Gale Gordon: John Wilson vs. Theodore J. Mooney - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

LucyFan · 03-21-2003, 12:43 AM

Out of these two characters that Gale Gordon protrayed, which one do you like better and why? The characters are John Wilson from Dennis the Menace (1959-1963) and Theodore J. Mooney from The Lucy Show (1962-1968).

* Please keep in mind:
Gale Gordon joined the cast of Dennis the Menace in 1961 and remained a regular til the show ended in 1963. Then he soon joined Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance in the second season of The Lucy Show and continued acting throughout the remaining run of the show.

TV Knowledge Fan · 04-13-2006, 06:25 PM

...Gordon as "Mr. Mooney". He had plenty of chances to "blow his top" at Lucy, and there were funny moments whenever he did that. As "Mr. Wilson", he may have looked more like the comic panel version than Jospeh Kearns, but he didn't get a chance to really "pop" off as he did on Lucy's series; more restrained.

Lamont · 06-15-2006, 10:51 PM

i loved Gale Gordon
but on Dennis-- i missed Kearns when he was gone
so id prefer Gale w/ Lucy as they had such chemistry!

comedyfreak · 09-08-2006, 07:00 AM

Gale was better as Mr. Mooney.

snorlaxnut · 09-14-2006, 01:15 AM

Another vote for Mooney.

joefriday · 11-11-2006, 06:57 AM

Gale Gordon couldn't compete with Joseph Kearns as Mr. Wilson; although I still enjoyed the final season of Dennis The Menace.

1Doug1 · 11-06-2007, 06:17 PM

Actually Gale joined the cast in 1962 in time for the filming of the final four episodes.
As Mr. Wilson, he didn't make me laugh at all. But being grouchy tight-wad banker Mooney, i thought Gale was a riot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyFan

Out of these two characters that Gale Gordon protrayed, which one do you like better and why? The characters are John Wilson from Dennis the Menace (1959-1963) and Theodore J. Mooney from The Lucy Show (1962-1968).

* Please keep in mind:
Gale Gordon joined the cast of Dennis the Menace in 1961 and remained a regular til the show ended in 1963. Then he soon joined Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance in the second season of The Lucy Show and continued acting throughout the remaining run of the show.

chopperguy · 11-08-2007, 12:31 AM

I always think of Gale Gordan as Mr Mooney. I don't know why except that when I was a kid in the late 60's I remember him in that role.

It wasn't until reruns that I noticed he was on Dennis The Menace. As others have stated: Joseph Kearns was not replaceable as Mr. Wilson (whether a relative or not). Nobody could re-create that role. Gale Gordon did a good job in what he was given.

As Mr. Mooney, that's what I remember! He was a fantasic banker! How about this: How would you have liked ( if you like a drink or two) to have had a seat at the bar and listen to Mr. Mooney and Milbourne Drysdale talk about their day??

That could be sitcom classic.

catlover79 · 11-08-2007, 01:08 AM

Mr. Mooney!!

Mikado · 11-08-2007, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...Gordon as "Mr. Mooney". He had plenty of chances to "blow his top" at Lucy, and there were funny moments whenever he did that. As "Mr. Wilson", he may have looked more like the comic panel version than Jospeh Kearns, but he didn't get a chance to really "pop" off as he did on Lucy's series; more restrained.

Fontaine · 10-26-2013, 10:42 PM

Gale Gordon was the original choice to play Fred Mertz. Can you imagine?

schmave · 10-28-2013, 01:47 PM

I agree that Gale Gordon did a good job put in that role. Really, it was a no-win situation. In all likelihood, the show was going to be on its way out one way or another after the fourth season. I don't think Joseph Kearns still being around would have helped that. Dennis wasn't getting any younger.
On his own, he made me laugh several times. On its own and not compared to the previous three seasons, the fourth season had some bright spots. But the magic that left with George, and later Martha when there was pretty much no way for Sylvia Field to stay, wasn't coming back.

McGillicuddy · 10-28-2013, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chopperguy

How would you have liked ( if you like a drink or two) to have had a seat at the bar and listen to Mr. Mooney and Milbourne Drysdale talk about their day??

That could be sitcom classic.

I can't even imagine Mr. Mooney and Mr. Drysdale in the same room. I never thought about how much these two guys are alike!

View Poll Results: Choose the character he best protrayed
John Wilson ("Dennis the Menace"; 1961-1963)	4	19.05%
Theodore J. Mooney ("The Lucy Show"; 1963-1968)	17	80.95%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

03-21-2003, 12:43 AM	#1
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	Gale Gordon: John Wilson vs. Theodore J. Mooney Out of these two characters that Gale Gordon protrayed, which one do you like better and why? The characters are John Wilson from Dennis the Menace (1959-1963) and Theodore J. Mooney from The Lucy Show (1962-1968). * Please keep in mind: Gale Gordon joined the cast of Dennis the Menace in 1961 and remained a regular til the show ended in 1963. Then he soon joined Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance in the second season of The Lucy Show and continued acting throughout the remaining run of the show.

04-13-2006, 06:25 PM	#2
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I prefer... ...Gordon as "Mr. Mooney". He had plenty of chances to "blow his top" at Lucy, and there were funny moments whenever he did that. As "Mr. Wilson", he may have looked more like the comic panel version than Jospeh Kearns, but he didn't get a chance to really "pop" off as he did on Lucy's series; more restrained.

06-15-2006, 10:51 PM	#3
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	.... i loved Gale Gordon but on Dennis-- i missed Kearns when he was gone so id prefer Gale w/ Lucy as they had such chemistry!
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09-08-2006, 07:00 AM	#4
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	Gale was better as Mr. Mooney.
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09-14-2006, 01:15 AM	#5
snorlaxnut Let's hear it for WALLY! Frequent Poster Join Date: May 01, 2003 Location: Hoquiam, WA Posts: 122	Another vote for Mooney.

11-11-2006, 06:57 AM	#6
joefriday Just The Facts Ma'am Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 21, 2001 Posts: 48	Gale Gordon couldn't compete with Joseph Kearns as Mr. Wilson; although I still enjoyed the final season of Dennis The Menace.
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11-08-2007, 12:31 AM	#8
chopperguy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 06, 2007 Location: Mid-Atlantic Posts: 38	I always think of Gale Gordan as Mr Mooney. I don't know why except that when I was a kid in the late 60's I remember him in that role. It wasn't until reruns that I noticed he was on Dennis The Menace. As others have stated: Joseph Kearns was not replaceable as Mr. Wilson (whether a relative or not). Nobody could re-create that role. Gale Gordon did a good job in what he was given. As Mr. Mooney, that's what I remember! He was a fantasic banker! How about this: How would you have liked ( if you like a drink or two) to have had a seat at the bar and listen to Mr. Mooney and Milbourne Drysdale talk about their day?? That could be sitcom classic.

11-08-2007, 01:08 AM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Mr. Mooney!!
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10-26-2013, 10:42 PM	#11
Fontaine Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 16, 2013 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 160	Gale Gordon was the original choice to play Fred Mertz. Can you imagine?

10-28-2013, 01:47 PM	#12
schmave Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 23, 2013 Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio Posts: 654	I agree that Gale Gordon did a good job put in that role. Really, it was a no-win situation. In all likelihood, the show was going to be on its way out one way or another after the fourth season. I don't think Joseph Kearns still being around would have helped that. Dennis wasn't getting any younger. On his own, he made me laugh several times. On its own and not compared to the previous three seasons, the fourth season had some bright spots. But the magic that left with George, and later Martha when there was pretty much no way for Sylvia Field to stay, wasn't coming back.