What's new

The Donna Reed Show: SEASON 4 (1 Viewer)

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
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.


[FONT= 'Calibri']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.[/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri'] [/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri']Joe Amodei[/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri']President, Virgil Films[/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri'] [/FONT]
[FONT= 'Tahoma']Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 7:39 AM
To: Joseph Amodei
Subject: The Donna Reed Show: Season 4[/FONT]



[FONT= 'Arial']Dear Joseph Amodei, [/FONT]
[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']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.' [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']Here now- is the current 'Revised Email Letter' as follows: [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']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!!!!!!!![/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']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."[/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']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."[/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']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...[/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']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!!!!! : ) [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']The Very Best of Luck To You with your 'Season Four Release' concerning this TV Series, The Donna Reed Show! [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']Sincerely,[/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']Mark Cataline [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial'] [/FONT]

[FONT= 'Arial']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:

[/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri']Mr. Cataline,[/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri'] [/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri']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. [/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri'] [/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri']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)[/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri'] [/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri']Thanks again![/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri'] [/FONT]
[FONT= 'Calibri']Kate Amodei[/FONT]
 

LeoA

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
3,550
Location
North Country
Real Name
Leo
That's too bad

I hope it's just temporary and they're able to negotiate a new agreement to continue.
 

Neil Brock

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2009
Messages
4,325
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.
 

Jeff Willis

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2005
Messages
3,386
Location
Dallas TX
Originally Posted by Neil Brock /img/forum/go_quote.gif
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"?
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
Originally Posted by Neil Brock /img/forum/go_quote.gif
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: [email protected]
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
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.
 

LeoA

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
3,550
Location
North Country
Real Name
Leo
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.
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
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!
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
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.
 

DeWilson

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
2,517
Real Name
Denny
Doesn't Sony/Colpix own the rights to the later seasons? Then perhaps SHOUT! would pick it up?
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
Originally Posted by DeWilson /img/forum/go_quote.gif
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.
 

Neil Brock

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2009
Messages
4,325
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.
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
Originally Posted by Neil Brock /img/forum/go_quote.gif
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!!!!
 

Garysb

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
5,849
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.
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
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!!!!!!!!!
 

LeoA

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
3,550
Location
North Country
Real Name
Leo
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.
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
"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:
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
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."
 

Rodney

Premium
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2001
Messages
2,404
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.
 

Greg2356

Supporting Actor
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
548
Real Name
Marc
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!!!!!
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Articles

Forum statistics

Threads
356,710
Messages
5,121,090
Members
144,146
Latest member
SaladinNagasawa
Recent bookmarks
0
Top