Forever Mary Ann
Dawn Wells among celebrities at Comic Con in the Falls
More than 50 years after being stranded on Gilligan’s Island, Dawn Wells continues to make waves with fans.
“I still get recognized everywhere, all over the world,” the 79-year-old said after arriving in Niagara Falls Thursday in advance of her appearance at Niagara Falls Comic Con. “We haven’t been off the air in more than 50 years.”
Wells played Mary Ann Summers, the wholesome farm girl from Kansas, from 1964 to 1967. The campy series had only 98 episodes and three television movie sequels but, thanks to syndication, “Gilligan’s Island” has been charming viewers for decades.
Her fan base, she said with smile, ranges in age from 12 to 80.
“The show was very family-oriented,” she said of the series that made her a television icon.
“I’ve raised three or four generations, always with love. There was a kindness and respect that you don’t really see on television today.”
“Gilligan’s Island” had an ensemble cast that featured Wells, Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Russell Johnson and Tina Louise.
The series followed the comic ad-
ventures of seven castaways as they attempted to survive the island on which they had been shipwrecked. Most episodes revolve around the dissimilar castaways’ conflicts and their unsuccessful attempts, for whose failure Gilligan was frequently responsible, to escape their plight.
The first season, consisting of 36 episodes, was filmed in black and white. These episodes were later colourized before going into syndication. The show’s second and third seasons (62 episodes) and the three television movie sequels (aired between 1978 and 1982) were filmed in colour.
After “Gilligan’s Island,” Wells embarked on a theatre career, appearing in more than 60 productions from Noel Coward to Neil Simon. She’s also appeared in more than 150 television shows.
In 2014, she released her book “What Would Mary Ann Do? A Guide to Life,” to coincide with the 50th anniversary of “Gilligan’s Island.”
In addition to chatting with fans this weekend, Wells is looking forward to checking out Niagara Falls.
“I love Canada, I come here a lot,” she said. “This is my first time in Niagara Falls.”
The seventh annual Niagara Falls Comic Con runs Friday to Sunday at the Scotiabank Convention Centre.
“Advance ticket sales were stronger than last year and we’re expecting a very busy weekend,” said co-founder and co-organizer Chris Dabrowski.
Celebrity guests include George Wendt and John Ratzenberger (“Cheers”), Michael Rooker (“The Walking Dead” and “Guardians of the Galaxy”) and “Family Matters” star Jaleel White.
Tickets are $24.95 Friday, $39.95 Saturday and $31.95 Sunday. Three-day passes are $66.95, or $199.95 for Deluxe Speed Pass.
For more information, visit http://nfcomiccon.com.