The Donna Reed Show

Director– Various

Starring –  Donna Reed

Country of Origin – U.S.

Distributor - MPI

Number of discs –  25

Reviewed by - Scott MacDonald

Date- 05/13/2019

    Anyone who has read the classic TV DVD reviews on EuroCultAV knows that I am a bit of a golden age of TV junkie, or at least was growing up. When my Grandparents got cable TV as a kid, it included the mindblowing early years of Nickelodeon, but when day became night, Nickelodeon would become Nick at Nite. This switch over would happen, and I'd still be watching. In the early days of Nick at Nite the channel would shot some of the earliest classics of TV from Green Acres and Dobbie Gillis, to the 60's comedic hit "The Donna Reed Show". And while I don't remember being as obsessed by this show as some of the other's I do have fond memories of watching it with my Mother.

    The Donna Reed show involved themselves with the Stone Family including Donna (Reed), a standard 50's housewife character, her husband Alex who is a pediatrician, and their 2 kids Mary and Jeff. The show depicts the typical events of 50's family life, with a positive vibe, with really none of the negativity that would help bring modern TV programing closer to feeling more like reality. Still the show is effective as popular, easy watching entertainment, and while the humor and overall tone of the show feels out of step with modern television, it holds up nicely as a time capsule of a bygone era.

    MPI presents 186 episodes of the Donna Reed Show encompassing Seasons 1 through 5. The DVD's are presented OAR in a 1:33:1 aspect ratio. These aren't going to blow any mind, but they present the show in an entirely watchable way sure to please fans whose only experience is late night re-runs. There are also some interesting featurettes and interviews with the cast, promo spots, commercials, and so much more. The Donna Reed Show is an American Television classic from TV's golden age, and this release comes RECOMMENDED.