“Dennis the Menace” is a comedy film about a mischievous five-year-old boy who makes the life of his elderly neighbor miserable with his overactive personality and inadvertent troublemaking. Director Nick Castle (“Escape from New York” 1981) made an excellent remake of the famous television series, which ran on CBS from 1959 to 1963. The material from screenwriter John Hughes is outstanding, with Hughes bringing in some similarities to elements of his hit film “Home Alone” (1992).
Walter Matthau as George Wilson and Mason Gamble as Dennis Mitchell are perfect for their respective roles. They do dominate the film. Co-stars include Joan Plowright as Martha Wilson, Lea Thompson and Robert Stanton as Dennis’ parents, Christopher Lloyd as a burglar, Paul Winfield as the police chief, as well as Billie Bird, Ben Stein, Natasha Lyonne, Devin Ratray, Melinda Mullins, Bill Erwin, Arnold Stang, and Jeannie Russell in a cameo as a neighbor. Russell played Margaret on the original series.
The watchable and entertaining “Dennis the Menace” was very popular at the box office for producer John Hughes, Hank Ketcham Enterprises, Hughes Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Pictures.
Dennis the Menace (1993)
cinema
My Review
“Dennis the Menace” is a comedy film about a mischievous five-year-old boy who makes the life of his elderly neighbor miserable with his overactive personality and inadvertent troublemaking. Director Nick Castle (“Escape from New York” 1981) made an excellent remake of the famous television series, which ran on CBS from 1959 to 1963. The material from screenwriter John Hughes is outstanding, with Hughes bringing in some similarities to elements of his hit film “Home Alone” (1992).
Walter Matthau as George Wilson and Mason Gamble as Dennis Mitchell are perfect for their respective roles. They do dominate the film. Co-stars include Joan Plowright as Martha Wilson, Lea Thompson and Robert Stanton as Dennis’ parents, Christopher Lloyd as a burglar, Paul Winfield as the police chief, as well as Billie Bird, Ben Stein, Natasha Lyonne, Devin Ratray, Melinda Mullins, Bill Erwin, Arnold Stang, and Jeannie Russell in a cameo as a neighbor. Russell played Margaret on the original series.
The watchable and entertaining “Dennis the Menace” was very popular at the box office for producer John Hughes, Hank Ketcham Enterprises, Hughes Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Pictures.