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

The character of "Dennis Mitchell" was ranked at #8 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 10 Biggest Brats" (27 March 2005 issue).

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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: You're the best Mom in the whole world.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Girl in Lovers' Lane (1993)

User Reviews

Never fond of this...

Even when I was a very young child (when this series was still in production,) I wasn't that crazy about this program. I grant that Jay North's Dennis was intended to get on people's nerves, but I don't think that was the intent with regard to the viewers; his shrill delivery always pained me and I couldn't figure out how a kid like that never got whipped.

Admittedly, most of the problems he caused were unintentional; nevertheless, any normal parents would have sat him down and explained that there's such a thing as trying too hard.