Movies / Dennis the Menace (1993)

5/10

Runtime: 94 min

Genres: Comedy Family

Languages: English

Countries: USA


John Hughes continues the trend he began with the Home Alone series in Dennis the Menace, the Hughes-scripted film version of Hank Ketcham's long-running comic strip, cartoon show, and television comedy. The film opens as Dennis (Mason Gamble) is seen careening down a sidewalk in a beautiful and idealistic suburban town on his training-wheeled bike -- cans on string clattering behind him, baseball cards flapping in the spokes of the wheel, his red wagon filled to the brim and his dog following him. Hey! Mister Wilson! he screams and slams his bike to a halt in front of his much put-upon neighbor, Mr. Wilson (Walter Matthau). Half of the film concerns vignettes of small-town Hank Ketcham life as Dennis' mom Alice (Lea Thompson) starts a new job, Dennis stays over at his friend Margaret's (Amy Sakasitz) house, and Mr. Wilson and his gentle, well-meaning wife, Martha (Joan Plowright), mind Dennis during the night of a big garden party. Through all this, Dennis continually gets into Mr. Wilson's hair. But then the Home Alone plot kicks in -- with an unsubtle dose of O. Henry -- when Switchblade Sam (Christopher Lloyd) makes an appearance. Switchblade Sam is a homeless drifter who combs the neighborhood stealing purses and small home items. But when Switchblade Sam steals Mr. Wilson's collection of gold coins, Dennis comes to the rescue and inflicts Dennis the Menace-type tortures upon the thief in order to reclaim the coins for Mr. Wilson.~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide


Directors (1) Credit
Nick Castle ...
Writers (2) Credit
Hank Ketcham (characters)
John Hughes (written by)
Composers (1) Credit
Jerry Goldsmith ...
Editors (1) Credit
Alan Heim ...
Cinematographers (1) Credit
Thomas E. Ackerman (director of photography) (as Thomas Ackerman)
Actors (31) Credit
Amy Sakasitz Margaret Wade
Arnold Stang Photographer
Ben Stein Boss
Betty Ruff
Beverly J. O'Donnell Elderly Babysitter
Bill Erwin Edward Little
Billie Bird Edith Butterwell
Casey Gamble Hide and Seeker
Christopher Lloyd Switchblade Sam (Town Robber)
Corey Vane Mike
Daiana Campeanu Girl Babysitter
Devin Ratray Mickey
Ethel Gerstein Gaggle Lady #1
Hank Johnston Gunther Beckman
Jack McGuigan Gaggle Man
Joan Plowright Mrs. Martha Wilson
Kellen Hathaway Joey
Kirk Kelly Kid in window (uncredited)
Lea Thompson Mrs. Alice Mitchell
Leona Toppel Gaggle Lady #3
Mason Gamble Dennis Mitchell
Melinda Mullins Andrea
Natasha Lyonne Polly
Paul Winfield Chief of Police
Peggy Goldberg Gaggle Lady #4
Rebecca Hogan Gaggle Lady #2 (as Rebecca C. Hogan)
Robert A. Saunders Broken Arm Babysitter
Robert Stanton Mr. Henry Mitchell
Suzy Brack Next-Door Neighbor (uncredited)
Thomas F. Evans Dennis Mitchell's neighbor (uncredited)
Walter Matthau Mr. George Wilson