/user/runnerpat/media/GIflag_zps370cf579.jpg.html). I marked the flag corners and the top of the pole with red dots. That does not look like half mast. ---
**Author:** ![Steerforth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Steerforth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steerforth)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/13 "2014-02-06T05:49:48Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, he was president for less than 4/5ths of a term… > > Anyway, please stop abusing the bold function. \*\*No, but thanks for asking. My eyesight is not good, and the bold print helps me focus. Please try to focus, too.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/14 "2014-02-06T06:15:55Z")
Heh, well, I’m done taking this seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/15 "2014-02-06T13:49:35Z")
> [@Steerforth](#): > > \*\* > Really, thanks for your reply, but let’s consider that the clip has been around for decades - as well as the story of the flag at half mast for the death of JFK. > > Now I know the flag may look at full-mast, but that ignores scores of references that says it is at half-mast for JFK. > > Surely somebody would have challenged the seemingly “official” stories, so what is going on? > > Is this a myth, tall-tale, or is it true?\*\* Since I just watched the clip, and since the flag is clearly at full mast, this is obviously a myth/tall-tale. Bada-bing, bada-boom. Not that hard It’s like you’re asking “There’s a legend that since the moon was made of green cheese and there are cites on teh intrawebs saying so, did Neil Armstrong _really_ make a pizza with some moon cheese?”…the answer is “Since the moon’s not made of cheese, no. Neil Armstrong didn’t.” Since in the primary source (the clip) the flag is at full mast, any legends/fairy tales about reasons why it’s (allegedly) at half-mast become moot. Have you even looked at the clip? ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/16 "2014-02-06T14:03:10Z")
The only Wikipedia cites for this are a book (Russell Johnson with Steve Cox, Here on Gilligan’s Isle, page 20 (1993)) and a YouTube clip of the opening. So I can’t speak to the book, but like others I don’t see the flag being at half-mast. It’s likely a sloppy job. I mean if the US Marines can fly the Canadian flag upside down, some schmuck at a marina can do a half ass job raising a flag. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/17 "2014-02-06T14:08:20Z")
Okay, you win. It’s at half-mast, and for exactly the reason you state. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/18 "2014-02-06T14:42:50Z")
> [@Steerforth](#): > > \*\* > Really, thanks for your reply, but let’s consider that the clip has been around for decades - as well as the story of the flag at half mast for the death of JFK. > > Now I know the flag may look at full-mast, but that ignores scores of references that says it is at half-mast for JFK. > > Surely somebody would have challenged the seemingly “official” stories, so what is going on? > > Is this a myth, tall-tale, or is it true?\*\* It is a myth because the flag in question is not at half-mast. ---
**Author:** ![Cumberdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/19 "2014-02-06T14:43:24Z")
I remember hearing this as well, but after watching the opening again, it does look like the flag is at full mast. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641/20 "2014-02-06T14:49:31Z")
> [@Steerforth](#): > > \*\*No, but thanks for asking. My eyesight is not good, and the bold print helps me focus. > > Please try to focus, too.\*\* Not sure if this works on all browsers, but with Chrome and Firefox if you hold CTRL while scrolling up with the mouse wheel the page will be larger and easier to read. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligans-island/680641.md?page=2)