The Donna Reed Show: A Pictorial Memoir celebrating the 60th Anniversary of this iconic TV Classic Paperback – October 1, 2019

This book was written by Paul Peterson ( Jeff ) and Donna's actual daughter, Mary Owen. Great pictures and fun facts. Really enjoyed this book.

Fast service and great book.

This book is packed full of amazing stories and photos from the show. No Donna Reed library should be without it!

Exceptional “scrapbook” of a beloved TV sitcom. Who wasn’t in love with Shelley Fabares as Mary Stone? Delightful book by her TV bro, Paul Peterson.

Pictures were wonderful but i wish there were more contributors from the cast members other thwn paul petersen.

Enjoyed the book. Thanks!

I am a fan of "The Donna Reed Show," so this was a curiosity purchase for me. Published in 2018, this 206-page scrap-book style fan book is intended to be a 60th anniversary tribute to the show that first aired in 1958 and ended after eight seasons in 1966. Despite its age, its apple-pie appeal continues, as it is a staple of classic television that currently can be seen on Decades TV. So the book is worthy of creation, and I am certain some fans of the show will like it more than I did, or even love it, depending on the strength of their prior knowledge and fondness for the star and her show. I, on the other hand, was a bit disappointed.Although chock-full of photographs, most are publicity stills or images from a just a few of the 275 episodes that can readily be viewed on the internet. It would have been nice to see fewer staged photographs and more candid or off-the-set ones. The book does reveal these photos are housed in the archives of The Donna Reed Foundation in her hometown of Denison, Iowa, but a better explanation would have been nice. Are there few candid or quasi-candid photos available? Reed was a contract player for MGM and other major studios during the classic Hollywood studio system era from the early 1940s to the mid 1950s that relied heavily on a constant stream of publicity stills to promote its stars and movies. Perhaps the show's producers (Reed and her husband Tony Owen) took a cue from her days at the studios and churned out stills for their show so there were lots of these from which the publisher chose. But as a fan, who has read much about the show and its star, more less-seen images would have made this project much better and complement what is already on social media sites.The pictures, however, are supported by commentary by Paul Petersen, who played the inimitable "Jeff Stone" from about ages 12 to 20. He provides insight few can supply as most who worked on the show have sadly passed, including Reed and Carl Betz, who played father "Alex Stone." However, Petersen barely scratches the surface and provides mostly behind-the-scene tidbits. Perhaps that is what a scrap book is for, although more meaty morsels would have enriched this offering. On the other hand, Petersen does lavishly praise Betz and his reel “sister” co-star Shelley Fabares, who played “Mary Stone.” It would have been nice to get a missive from Fabares, who reportedly viewed Reed as a “second” mother during and after the show’s run on ABC-TV. Was she not available? Also missing is a take from Paul’s younger sister, Patti, on her stint as “Trisha Stone,” although there is a set of truly cute pictures of her and Reed together on the set. Bob Crane and Ann McCrea, who played next-door neighbors Dr. David and Midge Kelsey for a few seasons, get mere mention. But, the “Special Guests” section is a nice touch. Surprisingly, there is a less ink on Reed than some fans would expect. And even less ink on Tony Owen, who executive produced the show along with Reed. He seems like such an interesting character worthy of a biography of his own.The book does not fall all on the shoulders of Petersen’s memory. There are a few cameo essays worth noting. Petersen gets a nod from Jimmy Hawkins, who played Fabares’ love interest in several episodes. He touchingly reminisces about his times on the set and the cast members, especially Reed. Mary Owen, who is the youngest child of Reed and Owen, also makes an appearance in the book photographically with her siblings, and, in writing, paying final respects to recently deceased Eddie Foy III, who was the show’s casting director and an admirer of the Owens.Reed and Owen appeared to be an odd couple, but many actresses and producers wed each other for romantic or other reasons. Very little is revealed here about their relationship on or off camera. Was it only about selling Campbell’s soup and Swanson’s frozen dinners to millions of American families during the Baby Boom generation’s childhood so they could reach their F-U number? The reader is repeatedly reminded of her important values. I read elsewhere that they divorced after a 26-year marriage six years after the show ended and remarried other people, she for the third time. Certainly, there is more to the story than the perfectly coiffed “family values” image Donna Reed was paid to project in the pages of this book and on her iconic show. Camera-ready smiles are a tricky thing. There are plenty of smiles front and back and in between in this pictorial, but what do they really reveal?

The Donna Reed Show depicts life not as it was in the late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s, but as we wished it could be and as it should have been. I began watching The Donna Reed Show only a little over a year ago and immediately fell in love. I think the show is even more important and entertaining today than it was when first released. After watching it, I immediately wanted to know more and began searching for information on the show and the cast. I even want so far as to contact Paul Petersen (who played the adorable and handsome Jeff Stone in the series) and encouraged him to write a book. Little did I know he was already doing so and the result is, in a word, wonderful.A Pictorial Memoir: The Donna Reed Show is filled with never before seen photos that any fan of the show (or lover of the 1950’s and 1960’s) will be delighted to read. There are reminisces by Paul and others connected with the series. The book can’t begin to cover everything in 200 pages, but fans will come away knowing much more about the show than they did before reading the book. The photos alone are worth the price. I love this book and it is one of the few that has earned a place on my bookshelf. If you enjoy The Donna Reed Show, this book is an absolute must.