Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. is a 1966 film about a Navy pilot who finds himself deserted on an island following some engine troubles. It stars Dick Van Dyke as Lt. Robin Crusoe, with notable co-stars including Nancy Kwan and Akim Tamiroff. This piece will explore where the film was shot, the cast, and some fun facts about the movie.
Where it Filmed?
The shooting of Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. took place at three primary locations. San Diego, California, and Kaua’i, Hawaii, both in the USA were used for some of the movie’s outstanding outdoor scenes, providing an authentic island backdrop. The USS Kitty Hawk was also brought into play for some scenes. Filming started on May 10, 1965.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dick Van Dyke | Lt. Robin Crusoe |
| Nancy Kwan | Wednesday |
| Akim Tamiroff | Tanamashu |
| Arthur Malet | Umbrella Man |
| Tyler McVey | Captain |
| Peter Duryea | Co-Pilot |
| John Dennis | Crew Chief |
| Nancy Hsueh | Native Girl |
| Victoria Young | Native Girl |
| Yvonne Ribuca | Native Girl |
| Bebe Louie | Native Girl |
| Lucia Valero | Native Girl |
| Richard Deacon | Survival Manual Narrator (uncredited) |
| Ron Veto | Native (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- Walt Disney is credited under Retlaw Yensid for the film’s original story. Retlaw Yensid is Walter Disney spelled backward.
- Dick Van Dyke stars as Lt. Robin Crusoe in the film. His depiction of the Navy pilot stranded on an island is quite memorable.
- Despite starting the film with a whistle around his neck, it isn’t until later in the movie, after Rob ransacks a submarine, that the whistle appears again. It’s implied he found the whistle in the submarine.
- The film contains a quote by Lt. Robin Crusoe: “According… to… my… calculations, I’m somewhere between Elmira, New York, and Muncie, Indiana.” This gives a sense of his disorientation and isolation on the island.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: San Diego, California, USA
- Latitude: 32.715738
- Longitude: -117.1610838
- Place ID: ChIJSx6SrQ9T2YARed8V_f0hOg0
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: San Diego, CA, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Kaua’i, Hawaii, USA
- Latitude: 22.0964396
- Longitude: -159.5261238
- Place ID: ChIJR7CeJbsEB3wRijctofUaMvY
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Kauai, Hawaii, USA
- Timezone: Pacific/Honolulu
