Dennis the Menace (US)
The United States version of Dennis the Menace is a cartoon strip (single panel on weekdays, full strip on Sundays) drawn by Hank Ketcham, which originally appeared as "The Pickle" and was later made into a TV cartoon as well as a live-action movie. Originally, Dennis (who would mostly likely be diagnosed these days with ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder) spent most of his time making life miserable for his parents. In recent years he has spent nearly all his time invading the serenity of the grumpy Mr. Wilson and being coddled by his engaging wife Martha. In tone, Dennis is most like an escapee from a 1930s movie.
On March 12, 1951 the Dennis the Menace comic strip appeared in newspapers across the country for the first time. Coincidentally, another cartoon strip titled Dennis the Menace was published in the United Kingdom at the same time. In the UK, the US cartoon series is known simply as Dennis.
Ketcham gradually turned the production of the strip over to his assistants, who continued it after his 2001 death.
Dennis has been the subject of a number of animated adaptations as well as a CBS sitcom from 1959 to 1963 starring Jay North as Dennis. A 1993 film starred Walter Matthau as Mr. Wilson.
Dennis the Menace is the "spokestoon" for Dairy Queen.
List of characters
- Dennis Mitchell
- Mom (Alice Mitchell)
- Dad (Henry Mitchell)
- Grandpa
- Ruff the dog
- Hotdog the cat
- Mr. (George) Wilson
- Mrs. (Martha) Wilson
- Joey
- Margaret
- Gina
See also
