Mary (Shelley Fabares) is just wild about rock 'n' roll singer James Darren (as Buzz Berry). Donna (Donna Reed) counts her daughter playing Mr. Darren's latest hit record eleven times, and Alex (Carl Betz) calls it "horrible noise." When Mary learns Darren will be playing a concert at the Civic Auditorium, she has to attend or "absolutely DIE." Unfortunately, Darren catches the measles, and has to cancel. After doctor Alex makes the diagnosis, Jeff (Paul Peterson) tells manager Jesse White (as Lou Vance) the "teen idol" should hide from fans at the Stone's home. Mary wants to tell her girlfriends, but must keep Darren's presence a secret.
"There's No Such Thing as the Next Best Thing to Love" (the record Mary plays) was Darren's first Colpix single. This record, and the second, the title track, touted his about-to-be-released "Gidget", starring Sandra Dee. The film became a hit, and Darren became a successful recording star. Columbia (movies), Screen Gems (television), and Colpix (records) were a cross-promotional company; later, in 1962, they turned Ms. Fabares and Mr. Peterson into teen idol recording stars. An album featuring the all three was eventually released. In this context, it's interesting to see Fabares fainting over, and Peterson lip-syncing to, Darren's recording.
This episode introduces the more familiar "Donna Reed Show" graphics - and a jazzier instrumentation to the opening credits. It was the first of several changes in the opening segment. The opening ends without Ms. Reed's final hair "flip" (but, Donna-watchers should be more than compensated by her admiring looks at Darren's shirtless physique). Since these episodes were not aired in the order taped, it's safe to assume the few episodes with the revised graphics were produced later. "April Fool" had to be moved-up in the running order, to both promote Columbia's "Gidget" film, and take advantage of the show falling on April Fool's Day.
***** April Fool (4/1/59) Oscar Rudolph ~ James Darren, Shelley Fabares, Jesse White
"There's No Such Thing as the Next Best Thing to Love" (the record Mary plays) was Darren's first Colpix single. This record, and the second, the title track, touted his about-to-be-released "Gidget", starring Sandra Dee. The film became a hit, and Darren became a successful recording star. Columbia (movies), Screen Gems (television), and Colpix (records) were a cross-promotional company; later, in 1962, they turned Ms. Fabares and Mr. Peterson into teen idol recording stars. An album featuring the all three was eventually released. In this context, it's interesting to see Fabares fainting over, and Peterson lip-syncing to, Darren's recording.
This episode introduces the more familiar "Donna Reed Show" graphics - and a jazzier instrumentation to the opening credits. It was the first of several changes in the opening segment. The opening ends without Ms. Reed's final hair "flip" (but, Donna-watchers should be more than compensated by her admiring looks at Darren's shirtless physique). Since these episodes were not aired in the order taped, it's safe to assume the few episodes with the revised graphics were produced later. "April Fool" had to be moved-up in the running order, to both promote Columbia's "Gidget" film, and take advantage of the show falling on April Fool's Day.
***** April Fool (4/1/59) Oscar Rudolph ~ James Darren, Shelley Fabares, Jesse White