Peter Graves narrates this account of the life and five-decade career of Donna Belle Mullenger, from her humble beginnings in Denison, Iowa, through her many trials and triumphs, and culminating back in her hometown of Denison and points beyond, as the beloved star of film and television, Donna Reed.
Donna's formative years are characterized by hard work and determination, as the eldest of five siblings at the Mullenger family farm. Hers is a soft and caring disposition with an interest in collecting Hollywood movie memorabilia in conjunction with her family's weekly trips into Denison to enjoy a picture show.
When the Great Depression devastates many a neighboring farm, Donna empathizes with her friends and neighbors, who hopelessly lose their livelihoods, creating in Donna, at an early age, the need to champion the less-fortunate not in control of their very destinies.
In 1938, Donna accepts an invitation from her Aunt Mildred, to relocate to her Los Angeles residence, while studying a secretarial curriculum at Lost Angeles City College, at which she participates in stage productions, but doesn't consider an acting career at this point, rather to concentrate upon her studies.
But in 1940, when she is named "Campus Queen," she also competes for and is awarded a pageant title, "Miss Southgate of 1940." After much press coverage, Donna captures the attention of film studio scouts and chiefs alike, and she is offered an MGM film contract, in 1941, which would eventually lead to her fame under the stage name of Donna Reed.
Donna and Make-up artist Bill Tuttle soon shock fans by announcing a speedy marriage, and, once again, with a speedy divorce within a two-year span, while remaining on amicable terms.
Soon, however, Donna would marry struggling Producer Tony Owens, with whom she would adopt two and deliver two children, during a busy period in her career, as she moves from MGM to Columbia and onto Universal Studios, performing in many roles, improving her talents, while aiming toward challenging film projects, and receiving a Best Supporting Actress award along the path.
After ending her tenure with Universal, Donna risks her livelihood by embarking upon Tony's To-Don Productions, in search of a television starring vehicle with which she may exercise creative and financial decisions. Together, they Co-produce "The Donna Reed Show," which lasts for eight seasons, creating in Donna an inspirational role model for domestic tranquility amid troubling times in the world.
Donna would never compromise upon her sense of fairness, as she continues her activism, at the end of her television series' period, by co-founding "Another Mother for Peace," an organization opposing American involvement in the war in southeast Asia, while campaigning for a "Secretary of Peace" post in the federal government.
Throughout this period, Donna Reed would accept acting roles on television and in film. After her marriage with Tony reaches its ending, she is introduced to retired U. S. Army Colonel Grover Asmus, who reports that he proposed to her every day for three years before she decides not to fight him off any further.
One final role which Donna eagerly accepts is offered by "Dallas" series producers as the second "Miss Ellie" after the voluntary exit of its originator, whom they court back after Donna's one season, and to Donna's dismay. Donna's last "Dallas" episode, "Swan Song," actually becomes her final acting performance.
Grover Asmus, Shelley Fabares and Norma Connolly and several other close associates would found "the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts," in her hometown of Denison, Iowa, to which many celebrities would make an annual trip to hold workshops in acting and production (Paul Peterson often joins Shelley in conducting these), to prepare would-be entertainers with hands-on experience because Donna has often said that she felt unprepared to face Hollywood.
Says Biographer Jay Fultz, "Donna was intelligent, but not abrasive, sexy, but not siren-ish, and strong but not unfeminine." Indeed, Donna Reed is regarded as lovely and caring at every stage of her life and career, as Paul Peterson says, "She truly was a leading lady," and as Shelley Fabares adds, "The world is a better place because of her, more kind and more compassionate."
Interview Guests for this episode include four of Donna's Co-stars, Steve Allen, Jimmy Hawkins, Shelley Fabares and Paul Peterson; her first husband, Bill Tuttle; third husband, Grover Asmus; daughters, Penny Stiles and Mary Owens; Biographer Jay Fultz ("In Search of Donna Reed"); "Another Mother for Peace" Co-founder Norma Connolly; and Attorney Michael Donaldson.
Archive footage includes Donna with Co-stars James Stewart, Montgomery Clift, Cornel Wilde and Carl Betz, in speaking scenes.
Film Clips include a screen glimpse of Donna through the years, in scenes from "The Human Comedy" (1943), "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), "From Here to Eternity" (1953) and "The Benny Goodman Story" (1956), as well as television's "The Donna Reed Show" (1958-1966).
Donna's formative years are characterized by hard work and determination, as the eldest of five siblings at the Mullenger family farm. Hers is a soft and caring disposition with an interest in collecting Hollywood movie memorabilia in conjunction with her family's weekly trips into Denison to enjoy a picture show.
When the Great Depression devastates many a neighboring farm, Donna empathizes with her friends and neighbors, who hopelessly lose their livelihoods, creating in Donna, at an early age, the need to champion the less-fortunate not in control of their very destinies.
In 1938, Donna accepts an invitation from her Aunt Mildred, to relocate to her Los Angeles residence, while studying a secretarial curriculum at Lost Angeles City College, at which she participates in stage productions, but doesn't consider an acting career at this point, rather to concentrate upon her studies.
But in 1940, when she is named "Campus Queen," she also competes for and is awarded a pageant title, "Miss Southgate of 1940." After much press coverage, Donna captures the attention of film studio scouts and chiefs alike, and she is offered an MGM film contract, in 1941, which would eventually lead to her fame under the stage name of Donna Reed.
Donna and Make-up artist Bill Tuttle soon shock fans by announcing a speedy marriage, and, once again, with a speedy divorce within a two-year span, while remaining on amicable terms.
Soon, however, Donna would marry struggling Producer Tony Owens, with whom she would adopt two and deliver two children, during a busy period in her career, as she moves from MGM to Columbia and onto Universal Studios, performing in many roles, improving her talents, while aiming toward challenging film projects, and receiving a Best Supporting Actress award along the path.
After ending her tenure with Universal, Donna risks her livelihood by embarking upon Tony's To-Don Productions, in search of a television starring vehicle with which she may exercise creative and financial decisions. Together, they Co-produce "The Donna Reed Show," which lasts for eight seasons, creating in Donna an inspirational role model for domestic tranquility amid troubling times in the world.
Donna would never compromise upon her sense of fairness, as she continues her activism, at the end of her television series' period, by co-founding "Another Mother for Peace," an organization opposing American involvement in the war in southeast Asia, while campaigning for a "Secretary of Peace" post in the federal government.
Throughout this period, Donna Reed would accept acting roles on television and in film. After her marriage with Tony reaches its ending, she is introduced to retired U. S. Army Colonel Grover Asmus, who reports that he proposed to her every day for three years before she decides not to fight him off any further.
One final role which Donna eagerly accepts is offered by "Dallas" series producers as the second "Miss Ellie" after the voluntary exit of its originator, whom they court back after Donna's one season, and to Donna's dismay. Donna's last "Dallas" episode, "Swan Song," actually becomes her final acting performance.
Grover Asmus, Shelley Fabares and Norma Connolly and several other close associates would found "the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts," in her hometown of Denison, Iowa, to which many celebrities would make an annual trip to hold workshops in acting and production (Paul Peterson often joins Shelley in conducting these), to prepare would-be entertainers with hands-on experience because Donna has often said that she felt unprepared to face Hollywood.
Says Biographer Jay Fultz, "Donna was intelligent, but not abrasive, sexy, but not siren-ish, and strong but not unfeminine." Indeed, Donna Reed is regarded as lovely and caring at every stage of her life and career, as Paul Peterson says, "She truly was a leading lady," and as Shelley Fabares adds, "The world is a better place because of her, more kind and more compassionate."
Interview Guests for this episode include four of Donna's Co-stars, Steve Allen, Jimmy Hawkins, Shelley Fabares and Paul Peterson; her first husband, Bill Tuttle; third husband, Grover Asmus; daughters, Penny Stiles and Mary Owens; Biographer Jay Fultz ("In Search of Donna Reed"); "Another Mother for Peace" Co-founder Norma Connolly; and Attorney Michael Donaldson.
Archive footage includes Donna with Co-stars James Stewart, Montgomery Clift, Cornel Wilde and Carl Betz, in speaking scenes.
Film Clips include a screen glimpse of Donna through the years, in scenes from "The Human Comedy" (1943), "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), "From Here to Eternity" (1953) and "The Benny Goodman Story" (1956), as well as television's "The Donna Reed Show" (1958-1966).
