Product Details

• Actors: Grover Asmus, Norma Connolly, Mary Owen, Tony Owen, Mickey Rooney
• Format: Color, NTSC, Closed-captioned
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Unapix / a-Pix Ent.
• VHS Release Date: March 28, 2000
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B00003ETRK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,252 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This look back at Donna Reed's life is also a record of how the Hollywood studio system worked. Donna Bell Mullinger arrived in Los Angeles fresh off the Iowa farm in 1938, and was discovered by MGM 3 years later, at age 20. Except for The Picture of Dorian Gray, she starred in a string of B movies that led to Capra's classic It's a Wonderful Life, which tanked at the box office. The film set her career back, and a daughter says Reed always felt she was blamed for the film's lack of success. Despite a best supporting actress Oscar in From Here to Eternity, she still didn't get the parts she thought she should. TV became her redemption, as she produced and starred in the landmark Donna Reed Show--Shelley Fabares, who played her daughter, speaks glowingly of the star. The mother of four became an antiwar activist before marrying a third time, at age 58. She died of cancer in 1986. Many intriguing personal details are provided oncamera by a lifelong friend, who fondly remembers a young actress who always sent money back home. --Valerie J. Nelson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Lady, August 19, 2000

By 

Herbert Boomhower - See all my reviews

This review is from: Intimate Portrait: Donna Reed [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This entry in the Intimate Portrait series is lovingly and carefully produced. The subject is, of course, the loveliest and most elegant lady ever to grace Hollywood. Miss Donna Reed brought more than charm and beauty to her many roles. She also brought intelligence, wit, and a remarkable understanding of human nature to these roles. This video examines her family life, both in her native Iowa and in California, and her children speak honestly, yet lovingly, of her as a parent. Her best friend in Iowa is a refreshingly joyous person and it is easy to see why they were such close friends. TV daughter Shelley Fabares, long one of this reviewer's favorite people, is characteristically generous and loving, a continuous tribute to her great friend and mentor. Lastly, kudos should be given to this program's director for an exceedingly professional yet compassionate look at one of America's genuine treasures.