The Donna Reed Show

Season 1

TV-PG

The Stones consist of loving homemaker Donna, her pediatrician husband Alex, and their children Mary and Jeff. Many situations arise like when they found a baby on their doorstep or take in a rebellious youth or when Donna tries to patch up marital spats among friends.

Where to Watch Season 1

37 Episodes

Weekend Trip
E1
Weekend TripIn the premiere episode, Donna hopes to get away to a ski weekend with her brood, but pediatrician husband Alex's on-call schedule makes this tricky, especially since one of his young patients, Eddie Barclay (played by one of the Corcoran siblings of Disney film and TV fame; sister Noreen was on "Bachelor Father" with John Forsythe), has a mysterious illness and Alex doesn't want to leave him in the care of another doctor.
Pardon My Gloves
E2
Pardon My GlovesJeff gets a black eye from a boy who mocks Donna's acting in a local play. So, Donna tries to teach Jeff how to box.
The Hike
E3
The HikeDonna tries to prove women can outsmart men when Dr. Stone is called away to treat a patient.
Male Ego
E4
Male EgoAlex tries to prove his independence when Donna buys a suit for him.
The Football Uniform
E5
The Football UniformJeff wants a uniform for the team picture, but is told he must work for the money to buy it.
The Foundling
E6
The FoundlingA baby is abandoned at the Stone’s place.
Three Part Mother
E7
Three Part MotherDonna spreads herself thin, running between three places on the same night, for her family.
Change Partners and Dance
E8
Change Partners and DanceMary has a crush on the school basketball star, George, who wants to take her to the prom, but hasn’t asked her because he can't dance.
Dough Re-Mi
E9
Dough Re-MiDonna tries to get a famous concert pianist to perform at a benefit, and, at the same time, Jeff is trying to raise money for a football tackling dummy. These two seemingly unrelated projects intertwine.
Guest in the House
E10
Guest in the HouseA problem child takes refuge at the Stone’s house, and Donna tries to get through to him.
The Baby Contest
E11
The Baby ContestAlex is judge at a Beautiful Baby contest run by Donna's club.
The Beaded Bag
E12
The Beaded BagWhen Donna longingly admires a lovely, expensive bag at a store, the saleswoman (along with a female friend of hers) schemes to coax Alex into getting it for her for a birthday gift. But Alex is suspicious that Donna is pulling the strings behind the scenes, instead of being forthright about it.
The Busy Body
E13
The Busy BodyCharismatic Uncle Fred visits the Stone family and a brouhaha ensues.
A Very Merry Christmas
E14
A Very Merry ChristmasDonna is frantically making last-minute preparations for Christmas and is vexed when no one seems to care for the fruitcakes she is giving for Christmas presents. Her Christmas spirit is rejuvenated when she learns that no one has planned a Christmas party for the children who cannot leave their ward and return home for the holiday. With the help of the hospital handyman, she tries to rectify the oversight.
Mary's Double Date
E15
Mary's Double DateMary's Junior prom is imminent, and she has trouble deciding between two boys on the football team who might ask her. She also dangles another nice boy on a string. But, eventually, the resultant consequences of her selfish decisions come to fruition.
Jeff's Double Life
E16
Jeff's Double LifeAfter nosy neighbor Mrs. Wilgus (the inimitable Kathleen Freeman) alerts Donna and Alex about Mary having a noisy party while they were out, the kids get lectured about being the children of a doctor, and that they should behave accordingly. Not too long after this, Jeff takes a ride from Mary's troublemaker friend Tommy Hendricks, who doesn't have a license and has taken his father's car out for a joyride, and they get into a minor accident while fleeing a cop.
Nothing But the Truth
E17
Nothing But the TruthDavid Barker finagles a return to the Stone’s home for his birthday celebration.
It's the Principle of the Thing
E18
It's the Principle of the ThingMr. Popkin won't let Alex treat Joey because he has no money. So, Donna hires him to do repairs around the house, but Alex fires him. Then Donna tries another method to help him get the finances he needs.
Jeff vs. Mary
E19
Jeff vs. MaryJeff becomes jealous and insecure about his parent’s love—feeling that they care about Mary more than him.
Have Fun
E20
Have FunWhen Mary comes home utterly dejected from a terrible first date, Donna and Alex each, in “Rashomon”-style, tell her about their first date.
Donna Plays Cupid
E21
Donna Plays CupidDonna decides that Alex’s obstetrician friend, Beau, is a lonely bachelor in need of a mate, so she tries to pair him and her good friend Celia (who has recently broken up with her boyfriend) up.
Love Thy Neighbor
E22
Love Thy NeighborDonna and Alex help celebrate the 20th anniversary of Wilbur & Celia Wilgus, only for Donna to get caught up in a misunderstanding later.
The Report Card
E23
The Report CardDonna is worried when Jeff comes home with a report card full of Cs.
Boys Will Be Boys
E24
Boys Will Be BoysDavid Barker is brought to Alex to be treated for rabies, and is invited to stay the night. Later, Jeff is left in charge of David, as everyone else will be gone.
The Ideal Wife
E25
The Ideal WifeDonna keeps getting praised for being an excellent wife and mother—so much so, that she, illogically, becomes a bit paranoid that people really mean something negative about her beneath the surface of their words, and fears her kids are taking advantage of her.
Mary's Campaign
E26
Mary's CampaignMary drives her family crazy, and worries her mother, in her quest to win the class vice-presidency.
The Flowered-Print Dress
E27
The Flowered-Print DressDonna and Alex dine at a young couple’s home. The couple are still in the honeymoon phase of their marriage, and the experience gives Donna pangs of nostalgia.
April Fool
E28
April FoolWhen Buzz Barry, teenage idol (played by James Darren), comes to Hilldale to sing at a concert, he falls ill with the measles and the concert is canceled, leaving Mary and her friends devastated. Then he ends up staying at the Stone’s home to recuperate, causing unexpected complications.
The Parting of the Ways
E29
The Parting of the WaysMary’s friend Babs confides in her that her parents are having troubles and may be divorcing soon. And, though she’s exaggerating, Donna is unaware of this and problems ensue in their family as a result.
The Hero
E30
The HeroAlex's roommate, Biff Jameson, comes to Hilldale, and though he charms the family and dazzles Jeff, Alex confesses to Donna that his old pal seems to be off from what he used to be.
Do You Trust Your Child?
E31
Do You Trust Your Child?Donna gives a speech, at a PTA meeting, on parent/child relationships urging parents to trust their child. Her advice, of course, ends up being tested.
Grateful Patient
E32
Grateful PatientAlex takes advantage of a tip on the market, and Donna and the kids start making plans for the expected profit.
The Testimonial
E33
The TestimonialDonna plans a testimonial dinner to honor Dr. Jason, a long-time denizen of the town and a beloved doctor, who finally intends to retire.
Miss Lovelace Comes to Tea
E34
Miss Lovelace Comes to TeaThe family searches for a compatible housekeeper to help around the house while Donna manages a charity campaign.
Tomorrow Comes Too Soon
E35
Tomorrow Comes Too SoonAfter a particularly long week, Donna and Alex long for a weekend alone without kids. But when they get it, it’s not quite how they imagined it would be.
Advice To Young Lovers
E36
Advice To Young LoversWhen Mary and George get in a fight over him and her best friend Babs, Donna advises her on how to handle the situation.
Operation Deadbeat
E37
Operation DeadbeatAlex insists Jeff pay back money he owes to develop good character for when he is an adult. Meanwhile, Donna decides to try to get the past due money owed to Alex by his patients.