The New Principal (11 Nov. 1962)
"Dennis the Menace" The New Principal (original title)

Dennis makes a bad impression on the new school principal and as a result, is not allowed to pitch in the championship baseball game.

Director:

Charles Barton

Writers:

Keith Fowler, Hank Ketcham (comic strip),

Stars:

Jay North, Gale Gordon, Herbert Anderson

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Jay North	...	Dennis Mitchell
Gale Gordon	...	John Wilson
Herbert Anderson	...	Henry Mitchell
Gloria Henry	...	Alice Mitchell
Billy Booth	...	Tommy
Willard Waterman	...	Mr. Quigley
Charles Lane	...	Mr. Finch
Leslie Barrett	...	Mr. Spivey
Jeannie Russell	...	Margaret
Gregory Irvin	...	Johnny Brady

Storyline

Dennis makes a bad impression on the new school principal and as a result, is not allowed to pitch in the championship baseball game.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 1962 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Darriell Productions, Screen Gems

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References To Tell the Truth (1956)

User Reviews

slow start, got much better

Dennis is happy to meet his school's new principal, Mr. Spivey. In speaking to the class, he tries to lower a rolled-up map next to the blackboard, but cannot reach the handle. Dennis (sitting in the front row) jumps up to get him a stool and is immediately in trouble with the Spivey who is way too sensitive about his height.

Dennis is supposed to pitch for the school baseball team in tomorrow's big game. His longtime rival, Johnny Brady, is the number two pitcher. He schemes to get Dennis out of the way by taking a paper Dennis had turned in to the teacher with his name on it and drawing a cartoon poking fun at the Mr. Spivey's height. He stuck it on a bulletin board and when the Spivey found it, he told Dennis he had to miss practice after school that night to write a punish lesson on the blackboard. More importantly, he was off the team. He didn't believe Dennis' denial.

Word got around what had happened and three men who knew Dennis well each decided to pose as his father (knowing Henry was out of town and couldn't talk to the principal himself) to talk him into changing his decision. Mr. Wilson was first, followed by Mr. Quigley, then Mr. Finch (with Charles Lane old enough to be his grandfather).

The combined efforts of the men forced Spivey to realize that he must have been wrong and he did change, telling Dennis he was back on the team. After everyone leaves, Spivey is visited by the real Henry Mitchell, just back from his business trip. Henry barely can introduce himself when Spivey brushes him out the door, not wanting to deal with another phony Mr. Mitchell.

We were given reason to dislike Mr. Spivey right at the start when he was asking a few students to name a great American and Dennis said "Mickey Mantle." Not only did Spivey indicate a total dislike for sports at all, but he didn't even know who Dennis was talking about. As a huge baseball fan, I was appalled.

The fun was the three men all trying to pretend to be Dennis' father. There was also an early scene with Quigley trying to show Dennis his curve ball with window-shattering results.