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The Donna Reed Show: SEASON 4 - Page 10

post #271 of 338
10/1/11 at 9:38am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary OS View Post

Thanks again for another wonderful update, Mark!

 

 

Gary "just in time for Christmas - yippie!!!" O.


You're so Welcome, Gary! This is indeed Wonderful News!! So many people are excited about it, Mary said we should also thank Jim Pierson from MPI and Dan Wingate from Sony Pictures.

Directly below is a quote from Mary Owen on the "We Love The Donna Reed Show" page that is on Facebook. This is after people were thanking her for her important role in getting this fourth season of her Mom's show released onto DVD. The Mark she is mentioning is Yours truly. Tim is another great supporter on Facebook who has created some great tributes to "The Donna Reed Show" utilizing photos and some very creative props! Jude is the one who originally put up the "We Love The Donna Reed Show" page who is obviously a great supporter. Jay is another great supporter on Facebook and a huge Fan of Season Four episodes from "The Donna Reed Show" in which he had viewed decades ago!!

Quote from Mary Owen: "Thank YOU ALL for being such a consistently devoted and supportive group! We must also thank Jim Pierson from MPI, and Dan Wingate over at Sony--they are both on FB--the work they've put into Season 4 has been amazing. It makes me so happy to feel your enthusiam everyone--Mark, Tim, Jude--JAY--you guys are simply incredible!"
Edited by Greg2356 - 10/1/11 at 5:48pm
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post #272 of 338
10/1/11 at 11:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Obsolete Man View Post

Honestly, I think all four seasons of the Donna Reed show have had pretty horrible packaging.
But, as long as all the episodes are there, and complete, I don't care how bad the packaging looks. I'll only see it when I get the set, and when I take it off the shelf to watch it. And a few glimpses of bad packaging don't mean anything compared to actually having the episodes.

While it is true that Seasons Two & Three's packaging were nothing to write home about with their thick plastic cases, I thought Season One's packaging was fine with it's Cardboard Sleeve Case. And the cast picture on the front was very comforting to me, because I remember so well during the ABC Television Network Reruns of "The Donna Reed Show" whenever there was a technical problem, which happened more regularly in those days, this same cast picture from Season One would be put up on the screen by the ABC Television Network. And as far as the cast photo that was selected for the cover on this Season 4 DVD release, I just love it!!! And I know the rest of the packaging will be great too with no dreaded thick plastic cases anywhere in sight!! smile.gif
Edited by Greg2356 - 10/3/11 at 9:32am
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post #273 of 338
10/2/11 at 1:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg2356 View Post

While it is true that Seasons Two & Three's packaging were nothing to write home about with their plastic cases, I thought Season One's packaging was fine with it's Cardboard Sleeve Case....And I know the rest of the packaging will be great too with no dreaded plastic cases anywhere in sight!! smile.gif
While I prefer the dual slim-line amaray case in a sleeve packaging of S1 I have no problem with the wider plastic cases with 2-sided single disk type pages of S2/S3. At least they are not digipaks, or cardboard pages, or in paper sleeves, or that horrible "spring" digipak design of Car 54!

I'll pick this up no matter what type packaging is used but hopefully it'll be something sane.

You say "no dreaded plastic cases anywhere in sight" - Do you know how S4 will be packaged?
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post #274 of 338
10/2/11 at 10:16pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobO'Link View Post

While I prefer the dual slim-line amaray case in a sleeve packaging of S1 I have no problem with the wider plastic cases with 2-sided single disk type pages of S2/S3. At least they are not digipaks, or cardboard pages, or in paper sleeves, or that horrible "spring" digipak design of Car 54!
I'll pick this up no matter what type packaging is used but hopefully it'll be something sane.
You say "no dreaded plastic cases anywhere in sight" - Do you know how S4 will be packaged?

I surely shouldn't have said all dreaded (plastic) cases. I was thinking of the thick plastic cases of Seasons 1 and 2 which to me have a very cheap look about them like a public domain product. On my Season 2 case the clear plastic over the photo was starting to peal off, so I finally had to secure it with scotch tape. I guess, that maybe I've been handing the case too often, since I do post episodes each week for discussion on the "We Love The Donna Reed Show" page. Even though it is true, that I don't like the look of the thick plastic cases especially since they don't match the first season packaging which I certainly did like, it is also true that the slim plastic cases are used on many DVD products even if there in a cardboard sleeve. I don't mind this design that much, but I too strongly preferred the dual slim-line amaray media case design placed in a sleeve that was utilized for Season 1 of "The Donna Reed Show." To answer your question Bob, no I don't know exactly how S4 will be packaged. I just hope it won't be with those rather cheap looking thick plastic cases, but I truly don't believe the packaging will be like this for the Season 4 DVDs from MPI. "The Donna Reed Show" deserves much better than this...
Edited by Greg2356 - 10/3/11 at 9:51am
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post #275 of 338
10/3/11 at 1:18am
So exactly which episodes were not in syndication?
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post #276 of 338
10/5/11 at 2:14pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DeWilson View Post

So exactly which episodes were not in syndication?

Please bear with me, I want to answer your question, but some new information has been discovered. And I need time to sort it all out! I've been extremely busy, so I don't know exactly when I'll found the time to re-edit this post to give you the exact information you're seeking. I will say this to you though: The seasons they had taken away most of the episodes from starting in the 1980's for syndicated purposes concerning "The Donna Reed Show" were from Seasons 4, 6, 7, and among these seasons I've just mentioned, they took away most all the episodes except for about three. I'll give you the exact episode titles after I go through my newly required research information. I just wanted to answer your post so you wouldn't think I was deliberately ignoring your question! smile.gif
Edited by Greg2356 - 10/5/11 at 2:41pm
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post #277 of 338
10/5/11 at 6:15pm
I'm new to this forum. I've read all the comments from the beginning up to current. I see that it has been discussed in the past, which episodes were pulled from syndication. Now that this question has come up again, I thought I would reply, as I have studied television history for years and have the answer to this question.

Most Donna Reed Show fans already know that Seasons 4, 6, 7 were pulled from the syndication (or rerun) package in the early to mid 1980s. However, these episodes were not pulled by the season in which they aired...they were pulled by the season in which they were filmed.

At the end of each filming season, there were usually two episodes ready to go for the next season. For example, the first two episodes of Season 3 ("Weekend" and "The Mystery Woman") were filmed at the end of Season 2. (You'll notice that Donna's hairstyle and Shelley's hairstyle change in the third episode of Season 3, "Donna Decorates").

Seasons 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 aired in the 1980s syndication package which aired on Nick-at-Nite. There were two Season 4 episodes that actually aired during the Nick-at-Nite run: "A Rose is a Rose" and "The Mouse at Play". This is because they were filmed at the end of Season 3 and were counted as Season 3.

All episodes filmed during Season 4 were pulled from the syndication package, which includes, "Mister Nice Guy"; which filmed at the end of Season 4, but aired as the first episode of Season 5. When Season 5 aired on Nick-at-Nite, we didn't see this episode, because it filmed during Season 4 and was counted as Season 4 (and episodes filmed during Season 4 were pulled from the syndication package). So when Season 5 is released on DVD, everyone will get to see an episode that hasn't been seen in years (the first episode of Season 5, "Mr. Nice Guy").

In the Season 6 episode, "What Are Friends For", some people think Shelley returned to the show for this episode (even though she is only seen for a minute). However, this episode was filmed at the end of Season 5, but aired as the 11th episode of Season 6. Even though this episode is Season 6, it aired on Nick-at-Nite, because it was filmed during Season 5 and was counted as Season 5.

Everything filmed during Season 6 and Season 7 was pulled from the syndication package.

A total of 99 episodes were pulled from the syndication package (37 episodes from Season 4; 1 episode from Season 5; 31 episodes from Season 6; 30 episodes from Season 7).

I have copies of original Screen Gems lists that show these filming and air dates. I also taped all the episodes when they aired on Nick-at-Nite. What Nick-at-Nite aired matches what I have listed above.
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post #278 of 338
10/5/11 at 7:04pm

Kurt, fantastic first post!  That's very interesting information that I certainly never knew about.  So it sounds like almost all these Season Four episodes we'll be getting will be brand new to many of us.  Thanks and welcome to the forum!

 

 

Gary "now I'm even more excited about this upcoming set" O.

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post #279 of 338
10/5/11 at 9:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvhistory View Post

I'm new to this forum. I've read all the comments from the beginning up to current. I see that it has been discussed in the past, which episodes were pulled from syndication. Now that this question has come up again, I thought I would reply, as I have studied television history for years and have the answer to this question.
Most Donna Reed Show fans already know that Seasons 4, 6, 7 were pulled from the syndication (or rerun) package in the early to mid 1980s. However, these episodes were not pulled by the season in which they aired...they were pulled by the season in which they were filmed.
At the end of each filming season, there were usually two episodes ready to go for the next season. For example, the first two episodes of Season 3 ("Weekend" and "The Mystery Woman") were filmed at the end of Season 2. (You'll notice that Donna's hairstyle and Shelley's hairstyle change in the third episode of Season 3, "Donna Decorates").
Seasons 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 aired in the 1980s syndication package which aired on Nick-at-Nite. There were two Season 4 episodes that actually aired during the Nick-at-Nite run: "A Rose is a Rose" and "The Mouse at Play". This is because they were filmed at the end of Season 3 and were counted as Season 3.
All episodes filmed during Season 4 were pulled from the syndication package, which includes, "Mister Nice Guy"; which filmed at the end of Season 4, but aired as the first episode of Season 5. When Season 5 aired on Nick-at-Nite, we didn't see this episode, because it filmed during Season 4 and was counted as Season 4 (and episodes filmed during Season 4 were pulled from the syndication package). So when Season 5 is released on DVD, everyone will get to see an episode that hasn't been seen in years (the first episode of Season 5, "Mr. Nice Guy").
In the Season 6 episode, "What Are Friends For", some people think Shelley returned to the show for this episode (even though she is only seen for a minute). However, this episode was filmed at the end of Season 5, but aired as the 11th episode of Season 6. Even though this episode is Season 6, it aired on Nick-at-Nite, because it was filmed during Season 5 and was counted as Season 5.
Everything filmed during Season 6 and Season 7 was pulled from the syndication package.
A total of 99 episodes were pulled from the syndication package (37 episodes from Season 4; 1 episode from Season 5; 31 episodes from Season 6; 30 episodes from Season 7).
I have copies of original Screen Gems lists that show these filming and air dates. I also taped all the episodes when they aired on Nick-at-Nite. What Nick-at-Nite aired matches what I have listed above.

Very well done Kurt!! And so interesting too! I had just recently learned about the episode entitled, "A Rose Is a Rose" being taken from the 'Season 4' year, which as you say was originally filmed in the 'Season 3' year of "The Donna Reed Show." And that is why I had always stated previously that only one episode which was entitled, "Mouse at Play" with Guest Stars Cloris Leachman and John Astin was not extracted from the 39 episodes that were cut from 'Season 4' in regards to "The Donna Reed Show" when it was in syndication in the 80's and early 90's. So I had always thought that 38 Episodes from 'Season 4' were not shown in Syndication in the 80's and early 90's from the original 39 episodes that had aired in the 'Season 4' year of "The Donna Reed Show." And I had just recently learned about the first episode from the 'Season 5' year entitled, "Mister Nice Guy" being completely taken out by the "Nick at Nite" Network when they had aired "The Donna Reed Show." I had always thought that "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was the very first episode from the 'Season 5" year. And you are very correct Kurt, that 99 Episodes were taken out all together from this Donna Reed Show Television Series and not 100 in which I had previously thought, because somebody incorrectly over at Screen Gems had once told me that 100 episodes were taken out for syndication purposes when I had called over there in 1984 to enquire about these missing episodes that my local TV Station was NOT airing from "The Donna Reed Show." I am so 'Very Happy' you have put all this together Kurt, since now I can relax, I was getting a headache in trying to put this whole thing together!! LOL. You did a Super Fantastic Job!!!!!! smile.gif
Edited by Greg2356 - 10/6/11 at 12:06am
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post #280 of 338
10/6/11 at 6:21am
Good News. Per the Amazon listing the release date has been moved up a week to December 13, 2011.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NHZAXM/ref=ox_ya_os_product
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post #281 of 338
10/6/11 at 11:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garysb View Post

Good News. Per the Amazon listing the release date has been moved up a week to December 13, 2011.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NHZAXM/ref=ox_ya_os_product

Gary, thanks for repeating this release date of December 13, 2011 in regards to "The Donna Reed Show" 'Season 4,' in which I had originally posted this same release date of December 13, 2011 here on the "Home Theater Forum" on September 26, 2011. It's the 14th post down on page 9.

Here is the exact 'Quote' from me from September 26, 2011 as follows: "I have just received the official word that "The Donna Reed Show" 'Season 4' will be released on December 13, 2011."Unquote.

This release date of December 13, 2011 originally came from Mary Owen on the evening of September 26, 2011, and she ought to know since she had to deal with MPI directly. Amazon.com and others had only gotten their info from retailers because they were being prospectively sought out to sell the DVDs. TVSHOWSonDVD had this same incorrect release date information of December 20, 2011 which they had posted on their Web-Site, but it was never truly the correct release date, it was only an approximate date.
Edited by Greg2356 - 10/6/11 at 4:23pm
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post #282 of 338
10/6/11 at 11:21pm
Thread Starter 
TV's ALL-TIME FAVORITE MOM IS BACK IN A DELUXE SET
OF RARE EPISODES NOT SEEN IN DECADES!

For nearly a decade, THE DONNA REED SHOW defined the great American
family situation comedy with a believable blend of heart and humor.
Starring Academy Award-winning actress DONNA REED (From Here To Eternity,
It's A Wonderful Life), as homemaker Donna Stone, CARL BETZ as her pediatrician
husband Alex, SHELLEY FABARES as daughter Mary and PAUL PETERSEN as
son Jeff, THE DONNA REED SHOW is an iconic slice of 1960s Americana that
attracted a whole new generation of fans when it was rebroadcast on "Nick At Nite"
beginning in 1985 and "TV Land" in the 1990s and 2000s.

THE DONNA REED SHOW SEASON 4 - THE LOST EPISODES features 39
unedited, digitally-remastered episodes that have not been syndicated for over
thirty years and never before available on home video.

Among the highlights are episodes that feature teen idols SHELLEY FABARES,
PAUL PETERSEN, and Special Guest Star: JAMES DARREN. Respectively singing
their hit records: Johnny Angel sung by Shelley, She Can't Find Her Keys
sung by Paul, and Goodbye Cruel World sung by the multi-talented James.

Classic TV guest stars include CLORIS LEACHMAN (The Mary Tyler Moore Show),
JOHN ASTIN (The Addams Family), GALE GORDON (Here's Lucy), WILLIAM
WINDOM (The Farmer's Daughter), JOHNNY CRAWFORD (The Rifleman)
JAMES DARREN (The Time Tunnel, TJ Hooker, Star Trek: Deep Space 9) and
SWOOSIE KURTZ (Sisters) plus baseball great DON DRYSDALE and others.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
*New Video Interviews with stars SHELLEY FABARES and PAUL PETERSEN
*Original DONNA REED SHOW ABC-TV promotional spots
*Original Cast Commercials plus Sponsor Opening & Closing Credits
*All-New Digitally Restored Masters
*Special Extended Episode
*New Featurette: THE DONNA REED SHOW ROCKS! with music composer,
and producer Stu Phillips
*Donna Reed Public Service Spot
*Photo Gallery

Approximately 18 hours - Not Rated
Edited by Greg2356 - 10/9/11 at 1:37pm
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post #283 of 338
10/7/11 at 10:04pm
Here are parts of an interview with Shelley Fabares where she talks about the show and Johnny Angel . She starts talking about the show at about the 6 minute mark of the first video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpvW4h3mgtg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz4VJWAJ1Fk&NR=1
Edited by Garysb - 10/7/11 at 10:33pm
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post #284 of 338
10/10/11 at 5:27pm
Thanks for posting the extras. Now with MPI in charge we are getting tons of good extras!! More than likely they will do a better job in remastering the episodes also. MPI does an outstanding job with their TV on DVD releases.
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post #285 of 338
10/10/11 at 7:18pm
Hey wouldn't that be great if they gave you the option to play the commercials/orig. credits via seamless branching just like The Lucy Show? That has to be my favorite special feature out of all my tv show dvds. I wish more shows were like that.
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post #286 of 338
10/10/11 at 7:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcbrad View Post

Thanks for posting the extras. Now with MPI in charge we are getting tons of good extras!! More than likely they will do a better job in remastering the episodes also. MPI does an outstanding job with their TV on DVD releases.

You are Very Welcome, Rick!! Yes, I've heard that MPI did a great job with re-mastering the Fourth Season episodes of "The Donna Reed Show!" I am very excited about this fact! Also: The 'Extra Features' should be a joy to watch!
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post #287 of 338
10/11/11 at 12:08am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob_S. View Post

Hey wouldn't that be great if they gave you the option to play the commercials/orig. credits via seamless branching just like The Lucy Show? That has to be my favorite special feature out of all my tv show dvds. I wish more shows were like that.

Yes Bob- The feature you had mentioned with the option to play the commercials/orig. credits via seamless branching as was done for "The Lucy Show" is indeed a great feature!!! I hope MPI will do this as well for The Donna Reed Show: Season 4 release. This would be truly Awesome!! smile.gif
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post #288 of 338
10/11/11 at 3:49pm
Another update from TSOD

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Donna-Reed-Season-4/16072

All episodes unedited, Johnny Angel and other songs will remain.
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post #289 of 338
10/11/11 at 4:14pm

     Quote:

Originally Posted by The Obsolete Man View Post

Another update from TSOD
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Donna-Reed-Season-4/16072
All episodes unedited, Johnny Angel and other songs will remain.


Absolutely fantastic news!  I'm really, really excited about this release!

 

 

Gary "great to see a song actually get cleared instead of cut nowadays" O.

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post #290 of 338
10/11/11 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary OS View Post

     Quote:

Absolutely fantastic news!  I'm really, really excited about this release!

 

 

Gary "great to see a song actually get cleared instead of cut nowadays" O.


Yes Gary! I remember many months ago when the parties involved were in heavy negotiations about the 'Music Rights." It was a very stressful time indeed, but in the end, everything had gotten cleared! Mary Owen had worked miracles!!! smile.gif
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post #291 of 338
10/11/11 at 5:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg2356 View Post

Yes Gary! I remember many months ago when the parties involved were in heavy negotiations about the 'Music Rights." It was a very stressful time indeed, but in the end, everything had gotten cleared! Mary Owen had worked miracles!!! smile.gif

I always find it amazing that smaller companies like MPI and Shout can wind up releasing shows with no music edits, but the big guys can't or won't manage to do the same thing.

However it happened, I'm glad to hear that a set I was planning on buying will escape the knife.
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post #292 of 338
10/11/11 at 6:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Obsolete Man View Post

I always find it amazing that smaller companies like MPI and Shout can wind up releasing shows with no music edits, but the big guys can't or won't manage to do the same thing.
However it happened, I'm glad to hear that a set I was planning on buying will escape the knife.

Yes Shane, it is truly great!! It took much concentrated effort and determination on Mary's part to get this job done! Even with the 'frazzled nerves' that it had taken to bring this fantastic accomplishment to a true realization, it was all well worth it in the end!! I can't wait to receive this product which has been desired for decades by so many people!
Edited by Greg2356 - 10/11/11 at 6:50pm
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post #293 of 338
10/21/11 at 9:18pm
Don't think I've posted since the release was announced so I just wanted to say how happy I am about it. banana.gif
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post #294 of 338
10/21/11 at 11:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elena S View Post

Don't think I've posted since the release was announced so I just wanted to say how happy I am about it. banana.gif

Nice to hear from you Elena!! I truly do share in your 'happiness' in regards to this release!!!!!!!!!!! dance.gif
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post #295 of 338
10/22/11 at 8:04pm
How come Mary Owen did the negotations for the music rights? What's MPI's part in all this, then? I assume they're funding it, handling the transfer process, creating the overall package, manufacturing, and retail distribution?

Surprised that it wasn't MPI that handled clearing music. That would typically be the case when a company like MPI or Shout licenses a property for release.
Edited by LeoAmes - 10/22/11 at 8:20pm
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post #296 of 338
10/23/11 at 2:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeoAmes View Post

How come Mary Owen did the negotations for the music rights? What's MPI's part in all this, then? I assume they're funding it, handling the transfer process, creating the overall package, manufacturing, and retail distribution?
Surprised that it wasn't MPI that handled clearing music. That would typically be the case when a company like MPI or Shout licenses a property for release.

Mary Owen has always worked diligently in the background for her Mother's Television Show DVD releases, which I had mentioned way back on this forum. She did much work for "Virgil Films & Entertainment" when they were releasing the first three seasons of her Mom's show. Mary was also involved in writing all the descriptive information for the show. And Mary and her friend had worked on the artwork for the DVD releases. Mary Owen was very actively involved with the 'Music Rights' deal even before MPI agreed to release this show's 'Fourth Season.' MPI of course has done all the re-mastering work and is handling the distribution of the product which goes without saying. Yes, it is a fact that Mary Owen is responsible in a very huge way for getting this 'Fourth Season' released, and is such a very competent and talented individual, and deserves so much credit for all the hard work she has done to bring her Mom's TV Show to DVD! If it wasn't for Mary Owen, 'Season 4' of "The Donna Reed Show" undoubtedly would have never stood a chance of ever being released onto DVD!
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post #297 of 338
10/23/11 at 4:56pm
I don't doubt she played a big role. smile.gif

I'm just surprised to hear that she was playing a part in securing music rights for this, rather than the employees that typically handle clearing assets for other MPI releases.
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post #298 of 338
10/23/11 at 6:31pm
Let's set the record straight for all those wondering...

Ever since Season 4 stopped airing on television, collectors and fans have talked on and on about "problems with rights"...which is a bunch of hearsay. It's true, sometimes TV series do have problems with music rights; but there haven't been any problems with rights with The Donna Reed Show...back then or now.

Reading some of the past postings on this forum, a few people wondered about rights and wondered about the films and if they were stored properly, etc. I've worked on TV show projects in the past; and due to this, I can tell you that these films have remained in the vaults where they have always been, and stored properly. There were no rights issues with Season 4 - all they had to do was pull the films and transfer them. If you've heard some other story, then you've heard or assumed incorrectly.
Edited by tvhistory - 10/23/11 at 6:58pm
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post #299 of 338
10/23/11 at 8:01pm
I find it extremely doubtful that something like the song "Johnny Angel" was free for them to use and didn't need to be cleared, possibly at the cost of thousands of dollars, with the copyright holder to secure permission for it to appear in this DVD release. I believe there are a couple of other songs that would also necessitate acquiring rights before releasing this. Donna Reed's family owns the rights to season 4 of The Donna Reed Show, they don't own the rights to things like Johnny Angel.
Edited by LeoAmes - 10/23/11 at 8:18pm
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post #300 of 338
10/23/11 at 8:47pm
I didn't say that they didn't get proper permission for song use. I said there were no problems with rights (because there have been previous posts about the possibilities of problems with song rights).
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