The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 2, Episode 31 - The Career Woman - full transcript

Alex, what do you think?

Uh-huh.

Well, isn't it a
pretty suit, daddy?

Yes. Yes, it is.

Alex, if you don't like
it, please say so now.

- I like it.
- Do you really like it?

Yes, yes, very attractive.

I think I better take it back.

Why?

You're not very enthusiastic.

I said I liked it.



Well, I heard him say it.

Jeff, there's a difference
between I like it and I like it.

And I'm not sure I
liked daddy's I like it.

I like it.

I like it.

I like it!

Thank you, dear.

Oh, I'll get it.

Are you sure?
It's very expensive.

Hello?

Oh, sure operator.

It looks very nice
on you darling

and if you like it
you should buy it.

But you're the one
who has to like it.



Are you sure this
collar suits me?

Yes, yes, it sets
you off beautifully.

It's a telegram for you, mom.

Oh.

"Don't hold your
breath, one if by land,

two if by sea, I adore you all.

Molly."

It's from Molly Duncan.

Well, who is she?

The telegram sounds
like counterintelligence.

Your mother went to high school
with the legendary Molly Duncan.

And now wherever
smart women gather

one of them is wearing
a Molly Duncan creation.

Oh, she rents clothes?

Oh Jeff. She's an internationally
famous dress designer.

Uh, can we assume
from this quoted message

that Molly is going
to pay us a visit?

I hope so.

Oh, you'll just love her.

She's irresistibly
stimulating, but a little...

- Weird?
- Not really.

She's the warmest
person I ever knew,

but sort of a...

- Cuckoo.
- No, Jeff.

She has more vitality than
any person I ever knew.

Well, if she sounds
fascinating mother,

I read about her
once in the papers,

wasn't she engaged to a duke?

That was just for
a few days, dear.

Molly Duncan, I
haven't see her in years.

Well, it's all right if I
keep the suit, dear?

If you didn't, I'd leave home.

Oh, thank you, honey.

It was on sale and I
couldn't return it anyway.

Molly hasn't seen
me in a long time.

Do you think I've
changed much, dear?

Honey. I'm sure
she'll recognize you.

Well, those things are
important to a woman, you know.

You know, you're just as
lovely as the day I met you.

Oh, thank you, dear.

Well, Molly has lived
such a glamorous life.

She's been
everywhere, Paris, Rome,

Stockholm, Caracas.

Then you, Hilldale,
St. Louis, Indianapolis...

Honey, I'm not envious.

It's just that those cities
have a ring about them.

Shanghai.

Pittsburgh.

I wonderful if Molly has
ever seriously considered

getting married.

Well, I guess she
hasn't had time for that.

Well, darling you'll find out
everything when she gets here.

You know, I admit I'm a little
nervous about her coming here.

She's so chic and all of
her friends are well-groomed.

Oh, you don't exactly ride
around town on a broomstick.

Oh, darling, there's
no comparison.

Do you really like my suit?

Rio de Janeiro.

Oh, I guess I'm being silly.

Molly isn't coming here
to look at my wardrobe

or see how much I've changed.

Do you really think I
haven't changed much?

Darling, you're the same
sweet lovely girl I married.

Any changes have
been for the better.

Donna.

Molly.

Oh.

Come in. Come in.

I've got some
things for the babies.

Oh, you shouldn't have.

Oh Molly, come in.

Let me look at you, Donna.

Your hair, it used
to be so long.

Oh. I know.

What happened to your bangs?

Oh, the bangs had to go.

You just looked wonderful.

You kept your figure.

Oh, well thank you, it was
the only one I had, Molly.

You looked just great.

Oh, well I have to, you know.

I'm the original model
for Molly Duncan.

Oh. And the coat.

Oh, this is just standard
equipment for my job, honey.

What a perfectly wonderful room.

It's just charming.

Oh, well thank you, dear.

It's just lovely.

You're going to stay
with us of course.

Oh, no dear, I can't.

You see, I've scheduled a
fashion show for downtown

and it'll be much more
convenient to stay at the hotel.

We'll see you then.

Oh, you won't be
able to get rid of me,

we've got a lot of
catching up to do.

You must be Alex.

Molly?

- Hi, Molly.
- Hi, Alex.

Oh, I like him. I
like him very much.

I like the way he looks at you.

Oh, but that chin.

I know a chin like that.

Does the chin have a name?

- David.
- David?

David is a doctor
just like Alex.

And he's full of character,
pride and rack rib tradition.

We're engaged and I hate him.

Oh, Molly, that's wonderful,
are you going to marry him?

Well, I want to desperately.

But can you imagine me
married to a small town doctor.

I'd be absolutely lost
making my own curtains

and my own butter cookies.

Madam, you've just
described my wife.

I buy my curtains ready-made.

I'm not talking about you.

Anybody can tell that by looking
at you that it's right for you.

I'm afraid after
a while I'd hate it

and then David would hate me

and then we'd hate each other.

You love him too much for that.

Oh, Jeff, hey, come here.

Molly, these are our
children, this is Mary and Jeff.

They're beautiful.

Just beautiful.

She just looks just like you did
when you were going to school.

What a wonderful thing

to watch yourself
growing up all over again.

I'm so happy you
came, Aunt Molly.

So am I, dear.

Do you kiss boys?

Well, I think Jeff will
make this an exception.

Boy.

He usually fights
it like a tiger.

I thought I was accomplishing
something all this time.

Oh, Donna you have so much.

If I thought for one moment,
that David and I could...

Well?

It's just an attack of
sentiment, it will pass.

Donna, your children
are just delightful.

Oh, thank you,
they're good kids.

Now tell me about the duke.
The one you nearly married.

Well, the duke was charming,
but he was afflicted with a disease

that had been in his
family for nearly 300 years.

He didn't want to work.

Donna, in a house of
this size, do you need help

or can you do your
housework yourself?

Well, have a girl
in once a week.

Well, what about the maharaja?

I could never learn
to love an elephant.

You know, Donna, I don't
even know how to cook.

Well, about the Texas oilman?

That's all he had, oil.

You mean, they all fizzled out?

Not a real one in the lot.

But David, he's real.

Oh yes. He is real enough
but he's so stubborn.

Just because his father
and his grandfather

practiced medicine
in a small town.

He's a wonderful doctor.

He'd be a big
success in New York

and then I'd have what I need.

Interesting people,
the work I like.

Do you know they still go
on hay rides in that town?

Oh, Molly, it's possible to meet
interesting people on a hay ride.

Now, tell me, why did
you really come to Hilldale?

I told you.

I had this fashion
show scheduled

and I wanted to see
you, meet your family.

That's all.

Well, so far what's
your impression?

Oh, it's so beautiful.

- But...
- Routine?

- Goodnight, mom.
- Goodnight, honey.

Don't forget to
brush your teeth.

Well, I did.

- Goodnight, Aunt Molly.
- Goodnight, Jeff.

- Goodnight, mommy.
- Goodnight, sweetheart.

- Goodnight, Aunt Molly.
- Goodnight, angel.

Don't forget we're going
shopping tomorrow.

How could I forget?

Now, remember nothing
fancy it's just for a school dance.

Oh, every woman
should have one dress

too elegant to wear in a
closet, it's good for the morale.

- OK, goodnight, mommy.
- Goodnight, honey.

Now, that part of the
routine I could like.

Your life seems very complete.

Tell me whatever happened
to your dream about being

the world's greatest actress?

I goofed.

But you didn't.

You always wanted to be a
top dress designer and you are.

You know, you were awfully good.

Everyone raved
about your Juliet?

Oh, that was just high school.

Did you ever have any regrets?

No.

Not since I met Alex.

I think that was the real
dream I'd had all along.

Uh, about your Dr. David,
now will he wait for you?

I'm sure he's very eligible.

Well, yes, he's eligible.

I imagine every
local bell in Calico

are setting a trap
for him as we speak.

Well, I hope you
make up your mind

before the trapping
season is over.

Well, did you girls fill
in the missing years?

Uh-hmm.

From the duke through David.

Molly thinks I kept my figure.

Well, I could
have told you that.

Why didn't you?

I was waiting until you lost
it to bring up the subject.

You know, I've decided that
Molly's visit isn't an accident.

It's a test.

Oh, what's she testing?

Well, life with David would
be very much like ours,

satisfying in most ways,

- but you know, routine in others.
- Hmm.

And I think she's
seriously trying to decide

if it would work for her.

Well, with all modesty she couldn't
have chosen a better subject.

Well, I'll leave to convince
her she can be happier

or she will convince
me I'm miserable.

Oh, Molly, I'm sorry I'm late,

but my PTA meeting
lasted longer than I expected.

- I just got here myself.
- Oh.

It's new.

Very becoming.

Oh, Molly, what's wrong with it.

Nothing dear, it's lovely.

It's... well it's just that
waistlines are back this year.

Let's order I'm starving.

Well, maybe I
can have it altered.

If you marry David you'll
have to resign yourself to being

a season behind in waistlines.

Never.

I wish that were the only
sacrifice I had to make.

I'd make it.

- Do you want a cocktail?
- No, but you have one.

Oh, a doctor's wife like Caesars
has to be above suspicion, huh?

Oh, Molly, where
did you get your idea

of how a doctor's
wife should live?

Well, from what I've
seen I'm not so far wrong.

For instance...

Hello, Mrs. Stone.

Well, hello, John.
How's the new baby?

- Just wonderful, thank you.
- Oh, good.

- Molly, have you decided?
- Yes, I...

Dr. Stone sure licked
that infection in a hurry.

The next day the kid was back
to normal eating like a horse.

Oh, wonderful.

I'll have a silver fizz, please.

Silver fizz.

Do you get case histories
on all of Alex's patients?

Oh, all parents like to
talk about their children.

There's a very attractive
man staring at you, Donna.

It can't be there's a
city ordinance against it.

Why hello, Donna.

- Hello Jim, how are you?
- Fine, thanks.

Oh, Molly, Dr. Jim
Folger. Ms. Duncan.

- How do you do, doctor?
- Ms. Duncan.

- Oh, won't you sit down?
- Thank you.

Um, Donna, I thought
you'd like to know

that your door-to-door committee

has gone over its quote
on the hospital fund.

Oh, wonderful.

And you're just
doing a great job.

Door-to-door?

It means we can
expand our clinic.

Oh, I see.

I want you to know just
how grateful we really are.

Oh, thank you.

Please give my regards to Alex.

Oh, I will and give
my love to Sylvia.

I will, thank you.

Molly, it was very
nice meeting you.

Nice meeting you, doctor.

- Bye, Jim.
- Bye, again.

Do you have much of
that fundraising to do?

Oh just three or
four times a year.

Donna, supposing I married David

and discovered that I can't
do this, that I'm unhappy.

Well, supposing
you don't marry David

and discover you're unhappy.

You know, if you
were any kind of friend,

- you'd help me fight it.
- No.

Why not?

Because if you win you lose.

I like this one. How
about you, honey?

Oh, I love it
especially if you do.

Oh, you look just adorable.

Shall we try these on?

Oh, no, we've
decided on this one.

Oh, thank you. I'll go change.

OK, honey.

- Is it a cash or a charge?
- Cash.

I suppose you've
been told this often,

but you have a pretty daughter.

And the resemblance
is very strong.

Most people say she
resembled her father.

I think that's only because
fathers like to hear it.

Excuse me.

Are you trying to
steal my daughter?

Well, I didn't want to go
into a whole long explanation.

Anyway, it's kind of nice
thinking of her as my daughter.

Well, Mary will be delighted
to hear she looks like you.

- Oh, hi, mommy.
- Hi, honey.

You know there is a resemblance.

Come on.

Now, Mary and Roger will
drop you off at the Martin's

and we'll pick you
up there after dinner.

OK, mom.

Mary, does that boy
know how lucky he is

to be taking you to the dance?

Oh, he's a goof.

Oh, you and your goof...

I think he's
beginning to like it.

Goodnight, Aunt Molly.

- Goodnight, Jeff.
- Goodnight, dad.

- Goodnight, Mary.
- Honey, be home on time.

- Goodnight, mom.
- Have fun, sweetheart.

- Goodnight, kids.
- Goodnight, daddy.

Well, honey we've got to
hurry, I made reservations

at that Italian restaurant
you like so much.

Oh, good.

Oh.

Dr. Stone speaking.

Oh, yes, Mrs. Dorsey.

Oh, well how long ago did
you take his temperature?

Well, it's too soon to worry,

there's a lot of it
going around town.

All right. I'll be over
in about 10 minutes.

Hmm, all right. Goodbye.

Well, now the Dorsey kid has it.

Shall I drop you at the
restaurant and meet you later?

Honestly, every time
we get ready to go out,

Alex gets a phone call.

I'm sick of it, I've had it.

Donna?

Donna, what are you saying?

That's a sick child.
Alex is a doctor.

I just don't want to
put up with it anymore.

Molly, you're right being
married to a doctor is no good.

If I had to do it
over again, I...

Donna, you don't mean that.

I do and it's time I said it.

Now, Donna, let's not
go through all this again.

Why not? Let
Molly know the truth.

When you married Alex
you must have known

this was a part of it?

- Yes, but...
- No buts about it.

Listen to you complaining
about an unimportant thing

like an evening out.

Well, you have a wonderful life.

Donna, didn't it occur to
you that if you want happiness

you've got to give up a
few things for your man?

- Do you think so?
- Yes, I think...

You led me on.

Shall we call David now?

Operator, long distance please.

Salt. Salt.

No, you've added the salt.

It's the little things
that move them.

Now, you look very
pretty, but overworked.

Donna, he's never
going to believe

I did all the shopping
and preparing of his dinner.

Oh, I swear on the
stack of groceries,

won't we, dear?

Yes, and don't
forget to show him

the blister you
got from the stove.

You know, I may
have waited too long.

He didn't sound very
enthusiastic on the phone.

Well, Molly, it was
sudden, after all,

"darling will marry me," would
make any man stop and think.

What else do you do to carrots?

Uh, add some butter.

He didn't say "yes."

But he's coming over
400 miles to see you.

You aren't that good a cook.

Very good.

What's the matter with it.

Nothing. Nothing.

It's fine.

Molly, the first year of
marriage, a husband is numb

and by the time he's recovered
you've learned to cook.

Hey, Aunt Molly, there's a
fellow out there asking for you.

Oh, it's David.

How do I look?

Housewifely.

Come with me.

David.

Oh, darling.

Oh, you're so pale, you've
been over working again.

Molly, you're looking very well.

Oh, David.

I want you to meet the sweetest,
happiest family in the world.

And this is Donna, my
dearest and oldest friend.

Isn't she wonderful.

Look at her she's kept her figure
after all this years of marriage.

Oh, it's nice to
meet you, David.

Same here, Donna.

And this is Mary,
isn't she lovely?

- How do you do?
- How do you do, Mary?

- And...
- Uh, David and I

have already
introduced ourselves.

Oh, me too.

You know Aunt Molly
prepared the whole dinner

and she got a blister doing it.

Oh?

See.

Well, may I have a
consultation, doctor?

Would you excuse me, please?

We have to turn off the gas.

All of us?

Mother, just think,
at this very minute

David is probably
proposing to Molly.

Oh, I should hope so.

- Hey, mom?
- Yes.

What's for dinner?

Where did this boy inherit
all of his sentimentality?

Probably from me.

I cry at weddings.

I know, you cried at ours.

Well, those were tears of joy.

That's what I told the guest,

but I've got some
skeptical reactions.

He won't marry me.

He won't marry you?

Oh, Molly.

Molly, uh, can we discuss this

without embarrassing
the Stone's?

No.

He won't marry me.

Alex, say something.

What can I say?

Dr. Anderson, I think Molly
is one the sweetest persons

I've ever met.

Thank you, dear.

But he won't marry me.

David, since this has
become a public issue,

would you tell me why
you won't marry Molly.

You love her don't you?

Well, yes I do.

Only...

Well, Molly has spent
the last week here

in an atmosphere
of love and devotion.

That's us?

And what she's seen
here she suddenly wants it,

family, children, affection.

But isn't that what you want?

Well, yes.

Well?

Well, with Molly it's a mood.

How long will it last?

She's just been exposed
to the warmth of a family.

There are other
aspects of marriage.

Oh David, Molly knows
about the other things,

sameness, routine, sacrifices,

we haven't spared her the
unglamorous side of marriage.

Now, Donna,

I don't think we should
interfere in this any further.

Interfere?

When Molly's
happiness is at stake?

I think David is
absolutely right.

Oh, Molly is OK,

but she just doesn't have
the strength of character

that a man expects in a wife.

Now, wait a minute, I
didn't say anything...

Molly is too self-centered

and concerned about trivial
things to be a doctor's wife.

You're the Benedict
Arnold of medicine.

Alex you have no right...

Oh, Molly has
some good qualities,

but they're not the qualities
that a wife should have.

You know, my
advice to you David,

is to congratulate
yourself on being out of it.

Are you going to let him
go on saying things like that?

I'm sorry Molly,

but I... I'm afraid
Alex is telling the truth.

Stated a little strongly perhaps,
but the truth nevertheless.

Donna, not you too.

You know, you're a lucky
man David, to find out now

rather than make a mistake
you'd regret for the rest of your life.

Well, now who said
anything about...

Oh, the unhappy fact is that
Molly just doesn't have what it takes

to be a doctor's wife or
anybody else's for that matter.

Oh?

Well, let me tell you
something, Dr. Stone.

You know, you maybe
a fine pediatrician,

but you don't know
anything about human nature.

What's human nature
got to do with it?

Everything.

I know Molly a
lot better than you.

She's a fine wonderful girl

and I think you've
said a lot of things

that are completely out of line
and I'm surprised at you Donna,

I thought you
were Molly's friend.

I was just being honest.

Honest?

Now, look David we're
talking about marriage.

How can you take
someone like Molly,

a career woman, an executive
and expect her to understand...

That's why she can do anything
she makes up her mind to.

Why she has
imagination, independence,

why would marry
anybody but Molly.

I accept.

So there.

Hey, what happened?

I don't know, but I think
it's called child psychology.

I call it reverse English,

widely used in billiard
games and romance.

You know, darling I just
realized a lifetime ambition.

- You did?
- Mm-hmm.

I got to play supporting role to
the greatest actor of our time.

Boy there's so much ham
in here I'm getting hungry.

I'm going to raid the ice box.