Watch The Donna Reed Show

TV-PG
1960
5 Seasons
7.4 (1,751)

The Donna Reed Show is a classic American sitcom that originally aired from 1958 to 1966. It follows the lives of the Stone family in the fictional town of Hilldale, Wisconsin. Donna Stone (played by Donna Reed) is the quintessential housewife of the 1950s, spending her days cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her family. Her husband, Dr. Alex Stone (played by Carl Betz), is a pediatrician who often works from home. Together, they raise their two children, 14-year-old Mary (played by Shelley Fabares) and 11-year-old Jeff (played by Paul Petersen). The show is known for its wholesome family values and lighthearted humor. Each episode revolves around a different challenge that the family faces, whether it's Mary getting her driver's license or Jeff trying to fit in with the cool kids at school. Through it all, Donna and Alex strive to be good role models for their children, teaching them important lessons about responsibility, honesty, and kindness. One of the most beloved aspects of the show is the relationship between Donna and Alex. Unlike many other sitcoms of the era, they are portrayed as true partners who respect and support each other. Alex is a caring and hands-on father who is often shown playing with his children or helping them with their problems. Donna, meanwhile, is a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believes in. Together, they make a great team and provide a model for the ideal marriage. In addition to the main characters, the show features a colorful cast of supporting players. Mary's boyfriend, Scotty, is a recurring character who provides youthful energy and romance to the show. Donna's best friend, Midge (played by Dortha Duckworth), is a source of comic relief with her quirky personality and wacky ideas. And the Stone family's nosy neighbor, Mrs. Stonecipher (played by Mabel Albertson), is always popping in uninvited to offer unwanted advice. The show is also notable for its music. In addition to the iconic theme song, "Love is All Around", many episodes feature musical numbers performed by Mary and Jeff. Shelley Fabares, who played Mary, was a talented singer and had several hit records outside of the show. Paul Petersen, who played Jeff, also had a successful music career and recorded several albums while on the show. Overall, The Donna Reed Show is a classic example of 1950s and 60s sitcoms that focused on wholesome family values and laughs. With its charming characters, timeless messages, and catchy music, it remains a beloved piece of television history.

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34. Day of the Hero

May 9, 1963

Jeff makes a date with Rosemary for the senior prom. Smitty then lets Jeff know that Jeff has been nominated to run for Senior Class President. Now gorgeous Dolores wants Jeff to take her to the prom. What can Jeff do? He's already committed to Rosemary, or is he? Will Jeff actually dump Rosemary for Dolores?

33. The Big Wheel

May 2, 1963

Mary is going away to a new college in the fall. As part of her leaving, she is putting on a "large" outdoor formal party that will be in their backyard. At the same time, Jeff is flirting (again) with car ownership and ends up buying an "Hilldale Bus Lines" bus, which he hopes to use in various money making ventures. While Jeff was able to drive the bus home, unfortunately, it will no longer start. Tune in to see how Mary and Mrs. Stone deal with the bus, while attempting to save Mary's party.

32. All Women Are Dangerous

April 25, 1963

A tale of Joyce and Sabrina in a classic contest, which one will get Jeff to ask her to the big dance? Will it be poor, helpless Joyce or the dominant Sabrina? They both ply Jeff in their own manipulative ways. Poor Jeff can't make up his mind. When he asks his family for advice, all he gets for an answer is "Why don't you toss a coin?"

31. All Those Dreams

April 18, 1963

Pitcher Don Drysdale appears in this episode along with his real-life wife and daughter. On a trip to Chicago, Jeff is excited about seeing his pal, Don Drysdale, again. He is supposed to get an interview with Don for the school paper. Jeff's excitement turns to disappointment when it appears that Don Drysdale can't deliver the interview.

30. Boys & Girls

April 11, 1963

While Jeff and Joanne are dating as seniors in high school and Mary and Scotty are dating in college, turns out Scotty would rather date Joanne, and Joanne would rather go out with Scotty got it? Then they all go to a college dance and Jeff and Mary wind up being the wallflowers. What can Jeff and Mary do?

29. Friends & Neighbors

April 4, 1963

Dr. Dave Kelsey, who has been more and more frustrated by his in-laws (or outlaws as he calls them) moves into the house next door with his wife Midge.Midge is a neophyte when it comes to household chores,so for the first week or so Donna helps her all she can-and Dave is truly grateful that the Stones have helped both of them settle down.

28. The Handy Man

March 28, 1963

There is a local handyman Trisha knows who loves fooling around and making children laugh.Trisha offers him to help fix the little things around the house that need fixing,but it turns out that he is clumsy and inept.Donna and Mary feel helpless as he wrecks much around the house,but soon afterwards the ice-cream man arrives.He knows much more about reapir work- and he hates kids.Donna makes a suggestion,which is followed.The ice-cream man ends up fixing everything around the house-while the handyman ends up delivering the ice cream,and singing to all the kids as they play and have fun.

27. Everywhere That Mary Goes

March 21, 1963

A new boy at college has taken a shine to Mary. To Mary's consternation, he follows her everywhere and scares off any other boy who approaches her. Mary decides to find him another girl to protect.

26. The Two Doctors Stone

March 14, 1963

Alex and Donna prepare to go away for the weekend, but Donna suspects Trisha will be sick. Donna sees Trisha eating bananas and she always saw Jeff eating bananas before he became ill. Alex's collegue Dave (Bob Crane) tries to convince them otherwise ... and it turns out that Jeff is the one who came down with a fever. Trisha had been eating bananas because of her promised treehouse and she had wanted to climb trees like a monkey.

25. Where the Stones Are

March 7, 1963

The Stones all end up at Shelter Bay during "mid-term vacation", better known today as "Spring Break". Mary doesn't know the rest of the family is there; she thought it was just her and her girlfriends. Donna, Jeff, and Alex get to stay on a fishing boat named "Big Daddy", and boy, does Donna hook a big one!

24. The House on the Hill

February 28, 1963

Donna visits a reclusive woman who lives in an old Victorian house.She feels trapped in a haunted house after a while.

23. Pioneer Woman

February 21, 1963

Alex and Jeff spend the weekend at the cabin of Alex's friend Red. Donna and Mary follow them and prove that women can, "rough it" in the wilderness as well as men can.

22. Big Sixteen

February 14, 1963

On Jeff's 16th birthday he has a big fight with his girlfriend. Then he falls for an older woman.

21. Three Is a Family

February 7, 1963

Mary learns the joys and pains of having a little sister,as she has to baby-sit Trisha on a night when she'd planned to go on a date.

20. A Way of Her Own

January 31, 1963

A little girl named Trisha follows the Stones home from the park and says that she is one of the family.After a long effort to find her real parents,her uncle arrives.He realizes that the orphaned Trisha loves being in a family and that the Stones are fond of her.He arranges it so Trisha can stay with the Stones.Thus a new family member is added.

19. The New Look

January 24, 1963

A boyfriend of Mary's calls her wholesome,and she doesn't know whether to take it as a compliment or an insult.

18. The Chinese Horse

January 17, 1963

Donna attends an auction of unclaimed freight and an unknown woman asks Donna to bid on a Chinese horse. Donna wins the auction but the woman disappears. Donna brings the item home, but then strange things begin to happen.

17. A Woman's Place

January 10, 1963

When Donna decides to run for town council, Jeff and Mary agree to take care of the house. And how! But when Alex dreams about Donna's political future, as Mayor, perhaps Governor, he decides he'd rather have her back home again.

16. Just a Little Wedding

January 3, 1963

The Stones are planning a simple wedding for Mary's friend Marcia. When Marcia's mother shows up, everything becomes a big production.

15. Jeff Stands Alone

December 27, 1962

After a conversation with a telephone lineman, Jeff decides that it's about time he becomes independent himself. He tests himself by going to a strange town without any money to see whether or not he can make it on his own.

14. The Soft Touch

December 20, 1962

If Jeff wants to be able to afford to go to a special event this weekend, he had better collect on the loans he gave his friends. This prompts Donna to suggest that Alex collect from his deadbeat patients.

13. The Winning Ticket

December 13, 1962

When Jeff finds the winning raffle ticket for a new sports car, he faces some adult sized responsibilities. Jeff sees a woman from behind drop a raffle ticket and before he can return it to her, she disappears. The only possible clue is her child's drewpy-drawers, but as Dr. and Mrs. Stone agree there are lots of children with drewpy-drawers. Jeff begins to learn the cost of owning and operating an expensive sports car (such as insurance). He also discovers how people now treat him differently from his boy and girls friends to prospective employers (he needs to pay for the car). When Jeff thinks he sees the child and woman again, he reaches a crossroad in his life. Tune in to see the path Jeff takes as he deals with this moral dilemma.

12. The Makeover Man

December 6, 1962

Mary decides to make-over ill-mannered basketball star, Steve, into a polished gentleman.

11. The Baby Buggy

November 29, 1962

Everyone chips in to buy the elderly baby doctor a new car.

10. Man to Man

November 22, 1962

Alex and Jeff go camping in order to spend more time together, but the trip turns out to be a plot cooked up by Jeff to meet his friends.

9. Big Star

November 15, 1962

Mary succeeds in helping a shy boy she knows become a singing star.

8. Rebel with a Cause

November 8, 1962

Donna is selected to take part in a survey of housewives to dtermine how long they spend doing their household chores.

7. Fine Feathers

November 1, 1962

Jeff discovers a lost bird.He thinks it might be a rare cockatoo and sends the story to the newspapers and audobon societies-only to find out that the bird is really a cockateel, not quite a cockatoo.

6. My Dad

October 25, 1962

Alex tries over and over to spend a day with Jeff,but his plans are always interrupted by emergency calls.Jeff later shows that he still loves his father by singing the song,"My Dad."

5. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

October 18, 1962

The Stone family is having growing pains, now that Mary is 18 and going to college. After several riffs, Mary decides it's time to leave home for the college dormitory for women. Mrs. Stone agrees, as she lived in the dorms and found it a benefit in growing up and learning. Tune in to see how each member of the Stone family reacts to Mary moving out.

4. Who Needs Glasses

October 11, 1962

Jeff decides wearing glasses would make him look older, and sets out to prove he needs them.

3. To Be a Boy

October 4, 1962

Trying to save enough money to build a boat, Jeff and Smitty make a pact to give up dating. Then Jeff finds Mary's friend Joanne hiding under his bed.

2. Mrs. Stone & Dr. Hyde

September 27, 1962

When Donna fills in for Alex's vacationing nurse, she is taken aback to find him an office tyrant.

1. Mr. Nice Guy

September 20, 1962

Mary can't understand why her brother Jeff is being so polite to her - unless there is some ulterior motive behind his good behavior.

Description

The show is known for its wholesome family values and lighthearted humor. Each episode revolves around a different challenge that the family faces, whether it's Mary getting her driver's license or Jeff trying to fit in with the cool kids at school. Through it all, Donna and Alex strive to be good role models for their children, teaching them important lessons about responsibility, honesty, and kindness.

One of the most beloved aspects of the show is the relationship between Donna and Alex. Unlike many other sitcoms of the era, they are portrayed as true partners who respect and support each other. Alex is a caring and hands-on father who is often shown playing with his children or helping them with their problems. Donna, meanwhile, is a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believes in. Together, they make a great team and provide a model for the ideal marriage.

In addition to the main characters, the show features a colorful cast of supporting players. Mary's boyfriend, Scotty, is a recurring character who provides youthful energy and romance to the show. Donna's best friend, Midge (played by Dortha Duckworth), is a source of comic relief with her quirky personality and wacky ideas. And the Stone family's nosy neighbor, Mrs. Stonecipher (played by Mabel Albertson), is always popping in uninvited to offer unwanted advice.

The show is also notable for its music. In addition to the iconic theme song, "Love is All Around", many episodes feature musical numbers performed by Mary and Jeff. Shelley Fabares, who played Mary, was a talented singer and had several hit records outside of the show. Paul Petersen, who played Jeff, also had a successful music career and recorded several albums while on the show.

Overall, The Donna Reed Show is a classic example of 1950s and 60s sitcoms that focused on wholesome family values and laughs. With its charming characters, timeless messages, and catchy music, it remains a beloved piece of television history.

The Donna Reed Show is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (187 episodes). The series first aired on September 26, 1960.

Where to Watch The Donna Reed Show

The Donna Reed Show is available for streaming on the FilmBuff website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Donna Reed Show on demand at Google Play, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Peacock and Plex.