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The Donna Reed Show: SEASON 4

post #1 of 338
3/10/10 at 11:29am
Thread Starter 
Here is some rather 'Earth Shaking News' regarding The Donna Reed Show: Season 4. The following is a letter to me from Virgil Films & Entertainment President Joe Amodel.

Thanks for the e mails you have sent to me and my staff. We have had a great time releasing the Donna Reed Show on DVD but unfortunately our relationship with the estate has ended so we won’t be releasing Seasons Four or Five. I am not sure who will get those rights. I have passed along your e mail to the folks who run the estate. Thanks again for your interest and sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

Joe Amodei

President, Virgil Films

 

Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 7:39 AM
To: Joseph Amodei
Subject: The Donna Reed Show: Season 4

 

Dear Joseph Amodei,

 

Here is a revised 'Email Letter' concerning The Donna Reed Show's 'Fourth Season' of Episodes. I had sent to you an email some weeks ago concerning this 'Fourth Season' of "The Donna Reed Show," but now I have added more facts and thoughts to this current 'Email Letter.'

 

Here now- is the current 'Revised Email Letter' as follows:

 

I first want to thank "Virgil Films & Entertainment" for presenting all 38 Episodes regarding (The Donna Reed Show: Season Three) with Complete and Unedited Episodes, in which me and my family  appreciated so Very Much!!!!!!!!

 

We are all very excited about 'Season Four' being released concerning "The Donna Reed Show." I guess you know that the episodes from 'Season Four' are less Syndicated Episodes. So many people are very excited about the Release of this 'Fourth Season' in regards to The Donna Reed Show!!!!! My Family and 'Yours Truly' are just thrilled that this particular 'Fourth Season' from this 'Great Family Series' is going to be released on DVD which consists of a whopping 39 Episodes!!!!! These 39 Episodes could be considered among the 'Missing Episodes' from "The Donna Reed Show" since as I said, they have been 'Less Syndicated' and haven't been shown for many years!!! Even the "Nick at Nite" TV Network that had aired this series for nine years in the mid 1980's to the early 1990's, had never aired this 'Fourth Season' of "The Donna Reed Show." So if "Virgil Films and Entertainment" makes it clear to the consumers that you are releasing "Missing Episodes" regarding this 'Fourth Season' of "The Donna Reed Show," I think that you could make an Absolute Killing in Sales!!!! Especially since this particular 'Season Four' also has Shelley Fabares singing her famous "Johnny Angel" song number as well!!!! Shelley sings this number in "The Donna Reed Show" Episode entitled, "Donna's Prima Donna." The Clip that has been shown on "YouTube" concerning this song "Johnny Angel" which features ,Shelley Fabares, is Very Popular Indeed!!!!  There also have been various posts on "YouTube" that have included comments about being eager for the release of this less syndicated 'Fourth Season' concerning "The Donna Reed Show."

 

The Donna Reed Show's Cast Member 'Paul Petersen' performs his very own 'Top Ten Hit Song' entitled, "She Can't Find Her Keys" in a Dream Sequence Scene from a January 18, 1962 episode from the 'Fourth Season' of "The Donna Reed Show" entitled, "For Angie With Love." And later on, his 'follow up song' entitled, "My Dad" was a Complete Smash Hit!-which he performed in the 'Fifth Season' of "The Donna Reed Show," and this song is still a 'Tremendously Big Hit' on "YouTube" to this very day! But, I am getting way ahead of myself here since the subject of this 'Email Letter' concerns 'The Fourth Season Release' regarding "The Donna Reed Show."

 

Furthermore, the episode with Teen Idol "James Darren" who makes his Second Guest Appearance on "The Donna Reed Show" during the 'Fourth Season' of this series in the episode entitled, "One Starry Night" is among the 'Missing or Less Syndicated Episodes' that I myself have never seen...

 

Thanks Again for the Complete Uncut Episodes regarding The Donna Reed Show: Season Three!!! We have been enjoying 'Season Three' from this Classic TV Series Immensely!!!!! : )  

 

The Very Best of Luck To You with your 'Season Four Release' concerning this TV Series, The Donna Reed Show!

 

Sincerely,

 

Mark Cataline

 

P. S. If you also include a lot of 'Special Features' with 'Season Four' regarding "The Donna Reed Show" which you had talked about in your 'Press Release' on September 30, 2009, can you imagine the 'Excitement' that would be generated for this 'Fourth Season' "Donna Reed Show" DVD Box Set???-that would also contain the 'Missing Episodes' from this Wonderful Classic TV Series!!!! 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is also a letter to me from Joe Amodei's Wife as follows:

Mr. Cataline,

 

We currently do not have Season 4 of The Donna Reed Show on our release schedule. We are unsure at this moment if we will in fact release this season. I assure you if we do in fact release it you will be notified.

 

Thank you for your enthusiasm for this series and I hope you enjoy our upcoming release “Family Favorites of The Donna Reed Show” (April 13, 2010)

 

Thanks again!

 

Kate Amodei 

 


Edited by Greg2356 - 3/10/10 at 12:29pm
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post #2 of 338
3/10/10 at 12:48pm
That's too bad

I hope it's just temporary and they're able to negotiate a new agreement to continue.
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post #3 of 338
3/10/10 at 12:57pm
I'm really disappointed to hear this. We were motoring along so well on this show and still had another 5 seasons to go. Too bad we don't have more details as to what went wrong.
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post #4 of 338
3/10/10 at 1:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil Brock View Post

I'm really disappointed to hear this. We were motoring along so well on this show and still had another 5 seasons to go. Too bad we don't have more details as to what went wrong.
 

Yeah, this news is a bummer.  I got an e-mail from Gary earlier so I checked here.

At least we got 3 seasons released before this happened.  Maybe another distribution deal can be worked out with someone else...."Shout"?
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post #5 of 338
3/10/10 at 2:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil Brock View Post

I'm really disappointed to hear this. We were motoring along so well on this show and still had another 5 seasons to go. Too bad we don't have more details as to what went wrong.
 
Yes, maybe "Shout! Factory" will take it over, since it seems to be doing a Wonderful Job according to them with the  'Complete Series' of the "Leave It To Beaver" TV Sitcom, with some very Clear Print Transfers. Maybe this is really 'Good News' after all concerning The Donna Reed Show! Maybe we will get more 'Extra Features' than we did with "Virgil Films & Entertainment." We will just have to wait and see... Who knows they may even do the whole show over again offering us a 'Complete Box Set' of all Five Seasons of "The Donna Reed Show" ( I can dream can't I?) just like they are now doing with the "Leave It To Beaver" TV Series  since "Shout! Factory" has now taken it over from Universal Pictures!

I really have no idea what is going to happen or even what company will have the 'Rights' to release "The Donna Reed Show" in hopefully the very near future, but I have a 'Good Vibe' about this series' continued release! 

You notice that I don't mention the release of seasons 6 through 8 for the very reason that Donna Reed's Children do not own the 'Trust Rights' to these last three seasons as of this present time. According to Paul Petersen various 'Share Owners' have the 'Rights' to the remaining three seasons of this series which involve 'Music Rights.'

If you would like to email 'Shout! Factory' about releasing the remaining seasons of "The Donna Reed Show" their email address is:  info@shoutfactory.com   

 

Edited by Greg2356 - 3/28/10 at 9:55pm
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post #6 of 338
3/10/10 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry about the Big Print in my last Post! It was a mistake that was taken from my Personal Email Account. I didn't want to write it 'All Over Again' in smaller print.
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post #7 of 338
3/10/10 at 2:36pm
If you click advanced reply, you can adjust things like font size.

I'm hoping this has been a surprising success for the rights holders and they want a better deal after this previous one concluded or was terminated.
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post #8 of 338
3/10/10 at 2:40pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you Leo for your advice, I appreciate it! 

I do think you might be correct about the right holders wanting a better deal!!! Exactly what I was thinking!
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post #9 of 338
3/10/10 at 3:27pm
Thread Starter 
So SORRY about the news concerning this series being stalled! I can't stand negative news regarding "The Donna Reed Show." I was suspicious something was not right weeks ago with this series when I saw that only 'Four Episodes' were being released, and from the Previous Seasons 1 through 3. So I had sent Virgil Films & Entertainment an email asking them if the 'Fourth Season' was still in the works. I had received no answer from them until I sent this last 'Email Letter' out to them today.
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post #10 of 338
3/10/10 at 4:24pm
Doesn't Sony/Colpix own the rights to the later seasons? Then perhaps SHOUT! would pick it up?
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post #11 of 338
3/10/10 at 5:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeWilson View Post

Doesn't Sony/Colpix own the rights to the later seasons? Then perhaps SHOUT! would pick it up?
I don't know Denny concerning what you say about Sony/Colpix owning the Rights to the later seasons. Hopefully you know something that I don't know!
It has been over a year since I heard Paul Petersen say on "The Shokus Radio Show" when they asked him if 'Sony Pictures' owned the Rights to the last 3 years of "The Donna Reed Show," and Paul definitely said in a very straightforward voice that 'Sony' didn't own the 'Rights' to these last three seasons of this series. He added though, that if "The Donna Reed Show" continues to sell as well as it has been selling on Amazon.com then you know they will release the last remaining seasons of this show. Paul Petersen said this just after the 'First Season' of "The Donna Reed Show" had been released.
Edited by Greg2356 - 3/10/10 at 6:04pm
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post #12 of 338
3/10/10 at 9:13pm
As I recall, when Sony reconstituted the Donna Reed syndication package and choped off a hundred episodes, the 6th and 7th season were both yanked out. Not that this would have any bearing on a DVD deal but just interesting that those seasons haven't been seen in a very long time.
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post #13 of 338
3/10/10 at 11:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil Brock View Post

As I recall, when Sony reconstituted the Donna Reed syndication package and choped off a hundred episodes, the 6th and 7th season were both yanked out. Not that this would have any bearing on a DVD deal but just interesting that those seasons haven't been seen in a very long time.

Yes, that is true! When "The Donna Reed Show" started airing on a Local TV Station every Weeknight at 7 PM. in my area, and this was two years before the "Nick at Nite" TV Network started broadcasting it, Season 4 and Seasons 6 & 7 were taken out of the Syndication Rerun Package. But now, Season Eight is being held hostage as well so to speak. And Season 4 for some reason is free to be released on 'Home DVD' since Donna Reed's Children won the 'Trust Rights' as you already know to the first 'Five Seasons' of their Mother's Show. Donna Reed had Four Children in which each child was given a large amount of personal episode ownership of their very own from their Mother's TV Series.  Maybe one of the Children that owned some of the episodes from the 'Fourth Season' regarding "The Donna Reed Show" balked, and didn't approve of their---------------- previous negotiated deal with "Virgil Films & Entertainment" or maybe they didn't approve of how the Virgil Films Studio was handing their Mother's TV Series concerning possibly 'Print Quality Issues.' 

Of course, I am only guessing here...  I am pretty sure though, that once another deal is negotiated with either "Virgil Films and Entertainment" or another studio, that this 'Season Four' will be released sometime in the near future. Hopefully, it will be in the Very Near Future!!!!

Edited by Greg2356 - 3/12/10 at 12:28am
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post #14 of 338
3/11/10 at 7:25am
I wonder if music rights has anything to do with Season 4 not being released. If they couldn't get the rights to "Johnny Angel" and other music used in this season it might not have been worth releasing. If the songs had to be cut fans would have been angry. If the songs were kept and paid for, the season set might be too expensive. Nobody really knows why season 4 was removed from syndication. There could be rights issues with this season. Sorry to hear about this. I just bought the first 3 seasons.
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post #15 of 338
3/11/10 at 11:59am
Thread Starter 
You made a lot of Good Points Gary! I was wondering how Season Four was going to be released myself after all these years of not being available for Syndication! There certainly is something going on for sure! Who knew when the Producers made this show that 'Music Rights' were going to STOP so many Seasons of this Fun Classic TV Show from ever being shown to the public, and that the very viewers that love this show so much were going to be denied access to it! How depressing, frustrating and just Plain Sad. I am sure if Donna Reed knew this was going to take place concerning 'Music Right Issues' she would have said, NO WAY IS POPULAR MUSIC GOING TO BE ALLOWED ON THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!! 
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post #16 of 338
3/11/10 at 1:08pm
Was popular music ever even on the show? 

It's my impression that songs like Johnny Angel became popular after appearing on this program, rather then the other way around and being used because they were popular songs.
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post #17 of 338
3/11/10 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
"Johnny Angel" had already been performed by a 'Girl Group' before Shelley Fabares sang it. One is a mere Demo Recording, but the other was actually released in 1960 on Decca 31075 and sung by Girl Singer Geogia Lee before Shelley Fabares sang it in a 1962 Episode of "The Donna Reed Show" Two examples of this song "Johnny Angel" can be heard by clicking on this link below:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyv_LaxrKyA&feature=related
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post #18 of 338
3/11/10 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
Also in later years popular music was played in the background of "The Donna Reed Show" that had already been featured in movies. For example, in "From Here To Eternity" when Donna Reed had played her character Alma 'Lorene' Burke, a popular music tune was played in the background when she first met her Boyfriend named Robert E. Lee Pruett, and this same music was later used in the background of a 'Restaurant Scene' during the 'Seventh Season' of "The Donna Reed Show" entitled, "Operation Anniversary." And later Pop Star 'Lesley Gore' sang her very Popular Hit Song entitled, "It's My Party" on an episode from the "Eight Season" of "The Donna Reed Show" that was entitled, "By Line--Jeffrey Stone."
Edited by Greg2356 - 3/11/10 at 5:28pm
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post #19 of 338
3/11/10 at 5:07pm
This is sad news. I was hoping that we would be getting the fourth season this year!
Here is hoping that Virgil, or Shout Factory get the rights and we can continue to purchase the remaining seasons.
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post #20 of 338
3/11/10 at 9:15pm
Thread Starter 
Don't you worry Rodney, I am going to be on top of this situation which concerns such an important matter as being able to view future episodes of "The Donna Reed Show." I am getting more upset about this, now that the initial SHOCK is subsiding! I have always been a very 'Avid Crusader' when it comes to this Great TV Series!!!!!! Just when we all get to enjoy "The Donna Reed Show" after years of longing for it, this show is just suddenly ripped away from us, when we had needed this show more than ever, considering the state of the world!

I will certainly be posting about any further developments that concern this Wonderful Show!!!!!

Edited by Greg2356 - 3/11/10 at 9:52pm
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post #21 of 338
3/12/10 at 2:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg2356 View Post

Don't you worry Rodney, I am going to be on top of this situation which concerns such an important matter as being able to view future episodes of "The Donna Reed Show." I am getting more upset about this, now that the initial SHOCK is subsiding! I have always been a very 'Avid Crusader' when it comes to this Great TV Series!!!!!! Just when we all get to enjoy "The Donna Reed Show" after years of longing for it, this show is just suddenly ripped away from us, when we had needed this show more than ever, considering the state of the world!

I will certainly be posting about any further developments that concern this Wonderful Show!!!!!

 

Thanks, keep us posted on this one. This show is my 2nd all-time best blind-buy show on DVD.  Somehow, I missed watching this one years ago but it's a gem for my collection!
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post #22 of 338
3/12/10 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
I think that is really great Jeff that you discovered a show such as this... It takes me back to remembering when I too had first discovered "The Donna Reed Show." I didn't start watching the "The Donna Reed Show" until I was ten years of age. And the reason I didn't start viewing this great series until I was 10 Years Old was for the very fact that I had seldom watched any Nighttime TV since I was too busy doing other things, like playing. And during the Summer Months, I'd stay outside playing until it got dark, and had no real interest in Nighttime Television. Until one Summer Evening, I came in from outside, and my Mother was watching "The Donna Reed Show" when it was in it's 'Sixth Season'- Well, that was it for me!!!!!!! I had spotted that 'Beautiful Face' of Donna Reed and the Rest Is HISTORY!!!!!!! I Never Stopped Watching "The Donna Reed Show" from that time on!!!!!! Of course, after this show went off the air in 1966 I had no choice, and 'The Daytime ABC Reruns' also went off as well. This show only came on for a brief period of time in the very late 60's on a 'Local Independent TV Station' in my area. And like I said in a previous post, during the early 1980's in which I believe it was in the year of 1983, this series had returned to my Local Area, and then two years later the "Nick at Nite" TV Cable Network picked it up for a run of Nine Years!!!!!

Anyway Jeff, I wonder if you felt the same Excitement & Enthusiasm for this "Donna Reed Show Series" as I did, when I had first discovered it at the age of ten? Just a thought! 
 

Edited by Greg2356 - 3/12/10 at 2:22pm
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post #23 of 338
3/12/10 at 6:01pm
Greg, I'm a big fan of this show too. In fact, just yesterday I was thinking that season 4 would probably be out for mother's day and that I hadn't heard any news about it yet. I wasn't at all worried because I was under the impression that the first 5 seasons would definitely get released. Boy was I bummed when I read your post! I really hope we do get the rest of the seasons some time soon. I was born in '67 so I didn't start enjoying the show until the Nick at Night run. Please keep us posted with any news, I know I'll be constantly checking this section for any Donna Reed threads!
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post #24 of 338
3/13/10 at 3:11am
Thread Starter 
I am happy to hear Bob that your a 'Big Fan' like me in regards to "The Donna Reed Show." I often thought it would be kind of fun to get together with a lot of devoted fans of this Great Sitcom and watch it together!

I know first hand that Donna Reed's Children worked very hard for many years to retrieve the "Trust Rights" to these 'Five Seasons' of their Mother's TV Program. So it just stands to reason that they will do everything possible to see to it that all 'Five Seasons' concerning their Mother's Television Series will be released!

I am looking into this matter hour by hour to try to find the answers of what is really going on with these "Donna Reed Show" Season Episodes! It's truly a labor of love!!!!!

I can't wait to view 'Season Four' since I haven't seen many of the episodes from this Particular Season! When I hopefully get the chance to see these episodes, to me it will be like watching Brand New Episodes of The Donna Reed Show! It will be so much FUN!!!!!!!!!

Furthermore, whenever I watch the "Donna Reed Show," it is just like receiving one Big Continual Hug!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Edited by Greg2356 - 3/13/10 at 3:35am
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post #25 of 338
3/13/10 at 5:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg2356 View Post

I think that is really great Jeff that you discovered a show such as this... It takes me back to remembering when I too had first discovered "The Donna Reed Show." I didn't start watching the "The Donna Reed Show" until I was ten years of age. And the reason I didn't start viewing this great series until I was 10 Years Old was for the very fact that I had seldom watched any Nighttime TV since I was too busy doing other things, like playing. And during the Summer Months, I'd stay outside playing until it got dark, and had no real interest in Nighttime Television. Until one Summer Evening, I came in from outside, and my Mother was watching "The Donna Reed Show" when it was in it's 'Sixth Season'- Well, that was it for me!!!!!!! I had spotted that 'Beautiful Face' of Donna Reed and the Rest Is HISTORY!!!!!!! I Never Stopped Watching "The Donna Reed Show" from that time on!!!!!! Of course, after this show went off the air in 1966 I had no choice, and 'The Daytime ABC Reruns' also went off as well. This show only came on for a brief period of time in the very late 60's on a 'Local Independent TV Station' in my area. And like I said in a previous post, during the early 1980's in which I believe it was in the year of 1983, this series had returned to my Local Area, and then two years later the "Nick at Nite" TV Cable Network picked it up for a run of Nine Years!!!!!

Anyway Jeff, I wonder if you felt the same Excitement & Enthusiasm for this "Donna Reed Show Series" as I did, when I had first discovered it at the age of ten? Just a thought! 
 

 

It's interesting for me, having not seen this show when it aired, originally or in syndication.  I'm still not sure how I missed this one over the years since I was around as you were back then, most likely a little younger.

What I saw with this show on DVD, was the great chemistry between the main cast.  It's the best sitcom from that era that I've seen.  The "kids" play off each other very well and remind me of my own sister and myself back then :)  I also think that Donna R and Carl Betz worked well together.  That's the first time I'd seen Carl Betz in something other than a "bad guy" in one of those QM production cop shows :)

I also like the S1 opening theme tune.  That's one of my favorite TV tunes.

Up until "Smallville", Donna Reed was my #1 blind-buy running away.  I know that's a strange combination (SV / DR)   I only have 2 TV/DVD shows since the mid 90's in my collection.
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post #26 of 338
3/14/10 at 12:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Willis View Post

It's interesting for me, having not seen this show when it aired, originally or in syndication.  I'm still not sure how I missed this one over the years since I was around as you were back then, most likely a little younger.

What I saw with this show on DVD, was the great chemistry between the main cast. It's the best sitcom from that era that I've seen. The "kids" play off each other very well and remind me of my own sister and myself back then :)  I also think that Donna R and Carl Betz worked well together.  That's the first time I'd seen Carl Betz in something other than a "bad guy" in one of those QM production cop shows :)

I also like the S1 opening theme tune.  That's one of my favorite TV tunes.

Up until "Smallville", Donna Reed was my #1 blind-buy running away.  I know that's a strange combination (SV / DR)   I only have 2 TV/DVD shows since the mid 90's in my collection.
 
Of course, you know that the main actor who plays 'Clark' in "Smallville" is in real life Donna Reed's Great Grandson? Didn't You?? I guess by now, most everyone knows this... So maybe for you Jeff, this is the connective link between these two very different series, do you think this could be true??  Sorry, my rather Weird Sense of humor had just gotten let out of the bag here for just a moment... Blush Blush--SORRY ABOUT THAT!!!!!!!!!! I Was Just Trying To Kid You!!!!!!!!  But, I am back now...  Really, I am!!!!

In all seriousness though, It is difficult to believe that if Donna Reed were still alive today, she would have been 88 Years of age! This is a True Fact!!!!!!

Maybe the reason Jeff that you were not aware of "The Donna Reed Show" when you were younger is that like me, your parents put you to bed early like 8 PM. Of course, I was only five years old when I first  remembered this bedtime hour, but still- I never had a chance to even caught a glimpse of my parents watching the Donna Reed Show Series. But when me and my brothers got older like when I was eight and my younger brother was seven and my older brother was 12, we all revolted especially my older brother during one Summer Evening when my mom had us still going to bed at 8PM. We couldn't sleep because it was just too darn light!!!! And my older brother started to complain vehemently, and yelled downstairs to my mom that he couldn't sleep because it was way  too light to be able to sleep!!!!!! And my younger brother and I backed up my older brother with our own complaints, and so my Mom & Dad let us get up! Well, my Mother took pity on all of us after that, and from that Summer Evening on, are Bedtime was changed to 9 PM in the summer months as well as in the winter months. Nevertheless, I still didn't happen to see "The Donna Reed Show" summer or winter until I was Ten!!!! I guess I was just too busy during the winter months in playing with my  Lincoln Logs, Erector Set, Tinker Toys or my Crystal Radio Set. All fun Sixties' Toys, but I don't believe I had them all at one time since I use to play with the same Toys for a long period of time! Wow!  I haven't thought about these Childhood Toys for many years now! 

I agree with you Jeff, the chemistry between the Donna Reed Cast Members is incredibly strong indeed! As for the Theme Song, when I was in Fifth Grade my parents bought us kids a Big Reel to Reel Large Size  Tape Recorder that my Brothers and "Yours Truly" could share together. It was a Family Tape Recorder. We all played together with that Tape Recorder so much that my Dad had to take it into a Repair Shop to get all new parts! Anyway, I waited for the Novelty of this Tape Machine to wear off a bit in regards to my siblings interest in it, and then started using this Tape Recorder to Record the "Donna Reed Show's Theme Song! Well, I took this Tape Recorder into my room so I could turn the volume up  and  just enjoy playing this Theme Song from the Seventh Season and also the Beginning Season Theme Songs as well that were played during the Ending Credits of this show. I use to play these various variations regarding "The Donna Reed Show" Theme Song for hours on end!! So I can relate to what you say Jeff about your enjoyment concerning the First Season Donna Reed Show Theme Song! I had to record this First Season Theme Song from the 'Closing Credits' of this series during the ABC Daytime Reruns, since the 'Opening Theme Song' only had one variation of 'Donna Reed Show Theme Song' with a kind of an old fashioned rough sounding horn which they used for the reruns no matter if it was the 1st Season, the 2nd Season, the 5th Season, the 7th Season or for that matter the 8th Season! They used this same variation of the "Donna Reed Show Theme Song" during the 'Opening Credits' for every  season featuring this very rough around the edges horn for lack of a better way to describe the Tonal Quality of this instrument. And the 'Opening  Credits Scene' we now see on DVD for the 'Third Season' which is really the Opening Scene for the 'Fourth Season' of "The Donna Reed Show" was shown on the "ABC Daytime Reruns" every weekday no matter what season was being aired at the time with this same Rough Sounding Horn  being used to play out the notes of 'The Donna Reed Show Theme Tune'.  And just before a Regular Ring Tone was heard during these Beginning Credits of this show, you would hear this Funny Loud Clanging Noise as if someone had dropped an instrument or something, it is very hard to describe! And then after that you would hear a Short Ringing Tone coming directly off of this Clanging Noise. It was a very Weird Sounding Noise Indeed! I used to say when I would hear this 'Clanging Type Noise' just  before the Ring Tone, "I wonder why they did that for?" And my Mother's  Comment was: "Well, at least it gets your Attention!" And I had thought to myself, "Yeah she is probably right, it must be an attention grabber."

I can certainly understand why Jeff that you would be so attracted to this Donna Reed Show Series when you said that it reminded you of 'You and Your Sister' when you were growing up! And then the Mary Stone Character and the other cast members as well, saying your name, Jeff, is just an added bonus for you to enjoy!!
 

Edited by Greg2356 - 3/15/10 at 7:56am
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post #27 of 338
3/14/10 at 10:40am
Funny "Smallville")  Har har  You actually had me going there for a few seconds

Early bed times....summer outside.....ice cream truck coming down the street.....mowing lawns.....Lincoln Logs.....great memories :)

We're probably about the same age  - I'm 55. 

I have 1 sister - no brothers.  She's 4 yrs older and is doing well.... :) very well....married a millionaire and they travel around the world for ice-skating events, big fans.

Dad used to watch the Dick Van Dyke Show back then, and Naked City, Combat! (that one's my all-time holy grail show), The Fugitive, Dennis the Menace, LITB, and Gunsmoke.  Those are the ones I remember Dad watching most of the time.  Mom worked during prime-time most weekday evenings so she didn't watch much TV back then.  That's probably why I missed this show back then and just somehow missed it during the syndication years.

Here's the tune from a site :)

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Donna_Reed_Show.html

I have that one in my WAV playlist on the PC.
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post #28 of 338
3/14/10 at 12:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Willis View Post

Funny "Smallville")  Har har  You actually had me going there for a few seconds

Early bed times....summer outside.....ice cream truck coming down the street.....mowing lawns.....Lincoln Logs.....great memories :)

We're probably about the same age  - I'm 55. 

I have 1 sister - no brothers.  She's 4 yrs older and is doing well.... :) very well....married a millionaire and they travel around the world for ice-skating events, big fans.

Dad used to watch the Dick Van Dyke Show back then, and Naked City, Combat! (that one's my all-time holy grail show), The Fugitive, Dennis the Menace, LITB, and Gunsmoke.  Those are the ones I remember Dad watching most of the time.  Mom worked during prime-time most weekday evenings so she didn't watch much TV back then.  That's probably why I missed this show back then and just somehow missed it during the syndication years.

Here's the tune from a site :)

http://www.televisiontunes.com/Donna_Reed_Show.html

I have that one in my WAV playlist on the PC.

Thanks Jeff for the Donna Reed Show Tune!!!! I once had that song on a Cassette Tape that I had received for a Christmas Present back in the 1990's. But that tape gave out on me sometime ago. And then I had it as a WAV File, but I lost that too because my computer at that time gave out!!!!! So it was great hearing that song again on the link you so kindly added to your Post!!! Thanks Again!!!! And Yeah, your right that we are close to the same age since I just turned 57 this past December. Yes, I do remember very well the Ice Cream Trucks coming down the street and running into the house to get some change from my parents in order to purchase an Ice Cream Bar. And Mowing Lawns!!!! Boy do I remember that!!!!! I spent a lot of time Mowing Lawns since we had three of them!! I loved that more innocent time, and "The Donna Reed Show" is very reflective of that Fun & Cozy era. : )

Our family watched all those shows that you listed! I believe that my Grandmother was quite a fan of "Naked City." My father just absolutely loved "Combat" it was his most favorite show! My younger brother was really into to the "Dick Van Dyke Show" in fact, we all were at that time... So many quality shows to pick from back then- it was Truly Wonderful!!!!!!
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post #29 of 338
3/15/10 at 8:12am
For any reading that have deglected to get into the Donna Reed show so far, DD is having a pretty good sale on the first two seasons for between $15 and $16 a season.

I bought season one a while back but have lacked the time to watch it yet (in other words it hasn't made its way into the rotation), but I just picked up season two knowing all the good reviews.
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post #30 of 338
3/15/10 at 8:23am
Plus DD has season 3 at $23 something.  A lot cheaper than Amazon
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