Donna Reed (January 27, 1921 - January 14, 1986)

Donna Reed
This lady was the very embodiment of what it meant to be a leading lady on the silver screen. She was blessed to appeared in so many epic productions, four of them being Shadow of the Thin Man, The Picture of Dorian Gray, It's a Wonderful Life, and From Here to Eternity. The actress was rewarded with an Oscar for her performance in From Here to Eternity.
On television she could be spotted in a guest appearance on "General Electric Theater" and of course she headed up the cast of "The Donna Reed Show" from 1958 until 1966. As Donna Stone she redefined the role of TV mom and housewife by standing up for what she believed in and becoming a role model for women everywhere.
As the 1980's approached Reed made a guest appearance on "The Love Boat."
In 1984, it became known that Barbara Bel Geddes would be vacating her post as Miss Ellie Ewing on the prime time hit "Dallas." 63-year-old Reed signed a one year contract to play the strong willed character. Her stint did not go smoothly however. There have been reports of Reed's unhappiness over the way she believe she was being treated by some members of the cast and crew. I think that Donna Reed was a marvelous actress and I think that a role like Miss Ellie was perfect for her but I think she stepped into a virtual death trap by trying to take on a role that had been played so perfectly for seven seasons.
So, what I am saying is this: Donna was very good in the role but it was hard to picture anyone else playing that part. She did a good job but I don't think that the producers should have recast the role at all. Miss Ellie should have just been "on extended vacation" or something.
Reed was released from her "Dallas" contract in 1985 and died nine months later of pancreatic cancer.
I think it is very sad that Donna Reed, the great Donna Reed, had to leave this earth knowing that after a forty plus year career as a Hollywood great her amazing record was blemished with a firing from a prime time television soap opera.

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