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Character Building

Comedy

TV-PG

26

Jan 4, 1961

When Donna's letter-to-the-editor about parents needing to make sure that their children follow through by finishing what they start gets published, it prompts Donna to follow through herself.

Season 3, 38 episodes

The family wants to get away for the weekend. The brochure shows Lakeview Lodge to be a great place to go, so Donna and Alex head up there early with Mary and Jeff to join them later, but Lakeview Lodge turns out to be a major disappointment.

The Mystery Woman,

A lady spots Donna and Mary having lunch in a restaurant, so she stops to say hello. She recognized Donna, even though "it's been 13 years." Donna doesn't recognize her but is polite and too embarrassed to ask her name.

Donna Decorates,

Donna tries to redecorate the house, but neighbor boy Dennis Mitchell tries to help her...and ends up making things more of a mess. Donna finally calls Dennis' nearer neighbor Mr. Wilson to ask if Dennis would help him with anything.

The Love Letter,

Nick the Greek is the handyman at the Stone's house. He's still learning how to write English, so he asks Jeff for help in writing a love letter to his girlfriend. Later, Mary finds this love letter in Jeff's handwriting.

How the Other Side Lives,

Mary's friend Ginny lives in a mansion with a maid, a tennis court, and a swimming pool. Now Ginny is going to spend the weekend at Mary's house. What can Mary do to impress Ginny?

Mary is enamored with the new boy at school Elroy because he reminds her so much of what her dad must have been like as a teenager.

Worried Anyone?,

Like, are we worried about Mary riding in Scotty's car? After all, it’s only a hot rod made with parts taken from wrecked cars!

Higher Learning,

Jeff has scored in the "genius" category on a school I.Q. test. The principal, Mr. Conroy, suggests that Jeff go away to a school more suited to his intellectual needs. Jeff doesn't like this idea because he just became quarterback on the football team.

Never Marry a Doctor,

The Stones' cleaning lady has troubles. Her baby is sick and her husband lost his job due to illness. Alex takes care of the baby's health, and Donna hires the husband to do odd jobs in their house.

It Only Hurts When I Laugh,

The tables are turned as Alex becomes a hospital patient and a difficult one at that.

The Model Daughter,

Mary goes to a session at Taffy Cinders Charm School and wins a scholarship to learn how to be a model. Most of the girls who went with Mary also "won" scholarships, too!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions,

Mary is so indecisive, asking her mother about what clothes to wear or which boys to date. Tonight though, she starts making her own decisions when she, Roger, and Larry go out on the town. They get into money troubles with dinner at the Flamingo Club.

Donna Goes to a Reunion,

Donna heads to a Blaine Women's College reunion, and while she's away, Jeff adopts Duke, the dog.

Someone Is Watching,

Jeff wants a motor scooter like Gordie got, but his father won't allow it. When Gordie shows off his riding skills and drives the scooter into a tree, Gordie proceeds to fake a leg injury convincing the Stone family to take care of him in the process.

The Lean and Hungry Look,

Donna can't fit into the dress she bought a few months ago, and she still wants to wear it! She decides to exercise and diet the extra pounds off. Then, Alex notices his tuxedo is a little too tight now, so he decides, well, you get the picture!

Character Building,

When Donna's letter-to-the-editor about parents needing to make sure that their children follow through by finishing what they start gets published, it prompts Donna to follow through herself.

World's Greatest Entertainer,

Jeff just can't seem to do anything right --- The family needs to build up his spirits, so when he does mediocre imitations of movie stars like James Cagney and Peter Lorre he gets all the family's praise and participates in the school talent show!

Variations on a Theme,

The piano becomes a "parking lot" with everyone dropping things on it, like books, the newspaper, so Alex decides to sell it. But, all of a sudden Mary has a problem with that idea, it turns out a boy she'd like to date just loves to play the piano!

The Stones Go To Hollywood,

Alex needs to go to Hollywood to discuss suggestions for a Children's Clinic, so the whole family takes the opportunity to go along and see Hollywood, except it rains, for 2 days! They all wanted to meet a movie star before they leave, and they do!

Donna Directs a Play,

Donna fills in for the director of Mary's drama group when he is called to Hollywood for a part in a movie.

Trip to Nowhere,

Jeff has been complaining that there's nothing to do, so Donna decides to take Jeff and Mary camping at Trues dale Park. But, this isn't the kind of camping trip Jeff had in mind.

The Geisha Girl,

The new doctor is married to a Japanese Geisha girl. She is constantly seeing to her husband's needs, and the married couples of Hilldale have a difficult time adjusting to her. Leave it to Donna to "Americanize" her.

The Busy People,

In an attempt to try for more togetherness as a couple, Donna signs Alex and herself up for painting lessons.

Tony Martin Visits,

While driving through Hilldale, Tony Martin is arrested for speeding. He knows he wasn't speeding, but figures he'll just pay the fine and be on his way.

Aunt Belle's Earnings,

Alex's Aunt Belle has come for a visit and resumes her relationship with Oliver Greavey much to Alex's consternation. The relationship soon turns sour. Can a pair of earrings bring them back together?

Donna and her friend consider opening a poodle parlor where owners can bring their poodles to get clipped and buy fancy accessories. The husbands think the whole idea is ludicrous which makes the ladies all the more determined to succeed.

Mary's Heart Throb,

While babysitting for the Damons, Mary meets their older son, Rick, who has dropped out of college because he wasn't accepted by his father's old fraternity. He plans to join the Foreign Legion and wants Mary to help him.

Donna's Helping Hand,

Dr. Steinhaus is retiring as the head of the Board of Health. Donna thinks this is the perfect opportunity for Alex to have a position that offers him more regular hours and she intends to help him get it.

The Merry Month of April,

Income tax time, Alex decides to save money and prepare his own taxes this year rather than have Harvey do it.

Music Hath Charms,

Donna and Alex remember their honeymoon and this wonderful musical jar for Alex. When the jar is broken, unknown to one another Donna and Mary buy an identical replacement, Alex also finds another one, while Jeff glues the original jar back together!

Let's Look at Love,

Mary is so angry when she finds two boys tossed a coin to see who would take her to the dance, she swears off boys and decides to devote herself to science.

For Better or Worse,

A story about every married couple's dilemma: what decisions can a husband make on his own and which require a conference for his wife's permission?

Jeff, the Treasurer,

Jeff is elected class Treasurer. He has the class dues to protect. The class picnic is Saturday and Mrs. Haskell needs the money to pay for the bus that will take the class to the picnic. Can Jeff find the missing money in time?

The Good Boys and the Bad Boys,

The school bully makes fun of Jeff being in the choir. Jeff starts "pumping iron" because it looks like there will be a fight. Can Mr. Trestle's advice possibly stop the conflict?

Military School,

When Herbie suggests his friend Ken go to the dance with them, Mary decides not to go to the dance at all. But, when she meets Ken, in full uniform from the military academy, she of course has a change of heart….but where does that leave Herbie?

Mary's Driving Lesson,

Scotty, smitten by Mary, agrees to teach Mary how to drive. Oh boy! Does he have his hands full! Will their romantic friendship last through this experience?

Alex growing a mustache turns out to be quite a controversial event in the Stone household.

Mary's Little Lambs,

Mary and Mark decide to have a Saturday nursery school (i.e., daycare) to earn enough money to paint Mark's car. Alex, on the other hand, would like to sleep late on Saturday morning, unaware of the bedlam that's about to take place.

Details

The Donna Reed Show

Comedy

TV-PG

5

26

Originally airing on ABC-TV from 1958-1966, THE DONNA REED SHOW became one of the most popular family situation comedy series in television history during its eight season run.

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