Something I just learned about Mel Blanc and GI

[gilligan fanati]

that he was the voice of the parrot in "New Neighbor Sam" and the frog in "Water Water Everywhere". Since GI was a WB show it makes sense, but I never knew it. He is uncredited that is why I didn't know about it but I was reading though one of my Gilligan books and just read about him doing the voices there.

[Shemp]

Since GI was a WB show...

GILLIGAN'S ISLAND wasn't a Warner production. It was co-produced by a partnership of Gladasya Productions (Phil Silvers' company; "Gladasya" was one of his 'Sgt. Bilko' catch-phrases), United Artists and CBS Television. The series filmed at CBS Studio City in the valley.

When Turner Entertainment bought the RKO, Monogram, MGM and WB film libraries from MGM/UA in 1986, he also acquired select pieces of UA... notably the AAP cartoon library. And, UA's ownership in GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.

Turner sold his companies to Time-Warner in 1996, which is how WB acquired ownership in GI.

[gilligan fanati]

I knew about Gladysya, in fact there was only two shows to have that. GI and the New Phil Silvers Show. When Phil Silvers made his 1963 show it was in his contract he could have two shows. The second one of course being Gilligan. I honestly didn't know that the WB logo at the end was a recent thing. I also didn't know that Gladysya meant something. I thought it was like Calvada on the Dick Van Dyke Show (Carl Reiner, Dick Van Dyke, Danny Thomas, etc.)

I got the New Phil Silvers Show just for the reason of Gladysya Productions.

For the heck of it here is the ending to the New Phil Silvers Show.

[Shemp]

I also didn't know that Gladysya meant something.

"Gladasya" = "Glad to see you."

[gilligan fanati]

"Gladysya" = "Glad to see you."

I feel stupid now-lol I really didn't think it meant anything. Now I see it spelled out it makes a lo of of sense. I have never seen his original show. A best of was released a month or two ago and now I really want to check it out.

[mmtper]

Mel was also the voice of the Raven in the Munster's cuckcoo clock, and I believe he played another parrot on The Flying Nun. Guy got around.

[J. B. Warner]

And if he wasn't Twikki on "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century", it sure as heck sounded like him.

[Tim Lones]

I feel stupid now-lol I really didn't think it meant anything. Now I see it spelled out it makes a lo of of sense. I have never seen his original show. A best of was released a month or two ago and now I really want to check it out.

The original Bilko Show is a real treat. The first "Military sitcom" and one of the best..Paved the way for shows like McHales Navy, F Troop, etc. A lot of cartoon connections..Phil Silvers' Bilko was the Inspiration for Arnold Stang's characterization of Top Cat..Allan Melvin (Henshaw) did lots of Hanna-Barbera voices in the 1960's. Maurice Gosfield (Private Doberman) was Benny The Ball in "Top Cat" Dick Van Dyke who was a guest star a couple times and also did CBS Cartoon Theatre.

I have the Best Of DVD..It was very well done. 18 episodes representing the entire run..Melvin does brief intros on all the episodes. Several extras, including Phil Silvers and the cast on other shows..Audio commentary by Dick Van Dyke and George Kennedy during their guest-starring roles..and other extras..I got it for $24.99 at Wal-Mart..for all that is on it it is worth it..And the shows are as funny now as ever..

[Stanislav]

And if he wasn't Twikki on "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century", it sure as heck sounded like him.

Mel for the most part voiced Twiki, though I believe there was a stretch in the middle of the series where another actor did the voice.

I also read in a book about Lucille Ball that in the "Lucy Show" era, Mel often provided (uncredited) animal noises or off-screen voices (PA announcers and such) in the show. I believe he and Lucy were off-stage friends, having worked together for radio, USO shows, and the like.

[gilligan fanati]

The original Bilko Show is a real treat. The first "Military sitcom" and one of the best..Paved the way for shows like McHales Navy, F Troop, etc. A lot of cartoon connections..Phil Silvers' Bilko was the Inspiration for Arnold Stang's characterization of Top Cat..Allan Melvin (Henshaw) did lots of Hanna-Barbera voices in the 1960's. Maurice Gosfield (Private Doberman) was Benny The Ball in "Top Cat" Dick Van Dyke who was a guest star a couple times and also did CBS Cartoon Theatre.

I have the Best Of DVD..It was very well done. 18 episodes representing the entire run..Melvin does brief intros on all the episodes. Several extras, including Phil Silvers and the cast on other shows..Audio commentary by Dick Van Dyke and George Kennedy during their guest-starring roles..and other extras..I got it for $24.99 at Wal-Mart..for all that is on it it is worth it..And the shows are as funny now as ever..

I can afford $25 dollars I think I will pick it up on Tuesday when I get Hazel's first season.

[Treadwell]

Mel for the most part voiced Twiki, though I believe there was a stretch in the middle of the series where another actor did the voice.

Correct. He was sick for a spell.