-Mom, dad.
-Did you-- what is it, Dennis?
-You can't want
another glass of water.
-Heck, no.
I just had a glass
while I was downstairs.
-What were you doing downstairs?
-I went down to see who
was making all that noise.
And boy, will you be surprised
when I tell you who it was.
-Who?
-It's that masked
ranger from TV,
wearing his mask and everything.
And I think he's going
to do another good deed.
-What?
-Sure, mom.
I think he's going to
clean all your silver 'cuz
he's taking it all
out of the buffet.
[theme music]
-Dennis, don't slam--
[door slam]
-I couldn't help
it this time, mom.
I gotta get hold
of some money fast.
Hey, has anybody been doing
any borrowing out of this bank?
-Oh, why Dennis, of course not.
-Does it sound like
there's $ in here?
-No.
No, I'd say not.
-There were $ in here
right after Christmas.
-Yes, but that was
before you learned
how to shake the money out
of it to buy sodas and candy.
-I just gotta have $ .
-What do you need it for?
-Something that cost
Georgie $ and I
can have the whole thing
for $ if I act fast.
-Ooh.
What is this great bargain?
-I'll show you.
Georgie's white mice-- Jennifer
and Caesar with the whole cage.
-Oh, fine.
Just what we need.
-Sure.
And the cage is just perfect.
Except the door's a little bit
loose, but dad can fix that.
Isn't that swell?
-Oh, swell.
-So will you give me the $ ?
-No, I won't.
Now if you want those two mice,
you can just buy them yourself.
-Boy.
I've got a swell start.
Now all I need need
is $ . to go.
-That's the spirit.
Got any ideas on how
to earn the rest of it?
-Sure.
Mrs. Wilson's away
and maybe good ol'
Mr. Wilson needs something done.
[doorbell]
-Yes, who is it?
-It's me, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh, hello, Dennis.
-I got something real
important to talk to you about.
-OK, talk.
-Jeepers, with you up
there and me down here,
isn't it kind of hard
for you to hear me?
-As a matter of fact, it is.
You better talk louder.
-(SHOUTING) I got something
real important to show you.
-All right, Dennis.
The front door is unlocked.
Come on in.
-No, it isn't.
-Maybe it was the back door
I left open for the gas man.
-All right now, Dennis.
What did you-- Dennis?
Dennis?
-Yes, Mr. Wilson?
Up here, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh.
Oh, there you are.
How did you get up there?
-I came up the stairs.
How'd you get down there?
-Well I came down the stairs.
-Jeepers, I didn't see you.
-Well how else would
I get down here?
-You could've jumped
out the window.
-Oh, stop.
Now you wait there.
I'll be right up.
-Oh, Dennis, don't you
touch that chess board.
-Heck no.
I'm just looking.
-Well I've been
up half the night
working out an extremely
complicated chess move.
Now, what was it you
wanted to show me?
-First, I want to ask you if you
have any odd jobs to be done.
-Oh, with Mrs. Wilson away,
I have any number of them.
-$ . cents' worth?
-Easily.
But they consist mostly
of cooking, sewing,
and washing socks.
-Jeepers, I'm better at doing
things like raking leaves.
-Now if you were a tailor,
you could really help me out.
I lost the button
that goes there
and I can't find where Mrs.
Wilson keeps the buttons.
-Why don't you use a safety pin?
-Well I would if I had one.
The trouble is I've
looked all over the house
and I can't seem to find where
Mrs. Wilson keeps the safety
pins either.
-Here's one, Mr. Wilson.
-Hm?
Oh yes, that looks
about the right size.
Well yes, I think that's
going to do the job just fine.
There.
That's better.
That's more like it.
Thank you, Dennis.
You were a big help.
-How much worth, Mr. Wilson?
Well, I'd say a dime's worth?
-Gee, thanks, Mr. Wilson.
Now all I need is $ . .
-You still haven't told me
what you want the money for.
-To buy those two swell
white mice from Georgie,
including the cage.
-Wh--?
Dennis, you get those rodents
out of my house immediately.
-You mean Jennifer and Caesar?
-I mean those mice right there.
Now you take these two--
Dennis, when you came in here,
were the two mice in this cage?
-Sure, Jennifer and Caesar.
Hey, where's Caesar?
-He's loose somewhere
in this house.
-Jeepers, it's lucky you
don't have any elephants
or they'd be scared.
-Oh, that's an old
wive's tale, Dennis.
-I know.
Old wives and elephants
are scared of them.
-Will you stop talking
and start looking for him?
-Sure.
We have to, or else you
owe Georgie a dollar.
-Let's everybody shake
their pants legs.
-Oh, Dennis.
You run down to the refrigerator
and get some cheese.
-I think I'd rather have
a peanut butter sandwich.
-It's not for you.
It's for that blasted mouse.
-I think he'd rather
have peanut butter too.
-Dennis, I will
give you ten minutes
to find him before I go over
and borrow Mrs. Perkins' cat.
-Oh don't do that, Mr. Wilson.
I'll find him.
He's probably in a
dark corner, I betcha.
[gasp]
-Dennis, here he is
on my chest board.
-Swell.
I'll hold the cage
while you put him in.
Don't worry if he
runs up your sleeve.
He likes to keep warm that way.
-Here, I'll hold the cage.
You put him back.
-I got him.
-Dennis, look what you've done.
You've ruined my entire
strategy for tonight.
-Excuse me, Mr. Wilson.
Caesar was so fast,
I couldn't help it.
Now I'm going to have to
have that safety pin back
to hold the door shut.
-Oh, well all right then.
Give me back my dime.
-Jeepers, I thought I was kind
of renting the pin to you.
-Oh, you can keep the dime.
Just go.
-Mr. Wilson, could
you lend me $ . ?
-No, I couldn't.
Now home.
Home.
-Well, bye, Mr. Wilson.
Sorry you lost your buttons.
-Hi, dad.
-Hi, son.
-Boy, am I glad to see you.
-Ah, that's nice to hear.
What've you been doing all day?
-I've been trying
to earn some money.
-Any luck?
-I rented a safety pin
to Mr. Wilson for a dime
because he had a button missing.
Hey, dad, do you have
any buttons missing?
-No, I'm afraid not.
What do you need the money for?
-Remember when I wanted a horse
and you said it was too big?
-Yes.
-And then I wanted a pony and
you said that was too big.
-Yes.
-And then I traded
my bike for a goat,
and you made me take
it back because you
said that was too big.
-Well that wasn't the
only reason, Dennis.
What's this all about?
-Well I asked myself,
what kind of animals
would good ol' dad like
to have in the house?
-And what did I say?
-Mice.
-Mice?
-Sure.
And Georgie's got two of
them in a cage for $ .
So will you give me $ . ?
-I'm sorry, son.
You ought to have that
much in your piggy bank.
-Jeepers, dad.
That piggy bank leaks.
-It wouldn't if you
didn't shake it.
No, I'm afraid you'll have
to save the money yourself.
-Have you been talking to mom?
-No, but I've got to-- we
need a sitter for tonight.
Why don't you hire me?
-Because the sitter's for you.
Your mom and I have to
go out to the airport
and meet a very
important client.
Then we're going out to dinner.
-Mom's in the kitchen.
-OK.
-Dennis eating his dinner?
-Well, he's sitting at the table
picking at it with his fork.
What time are we
due at the airport?
- : .
- : ?
I thought you said ?
-Oh, I just checked
with the airport.
The plane's early.
-Oh.
-What time's the sitter coming?
-Not until : .
-Maybe I'd better call her--
[doorbell]
-Oh, I'll get it, honey.
--Thank you.
-You stay here and
finish dressing.
-All right.
-Hi, Mr. Wilson, you want
to wear my safety pin again?
-No, I don't.
I came over to see your father.
-Hi, Mr. Wilson.
Dennis, have you finished
with your dinner?
-Yep.
-Eat it all?
-Heck no, dad.
I'm just finished with it.
-See you in a minute.
Get in the kitchen and eat.
-Well, what can I do
for you, Mr. Wilson?
-I have a little
problem, Mitchell.
-Oh yes, I know.
Dennis has been over
bothering you for a job.
-Oh no, no.
That's not the problem.
You see, Monsieur
Gustav Bouchet,
the international chess
champion, and his wife
are in town.
-Oh yes, I read about
it in the paper.
-Well, since I'm not unknown
in chess circles, he called me.
And I invited them to dinner.
I'd intended taking them
to the lobster house.
-Well, it sounds like
a wonderful evening.
-Well, unfortunately,
they assumed
they were having
dinner at my house
and they brought their
little boy along.
-What's the matter with that?
Take the little boy along
to the lobster house.
-Well, Mitchell, the
boy is Dennis' age.
-We took Dennis over to
the lobster house once
and-- Oh yes, I
see what you mean.
-Exactly.
Well, I persuaded his
parents that a baby
sitter is customary in America.
-So you need a babysitter.
Well, we have a--
-Oh, no, no.
I've already arranged
for a babysitter.
But I don't have
anything in the house
to feed the little fellow.
-Well, your problem is solved.
Bring him over here.
We have plenty.
-Well, thank you, Mitchell.
Thank you very much.
-If he's a pretty good kid, why
don't you let him stay with me?
-Why, that's a
good idea, Dennis.
-Oh, but I have a
sitter of my own coming.
-Well, it seems silly for
both of us to pay a sitter.
-Well, yes.
I guess one of us wasting
his money at that.
-Why don't you cancel
yours, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh, no.
It's only fair that I pay.
You cancel yours.
-I don't know.
Our sitter, Mrs. Porter,
is a very dependable woman.
-Well, so is mine.
And since I'm the one
who's asking the favor--
-Well, all right.
You have it your way.
You can pay.
-Ah, fine.
I'll run over and
get little Michel.
Thank you very much.
-Not at all.
-Mr. Wilson?
-Hm?
-When you come back
from the lobster house,
will you bring me a claw?
-Now what do you
want a claw for?
-So I can scare that
dumb old Margaret.
-Oh, Mrs. Porter.
This is Henry Mitchell.
Could we cancel out with
you tonight, please?
Thank you very much.
We'll make it up to
you another time.
Thanks a lot, Mrs. Porter.
Good night.
[speaking french]
-Well, we're all set.
We just drop Michel
off next door
at the Mitchell's
and be on our way.
-We do not have to wait
for the babysitter?
-Oh no.
The Mitchell sitter will be
taking care of both the boys
tonight.
Now if you'll excuse me for
a moment, I'll cancel mine.
[doorbell]
-Coming.
Coming.
-Oh, Michel, this
is Dennis Mitchell.
Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Mitchell,
this is little Michel Bouchet.
-How do you do, Michel?
-[speaking french]
-Boy, you gotta stop
talking like that or mom
will wash your
mouth out with soap.
-He's speaking French.
-French?
Jeepers, what's that?
-It's a foreign language.
[speaking french]
-Oh well, that's just
an expression, Michel.
What does "jeepers" mean?
-Well, it means like, "gee
whiz," or "criminy sakes."
-Yes, like "gee whiz" or--
oh, never mind, Michel.
-Michel, I'm sure you're hungry.
If you come into the kitchen,
I'll fix you some dinner.
-Thank you, Madam Mitchell.
I do have much hunger.
-Even when I understand
you, you talk funny.
-All right, enough, Dennis.
Come on, boys.
-Sweetheart, we're running late.
-All right.
-Oh, say, why don't
you two go on ahead.
I'll wait for the
babysitter to arrive.
-Well, that'd be
wonderful, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh, it's the least I can do
after the way you helped me out
of my spot.
-I'll go get Alice's coat.
-You don't even know
how to play baseball?
Boy, is there a lot
I gotta teach you.
-Here you are, Michel.
-Sweetheart, Mr. Wilson says
he'll wait for the sitter.
We can go.
-Oh, thank you, Mr. Wilson.
-Oh.
-Now, Dennis,
remember to go to bed
when the sitter tells you to.
In this house, we
always obey the sitter.
-Oh yes, Madam Mitchell.
-Good night, Dennis.
Good night, Michel.
-Good night.
-Bonsoir.
-Good night, Dennis.
-We'll be home early.
-Bye.
-Dennis.
How do you call this dish?
-That's called
Chicken a la King.
But you don't have to eat
it anymore cuz they're gone.
-But I like it.
-You should've
come over earlier.
You could've had mine too.
[doorbell]
-I'll get it.
-Oh no.
You entertain your little guest.
I'll get the door.
And if it's the babysitter,
I'll see you later.
-Boy, I got something
you'll like swell.
-Oh, [speaking french].
-What?
[speaking french]
-These aren't "lay-ser-ees."
They're mice.
-Oh good, you're here.
You'll find the two little
boys out in the kitchen.
Good luck.
[doorbell]
-Hello.
-Hello, is your mother home?
-No.
Isn't that why you're here?
-I'm from the drug store, and
since it's on my way home,
I brought her this jar of
cold cream she ordered.
Tell her I'll put
it on her bill.
-OK.
-How'd you like to be
part owner of these mice?
[speaking french]
-Huh?
-Yes.
-Got any money?
-Mais non.
-I was hoping French
kids were different.
-When will the
babysitter arrives?
-I don't know.
We've been waiting an hour.
I don't think she's
gonna come or she
would've been here by now.
-Your father will be angry
after having hired her.
-Yeah.
He was going to pay
her $ . an hour.
Hey.
That means I've been babysitting
for you ever since they left.
-You?
Babysitting for me?
-Sure.
Somebody's gotta to do it.
And it's my house.
And besides, I need the money.
--[speaking french] Now we can
stay up until the parents come
home.
-Oh no, in this
house, you go to bed
when the babysitter
tells you to.
Hey, that's me.
-But this is ridiculous.
I never go to bed at o'clock.
-In this house you will.
I'm the babysitter and I'm
going to do a good job of it.
-But jeepers.
-Now don't talk back.
Now, did you brush your teeth?
-Yes, I brushed them.
-Did you wash behind your ears?
--[speaking french] You
made me take a shower.
-All right.
Now say your prayers, and get in
bed, and I'll tell you a story.
-[speaking french]
-What was that?
-My prayer.
-Well, to be on the safe
side, you better say,
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.
-Oui, I've been
learning that one.
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord,
my soul to keep.
[speaking french] I have not
learned the whole prayer yet.
-I hope God understand
that last part.
-Of that I'm sure.
I never knew until last
month he understood English.
-All right.
Now get in bed and
I'll tell you a story.
-Are you not going to bed too?
-Heck no.
Babysitters can't go to bed.
We have to stay up and
eat sandwiches and watch
television.
Now, what story do you
want me to tell you about?
-The one about the milk maid.
-Milk maid?
I don't know any story
about a milk maid.
-It's the one the
governess tells me.
-Jeepers.
Does the governor
ever tell it to you?
-No, just the governess.
It goes like this.
-(MANLY VOICE) "Where are you
going to, my pretty maid,"
the man asked.
-(WOMANLY VOICE) "I'm
going milking," she said.
-(MANLY VOICE) He said, "May I
go with you, my pretty maid."
-(WOMANLY VOICE) She answered
kindly, "You're welcome, sir."
-(MANLY VOICE) "What is your
father, my pretty maid?"
-(WOMANLY VOICE) "My
father's a farmer," she said.
-(MANLY VOICE) "Then I can't
marry you, my pretty maid."
-(WOMANLY VOICE) "Hmph, nobody
asked you, sir," she said.
-You call that a bedtime story?
I'll tell you a bedtime story.
You see, once upon
a time, there was
this great big fierce dragon.
And fire came out of his nose.
And he went up to
this castle where
there was this
beautiful princess.
And he snorted on the
door until it b*rned down.
The princess looked
out the window
and saw the terrible
dragon and she
screamed, "Sir
Lancelot, help me."
Sir Lancelot was out in the
forest sharpening his sword
and putting peanut butter on
his armor so it wouldn't squeak.
Well, when he heard
the princess screaming,
he was about to put on his
armor and go rescue her
when the Black Knight came up
and caught him in his underwear
and challenged him to a duel.
-Sacrebleu.
-Sir Lancelot put on his
helmet and picked up his sword,
and you know what?
The helmet fell off.
-What did he do?
-He just started laughing.
And he grabbed the Black
Knight's horse by the tail
and started swinging
it over his head.
Isn't that swell?
-Oui.
-Back at the castle, the
dragon was going upstairs
to the princess' room.
And she hollered, "If you
don't get out of here,
I'll call the fire department."
-Oh, this looks beautiful.
-Thank you.
-Mitchell reservation.
-Oh, merci.
-Oh, excuse me.
Oh.
Alice, Mitchell.
-Hi, Mr. Wilson.
-Hello, Mr. Wilson.
-What a pleasant surprise.
Oh, I'd like you to meet
Madam, Monsieur Bouchet.
Mr. And Mrs. Mitchell.
-How do you do?
-Mr. Wainwright, Mr.
Wilson and the Bouchets.
[speaking french]
-Mr. Wainwright.
-How do you do, Mr. Wainwright.
-It is a great pleasure to
meet the parents of Dennis.
Will you not join us?
-Please.
-Oh, well no, I think that
Mitchell and Mr. Wainwright
probably want to sit
somewhere and talk business.
-Henry's smart enough
not to talk business
with me at dinnertime.
He just stuffs me
with lobster and let's
his expense account
do the buttering.
-Oh that's right, you are
on your expense account
tonight, aren't you?
Why don't we make room
for you at our table?
Waiter, would you bring me
a couple of chairs, please?
-You have such a
nice little boy.
-Oh, merci.
We are very proud of him.
I hope he will be no
trouble to your babysitter.
-Oh, he won't be
a bit of trouble.
But she isn't our babysitter.
She's Mr. Wilson's.
-Oh.
-Oh no, no, Alice.
I canceled mine.
I left your Mrs. Porter
sitting with the children.
-Mr. Wilson, I
canceled Mrs. Porter.
Your woman is sitting with them.
-Oh now, Mitchell, stop joking.
I left your Mrs. Porter
sitting with the children.
Now please, you'll
get everybody upset
just as we're about to
enjoy a lovely dinner.
-Excuse me, I'm going
to make a call home.
-Did you turn the boys
over to Mrs. Porter?
-Well of course I did.
She came to the door.
And I said hello.
And she-- Well, she
was a very quiet woman.
She didn't actually--
-Mr. Wilson, you do know
our sitter, Mrs. Porter?
-Well of course I know
your Mrs. Por-- er,
well, no, not exactly.
-What did she look like?
-Well, she was a slender,
dark-haired woman, about .
-Mrs. Porter is plump and grey.
-Honey, I just talked to Dennis.
The boys are home alone.
[gasp]
-No one's taking care of Michel?
-Oh, now, now, calm yourself.
Dennis is taking care-- Dennis.
Great Scott.
I hope your house is insured.
-You will excuse
us, Mr. Wainwright.
-Of course, I have
children of my own.
-You run right along.
Get there as fast as you can.
I'll pay the check and
be-- I'll pay the check?
[indians and cowboys sh**ting]
-Dennis, Dennis.
-Shh.
Please be quiet.
You'll wake Michel.
I just got him down.
-Michel is asleep?
-Sure.
Upstairs in my bed,
and in my pajamas,
and with my teddy bear.
-It's the first door
on the right upstairs.
-Oh, merci, merci beaucoup.
-Oh, Dennis, you
were such a good boy.
-I know it.
-Probably the best
babysitter we've ever had.
-Sure.
I started work at : ,
and now it's : .
At $ . an hour, how
much do you owe me?
-That comes to exactly $ .
And I'm very happy
to pay it, son.
-Gee, thanks, dad.
-Oh, Mitchell, Alice.
Is everything all right?
-Yes.
-Everything is just
fine, Mr. Wilson.
Michel is upstairs asleep.
And Dennis did a wonderful
job of babysitting.
-Dennis?
-Sure.
And I didn't break
anything either.
Dad paid me $ .
-Well, by golly, I'm
going to give you $ too.
-Wow.
-Here, you deserve it.
-Swell.
Now I can buy Georgie's mice.
-You bet you can, son.
-You certainly can, honey.
-And guess what?
I'm going to have of them.
While you were away,
they had puppies.
01x27 - Dennis Becomes a Baby Sitter
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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.