[theme music]
-You see, Dennis, when
I pull back and forth
on this rope, why the
bricks tied to the other end
clean the chimney.
-Gosh, Mr. Wilson.
How'd you ever think of that?
-Oh, it's something
I learned from my dad
back on the farm
in Pennsylvania.
-Can I help you pull
it back and forth?
-Well no, Dennis,
but-- well here.
You can hold it for me.
Good and tight now.
While I go put this
basket in the fireplace
to catch the soot.
-Thanks, Mr. Wilson.
-Maybe when I come back, you can
pull it back and forth for me.
-Hurry back.
-Hi, Dennis.
-Hi, Jimmy.
-Whatcha doing Dennis?
-Holding this rope
for Mr. Wilson.
-Whatcha got there, Jimmy?
-It's a secret.
I'm not supposed
to show anybody.
-Not even your
absolute best friend?
-Well if you don't tell anybody.
-Not even if they t*rture me.
-Ready?
-Jimmy.
Jeepers.
-Dennis Mitchell!
I don't want ever to see you on
this side of that fence again.
This is my property.
That is your property.
Children.
OH, why can't everybody be
born an adult like I was.
[theme music]
-Honey, I'm home.
-Hi, dear.
What's that?
I think you're smuggling
rocks home from the office.
-You know better
than that, honey.
The only rocks I smuggle
around are the ones in my head.
This is work.
And I gotta get it out tonight.
And I gotta get it out tonight.
-Tonight?
Oh, I'm going to have to have
a talk with that boss of yours.
-Well, you can't
blame him this time.
Those are the new lighting plans
for the neighborhood clubhouse.
-Dad, you're home.
-Hi, son.
-Dad, will you do it?
Did you ask him mom?
-Well, I--
-About helping me join
a new club at school.
The junior pathfinders.
-Oh.
-Our history teacher,
Mr. Abernathy.
He's starting it.
-Will, I better start
supper while you two braves
have a powwow.
-Please, dad?
To get in the club,
I have to camp out
one night on top
of lookout ridge.
-Lookout ridge?
That's a mountain, son.
You can't camp out there.
I have to.
Just like the Indians did.
Mr. Abernathy knows all
about how the Indians live.
-Are you sure you want to know
all about how the Indians live?
-Jeepers, if I don't
know Indian stuff.
What will I do in an emergency?
I couldn't even find my
way over to Mr. Wilson's.
-I doubt that that will happen.
Some night soon.
I
-It has to be tonight, Dad.
-Why?
-I only found out today
because I wasn't there
last week when announced it.
I have to get in the
club by tomorrow,
or wait until next term.
-I'm sorry, son.
I'd like to.
But I've got all
this work to do.
-But Dad?
-Son, I'm sorry.
The man's coming for
this work tonight.
-I'll have to wait
'til next term.
I guess I'll just have to
be a do-it-yourself Indian.
[music]
-Oh, there you are Mr. Wilson.
-Oh hello, Mrs. Schooner.
-Hello, Mr. Wilson.
I have something I know
you'll want to hear.
-Oh, not a new bird call.
-No, not this time.
I've been busy
with other things.
Hold onto yourself, Mr. Wilson.
You have been chosen as one
of the nominees for our Best
Citizen of the Year award.
-Best Citizen of the Year?
Me?
-George, how wonderful.
-Well, now.
For good-- Oh, well sit
down, Mrs. Schooner.
Right over here.
Be comfortable in my chair.
-Thank you.
We committee
members know how you
single handedly connected
funds for the bird sanctuary.
-Well, birds can't
fly all the way
south without stopping
to rest some place.
I mean, nobody can.
-When we heard that some of
the birds no longer fly south,
they just fly here.
We were very impressed.
-Well, Martha.
One more trophy.
-Oh, there's no trophy.
But there is a prise.
This year, it's a
power lawn mower.
-A power lawn mower?
I was just saying this morning
to Martha-- Mrs. Schooner,
I could positively kiss you.
-You haven't won yet Mr. Wilson.
The election is
tomorrow morning.
We present the award to the
winner at his home at noon.
-Well my goodness.
It's certainly going to
be an exciting Saturday.
-Of course, we must do
some final checking.
Why last year, the nominee
with the inside track
was almost elected.
When would you believe
it, at the last minute,
we found out that
he hated children.
-Oh, I can't believe it.
-I found out from the little
boy who lived next door to him.
-A man like that ought to
be tarred and feathered.
-Well, I must be flitting along.
Just remember one
thing, Mr. Wilson.
After what you did for
our town in getting
the birds a sanctuary, even if
you don't win tomorrow morning,
the birds know what
you did for them.
-So many of the things George
does are for the birds.
-And that's why, Mr. Wilson,
as far as I'm concerned,
you have the inside
track for the award.
Bye bye.
-Bye bye.
Inside track?
Did you hear that, Martha?
Best Citizen of the Year.
-You're my best citizen
of any year dear.
-Oh, well thank you, Martha.
But you're prejudice.
You know me.
What about that poor
man who lost out
because of the little boy
next-- Oh no, he wouldn't dare.
-What is it dear?
-Dennis.
Why you don't suppose he
has some crazy idea that I
don't like children, do you?
-I don't think so.
-Well, I don't know.
-Oh Dennis wouldn't
get the wrong idea.
-Oh, I don't know.
I can just see
Mrs. Schooner now.
Talking to Dennis and then
running right to the committee
and saying, I'm sorry, but
we can't give that Best
Citizen award to George Wilson.
He may like birds,
but he hates kids.
[music]
-Oh, Dennis?
-I was just picking up some
of my arrows, Mr. Wilson.
I won't sh**t anymore
of them over this way.
-Oh, that's all right.
Now wait a minute, Dennis.
I wanted to talk to you.
-You mean it's all right
for me to be over here?
After what happened--
-Oh, yes, yes, yes.
Forget all about that.
Of course.
You see, Dennis,
I want you to know
that, well the test
of a good friend
is that sometimes he can
get mad at you at one moment
and then, you know,
forgot all about it.
-I guess you really are my
best friend then Mr. Wilson.
-Well, thank you, Dennis.
Thank you.
Say, you know someday I
might be able to dig you
up a couple of real
arrowheads for this.
-You interested in Indian
stuff too, Mr. Wilson?
-Oh of course I'm
interested in Indian stuff.
I'm interested in
anything you're
interested in, little friend.
-Boy, maybe I join the
Junior Pathfinders after all.
Would you help me?
-Help you?
Why I'd be insulted if
you asked anybody else.
-Jeepers, Mr. Wilson.
For a grownup, you're swell.
-Thank you, Dennis.
You know, I'll let you
in on a little secret.
I'm not really grown
up all the time.
Why in some ways,
I'm still a child.
That's why I can understand
children much better
than anybody.
-Jeepers, that's
swell Mr. Wilson.
Let's go tell Mom and Dad.
-Hey, wait a minute.
Tell them what?
-That we're going
to camp out tonight
on top of Lookout Ridge.
-That we're going to what?
-That's what I have to do to
join the Junior Pathfinders.
And you're going to help me.
You're swell, Mr. Wilson.
Really swell.
-But Lookout Ridge?
But people freeze to
death up there, Dennis.
-Not in sleeping
bags they don't.
-Oh, well I want to
help you, Dennis.
-You understand kids
better than anybody.
Don't you?
-Oh, well, yes of course.
-Well then what
are we waiting for?
Hey, Mom, Dad?
Come on, Mr. Wilson.
Come on!
-Guess what?
Mr. Wilson wants to take me
to Lookout Ridge tonight.
-Mr. Wilson?
-So I can join the Pathfinders.
-Dennis, are you sure?
-Oh, well.
Yes, I thought if you didn't --
-Well of course we
don't mind, Mr. Wilson,
if you really want
to take Dennis.
-Oh he wants to all right.
Mr. Wilson understands
kids better than anybody.
-I do like the little
tots, you know.
-That's because he's
really still a child.
He said so himself.
I'm going up and
get my stuff ready.
-Well, I guess I'd better
get my stuff ready too.
-Mr. Wilson?
We just want to thank you
for helping Dennis this way.
-Yes.
I would have taken
him myself but I've
got this work that
must be done tonight.
-Oh, well, don't be silly.
It's just what
I've always wanted.
[music]
-Jeepers, jeepers.
What a pie.
How I wish that you were mine.
-Dennis, come on down
here and give mad a hand.
We'll put up this tent.
-Tent?
We can't use a tent, Mr. Wilson.
Mr. Abernathy said
under the stars.
-Dennis, that wind
is freezing cold.
-Jeepers, you want me to
get in the club don't you?
-Well, yes, of course.
-Is sure is good
to know somebody
that understands kids
better than anybody.
-And you would say that
about me, wouldn't you?
I mean, well, if
somebody should happen
to ask you about me sometime.
-Yeah, Mr. Wilson.
I'd tell them how you helped me.
-Couldn't we camp in
a less windy place?
-We could, but Indians wouldn't.
It isn't easy to join
the Junior Pathfinders.
-That I'm beginning to find out.
-We have to camp up
here and prove it
by bringing back a pine
cone from this tree.
The famous Lookout Ridge pine.
-My goodness.
It certainly is a big one.
Where are the pine cones?
-Up there.
-Well, how do we get one?
This isn't the kind of tree
you just walk up to and shake.
-One of us has to
climb up there.
-Climb?
-I guess you're the lucky one.
Cause I'm too small.
-Dennis, climbing
won't be necessary.
Ah, we'll just throw
something out there
and knock down one of the cones.
-What will we throw?
-Oh, I don't know.
We'll find something.
-How about this?
-Hmm?
-Your canteen?
-Oh, I guess that'll do it.
Oh, now you see that big
cone on the low branch there?
Well, watch her come down.
-You hit it, Mr. Wilson.
You hit it.
-Did eye, George.
-You want to try my canteen?
-Oh, sure.
Why not?
An old baseball
pitcher like myself.
First I'll knock down
my canteen, and then
your pine cone.
-You hit it, Mr. Wilson.
You hit it.
-Did I, George.
-Do you think the
stove's too heavy?
-Do you really think you
ought to, Mr. Wilson?
-Well I don't know what
difference it makes?
I might as well have both
shoes up there as one.
-Everything you
throw up there stays.
-Well, this is no
time to quit, Dennis.
-I'm not talking about quitting.
I'm talking about climbing.
-Well stand back.
-Oh, this is the greediest
pine tree I've ever seen.
Two canteens, two shoes, a
walking stick, a pocketknife,
and a collapsible drinking cup.
Dennis?
Are you absolutely sure
you want to join that club?
-Well, here goes nothing.
-Here's a refill dear.
-Thank you, honey.
-Well, made it.
-Good.
[doorbell]
-I'll get it.
-I think Mr. Mitchell is
expecting me, Mrs. Mitchell.
-Mr. Fullmer?
Come right in.
-Well, I didn't think
I'd finish, Mr. Fullmer,
but there they are.
-You know how much we of
the Neighborhood Improvement
Committee appreciate
your work on these plans?
We know how valuable a
correct lighting plan
can be to the artistic
appearance of a building.
-Well, actually anybody
could have done it.
-But you did it.
Not only that.
You headed up Fire
Prevention Week
and played Smokey the Bear
in the annual pageant.
-Well, only because the real
Smokey came down with a mumps
at the last minute.
-This would interest
you too, Mrs. Mitchell.
We of the committee have
chosen Mr. Mitchell as one
of the nominees for our Best
Citizen of the Year award.
-Best Citizen of the Year?
Me?
-Oh, Henry.
Well that's wonderful.
-May I say, as far
as I'm concerned,
you definitely have
the inside track.
[music]
-I sure do want to thank you
for my pine cone, Mr. Wilson.
You can thank me in
the morning, Dennis.
-Boy, were you great
up in that tree.
But you should never try to
put your shoes on up there.
-Well fortunately, I
didn't fall all the way.
It just feels like it.
-I'll zip you up, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh.
-Like that?
-That's fine.
Come all the way up.
-Are you comfortable?
-Oh, snug as a bug in a rug.
-Good night, Mr. Wilson.
-Good night, Dennis.
-Please bless mom and dad,
and gold ol' Mr. Wilson.
He's certainly a lot nicer
than most people think.
[music]
-Oh.
Now you try to make friends.
-Excuse me?
But is this the
Lookout Ridge Pine?
-No, it's the First
National Bank Building.
-Well, you don't know be stuffy.
Turn the light on
it Crystalbell.
This is it.
This is it!
Oh, what photos we'll get.
Let's put it down
in our log book.
Now what time exactly
did we first see it?
Oh, dear my watch has stopped.
Do you have the time?
-Madam, I am not the
Naval Observatory.
It's past midnight.
I am trying to get some sleep.
-The woods certainly aren't
what they used to be.
You'll find just
anybody here these days.
-I'll give him one more chance.
Do you know a nice place
to camp around here?
-Yes, you walk to
the edge and jump.
-Come on, Georgiana.
We'll find our own little nook.
Some people just
don't understand
the courtesy of the road.
-Sighted Lookout
Ridge after midnight.
Also ran in to grumpy
disgusting old fare.
-Oh, great Scott it's raining.
Dennis, Dennis, wake up.
Wake up.
It's raining.
We've got to put
up that tent now.
-Tent?
But I'm supposed to sleep out.
-Oh, Dennis.
This is an emergency.
Even Indians sleep
inside when it's raining.
Now come on.
Give me a hand and
let's get that tent up.
-Jeepers, Mr. Wilson.
I thought sure I put those
tent poles in the car.
-What some people won't do
to win a power lawn mower.
[music]
-Mr. Wilson?
I made it.
I'm a Junior Pathfinder.
-Oh, good, good.
-Mr. Abernathy said for
what you did last night,
you deserve some
kind of an award.
-Oh, Dennis.
Don't get too close to me.
You'll get my cold.
Well let's hope it
works out that way.
Oh, Dennis, you didn't
talk to anybody on the way
to your meeting this morning?
-Sure.
I talked to Mom, Dad, Mr.
Abernathy, the mailman--
-No, no, no, no.
I mean somebody who might
have talked to you about me?
-Gosh, no Mr. Wilson.
-Good, good.
-I'm going to go
tell mom and Dad.
Bye.
-Bye.
-Mrs. Schooner, members of the
committee, neighbors, friends.
This is the proudest
day of my life,
And I just want to say
that his power lawn mower.
Ooh, this Best Citizen
Award-- But it's
the work of many people,
and birds of course.
All pulling together.
All forgetting selfish
interest for the, the--
-Oh, oh.
Good morning, Mitchell.
-Hi, Mr. Wilson.
I just came over to make sure
you understood how much we
appreciate your taking
Dennis yesterday.
-Oh, that little trip?
Nothing.
-I would have been over
earlier this morning,
but I was afraid you
would still be asleep.
-Oh no.
-I started feeling
a little guilty
after you and Dennis left.
-Well, there's no reason for
you to feel guilty, Mitchell.
-Then when I heard
I've been nominated
for Best Citizen of
the Year award, why
I really felt guilty.
-You?
Mitchell?
Nominated?
-Oh, yes.
I've been doing some
work for the committee.
And one of the members
picked it up last night
and told me that
I was a nominee.
-Well.
-But when he told me that
I had the inside track,
I could have gone right
through the floor.
-As of what time did you
have the inside track?
-As of about
o'clock last night.
-I've heard a low
tricks, Mitchell.
I've heard of low tricks, but
this is just about the lowest.
While I was up there risking
my life with your son,
you were down here
currying favor.
Working hard to win my award.
-You, Mr. Wilson?
You're nominated?
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't know.
Now I really feel terrible.
-You feel terrible?
I may die of pneumonia
any minute now.
-I don't know what
to say, Mr. Wilson.
I hope your cold gets better.
I hope you win.
-Alice, this
suspense is terrible.
-Don't worry so, Henry.
Just because you
had the inside track
doesn't mean you'll
win the award.
-Oh, I hope not.
I mean supposing I
did win, we couldn't
go on living next
door to Mr. Wilson.
[music]
-Henry?
Henry, some cars are driving
up in front of the Wilsons.
-Oh, maybe I've lost.
-George, some cares are
parking in front of our house.
-Hmm?
Why, Martha.
It's the committee members.
Maybe I won after all.
-Oh, no.
They're going over
to the Mitchells.
-Henry, they're coming here.
-This is terrible.
-Well, I certainly could've
used that power lawn mower.
[doorbell]
-Oh, Mrs. Schooner.
-Hello, Mrs. Wilson.
Will and Mr. Wilson join
us for the presentation?
-Why, of course.
-I'll wait.
-Excuse me.
-Dear--
-Martha, what are you saying?
-We have to go, George It's
only the neighborly thing to do.
-Oh, I guess you're right.
-Hello, hello.
Oh thank you, dear.
Now that we're all here.
It is my proud
privilege to present
our Best Citizen
of the Year award.
-Best Citizen of the Year.
-Our award this year goes
to that outstanding member
of our community,
Mr. George Wilson.
-Outstanding member
of what-- Me?
-Mr. Wilson!
-You, Mr. Wilson.
-But--
-It was a hard decision
to make, because we
have so many fine citizens.
But you won, Mr. Wilson.
-Well, my goodness.
We're on Mitchell's lawn.
-So we could set up
your prize on your lawn.
-Oh, well now.
Well I certainly do
want to thank you.
And this is, indeed, an honor.
And I would like to
say-- Oh fiddle faddle,
I forgot my speech.
-Isn't it a beauty Mr. Wilson?
-It certainly is, Dennis.
And do you know what?
You're going to be the
first to have a ride on it.
-Oh, boy.
[music]
-What do I do now, Mr. Wilson?
-Well, all we do is pull this.
-What a mower!
[theme music]
03x02 - Best Neighbor
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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.
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.