Was the town Hilldale?

[sodalake]

Didn't this show take place in Hilldale, the same town as the Donna Reed Show? If you watched Donna Reed, you'll remember Dennis makes a guest appearance bothering Donna all day in the episode "Donna Decorates".

I watched the episode recently where Dennis and Mr. Wilson make a documentary for Dennis's history class about their city, but they never do state the name of it which I thought was Hilldale because of the crossover with the Donna Reed Show. I also seem to remember it being mentioned in earlier episodes of Dennis the Menace.

Also, wasn't the Mitchell's house (or set) the same one used for the Stones on Donna Reed?--except on Dennis the Menace the doors off the living room were left open to what looked like a dining room and on Donna Reed they were closed and that is where Alex had his doctor's office.

[Madame X]

Here is some interesting information on the house:

http://www.1164.com/facade/garage/index.html

[Mee_Too]

Interesting topic!

I remember seeing the episode where Dennis visits Donna's house.

Also, while viewing both series on Nick at Nite many years ago, I suspected that the same house was used for both the Stone and Mitchell families.

That link is fascinating, Madame X!

[joan davis fan]

In one of my trivia books ( I think it was TV Guide's 50th ) it stated that both Donna Reed and Dennis the Menace were set in the fictional town of "Hilldale, California".

Don't know about Donna Reed but this does lead to a blooper on Dennis the Menace. The episode where Mr. Wilson runs for park commissoner (?) Dennis visits a local TV station. Forgot the call letters but it did start with a "W".

Ah TV & radio stations in California are required by the FCC to start with the letter "K". Actually the closest TV station to California in those days ( and still is the case ) that starts with W is WOAI in San Antonio, Texas.

That would be one hell of a walk for Dennis Mitchell and his wagon.

[gonzo40]

Great trivia... I missed that one...... Thanks Joan

[schmave]

Originally Posted by joan davis fan

In one of my trivia books ( I think it was TV Guide's 50th ) it stated that both Donna Reed and Dennis the Menace were set in the fictional town of "Hilldale, California".

Don't know about Donna Reed but this does lead to a blooper on Dennis the Menace. The episode where Mr. Wilson runs for park commissoner (?) Dennis visits a local TV station. Forgot the call letters but it did start with a "W".

Ah TV & radio stations in California are required by the FCC to start with the letter "K". Actually the closest TV station to California in those days ( and still is the case ) that starts with W is WOAI in San Antonio, Texas.

That would be one hell of a walk for Dennis Mitchell and his wagon.

DTM as much as told us it was in California throughout the entire series without ever actually coming out and saying so.
* In a first-season episode, Mr. Wilson mentions how Mr. Poweroy has come to visit from the state capital that is over 500 miles away. That in itself narrows it down to California, Texas and Alaska, and the setting definitely is not either of the latter two.
In this same episode, the script goes to lengths to not pin down the location. It's stated multiple times that the Canadian Crestled Warbler has never been seen "in this state," and how many people do you know that use that exact phrase multiple times to describe where they are or live?
* In the final season, we're told it's only a couple-hour drive to San Diego for that two-part episode involving the San Diego Zoo.
* Also in the final season, and coincidentally in a separate two-episode story arc, we know Washington D.C. is a lengthy flight. Definitely longer than the three hours or whatever that's stated, but still lengthy.

[stevea]

This is kind of like Father Knows Best, another Screen Gems show. Its town is Springfield, state never mentioned. But there are some clues throughout the series that make it highly likely to be Illinois.

[gonzo40]

In Season 1 there is an episode on Dennis's garden. At the beginning Mr. Wilson told Dennis & Tommy to go play safari over by Margarets house as he saw some lions and Tigers over there... Dennis replies: We can't that's in the middle of the ocean. The writers at least in season 1 must have been thinking CA......... Probably no way to pin it down because the clues change throughout the series and possible locations also....

[gonzo40]

The increased mention of snails mostly in season 1 also assumes that they are close to a body of sea water.... In Michigan we never have had a snail population that I am aware of...... West Coast....

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by gonzo40

The increased mention of snails mostly in season 1 also assumes that they are close to a body of sea water.... In Michigan we never have had a snail population that I am aware of...... West Coast....

Snails live throughout the US, including Michigan. They are not limited to the West Coast, or sea water.

...though I do agree that Dennis the Menace is likely set in California, for other reasons.

[dennisfan]

for other guesses on where Hillsdale was, go to the www.dennistvshow.com and click the Where is Hillsdale? link. Your comments are welcomed!

[gonzo40]

Originally Posted by dennisfan

for other guesses on where Hillsdale was, go to the www.dennistvshow.com and click the Where is Hillsdale? link. Your comments are welcomed!

The Best Website for Dennis the Menace fans.... I have spent plenty of time over there and thanks for creating......