Author: Francine Brokaw

‘The Art of Toy Story 4’ – Book Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

It’s all about the toys. As we anxiously await the premier of the new Toy Story movie, Toy Story 4, this wonderful book will get you in the spirit to experience all the fun toys that will appear on the big screen. The Art of Toy Story 4 takes readers into the story and the characters with images and narrative.  And once you have seen the movie, this is a great way to relive the fun of the film and all the toys – old and new.

The book opens with a forward by Annie Potts, who voices Bo Peep in the film. She can currently be seen in the hit sitcom Young Sheldon. Potts was over the moon to get to voice Bo Peep. In the forward she states, “I can tell you there is almost nothing more fun than being in a recording session with these masters of storytelling…” To say she is a fan of the Disney/Pixar films is an understatement.

Next is an introduction by director Josh Cooley. He was proud to work on this fourth installment of the wonderful franchise. “Thank you for Toy Story,” he writes. “I never thought toys could teach me what it means to be human.”

It is almost impossible these days to go out to a mall or a theater and not see someone with a Woody or Buzz T-shirt. These characters are beloved around the world. So, what will their next chapter entail? There are still fun antics with Buzz and Woody, and the other toys we have become friends with over the years are also here. But there are some new ones, and they are really fun.

While Andy was the original owner of the toys, Bonnie has picked up the mantle. Her mind is amazing and her powers of imagination are unmatched. She is a delightful little girl with a fun outlook and love of everything and everyone. So, Bonnie created Forky, who brings some fun to the story.

The book is filled with illustrations from the movie and there is a special bonus. A pullout Gabby Gabby booklet comes in the book. Once you see the movie, you will understand a lot more about these characters. Imagination is on overload in Toy Story 4, and this book is a great accompaniment to the fun of the film.  If you have the other “art of” books, this is a must-have for your collection. Adults will be amazed at all the art and hard work that went into the characters, and kids will delight in seeing them on the page where they can relive the scenes from the film.

And, when you look through the book with your kids, perhaps you will also have a plush or figurine to enjoy together. Check out this shopDisney page for all the new Toy Story 4 merchandise.

Everyone can go “To infinity and beyond” with The Art of Toy Story 4.

ISBN-13: 9781452163826
Publisher: Chronicle Books
List price: $40

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

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Julianne Moore is ‘Gloria Bell’ on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Gloria Bell is an America remake of the 2013 film Gloria. Both films are from writer/director Sebastian Lelio and basically follow the same storyline about a woman in her 50s who loves to dance and meet new people, and simply, to enjoy life.

Gloria Bell (Julianne Moore) is divorced (Brad Garrett) and has two grown children as well as one infant grandson. She is a bit lonely and enjoys spending her time drinking and dancing at the clubs in Los Angeles.

One night Gloria meets Arnold (John Turturro) at a club. He has been divorced for one year, a newbie compared to Gloria’s twelve years. They hit it off and are enchanted by each other. One thing leads to another and soon they are a couple. But there is something about Arnold that Gloria cannot understand. He is still attached to his ex-wife and two grown daughters in a way that is un-healthy for all of them.

Gloria’s mother (Holland Taylor) encourages her to take chances because death could come tomorrow. That’s a sobering thought. But we all know life is short and we do not know how long we have so Gloria takes full charge of her life. She is not afraid to put herself out into the world and enjoy herself, even if that means dancing by herself. She is a strong woman and by the end of the film viewers will see just how strong she really is.

As a woman who loves to laugh and experience new things, Moore captures the persona of the character completely. She dives right into her role and viewers will be enamored by her willingness to embrace life.

Rita Wilson co-stars as Gloria’s best friend Vicky, and Jeanne Tripplehorn is Gloria’s ex-husband’s wife. Michael Cera and Alanna Ubach are Gloria’s son and daughter, who both have some strange circumstances going on in their lives.

While Gloria is not afraid to let go and take charge of her own life, Arnold is not that brave. These people have two different philosophies about relationships – Gloria’s is healthy and Arnold’s is not.

The bonus feature is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film with the actors and filmmakers. Everyone talks about how refreshing to see a more-than-middle-aged woman out in the workplace and nightclubs taking control of her life.

Gloria Bell is available on DVD and a Blu-ray + Digital pack. The entire movie was filmed on location in and around Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It is rated R for sexuality, nudity, language and some drug use.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘The Prisoner of Second Avenue’ now on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


The Prisoner of Second Avenue was written by and taken from the play by Neil Simon. This 1975 film stars Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft as a married middle-aged couple living in New York City.

It’s a tough world and the economy is taking a beating. Mel Edison (Lemmon) has been a loyal employee for 22 years but even that couldn’t stay off his dismissal from his job. Edna (Bancroft) goes back to work but her job doesn’t last too long so they find themselves in a financial bind. Not only are they dealing with unemployment, they also must deal with their noisy neighbors and the stench and noise emanating from the ground when they open up their balcony door. Even though they live in a high rise, they still smell the garbage from the street.

When their apartment gets burgled, that’s the last straw.

Mel has a nervous breakdown and must be sedated. This also puts a crimp in their marriage, however Edna remains a loyal and loving wife.

Look for a very young Sylvester Stallone as a young man in Central Park whom Mel thinks stole his wallet. John Ritter also has a small part.

To say that everything goes wrong for this couple is an understatement. The world is closing in on them. But they refuse to give in or give up. Mel insists they will not let the city win!

While there are some humorous scenes, this is not one of Simon’s best stories. It’s a stark look at the realities of life. While it is described as a dark comedy, it is more drama than comedy. But Simon still fills it with great dialogue. And Lemmon was an actor that could play both comedy and drama with equal perfection. It’s a joy to watch him doing either and in this film it is fun to watch him slowly lose his sanity while dealing with the trials and tribulations of life in the big city.

The bonus is a “making of” featurette.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue is rated PG and is now available on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection. It can purchase at their website or online retailers where DVDs and Blu-rays are sold.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Halston’ – Movie Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


If you were alive in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, you definitely know the name Halston. Halston is a documentary about the iconic fashion designer who created an empire.

Roy Halston Frowick was born in Iowa in 1932. He became the legendary Halston, dropping his first and last name. His mother still called him “Hal-ston” but he changed the pronunciation to “Hawl-ston.” He was responsible for Jacqueline Kennedy’s pillbox hats and in the 1970s for hot pants. He dressed Liza and other celebrities. And he became a celebrity in his own right.

Halston began as a milliner in Bergdorf Goodman’s in NYC. He branched out to create his own line of fashion that reflected the times. His designs were bias cut, free flowing, easy to wear, simple, and beautiful. From dressing women he branched out to perfume. I don’t know anyone at the time that didn’t own a Halston perfume bottle. I did. The bottle in itself was art, and the fragrance was heavenly. These days designers lend their name to fragrances all the time, but Halston was the first. Then he added other areas to his empire and eventually he brought his haute couture to the everyday American woman via JC Penney. That infuriated many of his supporters, especially the folks at Bergdorf because it meant anyone could now own a Halston outfit. But the designer wanted to “dress America,” so he had to go where the average American shopped.

There are some interesting facts brought out in this film. We all know about Jackie Kennedy’s inaugural pillbox hat, but did you know the perfectly round dent in the top was not supposed to be there? She dented it while holding on so it wouldn’t fall off in the wind. Soon that look was what everyone was after.

And the iconic hot pants were a creation by Halston. This designer was responsible for the model Iman, and many others. His influence on our culture is still viable.

Viewers will learn about this iconic man who, in many ways, changed the shape of the fashion world. They will also learn about his quirks. He was a hands-on designer and orchestrated everything having to do with his name. But in the end he could not orchestrate his empire, even though it was his name. He was locked out of his business and went to live in San Francisco where he died of AIDS in 1990. His name is still on items in many areas, but his special touch is long gone.

His genius made him a legend, and his name will live on. I never owned a Halston original, but I sure wanted one…or two…or three…

This is a fascinating look at the man who influenced our wardrobes, scents, lifestyles, and the history of American fashion. Halston opens in select theaters May 24, 2019.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about books, products, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘Portrait in Black’ on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Lana Turner stars in this Hitchcockian-style story of a woman who will do anything to keep the man she loves and the man who would go to any lengths to keep her. Portrait in Black is a 1960 film with drama and suspense.

Sheila Cabot (Turner) is the second wife of shipping magnet Matthew Cabot (Lloyd Nolan) who is on his deathbed. The two are living apart in the same house and there is no love left between them. Besides the two are his daughter Cathy (Sandra Dee) and their son Peter (Dennis Kohler), as well as the chauffeur Cobb (Ray Walston) and the maid.

Sheila and her husband’s doctor, David Riviera (Anthony Quinn) are lovers and are looking forward to the day when Matthew finally dies. But they cannot wait for nature to take its course. They devise a plan to murder Matthew, and when that is successful, things look rosy for the couple – until the day after the funeral when Sheila receives a letter congratulating her on the success of the murder. That sends the loving couple into a tailspin as they conceive ways to figure out who knows about them.

In the meantime, Cathy is planning on marrying her boyfriend Blake (John Saxon), who has an axe to grind with Matthew Cabot, thinking it was Cabot who led his father’s career astray and led him to take his own life.  And to add to this interesting mix of characters is Howard Mason (Richard Basehart), Matthew’s right hand man. He is in love with Sheila.

So as the drama of the lovers plays out and they try to figure out who sent the alarming letter, things get out of hand. It is only a matter of time for them to discover who it supposedly is and then they have to decide what to do about it. It seems murder is on the menu again. And how many people must they kill in order to keep their secret and start a life together?

This is an interesting, entertaining, and intense story and before you know it the 112 minutes are over. The wardrobe for Turner and Dee is outstanding, by the legendary designer Jean Louis. Together with the dramatic score, everything in the film is reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock mystery.

Portrait in Black is not rated. It is available on Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

Kyle Chandler talks about Colonel Cathcart, ‘A gift from the heavens’ role, in ‘Catch-22’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Even if you’re not familiar with the 1961 satiric novel Catch-22 or the 1970 film, odds are the phrase has been in your vocabulary. Joseph Heller coined the term ‘catch-22’ to describe absurd bureaucratic constraints placed on soldiers in World War II. If you’d like to find out where the expression came from, George Clooney and Grant Heslov, actors/executive producers/directors, had made it possible for you. Unlike the chaotic kaleidoscopic madness of the book, Hulu’s six-part limited series tells a linear story that makes it easy to follow emotional journeys of many characters from beginning to end.

John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott), aka YoYo, U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, feels trapped in this inescapable and hopeless loop of ‘catch-22.’ In order to get out of combat duty, he may claim he’s too crazy to fly, but if he’s smart enough to try to take advantage of the insanity plea he would be perfectly fit to fly more missions. Despite the European Theatre winding down and the Germans retreating, Yossarian’s commanding officer, Colonel Cathcart (Kyle Chandler) finds joy in raising his mission count time and time again. Yossarian’s enemy is none other than Cathcart and the military bureaucrats who abuse their power for their own benefit and prevent him from going home in one piece. “I think his problem is that he’s the only sane one, therefore he’s the insane one,” said Chandler in our phone interview. Being the only sane person in this insane universe can be very taxing and lonely. Yossarian spends a lot of time and energy railing against things he cannot control and boycotting ‘unnecessary’ flying missions through underhanded schemes.

“Cathcart wants to be a general and he loves the limelight. He’s building the foundation to reach the top by throwing his men in a very impersonal way at the most difficult possible missions that the higher-ups can send them on. He’s killing people! I’m Yossarian’s biggest threat!” Chandler explained Cathcart’s MO. He certainly is no Coach Taylor on Friday Night Lights, a previous role for Chandler. “That seems like a very heartless character, but I consider it a character who’s locked in his reality so tightly that he’s not being careless, he’s not being heartless, that’s what he believes to be true for what he needs.”

Chandler spoke with his friend Jeff Wells, a U.S. Army Captain, who found the book the funniest he’s ever read. “It’s interesting because a military person can see things in that book that a layman like myself, a civilian, cannot. So I get to understand a little bit of it from his perspective. I had that going on for me when I was working on who Cathcart was.” Chandler also built a backstory for this challenging role. “When I started to build a backstory for the character, it dawned on me one day ‘Oh, he came from a different reality! He didn’t come from here.’ I created in my mind his home and his front stoop that he was going to walk home to. His wife would come out the door and welcome home back from the war and he may have a couple of kids.”

When the parade-obsessed General Scheisskopf (Clooney) and General Dreedle (Peter Guinness) from the European Headquarters show up for a ceremony, Cathcart’s two worlds collide. “Scheisskopf comes and all of a sudden, Cathcart is not in charge any more. Dreedle comes and Scheisskopf is not in charge any more and Cathcart is pushed even further down. So the further he gets pushed down, the more he is getting pushed close to home, in my mind. For me as the actor I started seeing home, I started getting sense of ‘Christ, this war is not gonna last forever.’” The reality kicks in. “Cathcart realizes, I think, at some point, ‘My God! Where am I? What have I done?’ You don’t get to see its full fruition or anything but that’s sort of where I was trying to go to give him some kind of a depth because he does such dastardly horrible things!” That’s how Chandler found a little bit of soul and humanity in the egomaniacal Cathcart, which Clooney was initially set to play but decided to get Chandler involved instead.

Because Clooney and Heslov took time to dig deeper and fully develop Yossarian, I could totally relate to him from the get-go. For decades, I was confined and controlled by the institutions in the lemming-like conformist and chauvinistic society of Japan. Through 12 years of Catholic school, I kept asking ‘why?’ I couldn’t be a thinking and questioning individual in a corporate environment until I moved to the U.S.! Too bad Yossarian does not get that opportunity to break free from the insane world. They say that if you can’t beat them, join them, but it will definitely break your heart when you see Yossarian joining the institution when he finally loses his mind.

All six-episodes of Catch-22 will be available on Hulu on May 17, 2019.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of thought-provoking and paradigm shifting human drama worth our precious time. She is a member of Television Critics Association.

‘Ring of Bright Water’ on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Ring of Bright Water is a heartwarming – and a heartbreaking – story of a fun-loving but a little mischievous otter. It stars Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, the husband and wife team that also brought us Born Free and several other animal conservation films. This 1969 film is now available on Blu-ray for a new generation of viewers.

In London, Graham (Travers) is confused whenever he walks by a pet store. There is an otter that takes a liking to him and always knows when he is there. So, one day, to keep the little fellow from being sold to a circus, Graham buys the otter and names him Mij. But there is a problem. Mij is not welcome in his apartment building.

So Graham and Mij move to the Scottish countryside. There they meet Mary (McKenna) and her dog Johnny. Mij frolics in the little marshy pond and the two thrive in this relaxed atmosphere. Mij is adorable and well behaved – for the most part. Soon the four – Graham, Mij, Mary, and Johnny – are almost inseparable. They are really fun to watch and viewers will undoubtedly see how happy they all are together. Mij has a playmate with Johnny.

One day Mij chews his way out of the house and wanders off. He discovers another otter and this female is beguiling to him. But eventually Mij returns home and everything is back to normal. The bond between Graham and Mij is heartwarming.

This movie has an almost cult-like following. It is a beautiful story filled with fun, love, caring, and that adorable little otter Mij. The National Board of Review named it one of the top ten films of the year.

Spoiler alert for sensitive viewers: there is an animal death in this film, however it is rated G.

Ring of Bright Water is now available on Blu-ray. Everyone will fall in love with little Mij. It is inevitable!

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

Navage Nasal Care – Product Review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

In the past I have tried the traditional neti pot to help when I have sinus problems. The problem for me with the neti pot is that I always ended up with a bad earache. When I discussed this with my ENT doctor, he suggested the Navage. He told me it would be gentler and since I have sinus problems, it would most likely be something I will use when needed, instead of having that neti pot sitting in a drawer. And he was right.

I love the ease of this system. It gently squirts salt water into your nostril and sucks it out into a different tank, so there is no mess with it and you do not have to use it over a sink because the dirty water is collected in a separate tank. The device is easy to set up. Simply connect the nasal dock to the unit. Fill the top tank with warm water and insert a new SaltPod into the container. Close the lid and press the power button. The directions are included and easy to follow.

The suction is mild so you won’t feel it spraying the water in and suctioning it out of your nose. It does it easily and very gently. When you are finished, discard the used SaltPod and empty and clean the lower tank that collected the water that irrigated your nasal passages.

While some people might want to use this only when they feel sinus problems or a cold, it is safe to use every day. As a matter of fact, many people use it daily to help keep their nasal passages clear of dust and pollens. Allergy sufferers will definitely want to use this daily.

The only downside, if you can call it a downside, is that the SaltPods can only be used once. After a single use they must be discarded and a new one inserted the next time you use the Navage Nasal Irrigation System. There are deals online for multi-packs of the SaltPods, which I highly suggest. It is better to have more pods on hand than to run out when you need it.

I am very happy I discovered the Navage. As an allergy sufferer and someone with recurring sinus infections, this is a device I will be using regularly.

There are several bundles available from the website. Plus, they offer a 90-day unconditional guarantee, so if you don’t like it they will refund your money. There’s nothing to lose.

And if you have more than one person in your household there are additional nasal docks to purchase so everyone will have their own.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw reviews products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘The Bedroom Window’ on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw


Steve Guttenberg stars in this 1987 suspense film. The Bedroom Window also stars Elizabeth McGovern and Isabelle Huppert in this tale of murder.

Terry (Guttenberg) is having an affair with his boss’ wife Sylvia (Huppert). One night Sylvia witnesses an assault outside his bedroom window. Denise (McGovern) is almost killed and Sylvia doesn’t know what to do. She clearly saw the attacker. The next day they learn about another woman who was attacked and killed not far from their location, so Terry insists they tell the police what she saw. But Sylvia doesn’t want to because she doesn’t want her husband to find out about their affair. So Terry goes to the police and describes exactly what he (she) saw. He tells them he was the one who witnessed the attack – and he was alone.

What a tangled web we weave… Terry is then called upon to testify under oath. But details come out in the trial that disqualifies his testimony.

Terry knows for sure the accused is the killer because after the lineup he followed him and, well, things got a little complicated until the next day when Terry learns the man has killed again. This web of deceit he started with the police continues because Terry desperately wants to put this man behind bars.

Denise, in the meantime, has figured out that it was Sylvia who witnessed her attack and not Terry. Terry and Denise devise a plan to bait the killer in hopes that the police will finally be able to arrest him on the assault and murder charges. This will take the heat off of Terry who is now a suspect because of his odd statements to the police.

The movie is a bit simplistic until the second part when everyone comes into play. The detectives are anxious to catch the killer, but with Terry’s confusing statements, they are not sure who the killer is any more.

The film was taken from the novel “The Witnesses” by Anne Holden.

The Bedroom Window is an interesting and entertaining story filled with some edge-of-your-seat scenes and a lesson about lying to the police. Once you start, the lies keep getting bigger and bigger.

The movie is rated R.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter

‘The Donna Reed Show’ seasons 1-5 on DVD

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Donna Reed Show ran from 1958-1996. The first five episodes are now available in a DVD box set.

Reed played Donna Stone, a 1950’s/early 60’s homemaker who prepared sack lunches for her kids and wore a dress and pearls to vacuum. This was a time when women always wore dresses and men always wore suites and ties. Carl Betz played her pediatrician husband Dr. Alex Stone. Shelley Fabares played teenage Mary and Paul Petersen played her younger brother Jeff. Later they added Petersen’s real-life sister Patty to their family as Trisha Stone, a young orphan they adopted.

This was a wholesome family with some pretty mundane problems. The show was exactly what post war families wanted to see. It was centered on a loving family and there were no drugs, foul language, or sexual situations depicted. The characters were loveable. Women fell in love with Betz and young girls had a fascination with Petersen, while young men fell head over heels for Fabares.

Petersen and Fabares later joined with actor/singer James Darren to record records as a cute threesome. Fabares had a hit single with “Johnny Angel.”

Donna Reed won the 1954 Oscar for her performance in From Here to Eternity. She took over the role of Miss Ellie Ewing in the final season of the hit TV series Dallas. In 1946 she played opposite James Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life.

Carl Betz moved from playing Dr. Alex Stone to playing Clinton Judd for two seasons in Judd for the Defense. He then took some supporting roles in several other TV shows.

Bob Crane’s break came with The Donna Reed Show. Then in 1965 he took on the character of Colonel Hogan in Hogan’s Heroes. Like Betz, Crane went on to minor roles in several series.

Shelley Fabares’ big break came with The Donna Reed Show. She added another TV series to her resume in 1972-1974 in The Brian Keith Show, then another in 1976 with The Practice. In 1978 she entered the cast of One Day at a Time. Her second big series came in 1989 when she took the role of Christine Armstrong in the sitcom Coach. She is currently married to actor Mike Farrell.

After The Donna Reed Show Paul Petersen’s career was not as prolific. He is still acting however perhaps his biggest claim to fame, after The Donna Reed Show, is his founding of the child actor group “A Minor Consideration,” a non-profit foundation to help young entertainers.

The Donna Reed Show was the one and only acting gig for Patty Petersen.

This five-season box set includes many bonus features. There are old commercials, previews of other old sitcoms, and some new featurettes with Fabares and Paul and Patty Petersen. Fabares discusses the audition process. She had been acting and modeling for years and got the gig of Mary Stone when she was 14. She says she worshipped Reed and after the show they remained close.

Paul Petersen explains that his mother got him into show business. He was an original Mousketeer but was fired due to unbecoming actions. Paul was 12 when he landed the role of Jeff Stone and 20 when the show ended. Viewers saw Fabares and Petersen grow up before their eyes.

Paul discusses the respect and appreciation by Reed and Betz of the craft and skills in the business. He also discusses the professionalism and caring of both Reed and Betz. Another point brought up by the now-veteran actor is that today’s television is absent of the old values that were present in the shows in the 50s and early 60s. And at that time there were only 3 networks with 39 episodes per season.

A featurette has Petersen and Fabares reminiscing about their experiences on the show and what they learned from Donna Reed. They joked about Paul’s calling Shelley “CCOSD” which stood for “Copy Cat of Sandra Dee,” who was beloved by both Fabares and Petersen.

And the final new featurette has both Paul and Patty Petersen discussing the “great times” they had making the show. When Patty joined the cast Paul was 18 so he was able to serve as her guardian. The two had some fun times working together.

If you love old sitcoms with wholesome stories and characters that will seem a bit more relaxed than today’s shows, you have to get this set. It is definitely a blast to the past!

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County.

Follow her on Twitter