When I think about people who helped put me on course to what I do for a living and fueled my love of cobbling together found objects, the Professor was a huge influence. Like many of my generation, I grew up watching daily re-runs of Gilligan's Island. Whenever I saw one of the many goofy bamboo gadgets or coconut husk contraptions, I was inspired. Two obvious reasons why...they were fun looking and had that great slapped together, handmade look which made me think I could make one.
I was thrilled when I discovered a small chapter in Russell Johnson's memoir
HERE ON GILLIGAN'S ISLAND (1993) about his appreciation for the talent and skills of the "prop guys". Often props (and the people who make them) are taken for granted, especially when they are designed to look cheap. Intentionally making a prop look clunky and handmade with fun visual appeal is, I believe, a whole art form unto itself. Props like this look thrown together in haste and may fall apart any second but they can't, needing to withstand hours, days or weeks of filming, especially if a hero prop. Something as basic as a drinking cup can often be challenging to create. As the Professor wrote...
"At first, the prop guys gave us real coconut halves to drink from. The only problem was that these hairy coconuts became soft and began to leak under the studio's hot lights."
He didn't mention what the solution was, wish he did, very curious. Here are some fantastic concept design sketches from the book showcasing the thought and care that went into the castaway's silly creations (click image to enlarge).
I should thank the people who actually were the genius Professors for their inspiration. Gilligan's Island art directors William Craig Smith and Malcolm C. Bert and the set decorators James Crowe, Ray Molyneaux and Hal Gausman.
I've had less than mediocre success growing these guys in the past, getting only one or two good pumpkins per season, despite having several vines planted. I don't mind though. For me, it's more about the fun of seeing the growth as a countdown to the holiday rather than ending up with too many Jack 'O Lanterns to carve. However, I sure won't complain if it does happen.
"He reeled, put his hand to his throat, stood swaying for a moment, and then, with a peculiar sound, fell from his whole height face foremost to the floor" - Treasure Island
Now that I found this, maybe it will help me locate other lost treasure buried in the garage. Almost positive I never owned an ark though. Then again, who knows? I keep finding stuff I forgot I had, such as...
Left over Disneyland ticket book...with just one remaining E ticket. From the days when the Country Bear Jamboree, Adventures through Inner Space and Mission to Mars still existed...not to mention the original Submarine Voyage.
Nightmare Before Christmas ticket stub from '93. Saw it first in theaters long before Jack Skellington became mall goth kid fashion attire.
U2 Zoo TV ticket stub from '92. Might be the best live concert I've ever seen (so far). It's also the only show where I witnessed the audience so transfixed that when I ran to the bathroom midway through, the stadium halls and corridors where almost devoid of people. Even the concession and souvenir stands were practically line free.
I actually found this for sale at my Parish of all places back in 1980. It was a real win/win for me then... being a comic book fan and an Altarboy. Pencils by the great John Buscema with inks and colors by Marie Severin, a great combo. It's a really beautifully drawn comic.
Probably the only Christopher Lowell action figure (with fabric bolt blaster) in the world. I made this as a prop for a gag segment while working on Interior Motives back in 1996 or 97.
Okay a macabre post title I know, but let me explain. Last Halloween my niece really got into scaring Trick or Treaters and giving out the candy. So much so that, she became official smoke machine operator as they approached when not literally, at times, pushing me out of the electric chair so she could sit there and try to scare them.
