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View Full Version : The Older Adults of "Dennis the Menace"


Steve E
08-21-2011, 04:42 PM
I love how the world of Dennis the Menace is populated by a wide array of older characters...with many of them being on the "downside" of 50.

Some of Dennis' "elder" friends:

Mr. & Mrs. Wilson
Miss Cathcart
Mrs. Elkins
Mrs. Schooner
Mr. Dorfman
Mr. Finch
Mr. Krinkie
Mr. Merrivale
Mr. Quigley
Mr. Timberlake
Opie Swanson
Sgt. Mooney
Uncle Ned


Dennis interacted more with adults than he did kids...and the show was richer for it.A lot of memorable character actors added greatly to the show,and their interactions with Dennis (as well as Tommy,Margaret,and the comically priceless Seymour) were intregal to the young & old outlook of the program.

Mr.& Mrs. Wilson,of course,were crucial to the show,and many other older characters made multiple appearances during the course of the series.

Does anyone have any favorites of the older friends of Dennis?

dakert
08-22-2011, 12:02 AM
Mr & Mrs Wilson goes without saying but I also liked Miss Cathcart and Sgt Mooney with a dash of Mr Quigley

Mr. & Mrs. Wilson
Miss Cathcart
Mrs. Elkins
Mrs. Schooner
Mr. Dorfman
Mr. Finch
Mr. Krinkie
Mr. Merrivale
Mr. Quigley
Mr. Timberlake
Opie Swanson
Sgt. Mooney
Uncle Ned


Dennis interacted more with adults than he did kids...and the show was richer for it.A lot of memorable character actors added greatly to the show,and their interactions with Dennis (as well as Tommy,Margaret,and the comically priceless Seymour) were intregal to the young & old outlook of the program.

Mr.& Mrs. Wilson,of course,were crucial to the show,and many other older characters made multiple appearances during the course of the series.

Does anyone have any favorites of the older friends of Dennis?[/QUOTE]

McGillicuddy
08-25-2011, 06:48 AM
Another one, Grandmother Mitchell, came for an extensive stay to take care of Dennis and Henry while Alice was away. I believe Gloria Henry got pregnant during season 2, and wasn't able to work.

Jack Gomez
08-25-2011, 12:34 PM
That's one of my favorite parts about the show is the older actors. Such a great array of townsfolks, played by great actors.

I'd also add Mrs. Holland to the list. She was played by Helen Kleeb better known for her role on The Waltons as Mamie Baldwin, one of the bootlegging sisters. Mrs. Holland only appeared in about four episodes. She was one of those neighbor ladies who would always get angry at Mr. Wilson. She might not be as remembered as the others, but I liked her.

retroTVfan4ever
08-26-2011, 06:59 PM
Another one, Grandmother Mitchell, came for an extensive stay to take care of Dennis and Henry while Alice was away. I believe Gloria Henry got pregnant during season 2, and wasn't able to work.

Yes, I saw on TV today the episode where Alice prepares to "go out of town" temporarily. It was amusing to watch the episode and see the great lengths they took to hide Gloria Henry's pregnancy. :lol:

Coffeecup
08-28-2011, 11:50 AM
This is probably the first show I remember seeing as a child. Can't say whether it was in rerun form in later years but in time wise production of the show was the first I saw. I haven't seen the show in decades.