Donna Reed, "She Just Wasn't Mama"

[Grant Jennings]

I don't like the idea of Donna Reed being cast as some previously unmentioned Ewing relative. I've always disliked replacement characters like that: Janet Craig replacing Kate Bradley; Esmerelda replacing Aunt Clara. I don't feel that way about workplace based series where it can be an upgrade: goodbye Phil Cerreta, hello Lennie Briscoe.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I don't like the idea of Donna Reed being cast as some previously unmentioned Ewing relative. I've always disliked replacement characters like that: Janet Craig replacing Kate Bradley; Esmerelda replacing Aunt Clara. I don't feel that way about workplace based series where it can be an upgrade: goodbye Phil Cerreta, hello Lennie Briscoe.

I guess I would’ve been fine with Donna Reed playing a different character but I can see why they didn’t go that route, especially considering they did not expect BBG to return.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

I say cast Reed as Caroline Wade, Jenna's aunt.


"Is it possible you're not over Bobby, dear?"

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

"Every time I look in the mirror, I see Donna Reeeeeeeeeeeed!"

 

[Crimson]

As I said earlier in the thread, the simplest and most plausible explanation for such an accomplished actress giving such a flat performance is that she was already sick from the cancer and just didn’t have the energy to do more. I’m no Harlan Danvers, but I’m pretty sure terminal-stage pancreatic cancer doesn’t just leap up out of nowhere fully-formed.

Pancreatic cancer is very difficult to detect, and brutal. It's entirely plausible Donna was already suffering from an early stage. Of course, impossible to conjecture how much of Donna's wan performance may have been due to illness. A lot of actresses of that generation -- 30s to 50s -- adopted 'grand lady' mannerisms as they got older; Reed may have just believed she was giving a dignified, matronly performance.

One of my favorite books is TV SIRENS, written by a TV critic in the mid-80s. He had this to say about Donna on DALLAS:

Donna Reed's life ended on a particularly sad note. Dumped from DALLAS just before her death, she sued the producers, seeming like an embittered and desolated TV diva. Public sympathy was with her (deservedly), but one cruel fact remained: the role of Miss Ellie belongs to Barbara Bel Geddes, a respected and pampered Broadway Baby. Bel Geddes strikes the perfect balance between patrician snootiness and tough-minded naturalism. She looks like a queen of the Old New South —- you could drive a tractor through the creases in her face. But Reed played the part like a PTA chairwoman from Orange County. Her unctuous dignity embalmed her later work ...

 

[Seaviewer]

She seemed to play every scene with a stuffy dignity and whispered all of her dialogue.

Reed may have just believed she was giving a dignified, matronly performance.

Unfortunately, instead of trying to find a similar replacement, recasts often seem to be taken as a chance to reinvent the character. My assumption would be that it was a deliberate choice - if not hers then in direction. I wouldn't call it bad acting.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Do you know if BBG ended up getting paid more when they asked her back?

I'd assume as Lorimar courted her that they were willing to up the ante a bit in order to get her back on the show.

So based on that & with Barbara looking for a raise just prior to being dropped from the show I'm assuming that she did indeed get some kind of a raise.

May both these fabulous actresses rest in peace.

 

[Taylor Bennett Jr.]

Unfortunately, instead of trying to find a similar replacement, recasts often seem to be taken as a chance to reinvent the character. My assumption would be that it was a deliberate choice - if not hers then in direction. I wouldn't call it bad acting.

that might be true to an extent, especially on the director level, but I really don't see the producers and head writers in early planning sessions being like "I got an idea! Let's make Miss Ellie a meek non-entity this season!"

 

[Clubsoda]

I'm rewatching 84 - 85 right now and can't help but wonder how Barbara would've done the Claytons awkwardness/taking down Jocks painting scenes. It just didn't feel genuine with Donna Reed as she'd never done scenes with Jim Davis so it felt rather hollow.

I bet Barbara would've killed it in those scenes.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I'm rewatching 84 - 85 right now and can't help but wonder how Barbara would've done the Claytons awkwardness/taking down Jocks painting scenes. It just didn't feel genuine with Donna Reed as she'd never done scenes with Jim Davis so it felt rather hollow.

I bet Barbara would've killed it in those scenes.

I actually think Donna Reed handled the Jocks painting scene quite well but I’m sure I’m in the minority on that opinion. But of course I would’ve loved to have been able to watch BBG in that scene and in Bobby’s death bed scene as well. It would’ve meant so much more.

 

[Rove]

I don't like the idea of Donna Reed being cast as some previously unmentioned Ewing relative.

I agree. It devalues the series much like when Jamie Ewing meandered down the Southfork driveway and introduced herself as Jock's niece. Prior to this was there ever any mention of Jason Ewing? Now if Jason himself walked the Southfork driveway and introduced himself to the Ewing clan then yes that would have been a kick arse introduction. So if Barbara Bel Geddes required some light duties or time off, grant it. The story back at Dallas could have remained more or less the same. Is Jason friend or foe? The threat of reclaiming his stake in Ewing Oil could have made for interesting viewing involving him, JR, Bobby and ultimately Miss Ellie's return after her rest.

Now I'm wondering which actor could have given Jason some life and much needed spark to Dallas.

Late edit...I'm thinking former western actor Ben Johnson. I think he could have fitted the role of Jason Ewing nicely as a former wildcatter, experienced oil man.

 

[Chris2]

Jason showing up as the Ewings long-lost uncle could have been amazing with the right casting. Ben Johnson would have been a good candidate, or John McIntire. Morgan Woodward would have been good had he not already been playing Punk. Or how about James Arness, playing against type, as the not-so-virtuous Jason? That could have been a lot of fun.

 

[DallasFanForever]

Jason showing up instead of Jamie could’ve been much more explosive. This is Jock’s brother. He was there back in those days. It would’ve given his claim on Ewing Oil much more legitimacy. I was not a Jamie hater; I liked her much more as time went by but introducing the Jason character instead would’ve been a better way to go.

 

[Billy Wall]

Buddy Ebsen could have definitely played the role of Jason Ewing. He actually favors Jim Davis and he’s one year older as Jason was the older brother.

 

[Mustard]

We got three different incarnations of Jenna Wade, and that didn't really bother me. The only one I didn't like was Francine Tucker who played her between Morgan Fairchild and Priscilla Presley.

As much as I like Priscilla, I personally wished whatever needed to be worked out would've gotten worked out so Morgan could've returned to the role full-time in 1983.​

I thought Francine Tacker was the best Jenna Wade.

 

[ClassyCo]

I thought Francine Tacker was the best Jenna Wade.

I doubt I've heard that before.

 

[Mustard]

I doubt I've heard that before.

Strong and confident, in control of her life.

 

[Mustard]

I doubt I've heard that before.

Francine Tacker's Jenna is confident, with high self-esteem, and sure of herself. To me, that makes her more credible as Bobby's first love, and I think she had the best chemistry with Patrick Duffy and Victoria Principal out of the 3 Jennas, having a knack of pointing out some hard truths to them and making them see things clearer.

 

[DallasFanForever]

I think Francine kind of gets lost in the shuffle when people think of the Jenna Wade character, and it’s understandable. She was both preceded and proceeded by two huge stars in the role. I know Morgan only did one episode but it’s still Morgan Fairchild and she casts a large shadow, and Priscilla of course owned the role for 5 years. But personally I think Francine was a terrific actress and very attractive in her own right. I don’t think she gets enough credit. I wish she could’ve played the part longer.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Nobody fires Angela Lansbury.

Not unless they want to end up dead!