03x30 - The Man Next Door

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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03x30 - The Man Next Door

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[music playing]

-Hi Mom, Hi Dad, I

want you to meet Clive.

-Oh, hello Clive.

-And who's little boy are you?

-He's ours.

-Ours?

-I just won him from Clive's big

brother in a game of marbles.

[music playing]

-There, now Mitchell, you

see this little tripper

breaks the circuit.

And all I have to do

is attach this wire

you brought me right there to

the back of my homemade burglar

alarm.

And if anyone tries to

break in, these lights

will flash, this bell will

ring, the siren will go off.

-And we'll get a summons

for disturbing the peace.

-Oh, Martha.

-You're really concerned

about these robberies,

aren't you, Mr. Wilson?

-I most certainly am, Mitchell.

Just look at this

headline, "Stocking Bandit

Strikes Again."

Why, do you realize

there have been

four robberies the last five

days all in this general area?

-Well, don't look at me.

I've been home every evening.

And I can prove it.

Sure you won't change your

mind and play a little golf me.

-Oh, no thank you, Mitchell,

but thanks again for the wire

you brought me.

[music playing]

-There, Martha,

we are now living

in an impregnable castle.

There is absolutely

no way anyone

can get inside these walls

without first setting

off the George Wilson, homemade,

super deluxe, fool proof

burglar alarm.

-Hi Mr. Wilson!

Hi Mrs. WIlson!

-Dennis, Great Scott,

how did you get in here?

-Through the basement.

I was playing hide

and seek with Tommy.

-Oh, good grief, I forgot

all about the basement.

-Hey, Mr. Wilson,

do you know who

I think is living

right next door to you?

-Dennis I know who's living

right next door to me, you.

-I mean on the

other side, the man

who just moved in last week.

-Oh, now, don't tell me you

think he's the stocking bandit.

-Jeepers, yes!

-Dennis, I may not like

my new neighbor very much.

But I assure you he is

not the stocking bandit.

-Are you sure?

-What makes you think Mr.

Switzer is the stocking bandit?

-Because he keeps the

shades down and keeps

peaking out of corners.

-You know, Martha,

I've noticed that too.

-I hardly think that evidence

would stand up in court.

-What are you going

to do now, Mr. Wilson?

-I'm going to mind

my own business.

And I suggest you

do the same thing.

You run on home, Dennis.

I'm very busy.

-Doing what?

-Oh, well, I'll

think of something.

[music playing]

[sirens]

-Jeepers, Mr. Wilson, that

sure is a swell new front door

buzzer you got.

-Oh, for Pete's Sake!

[music playing]

-Ha, there's that Wilson

fellow peering over here again.

-Oh, Marvin, there's no law

against a person looking out

of his window.

-Look, Lillian, I still say

that there is something mighty

peculiar about a man getting so

upset because somebody happens

to drive over his

Petunia border.

-Oh, Marvin.

-George Wilson.

-Oh, well it is peculiar

the way that man

keeps his shape drawn all

the time and peaking out.

-Oh, George, just

because he accidentally

drove across your Petunia border

doesn't make him a criminal.

-Perhaps not, Martha,

but you just never

know who's living next

door to you these days.

-Here, George, here's the

silk stocking you wanted.

-Oh, thank you, Martha.

Yes, my alarm will stop him

if he comes in the door.

But if he tries the

window, well, we'll

soon see how good a

watchdog Fremont is.

-Dear, don't think

you're being just

a little silly about

this whole thing?

-Now, Martha,

there's nothing silly

about a man trying

to protect his home,

especially when a

hardened criminal

could be living right next door.

-Yes, dear.

-Now, you let Fremont up from

the basement when I leave.

I'll put this stocking

mask on to disguise myself.

Then I'll tap at the

window and try to break in.

-Oh, George that cap, what

will the neighbors think?

-Well, Martha, I'll only be

out there for a few minutes.

[music playing]

-Hmm, strange--

-Now, Marvin they

are his bushes.

He's probably just

pruning them or something.

-With a cap pulled down,

and his collar turned up,

and holding a silk stocking?

-Next you'll be telling me

he's the stocking bandit

robbing his own house

because business is slow.

-Lillian, the man

could be deranged.

Remember, kleptomaniacs

don't care who they rob.

-Come on.

-But there is a man next

door, Mrs. Mitchell.

-Yeah, Ma, with his back to

us and a funny-looking cap on.

[music playing]

-I wish your father were home.

[buzzing]

-Oh dear, the

Wilson's line is busy.

-Oh boy, Mrs. Mitchell,

now he's pulling something

down over his head.

-He's the stocking

bandit, OK Tommy.

I'm going to get all my

g*ns out just in case.

-Operator, give me the police.

And hurry.

Police?

This is Mrs. Henry

Mitchell of Elm Street.

I want to report a--

-A mean old stocking bandit.

-A mean old stocking bandit.

[music playing]

-Now, Becker, I

told the chief I'd

be glad to take week

off from the desk

just to see you got

started all right.

So I'll make the decisions.

-OK, Sarge.

-Yeah, you remember that, and

we'll be the happiness twins.

-Sure, Sergeant.

RADIO (OFFSCREEN): Car ,

Car , come in please.

-I think that's us, Sarge.

-I know it's us.

-Car , go ahead.

RADIO (OFFSCREEN):

Stocking bandit

reported hiding in bushes the

vicinity of Elm Street.

Proceed with caution.

- - .

-Come on, Sarge!

-Becker!

It's such a lovely day.

Let's drive over, shall we?

[music playing]

-He's looking in

their window now.

-Oh dear, I still

can't get the Wilson's.

-Maybe he cut their

telephone wires.

Boy, is the phone company

going to be sore at him.

-Yes, Harriet,

yes, dear, Harriet,

I really-- Harriet, I'm

expecting a stocking bandit.

[knocking]

-Oh, I wonder where

that silly dog is.

Fremont?

[shrieking]

-Sorry, Sarge, right

on your corn, huh?

-Becker, you stay in the car.

Listen to the radio?

-What station?

-Well, try one.

What station he asks.

[whistling]

-Fremont!

Fremont?

[music playing]

-Fremont?

-Gotcha!

-What's going on here?

Let me up!

Ow!

-Sergeant Mooney's caught him!

-Oh boy!

-Children come back here!

-Oh, for heaven's sake,

Mooney get off me!

-George Wilson is that you?

-Well, of course it's

me, you fat head.

-It's Mr. Wilson!

-Oh, dear!

-I was worried to death.

-George Wilson, what in Sam

Hill you doing in that get up?

-Well, if you must

know, Mooney, I

was testing Fremont to find

out how good a watch dog he is.

[barking]

-Now I've seen everything.

-Here comes Fremont

now, Mr. Wilson.

-Uh oh, I hope he doesn't

bite me in this disguise.

All right, Fremont,

it's only me.

[bark]

-Oh, good grief.

[laughter]

-Some watch dog!

[music playing]

-Oh, can you

imagine that Mooney,

attacking innocent people

on their own property?

-Now, George, Sergeant Mooney

was only doing his duty.

-Fiddle faddle his duty.

And shame on you, Fremont.

A fine watch dog you are.

And get off that chair!

-Mr. Wilson!

Mr. Wilson!

-Oh, good grief.

-Hey, Mr. Wilson, look at

this picture of the most

wanted criminals that Tommy

took off a detective magazine.

-Don't tell me you finally

made the list, Dennis.

-Who does this look

like to you, Mr. Wilson?

-Well, let's see.

I don't know.

It does remind me

of somebody, though.

-Here, why don't you

draw a mustache on him?

-Great Scott, Martha, it looks

just exactly like Mr. Switzer!

-Boy, does it ever.

-Well, I admit the

mustaches do look alike.

-No, Martha, what

could be more logical?

A wanted convict hiding out in a

quiet, respectable neighborhood

by day--

-And being the stocking

bandit by night.

-Cecil Skinny Boy Floyd,

alias Slimy Cecil,

alias Cecil the Fifth, alias--

-Mr. Wilson!

Come look!

Here he is now!

[music playing]

-Martha, the resemblance

is startling!

-Yes, dear, Alice and I

are going to the store.

-Oh, all right, Martha, goodbye.

-Are you going to call

Sergeant Mooney, Mr. Wilson?

-No, Dennis, if I call that

old windbag and I'm wrong

he'd make me the laughingstock

of the entire town.

No, Dennis, we need

some positive evidence

before we can do anything.

[music playing]

-Oh, what have we here?

Dennis, that must be

the rest of his g*ng!

-There's one thing I don't

understand, Mr. Wilson.

-Yes, Dennis?

-If crime doesn't pay,

how come the bad guys

drive big, new cars?

-Well, Lou, is it or is not

the best cheap costume jewelery

you've seen in years?

-Pull up the shade, will you?

-Great Scott!

If that isn't a diamond

bracelet I'll eat my new hat.

-Let me see, Mr. Wilson.

Wow!

-They're good for

the money, all right.

The manufacturer

was going bankrupt.

And we bought up his entire

inventory at half price.

Burt and I should be

able to peddle this

to every shop that sells

costume jewelry in the state,

right, boy?

-We've got plenty of it in the

basement, and more on the way.

And if that isn't

enough, then-- uh, oh.

There he is again, Lillian.

This time he's spying on

us through binoculars.

-Oh, Marvin.

Marvin's convinced that

our next door neighbor

is the local stocking bandit.

-Say, why don't we take this

case and try old man Schultz?

If we can sell a tough

a wholesaler like him,

then we know we got 'em made.

-You do that.

All right, let's go.

-Marvin!

-Just in case our

friendly neighbor

drops in while we're out.

-And what are you going

to do with the key?

Swallow it?

-Can you see

anything, Mr. Wilson?

-No, those darn

curtains are in the way.

Nope, can't see a thing.

Well, let's get out of here

before they return, Dennis.

Dennis?

[music playing]

-Hey, Mr. Wilson!

This window is open!

Uh oh, I dropped my water g*n.

-Well, you'll just

have to leave it then.

-But it's brand new.

It's only been squirted once.

-Oh, all right, but hurry.

[music playing]

-Wow--ee!

Hey, Mr. Wilson!

Look!

This sure would make a

swell reflector for my bike.

-Great Scott, Dennis!

Quick, close that case

up and slide it over here

so I can reach it.

We'll take it to that fat

head Mooney as evidence.

Hurry!

Lift it up to where

I can reach it!

Hurry!

Just lift it up!

-It's too heavy, Mr. Wilson.

-Oh, all right, I'll get it.

-Are you OK, Mr. Wilson?

-Good grief.

-This time, Marvin,

we just can't miss.

-Yeah, that Lou certainly

knows his business.

Once he got inside the

door, that poor man

never knew what hit him.

-Jeepers, did you

hear that, Mr. Wilson?

-Shh!

Why, the fiend!

Dennis, we've got to call

Mooney before they strike again.

-That sounded like it

came from the basement.

-Push harder, Mr. Wilson.

-I did push hard.

Dennis, be quiet.

Now we'll try it again.

-Marvin, there is

somebody down there!

-Oh, I forgot the phone

isn't connected yet.

-Run next door and call the

police from the Wilson's!

-Yes, dear-- the Wilson's!

That could be him

down there now.

-Oh, Marvin.

-I'll go to the next house.

You lock yourself

in the bathroom.

-Alice!

Honey, I'm home!

[doorbell]

-I live down the street.

It's an emergency.

Can I use your phone?

-Phew, finally.

-And it was the water from

my water g*n that did it,

huh Mr. Wilson?

-That's right, Dennis.

Good boy.

Oh, geez.

Oh!

-It's stuck, Mr. Wilson.

-Well, of course it's stuck.

Don't just sit there.

Call for help.

-OK, help!

-Shh!

No, not here!

-Oh.

RADIO (OFFSCREEN): Car ,

car , come in please.

-Car , go ahead.

RADIO (OFFSCREEN): Proceed to

Elm Street immediately.

Robber reported in the vicinity.

-Yes sir, or, - .

[music playing]

[sirens]

-Becker!

Wait for me!

[doorbell]

-Mrs. Wilson!

Mrs. Wilson!

-The police want me

to wait here for them.

I hope you don't mind.

-Not at all, Mr. Switzer.

And stop your worrying.

I'm sure Mrs. Switzer

is perfectly all right.

-Oh!

-That's one of my

son's water pistols

from his locally famous arsenal.

-Jeepers, he's got Dad!

-Oh, Fremont, what

are you doing here?

Go home, Fremont.

Go on.

-Help!

Sergeant Mooney, boy

am I glad to see you!

Come on!

-OK.

-You and I'll will

go in the back way.

You wait out here, Mr. Mitchell.

I sure wish I hadn't

forgotten the Sarge like that.

[barking]

-Stick it!

-Well, they were right

her, Sergeant Mooney.

Dad!

Hey, Dad!

Dad!

He must have taken

Dad to his hideout.

Come on!

-Wait for me, Dennis!

[barking]

-Mr. Wilson, what on

Earth are you doing?

-Oh, Mitchell there's

no time to explain now.

-Dad, are you all right?

-Mooney, it's about time.

-This isn't a place to be--

-Quiet all you.

Dennis get over there

where it's safe.

-Help me out of here.

This window's stuck.

-Hey, Dad, how'd you get away

from the stocking bandit?

-Why, I-- who?

-It's coming, George.

-All right, don't make a move.

Put 'em up!

You too!

Sarge, how'd you get here?

-Marvin, it's him, Mr. Wilson.

-I knew it, Lillian.

I knew it!

-Mooney, arrest those people!

-Gee, this sure is getting to

be an exciting neighborhood,

isn't it?

[music playing]

-And then Dennis came over and

saw Mr. Switzer with this water

p*stol and thought I

was being held prisoner.

-It was wonderful of you

folks not to press charges.

-That wouldn't been very

neighborly, now, would it?

-Well, besides, it wouldn't

have done you any good.

I was planning to plead

temporary insanity anyway.

-And I'd have been

your first witness.

-Martha.

[doorbell]

-Come in!

[sirens]

-What is this?

-Oh, I forgot to

turn off the alarm.

-What on Earth is going on?

What is this?

What's going on?

What's going on?

What is this?

-Oh, it's just my

homemade burglar alarm.

-Oh, trying to take

over our job, huh?

Now, look, George,

I just want you

to know that we

caught the stocking

bandit without your help.

-Oh, you did, where?

-Downtown stealing

a pair of stockings!

[laughter]

-Well, they caught him.

-Thank goodness.

-Mr. Wilson, you know that big

green house down the street?

-Why, yes, Dennis.

-Well, I just saw

the man who moved in.

And he looks exactly like

wanted criminal number three.

-Oh, good grief.

[music playing]
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