OCTOBER 4, 1959... DENNIS THE MENACE premiered on CBS, bringing Hank Ketcham’s mischievous comic-strip kid to television — with Jay North in the title role. Old enough to have watched this one? Or did you catch the reruns??
North was only 8 years old when he became Dennis Mitchell, an energetic little boy whose attempts to help, explore and have fun somehow had a habit of creating complete chaos — especially for his next-door neighbor, George Wilson, played by Joseph Kearns. Dennis’ parents, Henry and Alice Mitchell, were played by Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry.
The very first episode was “Dennis Goes to the Movies.” Dennis is left with a babysitter while his parents go out, but staying home isn't exactly his idea of a good time. He sneaks away to the movie theater — where his parents happen to be — while his friend Joey pretends to be Dennis back at the house. Naturally, things don't stay under control for long.
Interestingly, that premiere was actually based on a pilot filmed in late 1958, nearly a year before viewers finally saw it. CBS also aired the series on Sunday evenings at 7:30, leading into The Ed Sullivan Show.
Dennis the Menace would stick around for four seasons and 146 episodes, becoming one of those classic sitcoms where you could pretty much guarantee that Dennis meant well — and Mr. Wilson was probably going to have a bad day.
67 years ago today, Dennis Mitchell officially moved in next door. Did you watch Dennis the Menace growing up? And was Mr. Wilson your favorite part of the show (because he was mine)?