Donna Reed

Donna Reed (born Donna Belle Mullenger; January 27, 1921 – January 14, 1986) was an American actress. Her career spanned more than 40 years, with performances in more than 40 films. She is well known for her portrayal of Mary Hatch Bailey in Frank Capra's fantasy holiday film '' It's a Wonderful Life'' (1946). Reed won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Fred Zinnemann's war drama film '' From Here to Eternity'' (1953).

Reed is known for her work in television, notably as Donna Stone, a middle-class American mother and housewife in the sitcom '' The Donna Reed Show'' (1958–1966) whose character was more assertive and complex than most other television mothers of the era. She received numerous Emmy Award nominations for this role and the Golden Globe Award for Best TV Star in 1963. Later in her career, Reed replaced Barbara Bel Geddes as Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow in the 1984–1985 season of the television melodrama ''Dallas;'' she successfully sued the production company for breach of contract when she was abruptly fired upon Bel Geddes' decision to return to the show.

Early life

Reed was born Donna Belle Mullenger on a farm near Denison, Iowa, the daughter of Hazel Jane (née Shives) and William Richard Mullenger. The eldest of five children, she was raised as a Methodist. In 1936, while she was a sophomore at Denison (Iowa) High School, her chemistry teacher Edward Tompkins gave her the book '' How to Win Friends and Influence People''. The book is said to have greatly influenced her life. Upon reading it she won the lead in the school play, was voted Campus Queen and was in the top 10 of the 1938 graduating class. Tompkins went on to work on the Manhattan Project.

After graduating from Denison High School, Reed planned to become a teacher but was unable to pay for college. She decided to move to California to attend Los Angeles City College on the advice of her aunt. While attending college, she performed in various stage productions, although she had no plans to become an actress. After receiving several offers to screen test for studios, Reed eventually signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; however, she insisted on finishing her education first. She completed her associate degree, then signed with an agent.

Career

MGM

In 1941 after signing with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Reed made her film debut in ''The Get-Away'' opposite Robert Sterling; she was billed as Donna Adams.

MGM soon changed her name to Donna Reed, as there was anti-German feeling during World War II. "A studio publicist hung the name on me, and I never did like it", Reed once said. "I hear 'Donna Reed' and I think of a tall, chic, austere blonde that isn't me. 'Donna Reed' – it has a cold, forbidding sound."

Reed had a supporting role in ''Shadow of the Thin Man'' (1941) and in Wallace Beery's ''The Bugle Sounds'' (1942). Like many starlets at MGM, she played opposite Mickey Rooney in an Andy Hardy film, in her case the hugely popular ''The Courtship of Andy Hardy'' (1942). She was second billed in a children's film, '' Mokey'' (1942). Reed starred in '' Calling Dr. Gillespie'' (1942) and '' Apache Trail'' (1942), then did a thriller with Edward Arnold, '' Eyes in the Night'' (1942), directed by Fred Zinnemann.

Reed had a support role in '' The Human Comedy'' (1943) with Mickey Rooney, a big film for MGM. She was in ''Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case'' (1943) and ''The Man from Down Under'' (1943), and was one of many MGM stars to make cameos in ''Thousands Cheer'' (1943). Her "girl-next-door" good looks and warm onstage personality made her a popular pin-up for many GIs during World War II. She personally answered letters from many GIs serving overseas. Reed starred in '' See Here, Private Hargrove'' (1944) and '' Gentle Annie'' (1945), a Western. She was in ''The Picture of Dorian Gray'' (1945) and played a nurse in John Ford's '' They Were Expendable'' (1945), opposite John Wayne. MGM was very enthusiastic about Reed's prospects at this time.

Reed collaborated with her Denison High school chemistry teacher Edward R. Tompkins (who, as noted earlier, worked on the Manhattan Project) on the 1947 MGM film '' The Beginning or the End'', which dealt with the history and concerns of the atom bomb. Reed helped provide the story but did not appear in the final film. Reed was top billed in a romantic comedy '' Faithful in My Fashion'' (1946) with Tom Drake which lost money.

MGM lent her to RKO Pictures for the role of Mary Bailey in Frank Capra's '' It's a Wonderful Life.'' The film has since been named as one of the 100 best American films ever made by the American Film Institute and is regularly aired on television during the Christmas season. Reed later said it was "the most difficult film I ever did. No director ever demanded as much of me."

Back at MGM she appeared in '' Green Dolphin Street'' (1947) with Lana Turner and Van Heflin, a big hit.

Reed was borrowed by Paramount to make two films with Alan Ladd, '' Beyond Glory'' (1948), where she replaced Joan Caulfield at the last moment, and ''Chicago Deadline'' (1949). In 1949 she expressed a desire for better roles.

Columbia

In June 1950 Reed signed a contract with Columbia Studios. She appeared in two films which teamed her with John Derek

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