CineScope

The Donna Reed Show

The Donna Reed Show Poster

Revolves around typical family problems, such as firing a clumsy housekeeper, throwing a retirement bash for a colleague, and finding quality time away from the children.

ComedyFamily

3.1 / 5

24th September 1958 - 19th March 1966
Producer
Tony Owen
Top Cast
Donna ReedCarl BetzPaul Petersen
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Weekend Trip Still
Weekend Trip
24th September 1958

Episode 1

In the premiere episode, Donna hopes to get away to a ski weekend with her brood, but pediatrician husband Alex's on-call schedule makes this tricky, especially since one of his young patients, Eddie Barclay (played by one of the Corcoran siblings of Disney film and TV fame; sister Noreen was on "Bachelor Father" with John Forsythe), has a mysterious illness and Alex doesn't want to leave him in the care of another doctor.

Pardon My Gloves Still
Pardon My Gloves
1st October 1958

Episode 2

Jeff gets a black eye from a boy who mocks Donna's acting in a local play. So, Donna tries to teach Jeff how to box.

The Hike Still
The Hike
8th October 1958

Episode 3

Donna tries to prove women can outsmart men when Dr. Stone is called away to treat a patient.

Male Ego Still
Male Ego
15th October 1958

Episode 4

Alex tries to prove his independence when Donna buys a suit for him.

The Football Uniform Still
The Football Uniform
22nd October 1958

Episode 5

Jeff wants a uniform for the team picture, but is told he must work for the money to buy it.

The Foundling Still
The Foundling
29th October 1958

Episode 6

A baby is abandoned at the Stone’s place.

Three Part Mother Still
Three Part Mother
5th November 1958

Episode 7

Donna spreads herself thin, running between three places on the same night, for her family.

Change Partners and Dance Still
Change Partners and Dance
12th November 1958

Episode 8

Mary has a crush on the school basketball star, George, who wants to take her to the prom, but hasn’t asked her because he can't dance.

Dough Re-Mi Still
Dough Re-Mi
19th November 1958

Episode 9

Donna tries to get a famous concert pianist to perform at a benefit, and, at the same time, Jeff is trying to raise money for a football tackling dummy. These two seemingly unrelated projects intertwine.

Guest in the House Still
Guest in the House
26th November 1958

Episode 10

A problem child takes refuge at the Stone’s house, and Donna tries to get through to him.

The Baby Contest Still
The Baby Contest
3rd December 1958

Episode 11

Alex is judge at a Beautiful Baby contest run by Donna's club.

The Beaded Bag Still
The Beaded Bag
10th December 1958

Episode 12

When Donna longingly admires a lovely, expensive bag at a store, the saleswoman (along with a female friend of hers) schemes to coax Alex into getting it for her for a birthday gift. But Alex is suspicious that Donna is pulling the strings behind the scenes, instead of being forthright about it.

The Busy Body Still
The Busy Body
17th December 1958

Episode 13

Charismatic Uncle Fred visits the Stone family and a brouhaha ensues.

A Very Merry Christmas Still
A Very Merry Christmas
24th December 1958

Episode 14

Donna searches for the mysterious person who puts on a Christmas party in the children’s ward at the hospital every year. The quintessential comedian Buster Keaton guest stars.

Mary's Double Date Still
Mary's Double Date
31st December 1958

Episode 15

Mary's Junior prom is imminent, and she has trouble deciding between two boys on the football team who might ask her. She also dangles another nice boy on a string. But, eventually, the resultant consequences of her selfish decisions come to fruition.

Jeff's Double Life Still
Jeff's Double Life
7th January 1959

Episode 16

After nosy neighbor Mrs. Wilgus (the inimitable Kathleen Freeman) alerts Donna and Alex about Mary having a noisy party while they were out, the kids get lectured about being the children of a doctor, and that they should behave accordingly. Not too long after this, Jeff takes a ride from Mary's troublemaker friend Tommy Hendricks, who doesn't have a license and has taken his father's car out for a joyride, and they get into a minor accident while fleeing a cop.

Nothing But the Truth Still
Nothing But the Truth
14th January 1959

Episode 17

David Barker finagles a return to the Stone’s home for his birthday celebration.

It's the Principle of the Thing Still
It's the Principle of the Thing
21st January 1959

Episode 18

Mr. Popkin won't let Alex treat Joey because he has no money. So, Donna hires him to do repairs around the house, but Alex fires him. Then Donna tries another method to help him get the finances he needs.

Jeff vs. Mary Still
Jeff vs. Mary
28th January 1959

Episode 19

Jeff becomes jealous and insecure about his parent’s love—feeling that they care about Mary more than him.

Have Fun Still
Have Fun
4th February 1959

Episode 20

When Mary comes home utterly dejected from a terrible first date, Donna and Alex each, in “Rashomon”-style, tell her about their first date.

Donna Plays Cupid Still
Donna Plays Cupid
11th February 1959

Episode 21

Donna decides that Alex’s obstetrician friend, Beau, is a lonely bachelor in need of a mate, so she tries to pair him and her good friend Celia (who has recently broken up with her boyfriend) up.

Love Thy Neighbor Still
Love Thy Neighbor
18th February 1959

Episode 22

Donna and Alex help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Wilbur & Celia Wilgus, only for Donna to get caught up in a misunderstanding later.

The Report Card Still
The Report Card
25th February 1959

Episode 23

Donna is worried when Jeff comes home with a report card full of Cs.

Boys Will Be Boys Still
Boys Will Be Boys
4th March 1959

Episode 24

David Barker is brought to Alex to be treated for rabies, and is invited to stay the night. Later, Jeff is left in charge of David, as everyone else will be gone.

The Ideal Wife Still
The Ideal Wife
11th March 1959

Episode 25

Donna keeps getting praised for being an excellent wife and mother—so much so, that she, illogically, becomes a bit paranoid that people really mean something negative about her beneath the surface of their words, and fears her kids are taking advantage of her.

Mary's Campaign Still
Mary's Campaign
18th March 1959

Episode 26

Mary drives her family crazy, and worries her mother, in her quest to win the class vice-presidency.

The Flowered-Print Dress Still
The Flowered-Print Dress
25th March 1959

Episode 27

Donna and Alex dine at a young couple’s home. The couple are still in the honeymoon phase of their marriage, and the experience gives Donna pangs of nostalgia.

April Fool Still
April Fool
1st April 1959

Episode 28

When Buzz Barry, teenage idol (played by James Darren), comes to Hilldale to sing at a concert, he falls ill with the measles and the concert is canceled, leaving Mary and her friends devastated. Then he ends up staying at the Stone’s home to recuperate, causing unexpected complications.

The Parting of the Ways Still
The Parting of the Ways
8th April 1959

Episode 29

Mary’s friend Babs confides in her that her parents are having troubles and may be divorcing soon. And, though she’s exaggerating, Donna is unaware of this and problems ensue in their family as a result.

The Hero Still
The Hero
15th April 1959

Episode 30

Alex's roommate, Biff Jameson, comes to Hilldale, and though he charms the family and dazzles Jeff, Alex confesses to Donna that his old pal seems to be off from what he used to be.

Do You Trust Your Child? Still
Do You Trust Your Child?
22nd April 1959

Episode 31

Donna gives a speech, at a PTA meeting, on parent/child relationships urging parents to trust their child. Her advice, of course, ends up being tested.

Grateful Patient Still
Grateful Patient
29th April 1959

Episode 32

Alex takes advantage of a tip on the market, and Donna and the kids start making plans for the expected profit.

The Testimonial Still
The Testimonial
6th May 1959

Episode 33

Donna plans a testimonial dinner to honor Dr. Jason, a long-time denizen of the town and a beloved doctor, who finally intends to retire.

Miss Lovelace Comes to Tea Still
Miss Lovelace Comes to Tea
13th May 1959

Episode 34

The family searches for a compatible housekeeper to help around the house while Donna manages a charity campaign.

Tomorrow Comes Too Soon Still
Tomorrow Comes Too Soon
20th May 1959

Episode 35

After a particularly long week, Donna and Alex long for a weekend alone without kids. But when they get it, it’s not quite how they imagined it would be.

Advice To Young Lovers Still
Advice To Young Lovers
27th May 1959

Episode 36

When Mary and George get in a fight over him and her best friend Babs, Donna advises her on how to handle the situation.

Operation Deadbeat Still
Operation Deadbeat
3rd June 1959

Episode 37

Alex insists Jeff pay back money he owes to develop good character for when he is an adult. Meanwhile, Donna decides to try to get the past due money owed to Alex by his patients.