"The Return of Wrongway Feldman" marked the second and last appearance of the fabled pilot played by Hans Conreid, who miraculously finds his way back to the island despite his reputation. Not content with civilization he has decided to return to the beautiful paradise he left behind, intending to live out the rest of his days with the castaways. Naturally this doesn't sit well with the others, who devise a plan to bring as much noisy civilization to the island as they can to make Wrongway appreciate it and go back. His descriptions of what's going on back in New York leaves everyone in tears, particularly Mr. Howell, whose apartments feature the lowest rent in the district: "stop, have you no mercy?" As good as his previous performance was, the marvelous Hans Conreid truly outdoes himself in his exasperated reactions to the insanity going on around him, a welcome return for one of the show's most beloved guest stars.
5 Reviews
Gilligan once again meets the flying ace with the loose bearings.
Ralphkram1 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The first season's most notable guest star, famed flyer Wrongway Feldman, makes his return appearance in this entertaining follow-up. This sequel-the only one in the entire series-is solid with a clever premise, tight pacing, and a lot of good one-liners spread around the cast. Maybe Wrongway lacks the surprise value of his first go round, but he is still charming and energetic enough to once again stick the landing.
The World War I aviator manages to find his way back to his favorite uncharted island. It's a tropical paradise where he'll spend the rest of his days, and he doesn't understand why the castaways would want to return to the smog and congestion of civilization.
Maybe Wrongway's sense of direction hasn't improved from the fifth episode, but his sense of timing is as good as ever. His tales of life back home reduce the castaways to tears, whether he's talking about food, the theatre, or Mr. Howell's tenement buildings, and his obliviousness to their growing desperation makes the scenes all the funnier. Gilligan beseeches him to fly them home, but Wrongway is right on message when he points out they are already home.
So, the premise of the episode is the castaways have to dupe him into leaving his paradise for civilization. They first appeal to his friendship for Gilligan by convincing him our lead has come down with the dreaded Bola Bola disease and requires a doctor to save his life. The ruse gives an excuse for some pretty good physical humor as Gilligan acts out the symptoms, and for Wrongway to add a little drama into the mix as he decides what to do. In a nice character moment, he decides Gilligan's life is more important than his disgust for civilization, and it's off to the mainland.
Unfortunately for the castaways, he returns from Hawaii with only an antidote and no attending physician.
The episode reaches its peak as the group decides to bring civilization to Wrongway as a way to drive him off the isle. All of the castaways join in the scheme to ruin his precious peace and quiet. They disturb his sleep; deprive him of food; and work him like a member of a chain gang. Soon, the flyer is convinced that there is no difference between city life and island life, and he flees in exasperation.
The Skipper guarantees rescue in the closing tag. But a storm (there is always a storm) knocks Wrongway off course, and he discovers an even greater paradise than the one he left.
COCONOTES:
Guest star Hans Conreid does another solid job in his last outing as the flying ace. Even when he's not in his trademark scarf and goggles, he still steals every scene he's in and dominates the action. His befuddled reaction to the construction effort is priceless.
Those are really Jim Backus' tears in the rent scene.
"I, too, miss the hustle and bustle at the reference desk."
Where did the Skip and Gilligan get those apple and celery stalks, anyway?
"What's the first thing you're going to do, Mr. Howell?" "Double the rents!"
The World War I aviator manages to find his way back to his favorite uncharted island. It's a tropical paradise where he'll spend the rest of his days, and he doesn't understand why the castaways would want to return to the smog and congestion of civilization.
Maybe Wrongway's sense of direction hasn't improved from the fifth episode, but his sense of timing is as good as ever. His tales of life back home reduce the castaways to tears, whether he's talking about food, the theatre, or Mr. Howell's tenement buildings, and his obliviousness to their growing desperation makes the scenes all the funnier. Gilligan beseeches him to fly them home, but Wrongway is right on message when he points out they are already home.
So, the premise of the episode is the castaways have to dupe him into leaving his paradise for civilization. They first appeal to his friendship for Gilligan by convincing him our lead has come down with the dreaded Bola Bola disease and requires a doctor to save his life. The ruse gives an excuse for some pretty good physical humor as Gilligan acts out the symptoms, and for Wrongway to add a little drama into the mix as he decides what to do. In a nice character moment, he decides Gilligan's life is more important than his disgust for civilization, and it's off to the mainland.
Unfortunately for the castaways, he returns from Hawaii with only an antidote and no attending physician.
The episode reaches its peak as the group decides to bring civilization to Wrongway as a way to drive him off the isle. All of the castaways join in the scheme to ruin his precious peace and quiet. They disturb his sleep; deprive him of food; and work him like a member of a chain gang. Soon, the flyer is convinced that there is no difference between city life and island life, and he flees in exasperation.
The Skipper guarantees rescue in the closing tag. But a storm (there is always a storm) knocks Wrongway off course, and he discovers an even greater paradise than the one he left.
COCONOTES:
Guest star Hans Conreid does another solid job in his last outing as the flying ace. Even when he's not in his trademark scarf and goggles, he still steals every scene he's in and dominates the action. His befuddled reaction to the construction effort is priceless.
Those are really Jim Backus' tears in the rent scene.
"I, too, miss the hustle and bustle at the reference desk."
Where did the Skip and Gilligan get those apple and celery stalks, anyway?
"What's the first thing you're going to do, Mr. Howell?" "Double the rents!"
Another Round of Wrongway
kmcelhaney00530 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Wrongway Feldman, last heard from in a ticker-tape parade after his triumphant return from nowhere, lands on the island to get away from the modern world and return to the "paradise" that is Gilligan's Island.
Naturally, the castaways want to go home, but Wrongway will have nothing to do with that. So, they concoct one scheme after another until they finally drive Wrongway from the island...but will they get rescued.
Hans Conried returns to the role he created in the episode "Wrongway Feldman" and is still at the top of his game. Wrongway is a great character played at full tilt with a cockeyed, yet wonderful view of the world around him. Hans is simply glorious in the role and he elevates the cast as well.
Highlights include Wrongway's initial arrival on the island which is rather dramatic considering that we see his plane moving, Wrongway describing to the Skipper and Gilligan the choices of foods he had in NYC, Mr. Howell finding out his apartment complex is the only one still under rent control (you can see an actual tear role down his cheek), the Professor wishing to re-experience the "hustle and bustle" of Saturday night at the library, Wrongway's stomach reacting to all the new "noise" from the work the castaways are doing, and the final fate of Wrongway as he enjoys the benefits of his new home.
This is another great episode thanks to Hans and his wonderful character. It is kinda surprising that they didn't bring him back a third time, but I guess that would have stretched credulity just a bit...oh wait, this is Gilligan's Island, a show that stretches credulity all the time! Still, this episode is a real winner and one of the best of the bunch.
Naturally, the castaways want to go home, but Wrongway will have nothing to do with that. So, they concoct one scheme after another until they finally drive Wrongway from the island...but will they get rescued.
Hans Conried returns to the role he created in the episode "Wrongway Feldman" and is still at the top of his game. Wrongway is a great character played at full tilt with a cockeyed, yet wonderful view of the world around him. Hans is simply glorious in the role and he elevates the cast as well.
Highlights include Wrongway's initial arrival on the island which is rather dramatic considering that we see his plane moving, Wrongway describing to the Skipper and Gilligan the choices of foods he had in NYC, Mr. Howell finding out his apartment complex is the only one still under rent control (you can see an actual tear role down his cheek), the Professor wishing to re-experience the "hustle and bustle" of Saturday night at the library, Wrongway's stomach reacting to all the new "noise" from the work the castaways are doing, and the final fate of Wrongway as he enjoys the benefits of his new home.
This is another great episode thanks to Hans and his wonderful character. It is kinda surprising that they didn't bring him back a third time, but I guess that would have stretched credulity just a bit...oh wait, this is Gilligan's Island, a show that stretches credulity all the time! Still, this episode is a real winner and one of the best of the bunch.
- At the beginning of the episode, we see the Skipper, Professor and Gilligan use a really nice "homemade" telescope...which was seldom, if ever used again...
- Clearly, that is not the same plane from the first episode as this one has a different nose and general shape, at least in the first scene. However, when Wrongway leaves the island for the final time, we see his original plane again (clearly, this was stock footage from the previous episode) as well as his "acrobatics".
- Funny that Wrongway kept all his old clothes, including his rotted-out leather jacket...couldn't he afford a new one? - Wrongway's note he wrote after leaving for Hawaii to get help contains a famous quote from "A Tale of Two Cities"..."It is a far, far better thing I do..."
- Mary Ann gets to do a little physical comedy at the expense of the Skipper with the water buckets, a neat change of pace considering that Gilligan is usually the culprit.
- As noted elsewhere, the Skipper and Gilligan munch on an apple and celery which is not available on the island. However, we know from "Water, Water Everywhere" that the island supposedly has olives and watermelons, so apples and celery is certainly no stretch.
- It appears that the final time we see Wrongway, surrounded by beautiful girls, was shot on the "hut" set.
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF WRONGWAY FELDMAN
tcchelsey19 February 2024
Wrongway Feldman, played by master character actor Hans Conreid, returns to the island one more time. Wrongway was, perhaps, one of the most memorable series characters.
Feldman, a national hero due to his "wrongway" journeys around the world, lands on the island once again -- with plans to retire? He actually misses the place and all the peace and quiet that goes with it and wants to spend his declining years there. But what about the castaways? Everybody wants to go home, particularly Mr. Howell, who misses all his business enterprises --and raising rents on his apartment buildings!
The gang ain't too happy with their new guest and decide to use a little reverse psychology. It's operation NOISE, and the more irritating the better, best way to get Wrongway off the island and back to Hawaii where he can finally tell the world about them.
Will it work? You have to give the castaways credit for some fun ways to annoy the heck out of Wrongway. The dialogue is funny. Lawrence Cohen wrote this episode, also a regular writer for BEWITCHED and ANDY GRIFFITH.
Wrongway Feldman, incidentally, was a take on the famous aviator Wrongway Corrigan back in the 1930s. Corrigan, who wanted to be the next Charles Lindbergh in aviation history, made a big goof by flying from Brooklyn, New York to Ireland --instead of Long Beach, California. Nevertheless, he gained national fame and became a sort of hero, probably because so many felt sorry for him.
Watch this episode for Hans Conreid, just plain insane, and we love him. Hans was best known for his voice work; THE BULLWINKLE SHOW as Snidely Whiplash. He also made many appearances on sitcoms like LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 24 remastered color and black and white. Two dvd box releases, 6 dvd each, 2004 and upgraded 2012.
Feldman, a national hero due to his "wrongway" journeys around the world, lands on the island once again -- with plans to retire? He actually misses the place and all the peace and quiet that goes with it and wants to spend his declining years there. But what about the castaways? Everybody wants to go home, particularly Mr. Howell, who misses all his business enterprises --and raising rents on his apartment buildings!
The gang ain't too happy with their new guest and decide to use a little reverse psychology. It's operation NOISE, and the more irritating the better, best way to get Wrongway off the island and back to Hawaii where he can finally tell the world about them.
Will it work? You have to give the castaways credit for some fun ways to annoy the heck out of Wrongway. The dialogue is funny. Lawrence Cohen wrote this episode, also a regular writer for BEWITCHED and ANDY GRIFFITH.
Wrongway Feldman, incidentally, was a take on the famous aviator Wrongway Corrigan back in the 1930s. Corrigan, who wanted to be the next Charles Lindbergh in aviation history, made a big goof by flying from Brooklyn, New York to Ireland --instead of Long Beach, California. Nevertheless, he gained national fame and became a sort of hero, probably because so many felt sorry for him.
Watch this episode for Hans Conreid, just plain insane, and we love him. Hans was best known for his voice work; THE BULLWINKLE SHOW as Snidely Whiplash. He also made many appearances on sitcoms like LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE.
SEASON 1 EPISODE 24 remastered color and black and white. Two dvd box releases, 6 dvd each, 2004 and upgraded 2012.
It's just amazing that he made it back.
mark.waltz14 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The news of what's going on in civilization and how it affects certain castaways is even more amusing than the main plot which is a really good one. It appears that Wrongway had a nice time in New York City going to all the Broadway shows, and checking up on Thurston Howell real estate holdings, informing him that he has the only non-rent controlled apartments in the city. And Ginger's roommate, Debbie Dawson, is now the toast of Broadway, never having a moment to herself with all the publicity and moving offers she gets.
So now he's back on the island for good, truly over civilization even though everybody else is desperate to go home. Gilligan tries to pretend that he has bola bola, and you can see in actor Hans Conreid's eyes that Wrongway does not want to return to civilization, even for medical help. Of course, when he returns, it's only with medication, and not a doctor. The scheming must continue, and they must be more crafty.
Unfortunately, what they come up with is even worse than civilization, and Wrongway will end up not wanting to be anywhere near any of them by the time they get through with him. You begin to wonder if this is the beginning of the construction of the huts that will appear in season 2 without explanation. It's a good second appearance (and final) for Hans Conreid whose squeaky voice and eccentric demeanor made for a memorable for a first season guest appearance.
So now he's back on the island for good, truly over civilization even though everybody else is desperate to go home. Gilligan tries to pretend that he has bola bola, and you can see in actor Hans Conreid's eyes that Wrongway does not want to return to civilization, even for medical help. Of course, when he returns, it's only with medication, and not a doctor. The scheming must continue, and they must be more crafty.
Unfortunately, what they come up with is even worse than civilization, and Wrongway will end up not wanting to be anywhere near any of them by the time they get through with him. You begin to wonder if this is the beginning of the construction of the huts that will appear in season 2 without explanation. It's a good second appearance (and final) for Hans Conreid whose squeaky voice and eccentric demeanor made for a memorable for a first season guest appearance.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
