This event was portrayed in the 2001 TV movie "Surviving Gilligan's Island." Funny story to be sure but I think it was $5 not $50. Just as funny either way. I've seen Henny Backus (Jim's widow) on several shows and she probably took it right in stride. They were both great.

That cracks me up. His wife was a good sport!

My favorite JB story, which he told on some TV show a Gilligan perspective show?
He said he and his wife were in Italy, at a fancy hotel restaurant. He was waiting for her outside the bathroom when a beautiful prostitute started flirting with him. Yes, he was alone and looking for a good time She wanted $500, and playing along, he offered $50. She furiously stormed off.
Later, in the restaurant, she saw Jim and his wife sitting down, and came over. (Magooish/Italian voice needed here) See, see, she said to him. 'You could have had ME. For $50, (pointing to wife) THIS is what you get!
Oh, you Magoo.

i liked gilligan's island mr.magoo etc. he was in critic's choice with lucille ball and bob hope [1963] i have that movie on vhs tape.

Yes he did steal the scenes he had with Mickey Rooney and Buddy Hackett in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, World'. And I was watching a movie the other night and was presently surprised to see JB doing a short but very entertaining stint (opposite James Garner in 'Boy's Night Out').
He and Natalie Schafer (very talented and experienced herself) had magnificent chemistry on 'Gilligan's Island'. Apparently they ad-libbed a lot.

I'm watching the Bugs Bunny cartoon "A-Lad-In-His-Lamp" & thought it was Jim doing the voice of the Genie. And viola! It is him!! He was great wasn't he? I loved him in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World". He must've had an eye cold! LOL!
Bilbo is the Ripper!

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"What could go wrong with an old-fashioned?"

JIm was great! I am a big GI fan and his wit just made the show so funny. I am reliving all the memories now that the dvds are out.
"I get so dizzy on my tippy toes"

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And I remember him best for his work for the award-winning "Mr. Magoo" series and "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" (1962). It must have been special to have watched Jim Backus at work in the recording studio.
"Magoo, you've done it again!"