After knowing about it for a few years, I finally watched this Christmas ep of "The Donna Reed Show" on YouTube. The version I watched had some screeching noise that distracted me but the audio was okay, otherwise. In this one, Donna Stone laments the holiday being such a rush job what with all the shopping for gifts among her children and her husband requesting one for her head nurse. And then she goes to the hospital ward of injured kids and finds out there's no tree in their room. It's up to a kindly old janitor named Charlie (Buster Keaton) to help as she makes him dress up as Santa...Knowing what kind of comedian Keaton was, I was a bit disappointed not seeing him do any real physical bits other than bumping into a door. And I wondered if that clamp he used on a doll's head would lead to something into even more hilarious. Still, he's a warm presence in the few scenes he's in and it's always a treat to see him. In fact, the whole ep gave me a warm feeling for the way it ended with the song "Silent Night" given a play here. So on that note, "A Very Merry Christmas" was a worthy episode of "The Donna Reed Show". P.S. I noticed that one of the kids was reading a "Captain Marvel Adventures" comic book. Someone must have had a back issue from before 1953 on hand since that was the year Fawcett Publications ceased printing them!
3 Reviews
Buster Keaton and "Captain Marvel Adventures"
wes-connors18 April 2009
Donna believes, "Christmas should be warm and friendly and peaceful." Instead, she finds it to be cool, contentious, and chaotic. The recipients of her fruitcakes are unable to hide their disappointment, and Donna has to buy a last minute gift for Alex. Moreover, Mary won't shop until she's sure she'll get a gift in return, and Jeff is keeping a "profit-and-loss ledger" for the year. Donna wonders what happened to the Christmas spirit of giving. She finds answers when she gets to know the generous janitor at the Hilldale Hospital - indeed, very special guest star Buster Keaton (as Charlie).
This episode must have endeared Donna and her television family to millions of viewers. It isn't terribly well done, but it isn't terrible. The appearance of Mr. Keaton is a treat. And, the hospital children are very sweet. In their hospital beds, they read a very rare edition of "Captain Marvel Adventures" - the cover is visible, but it doesn't match any cover I could find, web-surfing. Since the comic book ended publication in 1953, it's strange to see a decent copy last through (at least) five years in a children's hospital (or, TV prop room).
***** A Very Merry Christmas (12/24/58) Oscar Rudolph ~ Donna Reed, Buster Keaton, Carl Betz
This episode must have endeared Donna and her television family to millions of viewers. It isn't terribly well done, but it isn't terrible. The appearance of Mr. Keaton is a treat. And, the hospital children are very sweet. In their hospital beds, they read a very rare edition of "Captain Marvel Adventures" - the cover is visible, but it doesn't match any cover I could find, web-surfing. Since the comic book ended publication in 1953, it's strange to see a decent copy last through (at least) five years in a children's hospital (or, TV prop room).
***** A Very Merry Christmas (12/24/58) Oscar Rudolph ~ Donna Reed, Buster Keaton, Carl Betz
Classic TV Xmas Countdown Episode #68
kgraovac21 December 2023
Detractors of this show must never have watched very many episodes because Donna is not seen vacuuming in pearls here. In fact, she is stringing up Xmas cards in rolled up jeans and a ball cap - hardly the image of 1950s housewife perfection.
If Donna thought Xmas was becoming too commercialized way back in 1958, what on earth would she think about 2023??
A running gag is that none of the neighborhood service workers are too enthused by Donna's gift of homemade fruitcake.
There is a fun scene where a mob of ladies are going hysterical at a department store sale.
The best line is when Buster Keaton's character declines playing Santa at the children's hospital, Donna replies "You've been doing it for 32 years without a suit". He ends up doing it and when Donna gifts Santa, he says "I have nothing for you". She tells him "You've already given me mine".
Just a ho-hum episode. I love the series but not this particular offering. None of the supporting characters - including Keaton's - are very endearing. The child actors all recite their lines by rote. None of them were credited - no surprise there. Jeff and Mary aren't included enough in the story. Unless you are a completist who wants to see every DONNA REED episode, you can skip it or just watch it once. 5/10.
If Donna thought Xmas was becoming too commercialized way back in 1958, what on earth would she think about 2023??
A running gag is that none of the neighborhood service workers are too enthused by Donna's gift of homemade fruitcake.
There is a fun scene where a mob of ladies are going hysterical at a department store sale.
The best line is when Buster Keaton's character declines playing Santa at the children's hospital, Donna replies "You've been doing it for 32 years without a suit". He ends up doing it and when Donna gifts Santa, he says "I have nothing for you". She tells him "You've already given me mine".
Just a ho-hum episode. I love the series but not this particular offering. None of the supporting characters - including Keaton's - are very endearing. The child actors all recite their lines by rote. None of them were credited - no surprise there. Jeff and Mary aren't included enough in the story. Unless you are a completist who wants to see every DONNA REED episode, you can skip it or just watch it once. 5/10.
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