I have been a fan and admirer of Donna since I was about 8. I loved her show and still can look back on and say "Donna Reed is my ultimate television mother." I hope to meet her in heaven someday.
Donna Reed was simply in a class by herself--the mythical girl-next-door we've all heard about but have never seen, live and in living wonderful colors ! God bless her.
Donna just had something you could see but not put your finger on it at the time, then as you get older you work it out for yourself, she had it all. Love Donna...
I can't imagine 30 years later I have good memories about Donna Reed l have seen some of her movies, she was dead in 1986 and in 2016 30 years after Time is going quickly
The older we get. The faster time seems to fly. I'm 63 years old & keep forgetting I'm in the same league of people who get sick & die ! I would like to reach at least 80. I would feel cheated if I kicked the bucket in my 60's.
I was fortunate, as I'm sure are many of us out there, to be born into a family with a mother (b. 1919) that was a "force". During grade school she was the neighborhood stilt fighting champion. In high school (Duluth) she was the one who played the accompaniments for all choruses. As a freshman at the U of Minnesota-Duluth she was chosen as the queen for it's mining/engineering Ball. She graduated with honors from Northwestern University in choral conducting and piano (the professors applauded after one of her requisite juries, unheard of that time in the late 1930's). She directed church choirs and taught public school. A prime church job for the minister of music at the largest Methodist church in the Milwaukee area was open. It attracted many of the established skilled directors who wanted to step up to the status of such a top position in a very upscale community. There were 12 applicants (all male). Also there had been no female conductor in the church's 100 year history. Well, this slight delicate woman won the position. She oversaw 6 choirs, including a 60-100 voice adult chancel choir. Besides 2 weekly church services, they gave 2 special Christmas Eve concerts, Easter concert, and their own Choral concert. They became very popular and she put together a full orchestra for the performances (strings, percussion, woodwinds and brass). They would fill the sanctuary (600+), parlor, and the lower level fellowship hall (~100+). It was a gorgeous classical building with lots of large stainglass windows, big time pipe organ! Due to her high end church choirs attendance eventually reached ~2000. That was long before the "mega" churches we know of now (and before the guitars, drums and "contemporary" music). In the 50's my parents took in a voice teacher from Norway as a boarder. In lieu of rent she would give our mother voice lessons. It turned out the she was really good. To accompany herself, she didn't want to use piano or guitar and discovered the harp. She ended up giving concerts through out the mid-west, especially in the North shore area of Chicago. She auditioned for the All-America Chorus and toured all over Europe bringing a small lap harp with her and was a featured soloist with the chorus, including for the Queen of England (you know the one). We have clippings. Thanks for reading through all this. It may be of passing interest to some of you. I When she retired from that, she taught suburban public school choral music. She had compelling personality with lots of rehearsal laughter. One of many infamous comments during a rehearsal that broke everyone up (and unplanned by her) was when she wanted to listen to something again and asked.... "Now I want to hear the men and tenors.." Pandimonium!!!
There was not a single bit of negativity about Donna Reed. Anything and everything she seemed to do had a positive effect on motion pictures TV and most of all, world peace but really most of all and in my opinion, when it comes to motion pictures and TV, Donna Reed was the most beautiful woman put on this earth.
I don't think that either. I am sure she was aware of the Soviet threat posed by communism. But the war in Vietnam did not solve the communist problem either.
I became a fan after I saw her for the first time on Its a Wonderful Life. Now I'm constantly looking for movies that she was in. At 32 yrs old & this is my opinion I believe that she is the most gorgeus woman that I have ever seen in this world.
She's interred at Pierce Brothers Westwood Cemetery in Los Angeles right off Wilshire Blvd / 405 freeway. It's a small, quaint, comfortable place. If ever visiting L.A. it's a place you want to visit as so many celebrities interred there..
On this day in 1958 {September 24th} "The Donna Reed Show" premiered on the ABC-TV network... The show ran from 1958 to 1966, with a grand total of 275 episodes... In 1963 Donna Reed won a Gold Globe Award for "Best Female TV Star"... And she won the 1953 Academy Award for "Best Supporting Actress" for her performance as Lorene in the war drama "From Here to Eternity"... Donna Reed passed away on January 14th, 1986 at the age of 64... R.I.P. Ms. Reed...
I heard she wanted to do another Donna Reed show. On that took place in the future with her being a grandmother. Unfortunately carl had passed so she shelved the idea. She had the right idea because leave it to beaver did that but they still went ahead without Hugh Beaumont. I guess she just could not bare to do it without Carl. Quite understandable.
Just watched all 5 videos on this wonderful woman. She truly was strong. I find it ironic and stunning that she sued and won a lawsuit that took on Texas oilmen. Even better J.R. Ewing!! Not to mention two yes two Hollywood studios. Way to go! It's interesting we all love 'It's a Wonderful Life' , only to discover this vault of movies she did. Our network just started airing The Donna Reed show M-F and I am disappointed when I don't wake up on time to see it. thank you gt83j.
An interesting but apparently a one-sided synopsis of her life I would had loved to have heard what her spiritual makeup was and in the wake of multiple divorces how did the children fare. While Donna Reed was a role model for many on screen there are many uncelebrated spiritually centered nonfictional Godly role model mothers that never in this lifetime get the accolades they are deserved. None of my comments are meant to diminish her accomplishments only to bring attention to the many unsung husbands and wives that fought the good fight and persevered and our persevering. Shalom
This is a documentary about Donna Reed. Why don't you make a documentary about those unsung mothers and fathers that you say get no accolades. Also, her 4 kids were by her 2nd husband. So the 1st husband wasn't a factor.
Rest in peace Donna. Your work will carry on and you will never be forgotten. :')
Well said!
It was fun watching The Donna Reed Show!!!
Thank you - She was amazing - I am so glad her legacy lives on. We watch her show many times during the week..
I have been a fan and admirer of Donna since I was about 8. I loved her show and still can look back on and say "Donna Reed is my ultimate television mother." I hope to meet her in heaven someday.
Donna Reed was simply in a class by herself--the mythical girl-next-door we've all heard about but have never seen, live and in living wonderful colors ! God bless her.
Grew up watching the Donna Reed show. This was a special presentation. Thanks!
I watch her show still and say if only all mother's were like her RIP Donna
If only some of Donna's shine could have rubbed off on to that screaming meamie 'Hillary Clinton'.
Thank you very much for posting this bio. It made me feel very close to her knowing the type of woman she was.
She was gorgeous.
Thanks I enjoyed that as I knew nothing about her beyond "It's a Wonderful Life" which I have loved for years.
She is the mother I always wished I had. Loved the Donna Reed a Show. Also wanted to look like Shelly Fabares.
Sorry sweet pea it's the donna Reed show
I am watching the Donna Reed Show on Amazon Prime. I think you can watch all the episodes without additional charge if you have a membership.
Donna just had something you could see but not put your finger on it at the time, then as you get older you work it out for yourself, she had it all. Love Donna...
I love how kind she was.
Thanks for posting. That was great to watch.
a beautiful soul
Thank You for posting
I can't imagine 30 years later I have good memories about Donna Reed l have seen some of her movies, she was dead in 1986 and in 2016 30 years after Time is going quickly
The older we get. The faster time seems to fly. I'm 63 years old & keep forgetting I'm in the same league of people who get sick & die ! I would like to reach at least 80. I would feel cheated if I kicked the bucket in my 60's.
Donna Reed = Loved by millions for 80 years. Great woman! Huge respect and love for her!
May God bless you Donna....
I was fortunate, as I'm sure are many of us out there, to be born into a family with a mother (b. 1919) that was a "force". During grade school she was the neighborhood stilt fighting champion.
In high school (Duluth) she was the one who played the accompaniments for all choruses.
As a freshman at the U of Minnesota-Duluth she was chosen as the queen for it's mining/engineering Ball.
She graduated with honors from Northwestern University in choral conducting and piano (the professors applauded after one of her requisite juries, unheard of that time in the late 1930's).
She directed church choirs and taught public school. A prime church job for the minister of music at the largest Methodist church in the Milwaukee area was open. It attracted many of the established skilled directors who wanted to step up to the status of such a top position in a very upscale community.
There were 12 applicants (all male). Also there had been no female conductor in the church's 100 year history. Well, this slight delicate woman won the position.
She oversaw 6 choirs, including a 60-100 voice adult chancel choir.
Besides 2 weekly church services, they gave 2 special Christmas Eve concerts, Easter concert, and their own Choral concert. They became very popular and she put together a full orchestra for the performances (strings, percussion, woodwinds and brass). They would fill the sanctuary (600+), parlor, and the lower level fellowship hall (~100+). It was a gorgeous classical building with lots of large stainglass windows, big time pipe organ! Due to her high end church choirs attendance eventually reached ~2000. That was long before the "mega" churches we know of now (and before the guitars, drums and "contemporary" music).
In the 50's my parents took in a voice teacher from Norway as a boarder. In lieu of rent she would give our mother voice lessons. It turned out the she was really good. To accompany herself, she didn't want to use piano or guitar and discovered the harp.
She ended up giving concerts through out the mid-west, especially in the North shore area of Chicago.
She auditioned for the All-America Chorus and toured all over Europe bringing a small lap harp with her and was a featured soloist with the chorus, including for the Queen of England (you know the one). We have clippings.
Thanks for reading through all this. It may be of passing interest to some of you.
I
When she retired from that, she taught suburban public school choral music.
She had compelling personality with lots of rehearsal laughter.
One of many infamous comments during a rehearsal that broke everyone up (and unplanned by her) was when she wanted to listen to something again and asked....
"Now I want to hear the men and tenors.."
Pandimonium!!!
What a fascinating person she was. I enjoyed reading about her. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I loved her show as a kid in the 90’s
Just georgeous!
She was a scapegoat set up by Larry Hagman on Dallas, as well as Barbara Bel Geddes....
Love Donna Reed So Much! I am from Denison and We All Do
The Older She Got The Prettyer She Became! (:
There was not a single bit of negativity about Donna Reed. Anything and everything she seemed to do had a positive effect on motion pictures TV and most of all, world peace but really most of all and in my opinion, when it comes to motion pictures and TV, Donna Reed was the most beautiful woman put on this earth.
We love you Donna Reed
she touched alot of people. I luv her!
I would travel the world to find a woman like Donna Reed. Looks, sexiness....those soft eyes and Iowa heart.
I did not mean to say she was a Communist or even Leftist just someone who was in denial as to the threat of the Soviet Union and Mao's China.
What a wonderful person she was.
Thanks for posting!
What a beautiful documentary
God Bless Donna
Nice work on the video...:)
I don't think that either. I am sure she was aware of the Soviet threat posed by communism. But the war in Vietnam did not solve the communist problem either.
I became a fan after I saw her for the first time on Its a Wonderful Life. Now I'm constantly looking for movies that she was in. At 32 yrs old & this is my opinion I believe that she is the most gorgeus woman that I have ever seen in this world.
Beautiful woman inside and out.
She's interred at Pierce Brothers Westwood Cemetery in Los Angeles right off Wilshire Blvd / 405 freeway.
It's a small, quaint, comfortable place.
If ever visiting L.A. it's a place you want to visit as so many celebrities interred there..
On this day in 1958 {September 24th} "The Donna Reed Show" premiered on the ABC-TV network...
The show ran from 1958 to 1966, with a grand total of 275 episodes...
In 1963 Donna Reed won a Gold Globe Award for "Best Female TV Star"...
And she won the 1953 Academy Award for "Best Supporting Actress" for her performance as Lorene in the war drama "From Here to Eternity"...
Donna Reed passed away on January 14th, 1986 at the age of 64...
R.I.P. Ms. Reed...
I had heard she was a closet smoker ! Was that true ? Very sad ,we lose too many good people to alcohol and tobacco !
I heard she wanted to do another Donna Reed show. On that took place in the future with her being a grandmother. Unfortunately carl had passed so she shelved the idea. She had the right idea because leave it to beaver did that but they still went ahead without Hugh Beaumont. I guess she just could not bare to do it without Carl. Quite understandable.
Nmubi
Muby
My favorite actress that is no longer living. My favorite actress that’s alive is Jennifer Garner.
Well Boyd your favorite actress is donna Reed of the donna Reed show
i loved Donna Reed
I knew her in Tulsa, we had the same hairdresser. She lived there.
Just watched all 5 videos on this wonderful woman. She truly was strong. I find it ironic and stunning that she sued and won a lawsuit that took on Texas oilmen. Even better J.R. Ewing!! Not to mention two yes two Hollywood studios. Way to go! It's interesting we all love 'It's a Wonderful Life' , only to discover this vault of movies she did. Our network just started airing The Donna Reed show M-F and I am disappointed when I don't wake up on time to see it. thank you gt83j.
ive been to denison thats my dream carrerr actress
yes
An interesting but apparently a one-sided synopsis of her life I would had loved to have heard what her spiritual makeup was and in the wake of multiple divorces how did the children fare. While Donna Reed was a role model for many on screen there are many uncelebrated spiritually centered nonfictional Godly role model mothers that never in this lifetime get the accolades they are deserved. None of my comments are meant to diminish her accomplishments only to bring attention to the many unsung husbands and wives that fought the good fight and persevered and our persevering. Shalom
This is a documentary about Donna Reed. Why don't you make a documentary about those unsung mothers and fathers that you say get no accolades. Also, her 4 kids were by her 2nd husband. So the 1st husband wasn't a factor.
I remember John Lennon said we should declare Peace, as we can delare War.
Those two together would have been even more amazing!
9:56
-3 :')
But none of her actions worked...
Of they did!
@@gingerlord4983 How? The war ended in the summer of 1974. Soldiers were still stuck there as of 1975.
yes