Mr. Wilson has had it with the Public School System. He ends up becoming a student for a day. Didn't he learn his lesson (no pun intended), when he was a kid for a day? Oh well, he asks for it. And Harold Gould is more than happy to accommodate John or Johnny as Dennis' teacher calls him. Needless to say it's a rib tickler. This series gets its share of mileage out of the Twist. No wonder Chubby Checker recorded all those dance songs. Seymour gets in on the fun even though he's in a younger class. It's not clear Wilson learns much from all this. He gets a slice of humble pie. And Eloise is quite willing to point out the Establishment's response to Wilson's quibbling.
Reviews
291 Reviews
The Far Country
(1954)
Cattle and Gold Make For Gunfights And Romance
18 May 2024
Far Country is an underrated Western. It probably doesn't get the credit it deserves when compared to Anthony Mann's earlier Bend Of The River. Bend starred Jimmy Stewart, also. Far Country has a lot going for it, also. John McIntire always puts in a solid performance. Too bad he has to play the top bad guy in this one. Ruth Roman and Corrine Calvet make a good love triangle with Stewart. It's a story similar to Spoilers. As much as I like John Wayne this film resonates more with me. Connie Gilchrist and Kathleen Freeman get the best parts of their careers running a rival tavern to Roman's in Dawson. Jimmy Stewart gives a great performance and the action never stops.
Save The Children
12 May 2024
Neville Brand leads a group of escaped convicts, who hijack a prison wagon and take Jamie and three other hostages. Brand played his share of mean outlaws, and this film is no exception to type. Still you got to like the way the kids stick together. Christopher Beaumont needs to be set straight on some things, when he is trying to overcome the captors. This movie brings to mind Man Who Knew Too Much. The suspense is good. It deals well with how to go about dealing with hostage takers. The baddies don't seem like the smartest. Yet that's to be expected with villains. Jamie seems to be fully on board with the Cartwrights at this point. In the series.
Seeing Double
18 April 2024
This episode is an oddity to say the least. Hollywood loves to have fun with a dual role. Ben has a lookalike in this movie. And his doppelganger is a charlatan. The ending has to he seen to be believed. And there's an unsatisfying feeling to the viewing experience. Still it's funny. I never thought of Lorne Greene has a comedic actor. Laughs seem more the territory of Buck Sexton and Michael Landon. This is one is worth a watch for a scene involving Victor Sen Young. Young is so good in this and many other episodes. It's a wonder he's not in the opening credits or at least in the guest star portion. It's not as funny as Three Stooges or even Honolulu or Parent Trap. Still it's a good one.
Year Of The Cat
16 April 2024
I don't get it. A movie with Pernell Roberts and Peter Breck going after a cougar and people don't like it. This episode has plenty of action. And the acting is solid. Lee Majors and Breck draw the viewer in right away. Maybe some viewers see this show as running out of steam in season four. This perception explains why the show didn't make it for a fifth season. To see Majors on a horse in the early 70s you have to watch the final season of The Virginian. In this oater Linda Evans does a good job of trying to talk Breck about avenging the attack by the cat. Barbara Stanwyck can't talk sense into him either. Yet Evans and Stanwyck can explain Breck to Richard Long. A good watch with a great poker game involving Roberts and an outlaw, who has a bond wife. The conversation Breck has with the woman is a moving one, recalling a scene in Lost Weekend.
Far Haven
(2023)
A Town In Need Of Constant Attention.
15 April 2024
This movie begged my attention from INSP notifying me of its airing and the negative reviews on IMDB. I decided to give it a go because of the comments about the wholesome nature of the movie. Turns out a good movie can still be made with Hays code standards. A famous Psalm (22 or 23 depending on Bible translation) helps start the story. It's more a Christian friendly movie than a Christian film. The story has plenty of Western cliches and references to other genres. A scene near the end recalls a memorable town meeting scene in Hoosiers. Bailey Chase does a commendable job as the lead. Martin Kove and Don Most elevate the film with their performances. Experience is a plus in front of the camera.
A Writer Needs To Type
13 April 2024
Poor John Boy can't get any stories published if they're handwritten. No matter how good they are, a publisher won't read them. Grandpa inadvertently tips him off about a typewriter the Baldwin sisters have. Trouble is bound to happen, when John Boy types his story out in a tool shed, so his disapproving ( of the Baldwins) mother won't find out. The Baldwins like that John Boy writes about their moonshine recipe in his story. Too bad Mary Ellen sells it to a junk dealer played by venerable character actor George Tobias. One thing this episode does is reference the superior pilot episode Homecoming. Homecoming is well worth seeing for the uninitiated. This episode gets a one star increase for the moving moments with John Boy and Mary Ellen.
Carrie Needs A Family
13 April 2024
Paul Fix and his granddaughter played byJewel Blanch are working a mine on the Cartwrights' property. An accident and an injury to Fix cause Blanch end up with a greedy couple played by William Bramley and Madeleine Sherwood. Sherwood was memorable playing a Secretary in the Columbo movie Dawn's Early Light. This is a terrific episode for Jamie. Michael Landon does enough problem solving and mentoring to make this look like a Little House on the Prairie episode. Not that any resemblance to another series is a problem. Lorne Greene and Dan Blocker have good moments, too. Any episode celebrating family is well worth watching.
Undercover Cartwrights Catch Up With Leader
10 April 2024
Joe and Hoss get their money stolen in a stagecoach robbery, and they want their money back. They go undercover as outlaws involved. Hoss gets more than he bargained for with the identity he assumes. Family situations aren't spelled out when the plan is thought up. A story unfolds, which is a cross between Southern Yankee, Tales of Wells Fargo with Voice of The Turtle thrown in the third act. What makes this movie work is Strother Martin. He plays the whole thing with brilliant comedic timing. There's even some moving moments in a comedy awash in absurdity. This is one of the better humorous episodes.
This Isn't Perry Mason
10 April 2024
It's not Columbo either. Comes off more like a Wallace Beery movie. Neville Brand is framed for murder. And part of the challenge is figuring out who framed him. Arthur Peterson has an intriguing role in this movie. The Dime Store novel angle is explained well. It focuses on whether entertainment should be permitted, if it can put bad ideas in a kid's head. Fortunately Jamie has a good head on his shoulders. He just needs some guidance, which Ben is willing to give him. Hoss and Joe are helpful mentors, too. The lawmen in this movie seem particularly clueless. At least a Chess diversion helps make Bing Russell's appearance noteworthy.
There's The Right Way And There's The Army Way
8 April 2024
This episode.has quite a bit, and somehow it's not plot heavy. Plenty of Henry Fonda in this one. A lot of good dialog , too. The Sheriff and Deputy plan to take two prisoners for trial in Silver City. Ron Harper proclaims his innocence. Frank Maxwell plays the jaded outlaw, who tells Harper he's wasting his breath. Harper puts in a brilliant performance. He helps the law fight off an Apache attack. There's not a lot the Cavalry can do to help them, which is a common thread in Westerns. The story has similarities to Comancheros and One Way Passage. Movies this good makes you wish this series lasted longer.
Hoss Orders Law And Order
5 April 2024
Gene Evans gets Hoss to be Sheriff of a town rife with lawlessness. Evans is a minister who wants to see Trouble cleaned up. G. D. Spradlin gives the best performance of his career as the Deputy, who's worn down by all the resistance to civility. This movie balances whimsy with seriousness. One thing about this series is how much it was needed in the early 70s as the quality of television programming declined. It continued on with cast changes. Too bad David Canary endured a two season hiatus from the series. Still Mitch Vogel filled in well. He's absent in this movie. Yet Michael Landon and Lorne Green provide good support.
No Time For Chopping
2 April 2024
The mayor is a boorish loud mouth as usual. And he wants to chop down a tree. And there's money in the tree. Of course, this puts Mr. Wilson in a predicament reminiscent of Safety Last. Mr. Wilson is funnier than Harold Loyd. Mr. Wilson really needs Dennis and Tommy in this one. Bird loving comes into play in this short, too. I wonder if this series sparked an interest in bird watching societies. Oh well, the bird meetings is a topic for other episodes. This is about fighting City Hall. When it comes to money, George has a little Daffy Duck in him. It's good to see there's p people to come running to save a tree and a citizen, too.
Hard To Be Mean When You're Nice
30 March 2024
Huey joins a band, and he's awkward to the point of nuisance. And it's up to John Forsythe to tell him the band doesn't want him anymore, because he's not good. One of those hurt feelings episodes in comedies. Bentley does a good job straightening things out. Of course, we knew that already. It's a good message about how everyone has talent of some kind. And there's other way to use musical gifts besides playing. A love of music can be utilized some way. As a former music critic, I know about this well. It's a short worth watching. Always a relief to know when Bentley gets involved in this kids lives it doesn't have to be a complete fiasco.
Who'll Make It Rain
28 March 2024
Mitch Vogel plays an orphan part of a Charlatan duo, posing as rain makers. A drought laden Virginia City is willing to pay good money for rain. The irony here is this episode isn't one of the comedies. The plot including the believability of all this isn't really the focus when reviewing this movie. The issue making this one a milestone is the introduction of Jamie to the series. Vogel plays a troubled youth similar to the one Michael Burns played also named Jamie in season 7. In season 12, we get someone young for Ben to mentor again. And yes, he gives the youngster plenty of help. It's a good watch, and the back story established for the new addition is more than adequate.
Learn To Play The Saxophone
26 March 2024
Dennis wants a saxophone, and Mr. Wilson wants Dennis to go to summer camp. He can't get both. The challenge is getting Dennis' parents to get Dennis anything. Watch to find out what he gets. I've yet to come across an episode I didn't like, and this one is just fine. It's understandable Mr. Wilson is reluctant to travel himself. Too bad George doesn't appreciate children taking up an instrument. Then again a lot of kids keep playing even though they're not very good. At least on television the youngsters lack musical prowess. You know something is going to awry near a sprinkler. This one isn't quite as funny as when Wilson becomes a camp counselor. Still this one is plenty funny.
A Family Affair
(1937)
Good Beginning To A Great Series
26 March 2024
The first entry of the Andy Hardy films has a different look than the succeeding movies because of casting. Most noticeable difference is Lionel Barrymore playing Judge Hardy and Spring Byington playing his wife and mother of the Hardy children. Still Mickey Rooney is in this one playing Andy Hardy, one of the most memorable movie roles ever. And he does a fair amount of scene stealing (witness the finale involving the judge's political speech). It's Rooney, who's performance is most memorable. This film deserves to be considered an unqualified success for spawning the best movie franchise ever to grace the big screen.
This Is About A Dog Right?
25 March 2024
Mary Wickes shines as Miss Cathcart as usual. Character actors abound in this one. Mel Blanc makes an appearance as a dog seller. He uses a voice, which sounds like one of his characters in the cartoon Rebel Rabbit. Dennis is a victim of misunderstanding. Then again his heart is in the right place as usual. This is a better episode for Mrs. Mitchell than the father. Of course, we know who really needs to tie all the laughs and the story together. It's good old Mr. Wilson handling the best sight gags and lines. And who can deal with dogs better than George? Of course Miss Cathcart isn't interested in a dog. It's funnier she doesn't get what she wants.
Getting Owned By The Wrong People
22 March 2024
A Mexican boy gets sold to a pair of cut throats. One of the baddies is Bruce Dern. And Dern is as mean as ever. These guys rob the Cartwrights, and then they look for gold. Little Joe goes looking for them gets the boy, and they end up hostages. The other Cartwrights and Candy go looking for them. All in all, it's a dark episode. Still it works. If you only like whimsical movies, there are plenty of entries from this series to watch. For me, I find this riveting in the tradition of John Ford or Anthony Mann. The action is plentiful. I like how the young man gets another chance to have a good life via the Cartwrights.
Crazylegs
(1953)
Hirsch Makes It Big At Two Positions
10 March 2024
Elroy Hirsch starred in football in the 1940s and 50s. He plays himself in this biopic, detailing his challenges in overcoming injuries and switching positions from running back to receiver. What elevates the film are two factors. One is the brilliant film editing. Not only do you get to see solid montages of Hirsch training and competing, there's real film of Hirsch playing in the actual games. The other plus is Lloyd Nolan's performance as Hirsch's high school coach. The coach continues on as a mentor and friend for Hirsch throughout his career. Nolan even narrates the film. It's a good watch. The 90 minute length is just right.
Something Fishing Is Going On
22 February 2024
Henry and Mr. Wilson want to go fishing without Dennis. And they try to keep the kid in the dark. The guys even sneak around in the dark. Dennis is too inquisitive to keep a secret from him without a hitch. Still you got to have a short somehow. And this early series entry is funny. The police probably should have used a direct line for the Wilson's and Mitchells to call. This series never made a bad episode. Fans have ample reason to watch this one over and over again. Makes me wonder why ANT TV stopped showing this on Saturday. If Dennis the Menace doesn't warrant six days a week of programming, what does?
Never Easy To Clean Up A Town
22 February 2024
Joe and Candy end up trying to help Candy's old flame played by Jennifer Douglas. To protect the girl's lover they have to keep him in jail. Will Geer leads the Butlers who run roughshod over the authorities. Geer best known as Grandpa Walton played his share of bad guys throughout his career. Too bad his character considers Ben Cartwright a friend. There's plenty of emotions on display in this movie. The story bears resemblance to Tension at Table Rock, Last Train From Gunhill and Bad Day at Black Rock among others. As usual Joe is a real tough guy. It's not a big part for Ben. Yet he has some good scenes.
Not Planet of the Apes
30 January 2024
This is a tough episode to review. You might think the creators went bananas with an episode about a chimpanzee Mr. Wilson takes back to the home town. The humor isn't as subtle in this one. Yet it's funny. Right down to the overbearing hotel manager. And Mr. Wilson tries a fairy tale and a lullaby to placate the noisy monkey. It's funny without being dumb. The allergy gag works just fine. It doesn't really matter if the show didn't get as good of ratings the last season. The point is this series works in syndication. It's four seasons. This isn't the best of the Gayle Gordon episodes. Still it works.
Cartoon Has Write Stuff
29 January 2024
Bugs Bunny made a good TV host for this prime time series. It introduced cartoons for television audiences. The rest is TV history. Many have watched Bugs Bunny for decades. Hearing Bugs call out their names is quite amusing . These spots should be included in current installments of the cartoon shows. No human hosts can match Bugs in terms of eliciting laughs. And these can be inserted and make the program longer. You could even have less need for other cartoon programs. After all there are plenty of good Warner Brothers c artoons we don't get to see often enough. Cartoon from outside late 40s to mid 60s could be left out if we had more of these side splitting segments.
In The Club, Easy As Goat's Milk
23 January 2024
There's a goat involved in the big kids club Dennis wants to join. Actually this short ties into current times. GOAT stands for greatest of all time. And this is the greatest comedy of all time. Tommy and Dennis would call such phrasing "corny." One thing is for certain it's hard to go wrong with character actor Frank Cady on hand. Poor Mr. Wilson just wants to golf. A golfing episode would have been a good idea. A season five would have been needed. All this mayhem is enough to give Wilson a headache. I wonder who's a better story teller Dennis or Gomer Pyle? It's got to be Dennis. And he's got the best audience in his neighbor.
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