03x09 - Mr. Wilson's Inheritance

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Dennis the Menace". Aired: October 4, 1959 – July 7, 1963.*
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Follows the Mitchell family – Henry, Alice, and their only child, Dennis, an energetic, trouble-prone, mischievous, but well-meaning boy, who often tangles first with his peace-and-quiet-loving neighbor, George Wilson, a retired salesman, and later with George's brother John, a writer.
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03x09 - Mr. Wilson's Inheritance

Post by bunniefuu »

[music]

-Hi, Mom.

-Hello, dear.

-Boy, what 'til you

hear about Chris.

-What about Chris, Dennis?

-His just had parakeets.

-How marvelous.

-And week, his pup had puppies.

-Well--

-And week before, his

guppy had guppies.

-Well, I bet Chris is very

busy handing out cigars.

-Handing out cigars?

Why?

-Well, it's like having a baby.

The father always hands out

cigars because he's very proud.

You know, Chris, when

he gets a little older,

will probably meet someone

he loves very much.

And then after a while,

they'll get married.

-And then what?

-Well, after they've

been married a while,

do you know what Chris

and his wife will have?

-Yeah, a pet shop.

[theme music]

-Sure got a lot of cracks

in this foundation.

-Is that bad?

-Well it ain't good.

Course the cracks

can be filled in,

but I noticed a lot

of dampness there.

The soil around here's soggy.

-Well I don't care

about the soggy soil.

It's these cracks that worry me.

I tell you Bierschmidt,

it always happens.

I've got a fist full

of bills and now this.

-Well I've been figuring

the square footage on that.

It won't be hard to figure

out an estimate for you.

-Well take it easy.

Money doesn't grow

on trees, you know.

-Well, there it is, rough.

-Rough is right.

Why that's a fortune!

-Well the price

of labor's way up.

-You think it

really needs fixing?

-First good rain,

and your basement

would be like a bathtub.

-Well, I'll let you know

when to start, if I start.

-Well I happen to have some men

working over on Sage Street.

Now, if you can let me

know within the hour,

I can have 'em right over

here before the rains come.

-I'll let you know.

-OK, you're the boss.

It sure looks like rain to me.

-Martha, listen to this.

It came in the morning mail.

Dear Mr. Wilson, as

attorney for the estate

your late aunt, Selma

Adelaide Wilson Moss,

it is my pleasure to

inform you of the fact

that you, George Wilson,

have been named sole heir

and beneficiary of the estate.

-You don't have to shout

dear, I'm right here.

-Oh, but Martha, we're

rich, we're rich.

-I think I'm going to need

some of your nerve medicine.

-Listen to the rest of this.

The entire Selma Adelaide

Wilson Moss art collection

and the monies accruing from

the Selma Adelaide Wilson Moss

oil interests have been

willed to you as test dated.

-How much money is it dear?

-Well, I don't know, dear.

You see it doesn't say.

It hasn't been settled yet.

But it says the van with the art

collection is en route to you

domicile effective this date.

Martha, think of it.

All my aunt's oil money

and that art collection

alone is worth a fortune.

How does it feel to be

hugged by a millionaire?

-But George, don't

let's be premature.

Let's go slowly.

-Oh now Martha, I've

gone slowly all my life.

Now do you know what

we're going to do?

We're going downtown.

I'm going to buy

myself a fast new car

and have a dozen or so

zippy new suits made.

-If we've come

into so much money,

shouldn't we give

some of it to charity?

Start up a foundation

to help needy people?

-Well, now, Martha.

Maybe after we've

gotten ourselves

filled with fun and

things, well maybe then

I'll think about starting

a foundation of some kind.

-Hi, Mr. Wilson.

-Well, if it isn't my dear

little friend, Dennis Mitchell.

How are you?

-My baseball cards came

in the mail Mr. Wilson.

I got doubles on Sandy Koufax.

I thought maybe if you got any

doubles, you'd want to trade.

-Why Dennis, not only do I

have doubles, I have triples.

At this very moment,

my ship is on Route .

-Isn't it better to

have a ship on water?

-That's just the

expression, Dennis.

You see I've come

into a lot of money.

I'm in heir.

Eh, Dennis, here's a dollar.

Just go buy anything

you want with it.

-A whole dollar?

-George is that wise?

-Oh, Martha.

What's a dollar to me?

-The same as it to

the Rockefellers.

A hundred pennies.

Geez, thanks Mr. Wilson.

You sure are lucky.

Having your ship on Route and

getting the air and all that.

-And Mr. Guth, I

wish you'd appraise

the entire collection for me.

See the truck will be here

first thing tomorrow morning.

Oh you can be here.

Oh, that's a wonderful Mr.

Guth, thank you so much.

Goodbye.

-Isn't it great?

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are

millionaires and our neighbors.

-Your aunt must have been a

wonderful woman, Mr. Wilson.

-Oh indeed she was, Mitchell.

She was a connoisseur.

-Really?

-Oh a true connoisseur.

For years, she loaned

money to artists.

In return, they would

give her paintings.

-You know, George

and I have been

thinking about starting

a new foundation.

-You see, Mitchell, in

my income tax bracket,

it's better to have a

foundation than having

to do a little here

and a little there.

-That's a wonderful

thing to do, Mr. Wilson.

-George, didn't you

tell the concrete man

that you'd let him

know about the house?

-Oh Bierschmidt, yes.

But he's way over

on Sage Street.

If I have to go

clear over there,

we'll miss our

appointment downtown.

It's very important.

The salesman is waiting.

-That's alright Mr. Wilson.

I'll go for you.

I know where it is.

Tommy and me watched him

after school yesterday.

-Well now Dennis,

that's very nice of you.

You tell Bierschmidt to get

his men over here right away

and get started.

-Right.

I'll go real fast Mr. Wilson.

-Good for you.

-Hey, Mr. Bierschmidt

-Oh hi, son.

-Mr. Wilson told me to tell

you to start right away.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

He's going to start

a new foundation.

-Well, I'll be doggone.

Huh.

He complained a lot

about a patch-up job.

Now he wants a whole foundation.

-You see, his aunt

who's a common sewer

gave him a lot of money.

He doesn't want his

foundation to be

a little here and

a little there.

-That's great by my.

Well, I'm glad he wants

the job done right.

OK, son.

I'll have my men over

there in nothing flat.

-Right.

[inaudible]

-Let's go, Joe.

We'll be right back here

Monday morning o'clock.

-Hi, Mom.

Mr. Wilson's having a

new foundation put in.

-Almost ran me down.

A sports care at his age.

I wouldn't have believed it if I

didn't see it with my own eyes.

-That's some car.

-Oh boy, is it.

-Well, I guess the old fossil

did come into a windfall

after all.

-What's an old

fossil, Mrs. Elkins?

-No fool like an old fool.

-Hey, Mr. Wilson.

Jeepers, what a swell car.

-Oh well, thank you, Dennis.

I'm glad you like it.

-Did you buy it for

some well little kid

in the neighborhood for

his birthday or something?

-It's ours, Dennis.

-It's just darling.

-I, I couldn't resist it.

It's so much me.

What's going on here anyway?

-Well, they've been working

here almost ever since you left,

Mr. Wilson.

-Well I know, but

what is all this?

Bierschmidt?

-Hello Mr. Wilson.

-What's all this?

-Well, I got started

as fast as I could.

We got the OK, and boom.

We went right to work for you.

You know it made sense to

put in a new foundation.

-A new foundation?

-Well, Dennis said

that's what you wanted.

-Dennis!

Now you list to me, Bierschmidt.

-Did you call me, Mr. Wilson?

-No, I didn't call

you-- oh, yes I did.

Dennis, now look

what you've done.

-What did I do?

-You gave Bierschmidt

the wrong message.

-But you said you were going

to start a new foundation.

And that's what I told him.

-That isn't the kind of

foundation I meant, Dennis.

Now look here, Bierschmidt

We never even considered

new foundation.

-Well now, Dennis told me

you came into a lot of dough.

Now what are you worried about?

-I don't need a new foundation.

And I'm not going

to waste money,

no matter how much I have.

Now you get your men to

fill in all these trenches--

-Look, it's Saturday.

My men only work a

half a day today.

We can't fill in

those trenches today.

-Well, I can't have my house

all surrounded the holes

and trenches until Monday.

Now listen here, Bierschmidt.

You get those men

of yours over here

tomorrow and get

those holes filled in,

or by golly I'll sue you.

- We'll they'll get double time.

-Well, that's your

problem, Bierschmidt

And another thing, Bierschmidt.

It is, I, oh-- fiddle.

- Mr. Wilson, I

really think you ought

to let me help you

clean up the yard.

That's the least I can do.

-Oh no, it's all

right, Mitchell.

Accidents can happen, and

so can misunderstandings.

-After all, Dennis was

partly responsible.

-Oh, it's all right.

What's done is done.

I didn't mean that kind

of foundation, Dennis.

The kind I mean is

one that helps people.

-You mean you're going to

build a place to help the man?

-Well no, Dennis.

You see, foundations

are not only for houses.

Now I'm going to look

around the community.

And those who need my help,

if they are needy or have

a worthwhile project,

will get my support.

-See you later dad.

-Hi, Henry.

-Oh hi, Ms. Wilson.

-George, do come in

and have some hot tea.

I don't want you to

overdue polishing the car.

-Well, all right Martha.

I'm just about

finished here anyway.

I am kind of tired.

How about you Mitchell?

-Thanks a lot.

Alice and I had a late lunch.

I'll see you later.

-All right.

You know, Martha, that was a

mighty nice thing for Mitchell

to come over here and offer

to clean up this yard for me.

Say maybe that's a good sign.

-A good sign, what do you mean?

-Well a sign that,

that you were right.

Oh, I have been pretty selfish

just thinking of myself.

I mean buying this new car

and all those new suits.

You are right, Martha.

We'll get started with

our foundation right away.

-I thought you'd agree dear.

-And do you know something else?

I think we ought to give

most of our art collection

to our own county museum.

-Well, that's very

generous of you, George.

-The George Wilson

Wing, County Museum.

Aw, won't that be nice, Martha?

Let's go have that tea.

-He wants a foundation for

[inaudible] something people.

People who are needy.

-We must be needy.

-Honest?

-Yeah.

Dad says that with taxes

and my mom's clothes,

it's a wonder we're

not in the poor house.

-I just got to find out

who Mr. Wilson can help.

Let's see.

We can talk to our teacher.

-And Editor Crinky

at the newspaper.

-And maybe even the mayor.

-And Mr. Singerman.

-Hey, there's Mrs. Elkins.

-Hi, Mrs. Elkins.

-Children.

-Mrs. Elkins, do you know

any worthwhile things

Mr. Wilson could help

with his foundation?

-What?

-He's going to

start a foundation

for worthwhile things.

Me and Tommy are going to help

him find something worthwhile.

-Dennis, Tommy, this is

a job for a grown up.

You know, finding

worthwhile causes?

You let me look into

it for Mr. Wilson.

-Gee, that's swell, Mrs. Elkins.

I bet Mr. Wilson

won't ever think

you're a sour pickle again.

-Well, goodbye boys.

-Bye.

-I'll get it dear.

-Hello, there.

I was just putting up my latest

batch of pickled watermelon

rind, and I thought of you.

I thought you and Mrs.

Wilson would like some.

-Oh, well, thanks.

-And I thought we could talk

about a worthy project that's

been a pet of mine for years.

-Hello, Mrs. Elkins.

Won't you come in?

-I'd love to.

Oh I see your home is

just as charming as ever.

-Well, we're going to redo it.

-Do sit down.

-Then it's true.

Oh, I'm so pleased.

No one deserves better

fortune than both of you.

-Thank you.

-You know, um, I'm head

of the committee that's

raising funds for

the new hospital.

-Hospitals are

important, George.

-With a good grant from

a public-minded citizen,

we might be able to land

a homeopathic physician

from Chicago.

-Oh, what's this?

-I knew you'd see the

importance of our being

able to land someone of

Dr. Jostlin's reputation.

You know, he's an expert

in catarrhal fever.

-Catarrhal fever?

-Yes.

Along with distemper

and liver disease,

it's something cats

suffer from terribly.

-Cats?

Are you talking

about a cat hospital?

-George.

-Don't now George

me now, Martha.

I'm not interested

in cats, Mrs. Elkins.

-You're not interested at all?

-Not in the. east.

Now, I'm a very busy

man, Mrs. Elkins.

If you don't mind, I'll

have to ask you to leave.

-Well, I will certainly see that

you are blasted in Cat Circle.

-Well good.

-And in cat periodicals too.

Chicago's Orange

and Cream Society

will hear of this, and so

will the Pacific Cat Club.

-Fine and dandy.

-Only a churlish

boor wouldn't want

to help start at cat hospital.

-Oh I don't object

to cat hospitals.

I just object to cats.

-Now how in the dickens

did she find out?

-Hey, Mr. Wilson.

Mr. Wilson!

Mr. Wilson, all these

kids are worthwhile.

They all need something.

-That's the third spoonful

of nerve medicine I've had.

-It'll help you calm down.

-Oh, Martha, yesterday was

the happiest day of my life.

And then Dennis, bringing

all those children here

screaming at me.

I feel as though I

haven't slept at all.

-Thank you.

-It's a telegram.

-A telegram?

Oh dear.

A telegram.

It's from Aunt Selma's lawyer.

Regret to inform

you records show

no money left in

your aunt's account.

Fortune given to

artist, not loan.

Oh, no.

-Is that all it says?

-My bill and detailed

letter follows.

-Take another sip dear.

-Sip, I ought to take

the whole bottle.

-Things can't be this bad dear.

After all, that van is coming

with the art collection.

-Oh, the art collection.

Why of course, Martha.

How could I have forgotten

the art collection.

There's the van now, Martha.

I'll bet it's the van.

Oh, it's Stanley Guth from

the county museum, Martha.

-Hey, kids.

Hey, which is the

George Wilson house?

-Mr. Wilson lives right here.

-Hey, that's a coinky dinky.

-You got a package

for Mr. Wilson?

-Package?

Kiddo, I got a whole

truckload for him.

-Yippee!

Mr. Wilson?

Mr. Wilson?

-What is it, Dennis?

-Your ship just parked.

-Oh, Mr. Guth?

Martha?

Thank you, Dennis.

-Are you George Wilson?

-I most certainly am.

-Oh, I'm so excited.

-May I help you in any way?

-No, I just hope I

don't the combination

of this lock like I did once.

-Oh good heavens, I do too.

-Hey, look at these.

-Oh, I got it.

-Oh, oh, well thank goodness.

-Just look at that.

-Here, I'll hand you the stuff.

-Oh, that's marvelous.

-You do know how badly our

museum needs paintings,

don't you, Mrs. Wilson?

-Yes, I know.

-I hope Mr. Wilson knows so too.

-We both know.

-Here you are.

-Oh, oh this one's

called self portrait.

-What is that?

-It's called Self Portrait.

Interesting, isn't it?

-Well I'm glad that

artist didn't come along.

-Well Martha, just put that

over there, will you dear?

Carefully now.

-What is this one?

-Charming thing, isn't it?

So much feeling.

Oh yes, it's called

Essence of Meaning.

-I wish it had some.

-Oh, well just put it over there

with that other one, Martha.

-Oh, look at that one.

It's called Man and

Wife Hanging On a Wall.

Wonderful.

-Well, I have seen

a lot the paintings

in my day, Mr. Wilson.

But--

-Well, there are a lot

more to come, Mr. Guth.

-Well, Mr. Guth?

-I've gone over

everything, Mr. Wilson.

And I would say that with luck,

you'll get $ for the line.

-$ ?

Well the frames

alone are worth--

-For the frames.

-Why that won't even

pay for the trucking.

-Just about, Mr. Wilson.

It's a $ .

-Can I have it, pal?

I have to get going.

-I'll get you a check.

-Oh, hey Mr. Wilson?

Have you changed your mind?

-No I haven't, Bierschmidt Now

I've got problems of my own.

Now you get these

holes filled in.

And don't leave a mess.

-You want me to cart

away this mess too?

-Oh, great Scott.

-I'm sorry, Mrs. Wilson.

But you see, it's

mostly folk stuff,

done by folk with

very little talent.

-Then I guess George's aunt

just couldn't say no to anyone.

-Boy, will these ever

make swell boomerangs.

-Try one, Tommy.

-Didn't work.

-Now I'm try it.

Hey, look out!

-Oh.

-Mrs. Wilson, I didn't

mean to hit him with--

-Where did get these?

From the truck?

-No.

-I think we finally hit

on something, Mrs. Wilson.

-What?

-Looks like tiger teeth.

A Sabre toothed tiger.

-A what?

-Teeth from the Sabre tiger.

A prehistoric animal.

These are the largest I've

ever seen or heard of.

-Me and Tommy found them

in that hole over there.

-What?

You found them here?

Where?

Where?

Quick show me.

-Right over here.

Come on.

-There's lots of them down here.

-Oh, I knew I smelled an

old lake bed around here.

Oh, Mr. Wilson?

You have fossils.

-Oh on top of everything else.

-Oh, Martha, pay the truck

driver, will you dear?

-Kids, come on, out, out.

I need a man to help me.

Mr. Wilson, down

here please, please.

Mr. Wilson?

Any museum would pay hundreds,

maybe thousands of dollars

for what you found here.

-What, what's that

you say, Mr. Guth?

-Thousands of dollars

for these, Mr. Wilson.

-For, for these?

-Yes.

Teeth from the Sabre tiger.

-Wait, Mr. Bierschmidt.

Don't fill up those holes.

-Now you stay out of this, son.

The last time you opened your

mouth, you started all this.

-Bierschmidt!

Will you stop filling

in these trenches?

-But you just told me.

-Well never mind

what I told you.

Oh Bierschmidt,

get out of my life.

-Boy what money will

do to some people.

-Oh, oh, oh, look Mr. Guth.

Two more.

-We a-- we are most

grateful to George Wilson.

For donating the

Sabre tiger teeth

fossils to our county museum.

They are the largest

specimen ever found anywhere,

and they will make

a drawing card

for our town for

many years to come.

We are, indeed, indebted

to George Wilson

for his great discovery

and his unselfish giving.

,

-Well thank you, Mr. Guth.

That makes me very pleased.

-George, don't you think Dennis

should have some of the credit?

After all, he found

the tiger teeth.

-Jeepers, I didn't

find them, Mrs. Wilson.

They were just there.

-Of course, you

deserve credit, Dennis.

Now you can help me

cut the ribbon, which

opens to the public this area.

Come along.

Just hold the ribbon for me.

-Like this?

-Oh that's fine.

-The George Wilson fossil shelf.

-A fossil shelf.

And he was going to

have a whole wing.

-Congratulations, Mr. Wilson.

-I think it's

wonderful, Ms. Wilson.

-It says the George

Wilson Fossil Shelf.

-That's right, Dennis.

-Shouldn't it say old?

-Why, Dennis?

-Because Mrs. Elkins always

says you're an old fossil.

[theme music]
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