"All About Eva" offers Tina Louise the opportunity to play a completely different character from Ginger, as the neurotic and plain looking Eva Grubb, whose disappointment with men has driven her away from civilization to a deserted island to live alone for the rest of her days. She's quite willing to give the castaways the key to her boat, so long as they leave quickly and never come back, but the Professor advises that in her present state of mind it might not be wise for her to be alone, intending to send a boat back for her once they reach the mainland. Gilligan accidentally spills the beans about their plans, so Eva buries the spark plugs so that no one can leave the island. At this point Ginger suggests a complete makeover for Eva so that she'll want to return to civilization, but in creating a replica of herself unleashes a monster eager to make the moves on all men, even Gilligan. By the time of the going away party, Eva believes herself to be such an effective actress that she can sail away as Ginger and no one will ever suspect the truth. Tina is excellent as Eva, as Ginger a little more soft spoken than usual.
4 Reviews
The sad truth of forever alone women...
AlsExGal18 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
... is that if you ever were treated as invisible by men, you never lose that lack of self confidence.
In this episode Tina Louise plays her double - Eva Grubb. Eva came to the island to be marooned intentionally. She never wanted to see another man again because she was so plain they ignored her. She seemed to have no tools or special skills that would facilitate surviving in such a place, but then you just can't get too deep with Gilligan's Island. And maybe she was so emotionally wounded she didn't care if she just starved to death anyways.
Well, the gang does a remake of her and - voila she is not so plain after all. Some makeup and take off those glasses and shake down that hair and she looks just like Ginger.
I'll cut to the chase - Eva realizes - by listening to the others converse no less - that inside she is still Eva Grubb, and her life will still be boring and dull as Eva in spite of the new look. Quite frankly, I'm not sure about that as men can be quite shallow and look centric. Not all men. But enough of them. Her solution? She escapes the island alone and intends to take over actress Ginger Grant's identity. She tried this once and got caught, but the gang for some silly reason did not realize that she would try this again. This is probably why they were marooned together from 1964 until 1979 when they were rescued in a made for TV movie. They somehow are able to fabricate all kinds of tools but screw up using their people skills when they encounter others who could help. Having Gilligan as a castaway doesn't help as he blows so many of their chances. Most people would have buried him up to his neck in an ant hill and left him, little buddy or no little buddy.
When Ginger returned to civilization in 1979, she took up where she left off as an actress, with no mention of her twin ever made. Maybe years of emotional insecurity prevented Eva from even attempting this fraud, or maybe she attempted it and the fact that she can't act, can't dance, and can't sing stopped her. But this never seemed to get in the way of Joan Collins' career. But I digress.
Maybe you have to get a bit more psychological with this episode of Gilligan than was ever intended, but I really liked it delving into the topic of how years of learned insecurity can squash any change that might come about due to an improvement in physical appearance. I'd recommend it.
In this episode Tina Louise plays her double - Eva Grubb. Eva came to the island to be marooned intentionally. She never wanted to see another man again because she was so plain they ignored her. She seemed to have no tools or special skills that would facilitate surviving in such a place, but then you just can't get too deep with Gilligan's Island. And maybe she was so emotionally wounded she didn't care if she just starved to death anyways.
Well, the gang does a remake of her and - voila she is not so plain after all. Some makeup and take off those glasses and shake down that hair and she looks just like Ginger.
I'll cut to the chase - Eva realizes - by listening to the others converse no less - that inside she is still Eva Grubb, and her life will still be boring and dull as Eva in spite of the new look. Quite frankly, I'm not sure about that as men can be quite shallow and look centric. Not all men. But enough of them. Her solution? She escapes the island alone and intends to take over actress Ginger Grant's identity. She tried this once and got caught, but the gang for some silly reason did not realize that she would try this again. This is probably why they were marooned together from 1964 until 1979 when they were rescued in a made for TV movie. They somehow are able to fabricate all kinds of tools but screw up using their people skills when they encounter others who could help. Having Gilligan as a castaway doesn't help as he blows so many of their chances. Most people would have buried him up to his neck in an ant hill and left him, little buddy or no little buddy.
When Ginger returned to civilization in 1979, she took up where she left off as an actress, with no mention of her twin ever made. Maybe years of emotional insecurity prevented Eva from even attempting this fraud, or maybe she attempted it and the fact that she can't act, can't dance, and can't sing stopped her. But this never seemed to get in the way of Joan Collins' career. But I digress.
Maybe you have to get a bit more psychological with this episode of Gilligan than was ever intended, but I really liked it delving into the topic of how years of learned insecurity can squash any change that might come about due to an improvement in physical appearance. I'd recommend it.
THE CASTAWAYS VERSUS THE CON GIRL?
tcchelsey29 October 2023
Only Joanna Lee could write this episode, who believed in putting women first. She puts Ginger Grant front row and center. In fact, Tina Louise is the whole show in a dual role, also playing Eva Grubb. Eva has abandoned all men in her life, and wishes to become an island recluse, or so she says?
One thing to note. The makeup folks put a fright wig on Tina, minus any lipstick, etc etc, but she still shines. Tina does lower her voice a bit, giving her that dramatic slant, thanks to director Jerry Hopper, always with his usual flair.
The castaways are naturally concerned about Eva's plight, but they also see an opportunity to get back to Hawaii via her boat. Right? Of course, the professor has to analyze the sitaution, stating that in her desperate state of mind, it may be risky to leave her all alone on the island.
Comes the great debate... and is Eva who she really seems to be??? Stay tuned.
True, there have been other episodes with duplicates, such as Gilligan and Mr. Howell, but it's still a lot of fun, and there's those wardrobe changes you do not want to miss.
An interesting note is that writer Joanna Lee was also writing for the FLINSTONES cartoon series at the same time, later becoming producer for the daytime soaper, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. Despite her distnguished background, she will always be remembered for playing the alien girl Tana in PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959) where her career all began.
This is Ginger's show, not to be missed, and wait to see how it all ends for the gang!
SEASON 3 EPISODE 14 remastered color dvd box set.
One thing to note. The makeup folks put a fright wig on Tina, minus any lipstick, etc etc, but she still shines. Tina does lower her voice a bit, giving her that dramatic slant, thanks to director Jerry Hopper, always with his usual flair.
The castaways are naturally concerned about Eva's plight, but they also see an opportunity to get back to Hawaii via her boat. Right? Of course, the professor has to analyze the sitaution, stating that in her desperate state of mind, it may be risky to leave her all alone on the island.
Comes the great debate... and is Eva who she really seems to be??? Stay tuned.
True, there have been other episodes with duplicates, such as Gilligan and Mr. Howell, but it's still a lot of fun, and there's those wardrobe changes you do not want to miss.
An interesting note is that writer Joanna Lee was also writing for the FLINSTONES cartoon series at the same time, later becoming producer for the daytime soaper, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. Despite her distnguished background, she will always be remembered for playing the alien girl Tana in PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (1959) where her career all began.
This is Ginger's show, not to be missed, and wait to see how it all ends for the gang!
SEASON 3 EPISODE 14 remastered color dvd box set.
Gilligan meets Ginger's worse half.
Ralphkram16 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Here is the third and thankfully last of the three doppelgänger episodes. The only wrinkle this time is our 'guest' shows up as herself and is transformed into a lookalike by the castaways. Outside of that difference, the entry is as preposterous, contrived, and desperate as the other two. The cleverest part about it is its title.
Gilligan blunders upon a pair of woman's pumps at the lagoon. Next he finds their owner, a drab, shrewish woman in glasses. She is the very aptly named Eva Grubb, who has fled to the island to escape all men, so naturally the first two people she comes across are our lead and the Skipper. We get her underdeveloped backstory told through whiny sobs, and soon we couldn't care less what happens to her. In exchange for being left alone, she agrees to give the castaways the keys to her boat.
With everyone happy with the exchange, the episode should end right here with the castaways sailing off into the sunset. But the nosy group can't leave Eva well enough alone. The Professor frets that in her current depressed state, she may do something drastic, so the group agrees to send the boat back for her to be rescued. Their generosity is spurned, however, when Gilligan blabs their plan. Eva spitefully hides the boat's sparkplugs so that they're all stuck on the isle together. Misery does love company.
Typically, the castaways would hatch another scheme to get the sparkplugs back. But, no, that would make too much sense, and maybe even lead to comedy. Instead, they soft pedal their response, believing if they make Eva feel better about herself, she'll have a reason to return to civilization.
Their solution is to glam up plain Eva. Their makeover is a bit too much on point, however, as she comes out of it looking identical to glamorous Ginger. Identical!
And we have our third doppelganger. (Or doppelginger).
Eva's adjustment in the second half to her new image fails to be interesting. The only lively scene is when she learns she's man crazy and tries to ravage Gilligan. Her other scenes are mainly awkward. She overhears the other girls say that underneath her new beauty is her old dull, Grubby self, and she'll have the same boring lifestyle back in the States.
A random encounter with Mrs. Howell gives her the loopy idea to replace Ginger. She continues the doppelgänger trope of knocking out the real McCoy, tying her up, and taking her place at a castaway party. (Yes, back to back tropes).
To inject some energy into the proceedings, we're given the gag of Eva quick-changing between herself and Ginger at the party. The quick changes are dull, repetitive, and accompanied by sped-up camera work and silly music to convince us how funny it is. The castaways remain oblivious until the real Ginger somehow frees herself in time to blow the whistle on her understudy.
Is Eva punished? No, of course not, because that would make too much sense. The soft-hearted castaways instantly forgive her and let her wander off to think about how ashamed she feels. They're rewarded for the naiveté with the same exact result they received in The Kidnapper.
But at least the audience doesn't have to endure anymore lazy, lethargic lookalikes.
COCONOTES:
Last episode written by veteran Joanna Lee, who wrote two of the three doppelgänger misfires. In this case, two out of three is bad. There are very few laughs and the 'two' Gingers approach is undermined by awkward split-screen effects.
This episode shows why Tina Louise is much better suited to her usual supporting role. She just isn't adept enough to carry an episode as a comedienne. Her Ginger this week is subdued and awkward, whereas her Eva is shrill, boring, and completely unlikeable.
Ginger wears a weird Monroe-like hairstyle that makes it harder to distinguish between them.
Why did they use the exact same hair color in Eva's makeover?
The ominous music at the end of the first act signals how we should feel about her transformation.
"You'll never get away with this." Seriously? Also, Ginger can talk through her gag, but doesn't think to call for help.
Once again, no one guards the boat.
Gilligan blunders upon a pair of woman's pumps at the lagoon. Next he finds their owner, a drab, shrewish woman in glasses. She is the very aptly named Eva Grubb, who has fled to the island to escape all men, so naturally the first two people she comes across are our lead and the Skipper. We get her underdeveloped backstory told through whiny sobs, and soon we couldn't care less what happens to her. In exchange for being left alone, she agrees to give the castaways the keys to her boat.
With everyone happy with the exchange, the episode should end right here with the castaways sailing off into the sunset. But the nosy group can't leave Eva well enough alone. The Professor frets that in her current depressed state, she may do something drastic, so the group agrees to send the boat back for her to be rescued. Their generosity is spurned, however, when Gilligan blabs their plan. Eva spitefully hides the boat's sparkplugs so that they're all stuck on the isle together. Misery does love company.
Typically, the castaways would hatch another scheme to get the sparkplugs back. But, no, that would make too much sense, and maybe even lead to comedy. Instead, they soft pedal their response, believing if they make Eva feel better about herself, she'll have a reason to return to civilization.
Their solution is to glam up plain Eva. Their makeover is a bit too much on point, however, as she comes out of it looking identical to glamorous Ginger. Identical!
And we have our third doppelganger. (Or doppelginger).
Eva's adjustment in the second half to her new image fails to be interesting. The only lively scene is when she learns she's man crazy and tries to ravage Gilligan. Her other scenes are mainly awkward. She overhears the other girls say that underneath her new beauty is her old dull, Grubby self, and she'll have the same boring lifestyle back in the States.
A random encounter with Mrs. Howell gives her the loopy idea to replace Ginger. She continues the doppelgänger trope of knocking out the real McCoy, tying her up, and taking her place at a castaway party. (Yes, back to back tropes).
To inject some energy into the proceedings, we're given the gag of Eva quick-changing between herself and Ginger at the party. The quick changes are dull, repetitive, and accompanied by sped-up camera work and silly music to convince us how funny it is. The castaways remain oblivious until the real Ginger somehow frees herself in time to blow the whistle on her understudy.
Is Eva punished? No, of course not, because that would make too much sense. The soft-hearted castaways instantly forgive her and let her wander off to think about how ashamed she feels. They're rewarded for the naiveté with the same exact result they received in The Kidnapper.
But at least the audience doesn't have to endure anymore lazy, lethargic lookalikes.
COCONOTES:
Last episode written by veteran Joanna Lee, who wrote two of the three doppelgänger misfires. In this case, two out of three is bad. There are very few laughs and the 'two' Gingers approach is undermined by awkward split-screen effects.
This episode shows why Tina Louise is much better suited to her usual supporting role. She just isn't adept enough to carry an episode as a comedienne. Her Ginger this week is subdued and awkward, whereas her Eva is shrill, boring, and completely unlikeable.
Ginger wears a weird Monroe-like hairstyle that makes it harder to distinguish between them.
Why did they use the exact same hair color in Eva's makeover?
The ominous music at the end of the first act signals how we should feel about her transformation.
"You'll never get away with this." Seriously? Also, Ginger can talk through her gag, but doesn't think to call for help.
Once again, no one guards the boat.
See also
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