Hey Mr. Wilson!!!!!!!!!!
It began on television fifty years ago and now the complete first season is available on DVD. In honor of the release I thought it would be a good idea to sit down and remember the wonderful cast of "Dennis the Menace" which ran from 1959 until 1963. In addition to a incredibly gift leading cast they also had some of the best guest stars of all time. Oh and I highly suggest you pick up season one on DVD, I haven't purchased mine yet but it is my understand that the collection includes new interviews with Gloria Henry ("Alice") and also the episode of "The Donna Reed Show" in which Jay North ("Dennis") and Joseph Kearns ("Mr. Wilson") made a crossover appearance.
Jay North (1951- ) is still with us as of this posting, he played Dennis Mitchell...the prankster with the overalls and the ever ready slingshot.
Herbert Anderson (1917-1994) played Dennis' devoted father Henry Mitchell
Gloria Henry (1923- ), still with us at 88, played Dennis' loving mother Alice Mitchell
Billy Booth (1952-2006) played Dennis' best pal Tommy Anderson
Jeannie Russell (1950- ) also still with us, played Dennis' nemesis Margaret Wade
Dennis was the biggest menace to his neighbor Mr. George Wilson....the man who brought the character to life had been on radio, film and television for more than three decades by the time he appeared on the show. Let's remember at this moment that celebrated actor, Mr. Joseph Kearns (1907-1962). Unfortunalty for George Wilson, his loyal wife Martha thought Dennis Mitchell could do no wrong. The lovely lady was brought to life by actress Sylvia Field (1901-1998) Sadly, Joseph Kearns died suddenly during the show's third season..........to fill the vacant role another acting legend with a forty year career behind him was called upon. Stepping up to a big plate was the incredible genius Mr. Gale Gordon (1906-1995). During the final part of season three he appeared as John Wilson, George's brother who was Martha's houseguest. By the time season four began John Wilson was the head of the house and he had his own wife, Eloise, played by Sara Seegar (1914-1990). Eloise followed in Martha's footsteps and was Dennis' biggest fan.
Recurring guest stars-
George Cisar (1912-1979) as Sergeant Theodore Mooney (1960-1963)
Irene Tedrow (1907-1995) as Mrs. Lucy Elkins, snobish neighbor (1959-1963)
Willard Waterman (1914-1995) as Mr. Otis Quigley, grocery store owner (1959-1963)
Mary Wickes (1910-1995) as Miss Esther Cathcart, neighborhood spinster (1959-1962)
Kathleen Mulqueen (1899-1990) as Grandma Mitchell, Henry's Mother (8 episodes, 1961)
Charles Lane (1905-2007) as Mr. Finch, the Drugist (1960-1962)
Helen Kleeb (1907-2003) as Mrs. Holland (1959-1962)
Other guest stars-
Will Wright (1891-1962)
Walter Reed (1916-2001)
Edward Everett Horton (1886-1970)
Alice Pearce (1917-1966)
Parley Baer (1914-2002)
Roy Roberts (1906-1975)
Elvia Allman (1904-1992)
Johnny Lee (1898-1965)
Stafford Repp (1918-1974)
Harold Gould (1923-2010)
Harvey Korman (1927-2008)
Bob Jellison (1908-1980) Hal Smith (1916-1994)
Verna Felton (1890-1966)
A wonderful series, a part of television's golden era. Let's hope the entire run makes it to DVD so that it can live on forever as generation after generation gets a chance to go back to when times were simple, when parents loved but scolded, when friendships had values and when you could get to know your neighbors.
Jay North (1951- ) is still with us as of this posting, he played Dennis Mitchell...the prankster with the overalls and the ever ready slingshot.
Herbert Anderson (1917-1994) played Dennis' devoted father Henry Mitchell
Gloria Henry (1923- ), still with us at 88, played Dennis' loving mother Alice Mitchell
Billy Booth (1952-2006) played Dennis' best pal Tommy Anderson
Jeannie Russell (1950- ) also still with us, played Dennis' nemesis Margaret Wade
Dennis was the biggest menace to his neighbor Mr. George Wilson....the man who brought the character to life had been on radio, film and television for more than three decades by the time he appeared on the show. Let's remember at this moment that celebrated actor, Mr. Joseph Kearns (1907-1962). Unfortunalty for George Wilson, his loyal wife Martha thought Dennis Mitchell could do no wrong. The lovely lady was brought to life by actress Sylvia Field (1901-1998) Sadly, Joseph Kearns died suddenly during the show's third season..........to fill the vacant role another acting legend with a forty year career behind him was called upon. Stepping up to a big plate was the incredible genius Mr. Gale Gordon (1906-1995). During the final part of season three he appeared as John Wilson, George's brother who was Martha's houseguest. By the time season four began John Wilson was the head of the house and he had his own wife, Eloise, played by Sara Seegar (1914-1990). Eloise followed in Martha's footsteps and was Dennis' biggest fan.
Recurring guest stars-
George Cisar (1912-1979) as Sergeant Theodore Mooney (1960-1963)
Irene Tedrow (1907-1995) as Mrs. Lucy Elkins, snobish neighbor (1959-1963)
Willard Waterman (1914-1995) as Mr. Otis Quigley, grocery store owner (1959-1963)
Mary Wickes (1910-1995) as Miss Esther Cathcart, neighborhood spinster (1959-1962)
Kathleen Mulqueen (1899-1990) as Grandma Mitchell, Henry's Mother (8 episodes, 1961)
Charles Lane (1905-2007) as Mr. Finch, the Drugist (1960-1962)
Helen Kleeb (1907-2003) as Mrs. Holland (1959-1962)
Other guest stars-
Will Wright (1891-1962)
Walter Reed (1916-2001)
Edward Everett Horton (1886-1970)
Alice Pearce (1917-1966)
Parley Baer (1914-2002)
Roy Roberts (1906-1975)
Elvia Allman (1904-1992)
Johnny Lee (1898-1965)
Stafford Repp (1918-1974)
Harold Gould (1923-2010)
Harvey Korman (1927-2008)
Bob Jellison (1908-1980) Hal Smith (1916-1994)
Verna Felton (1890-1966)
A wonderful series, a part of television's golden era. Let's hope the entire run makes it to DVD so that it can live on forever as generation after generation gets a chance to go back to when times were simple, when parents loved but scolded, when friendships had values and when you could get to know your neighbors.
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