Series synopsis
Dennis the Menace is a Canadian comedy family television series that premiered on CBS on October 4, 1959. It ended on July 7, 1963. It stars Jay North, Joseph Kearns, Gloria Henry and Herbert Anderson.
This 1959-1963 television situation comedy series follows the lives of the Mitchell family, Henry, Alice, and their only child Dennis, an energetic, trouble-prone, mischievous, but well-meaning boy, who often tangles with his peace-and-quiet-loving neighbor George Wilson, a retired salesman, or, later, with George's brother John, a writer. Dennis is basically a good, well-intentioned boy who always tries to help people, but who winds up making situations worse – often at Mr. Wilson's expense.
Premise
This 1959-1963 television situation comedy series follows the lives of the Mitchell family, Henry, Alice, and their only child Dennis, an energetic, trouble-prone, mischievous, but well-meaning boy, who often tangles with his peace-and-quiet-loving neighbor George Wilson, a retired salesman, or, later, with George's brother John, a writer. Dennis is basically a good, well-intentioned boy who always tries to help people, but who winds up making situations worse – often at Mr. Wilson's expense.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Jay North as Dennis Mitchell
- Joseph Kearns as George Wilson
- Gloria Henry as Alice Mitchell
- Herbert Anderson as Henry Mitchell
- Sylvia Field as Martha Wilson
- Gale Gordon as John Wilson
- Byron Foulger
- Molly Dodd
Supporting cast
- Forrest Lewis
- Henry Beckman
- Elvia Allman
- Judson Pratt
- Addison Richards as Stacy
- Maudie Prickett as Madame Tina
- Emile Meyer
- John Fiedler as Mr. Clute
- Gordon Jones
- Dave Willock
- Sandy Koufax as Himself
- Michael Fox
Guest cast
- Byron Foulger
- Molly Dodd
- Forrest Lewis
- Henry Beckman
- Elvia Allman
- Judson Pratt
- Addison Richards as Stacy
- Maudie Prickett as Madame Tina
- Emile Meyer
- John Fiedler as Mr. Clute
- Gordon Jones
- Dave Willock
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 150 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 4 | September 29, 1960 | |
| Season 1 | 32 | October 4, 1959 | June 12, 1960 |
| Season 2 | 38 | October 2, 1960 | June 25, 1961 |
| Season 3 | 38 | October 1, 1961 | July 1, 1962 |
| Season 4 | 38 | September 30, 1962 | July 7, 1963 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Conversation with Gloria Hery & Jeannie Russel | |
| 2 |
Donna Reed Show - Donna Decorates In this crossover episode, we learn that the Stones live in the same hometown as Dennis the Menace. Neighbor Dennis (the Menace) Mitchell offers to help Donna redecorate the Stone house and ends up making things even worse. |
September 29, 1960 |
| 3 | 1960 Promo |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dennis Goes to the Movies Dennis eludes a babysitter to go to the movies that his parents are at. |
October 4, 1959 |
| 2 |
Dennis and the Signpost Dennis replaces a fallen signpost... backwards. |
October 11, 1959 |
| 3 |
The Fishing Trip Henry and Mr.Wilson try to go fishing without Dennis. |
October 18, 1959 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Out of Retirement Mr. Wilson gets a visit from his former boss who offers him his job back in Pittsburgh. When Dennis thinks Mr. Wilson is moving to Pittsburgh, he runs away from home. |
October 2, 1960 |
| 2 |
Dennis and the Wedding Mr. Wilson's Niece is getting married and asks Dennis to be the ring bear. |
October 9, 1960 |
| 3 |
Dennis and the Radio Set Mr. Wilson gives Dennis an old radio set that he mistakenly bid for at an auction. However, When Dennis finds money in his radio set, Mr. Wilson gets excited. So him and Mitchell put in add in the paper hoping the real owner isn't around to claim it. |
October 16, 1960 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Trouble from Mars Mr. Wilson accidentlly gets a space helmet that belongs to Dennis stuck on his head. |
October 1, 1961 |
| 2 |
Best Neighbor Dennis and Mr. Wilson camp out on a moutain so that Dennis can join the Junior Pathfinders club. |
October 8, 1961 |
| 3 |
Keep Off the Grass Henry gets a ticket for walking on the grass in the park. When Mr. Wilson hears about it he thinks it isn't fair, So he convinces Henry to go to court and contest it. |
October 15, 1961 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Chinese Girl Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have a Chinese girl that is staying with them while Mr. Wilson is interviewing the girls father for a magazine article. |
September 30, 1962 |
| 2 |
You Go Your Way Dennis hears Mr.& Mrs. Wilson argue and spreads it around the Neighborhood and soon some of the neighbors think that the Wilson's have split up. |
October 7, 1962 |
| 3 |
Dennis and the Circular Circumstances Dennis gets a job for a day delivering Circulars for Mrs. Elkins. But, When he swaps territories with another kid, he gets blamed for throwing the circulars in a trash can. |
October 14, 1962 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 4, 1959 |
| Last aired | July 7, 1963 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday |