Dennis the Menace (1959–1963)

Television episodes built around the same sorts of incidents found in Hank Ketcham's long-running comic strip.

Stars:

Jay North, Gloria Henry, Herbert Anderson

1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jay North	...	Dennis Mitchell (146 episodes, 1959-1963)
Gloria Henry	...	Alice Mitchell (145 episodes, 1959-1963)
Herbert Anderson	...	Henry Mitchell (144 episodes, 1959-1963)
Billy Booth	...	Tommy Anderson (110 episodes, 1959-1963)
Joseph Kearns	...	George Wilson (102 episodes, 1959-1962)
Sylvia Field	...	Martha Wilson (90 episodes, 1959-1962)

Storyline

The live-action adaptation of the Hank Ketcham comic strip of the same name. Dennis Mitchell was a loveable young boy, dressed in overalls and carrying a slingshot in his pocket. He had but one fault: His penchant for mischief. Everywhere he went, Dennis' wide-eyed curiosity, well-meaning attempts to help out and his simply being a normal, red-blooded American boy growing up always seemed to lead to trouble. Usually on the receiving end was Dennis' next-door neighbor, retired postal carrier George Wilson. Dennis worshiped Mr. Wilson, but the gruff old man overtly displayed a less-than-cordial attitude around the young lad. Mr. Wilson's wife, Martha, adored Dennis and saw him as a surrogate grandson (since the Wilsons never had any children). Dennis' long-suffering parents were Henry (an engineer) and Alice (a stay-at-home mother). Episodes revolved around Dennis' adventures and the trouble that usually followed. Also involved in the fun were Dennis' friends Joey, Tommy and Margaret. ...

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Plot Keywords:

dennis the menace | neighbor | naughty child | dog | based on comic | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Daniel el travieso

Company Credits

Production Co:

Darriell Productions, Screen Gems

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (146 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After Joseph Kearns died, during the third season, the explanation was that 'George Wilson' had gone on a trip to Ohio, and his brother John (Gale Gordon) had come to take care of the house for him and visit his sister-in-law, Martha Wilson, while 'George Wilson' was away.

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Goofs

Throughout the series, the outside design of the Wilson's house shows two windows on each side of the front door. On the inside of the house there is no window by the front door - the window is around the corner to the left and bigger then the one by the door seen on the outside. The house design on the inside doesn't match up to outside design.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Dennis Mitchell: Helloooooo Mr. Wilson!

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Connections

Referenced in RiffTrax Live: Jack the Giant Killer (2011)

User Reviews

The original from the golden age of the late 50's

Even when I was a young child,I wasn't that much crazy about the program until years later. The last time this series was on was back in the mid-1980's on cable's Nickelodeon children's network plus was seen in some local TV stations late at night or early Sunday mornings and most recently on Nickelodeon's sister station TV Land. Anyways,this little boy got on people's last nerves and for good reason since it was based on Hank Ketchum's classic comic strip of the same title that produced an astounding 146 episodes,all in black and white and ran in prime-time on CBS-TV from October 4, 1959 until July 7, 1963 and was produced by Harry Ackerman for Screen Gems/Columbia Pictures Television.

Hard-headed and all mischievous annoying brat Dennis Mitchell(played by Jay North)was always getting into trouble and getting into all kinds of mischief,especially annoying his next door neighbor Mr. Wilson. He was a cute kid who wore overralls and carried a sling shot in his back pocket was a walking chaos including those who were in the path of his way. The only problem I have with Dennis is this...His parents were always the nice couple,but I wish there were times when Mr. Mitchell gave Dennis a GOOD spanking! How could a kid like that could start mischief but was never whipped? In the real world he could have gotten it good cause no parent if their right state of mind would let him get away with that. Great show,but execptionally hilarious. However,I can remember,there were two actors who played Mr. Wilson on the show....(1)Joesph Kearns(Anatomy Of A Murder)played Wilson during the 1959-61 season,and then the changing of the guard(2)Gale Gordon played him during the 1961-63 season(long before his long collabration with Lucille Ball).