Dennis the Menace: Season Two

He's baaack! It's a somewhat tamer Dennis Mitchell (the indelibly cast Jay North) in season two, but he's still the iconic mischief maker from Hank Ketcham's long-running comic strip, continually exasperating his beleaguered but loving parents, Henry (Herbert Anderson) and Alice (Gloria Henry). Dennis actually learns some life lessons in this season and even tells his grump-with-a-heart-of-gold neighbor, George Wilson (Joseph Kearns), that he loves him. So, maybe Dennis isn't actually a sociopath. But then why does he tell two policemen looking for a counterfeiter that Mr. Wilson has a printing press in his basement? Or, why does he give Mr. Wilson a chewy, speech-strangling molasses brownie just before the beloved curmudgeon has a chance to win a radio contest? Dennis the Menace's gender stereotypes are woefully outdated, but its child's-eye perspective remains timeless. Nostalgic baby boomers who grew up with the series may want to further liven up their viewing with a drinking game: take a shot every time Dennis says, “Jeepers.” Good luck making it to the first commercial break. Compiling all 38 episodes from the 1960–61 season, DVD extras include original commercials. Recommended. (D. Liebenson)