Originally broadcast on NBC as a two-part special in May 1981, this third and final television movie sequel to the classic 1960s sitcom Gilligan’s Island capitalised on the extreme popularity of the legendary American trick-basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters.
Following their rescue in the previous movies, the castaways are now successfully running a tropical resort located on their original island.
Everything is peaceful until a plane carrying the Harlem Globetrotters experiences engine trouble and crash-lands near the resort.
Meanwhile, a ruthless, greedy corporate tycoon named J.J. Pierson (Martin Landau) arrives and discovers a rare, immensely valuable mineral called “Supremium.”
Desperate to buy out the island and kick the castaways off their land, Pierson challenges them to a high-stakes basketball game: if the islanders win, they keep their resort; if they lose, Pierson gets ownership.
Since the castaways are terrible at basketball, the Globetrotters agree to play for them.
To counter this, Pierson unveils his secret weapon: The New Invincibles, a terrifying team of glowing, metallic, indestructible basketball-playing robots programmed to play with brutal, flawless efficiency.
In the first half, the robots completely dominate the Globetrotters.
However, during halftime, Gilligan unintentionally inspires the team by suggesting they stop playing “standard” basketball.
In the second half, the Globetrotters switch to their signature, unpredictable trick plays, confusing the robots’ programming, causing them to literally explode, securing an island victory.
Jim Backus, who played the billionaire Thurston Howell III, was suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease and was too ill to film the majority of the movie.
To explain his absence, the script stated Thurston was away on business, and the show introduced his son, Thurston Howell IV (David Ruprecht).
Backus was healthy enough to film a very brief, poignant cameo at the very end of the movie.
Gilligan
Bob Denver Skipper
Alan Hale Jr. Thurston Howell III
Jim Backus Lovey Wentworth Howell
Natalie Schafer Prof. Roy Hinkley Jr.
Russell Johnson Mary Ann Summers
Dawn Wells Ginger Grant
Constance Forslund Thurston Howell IV
David Rupprecht J.J. Pierson
Martin Landau Dr Olga Schmetner
Barbara Bain Dewey Stevens
Scatman Crothers George the robot
Whitney Rydbeck The Howells’ secretary
Dreama Denver Hotel clerk
Rosalind Chao Referee
Bruce Briggs Linda
Cindee Appleton Jackie
Wendy Hoffman Harlem Globetrotters
Geese Ausbie
Clyde Austin
Jimmy Blacklock
Nate Branch
Lou Dunbar
Tex Harrison
Theodis Lee
Bobby Joe Mason
Curley Neal
Robert Paige
Meanwhile, a ruthless, greedy corporate tycoon named J.J. Pierson (Martin Landau) arrives and discovers a rare, immensely valuable mineral called “Supremium.”
Desperate to buy out the island and kick the castaways off their land, Pierson challenges them to a high-stakes basketball game: if the islanders win, they keep their resort; if they lose, Pierson gets ownership.
Since the castaways are terrible at basketball, the Globetrotters agree to play for them.
In the second half, the Globetrotters switch to their signature, unpredictable trick plays, confusing the robots’ programming, causing them to literally explode, securing an island victory.
