Mary Ann Summers
Encyclopedia
Mary Ann Summers is a fictional character in the television
sitcom Gilligan's Island
which ran on the CBS
network from 1964 to 1967, and has run more or less continuously since in reruns.
. She was an ingenue
and a foil
, as well as a friend, to glamorous Hollywood star Ginger Grant
, played by Tina Louise
. In addition, her practical domestic skills and plain, good common sense make her an indispensable member of the group. She is a Winfield, Kansas
farm girl, a reference to Dorothy Gale
as played by Judy Garland
in the 1939 classic movie The Wizard of Oz
(occasionally wearing Dorothy's ubiquitous pigtails and a gingham dress).
She was traveling alone on the "three-hour tour" that was lost at sea, and was in her late teens to early twenties—an age which she pinpoints in the Season 2, Episode 30 "V for Vitamins" when she says, "Women and children first, so I get two votes." In many episodes it is clear that she has a crush on Gilligan
. She repeatedly tells him how wonderful he is, repeatedly kisses him on the cheek, and is usually the only castaway to not blame him so harshly for everything that goes wrong.
She tells the others in Season 2, Episode 18, "The Postman Cometh," that she has a boyfriend named Horace Higgenbotham from Horners Corners, Kansas, so they will think she has someone special, but confesses later that he's "a real creep" and not her boyfriend at all.
Mary Ann mentions her mother and father in passing only very briefly, but references her Aunt Martha and Uncle George multiple times, leading some to believe that she lived with them and that her parents may be deceased, another connection to The Wizard of Oz
.
In the series' (second) pilot "Two on a Raft" (Season 1, Episode 1), the Honolulu-based AM radio news reader only states that "the attractive brunette" is "employed at the Winfield General Store." Mary Ann confesses to Mr. Howell in Season 1, Episode 6 "President Gilligan" that she's only a clerk.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
sitcom Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island is an American television series created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz and originally produced by United Artists Television. The situation comedy series featured Bob Denver; Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus; Natalie Schafer; Tina Louise; Russell Johnson; and Dawn Wells. It aired for...
which ran on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
network from 1964 to 1967, and has run more or less continuously since in reruns.
Role
Mary Ann was portrayed by actress Dawn WellsDawn Wells
Dawn Elberta Wells is an American actress known for playing Mary Ann Summers on the sitcom Gilligan's Island during its run from 1964 until 1967.- Early life :...
. She was an ingenue
Ingenue (stock character)
See also Disingenuous, which is not quite the antonym that it may seem!The ingénue is a stock character in literature, film, and a role type in the theatre; generally a girl or a young woman who is endearingly innocent and wholesome. Ingenue may also refer to a new young actress or one typecast in...
and a foil
Double act
A double act, also known as a comedy duo, is a comic pairing in which humor is derived from the uneven relationship between two partners, usually of the same gender, age, ethnic origin and profession, but drastically different personalities or behavior...
, as well as a friend, to glamorous Hollywood star Ginger Grant
Ginger Grant
Ginger Grant is a fictional character in the 1964 to 1967 television sitcom Gilligan's Island.-Career:...
, played by Tina Louise
Tina Louise
Tina Louise is an American actress, singer, and author. She is best known for her role as the "movie star" Ginger Grant on the television situation comedy Gilligan's Island .-Early life:...
. In addition, her practical domestic skills and plain, good common sense make her an indispensable member of the group. She is a Winfield, Kansas
Winfield, Kansas
Winfield is a city situated along the Walnut River in the west-central part of Cowley County, located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,301...
farm girl, a reference to Dorothy Gale
Dorothy Gale
Dorothy Gale is the protagonist of many of the Oz novels by American author L. Frank Baum, and the best friend of Oz's ruler Princess Ozma. Dorothy first appears in Baum's classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reappears in most of its sequels...
as played by Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
in the 1939 classic movie The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
(occasionally wearing Dorothy's ubiquitous pigtails and a gingham dress).
She was traveling alone on the "three-hour tour" that was lost at sea, and was in her late teens to early twenties—an age which she pinpoints in the Season 2, Episode 30 "V for Vitamins" when she says, "Women and children first, so I get two votes." In many episodes it is clear that she has a crush on Gilligan
Gilligan
Gilligan may refer to:*USS Gilligan , a US Navy destroyer escort*Gilligan , a fictional character in the TV series Gilligan's Island*Gilligan , people with the surname Gilligan...
. She repeatedly tells him how wonderful he is, repeatedly kisses him on the cheek, and is usually the only castaway to not blame him so harshly for everything that goes wrong.
She tells the others in Season 2, Episode 18, "The Postman Cometh," that she has a boyfriend named Horace Higgenbotham from Horners Corners, Kansas, so they will think she has someone special, but confesses later that he's "a real creep" and not her boyfriend at all.
Mary Ann mentions her mother and father in passing only very briefly, but references her Aunt Martha and Uncle George multiple times, leading some to believe that she lived with them and that her parents may be deceased, another connection to The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
.
In the series' (second) pilot "Two on a Raft" (Season 1, Episode 1), the Honolulu-based AM radio news reader only states that "the attractive brunette" is "employed at the Winfield General Store." Mary Ann confesses to Mr. Howell in Season 1, Episode 6 "President Gilligan" that she's only a clerk.