The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 2, Episode 37 - The Wedding Present - full transcript

You lost something?

Uh, honey, what, what do
you think of this hat on me?

Hmm. You want my honest opinion?

Well, certainly, but be frank.

It doesn't go with that robe.

Oh, honey. Now,
this is important.

I have to look my best today.

Darling, you're one
of those lucky women

who always looks her best.

Oh, thank you, dear,

but a woman doesn't always
look her best to another woman



and that's all who's
going to be at lunch today,

just women.

Well, it's one of
life's mysteries.

When a man goes to lunch, he
wonders what he's going to eat.

When a woman goes to lunch,

he wonders what
she's going to wear.

You can't fly in
the face of Nature.

Oh, honey, I can't decide.

Which, which one do you like?

Uh...

- I think that one.
- Really?

It kind of felt this one.

Honey, if you don't
want my advice,

why do you ask for it?



Well, because I, I
value your opinion.

You have excellent taste.

Oh, honey, don't wear
that shirt with that suit.

- Why not?
- The colors clash.

Wear a white one.

Do you really like this one?

I think so.

Of course, I'm no
expert on ladies' hats.

No, but you have a
very good judgment,

and naturally, I want
to be guided by it.

Honey, don't wear a figured
tie with a checked suit.

And black shoes, honey.

Do you really prefer this hat?

Honey, how can I
help you pick out a hat

when I can't even dress myself?

Oh, you started breakfast
without me? Good.

Yeah. I worked up a great mess.

Scrambled eggs. Would
you like some, dear?

- Oh, no, thank you, dear,
just some coffee.
- OK.

Mother, you look just wonderful.

Yeah, Mom, you look great.

Well, thank you.

Oh, you look nice too, Daddy.

Oh, I owe it all to your Mother.

Where are you going, Mother?

Oh, just out to lunch.

Uh, that isn't one of the
two hats you were trying to

make up your mind
about it, was it?

Oh, honey, I couldn't
decide between the two,

so I decided on this one.

Of course, what a
silly question to ask.

I fixed your, uh, lunches
early this morning,

peanut butter sandwiches.

Well, gee, Mom, don't
tell me we're having

peanut butter sandwiches again.

But you haven't had
them in three weeks

and besides, you
said you liked them.

When did I say that?

The day before yesterday.

You said, Eddie's mother
fixes them for him all the time.

Oh, yeah, OK.

Oh, honey, would you
drop me downtown,

- on the way to the hospital?
- Sure.

Kind of early to be
going to a lunch, isn't it?

- Well, I have many
things to do before lunch.
- Oh.

Who are you meeting
for lunch, Mother?

Oh, just Louise
and Mrs. Manning.

Ooh, Barbara Manning?

Now, I understand the reason
for the excitement about the hats.

Is that the Mrs. Manning,

who, who gives the big parties
that are always in the paper,

the, the one who has their
picture taken with their horses?

That's right, dear.

Uh, the Mrs. Manning,
whose husband donated

the new waiting room
for the maternity ward?

That's right.

The number one
social leader of Hilldale.

Well, you're traveling
in fast company.

Oh, Alex, don't exaggerate.

Louise and I were chosen
by the Ladies Auxiliary

to decorate the waiting
room, which we did.

And a very good job, too.

Oh, well, thank you, dear.

So, all we have to do
now is pick out the drapes

and a couple of lamps
and it's all finished.

Mrs. Manning said she'd
meet us at the decorators

and take us out to lunch.

It's as simple as that.

That's an ordinary every day
luncheon with two ladies, huh?

That's right?

Nothing special or important?

Well, then, I guess
you could wear that suit.

Hey, what, what's wrong with it?

Is something the matter?

Oh, now, stop it. Alex.

Really.

I've never met Mrs. Manning.

She's taking us to lunch

and I'm sure it'll be at some
very elegant restaurant.

OK, sweetheart.
You look wonderful.

Hello?

Oh, yes, she's here,
just a moment, please.

Mother, it's for
you, Louise Barnett.

Oh, thank you, dear.

Hello, Louise?

Oh, what am I wearing?

Oh, nothing elaborate.
It's just an old suit.

What are you wearing?

Oh, you just threw
on something, huh?

Oh, well, all right.

I, I'll meet you at the
decorators around 11:00.

OK. Goodbye, Louise.

Hey! Hey! Where are
you going? I'm ready.

I'll be right down. I just
want to change my hat.

Mrs. Manning was delighted

with the way the new maternity
waiting room turned out.

- She was?
- Hmm-hmm.

Did she tell you herself?

She said, "Mrs.
Stone and Mrs. Barnett

have exquisite taste."

Really? Oh, that's
so nice to hear.

And I agree with her.

It's a lovely room and
in such good taste.

Oh, thank you.

Oh my goodness, you
have so many new things.

Oh, let's see.

Oh, that lamp,
it will be perfect.

Uh, could we have another shade,

one that would match
the drapes, perhaps?

Well, when you
decide on the material,

I can have a shade
made up for you.

Good.

Hi, there!

Why, Mrs. Barnett.

Hello, Mr. Jason.

Donna, I thought you said
you weren't going to dress up?

Well, I'm not wearing
anything special,

just this old suit.

I never saw it before.

You haven't? Well,
I've had it for weeks.

What about you?

You said you were just
putting on some old rag.

This old thing?

Since we're having
lunch with Mrs. Manning,

I didn't want to look a mess.

Ladies, you both look
absolutely stunning.

- Oh.
- Well, thank you.

Oh, excuse me a minute.

Where do you think
she'll take us to lunch,

the ambassador?

Oh, I don't know.

The ambassador is
elegant, but from what I read,

- the Smartset.
- Well, that's Mrs. Manning.

The Smartset is dining
at the Fleur de lis.

Fleur de lis.

Hello, Mrs. Manning.

Hi, Mr. Jason.

Sorry to be late. A
problem at the stables.

Mrs. Manning, may I present
Mrs. Stone and Mrs. Barnett.

- How do you do, Mrs. Manning?
- How do you do?

I'm certainly delighted
to meet you two, ladies.

I can't tell you
how much I admire

what you've done with
the new waiting room.

- Oh, thank you.
- Oh, thank you.

And now that I have the time,
I'm going to pitch in and help.

Good.

But it's all done except
for the drapes and the...

Uh, I was just showing
Mrs. Stone these lamps.

We both agree on this one.

- That one?
- It's perfect.

I like it.

I thought perhaps another shade,

out of the material
we use for the drapes?

- Oh, no, I don't think
that— - A very good idea.

That would be nice.

I can show you some samples.

Uh, will you be
home this evening?

- Oh, yes, that would be fine.
- Good.

Oh, isn't that lovely?

Isn't it?

It's a Dresden
figurine, quite old.

A couple of hundred
years, I should guess.

It's simply exquisite.

You have wonderful
taste, Mrs. Stone.

Hasn't she?

Did you notice how
she went right to it?

You know, most of my customers
would have passed it right by,

but not Mrs. Stone.

You're not thinking of
buying it, are you, Donna?

Well, I don't know.

I'm sure it would be
lovely in your home.

Yes. Is it terribly expensive?

No, not for what it is.

I was going to price it at $300.

For you, Mrs.
Stone, let's say, 250.

- $250?
- Hmm-hmm.

That sounds quite reasonable.

Yes, yes, of course it is.

Mrs. Manning, I want to show
you something my wife just adores.

I'll look at this in the light.

Donna, forget it.

You know Alex will never let
you spend that much money

on a statue.

If I really want it, you know,
Alex will be more than willing.

I brought a $250 statue
home, Fred had hit the ceiling

and then, he'd hit me.

Well, I, I just love it

and, uh, naturally, I want
my husband to see it first.

My dear, it isn't
the sort of thing

a husband would appreciate.

Oh, well, mine would,
he has excellent taste.

Well, if your husband
doesn't like it,

I'll be glad to take it.

I'll tell you what.

Why don't you take it
home with you, Mrs. Stone,

and see what your husband says.

If he doesn't like it, bring
it back in the morning

and I'll take it over
to Mrs. Manning.

That's fine with me.

Fine.

It is lovely, isn't it?

Yes, it's certainly
very beautiful.

Donna, you're wasting your time.

You know you're just going
to bring it back tomorrow.

You don't know Alex.

No, but I know husbands.

Well, how about some lunch?

I noticed a drug
store downstairs.

I suppose we could eat there?

Hey, Mom! We're home!

I would have never known it.

Mother, how was your
lunch with Mrs. Manning?

- What is she like?
- Oh, very nice.

Oh, what, what did she
wear, something stunning?

I think casual is the word.

You know, I told all the
girls at school about it

and they were just
green with envy.

"My mother is
having lunch with, uh,

Mrs. Barbara Manning."

Honey, you shouldn't
have done that.

Well...

I don't get it.

Since when is who you eat with

more important
than what you eat?

Jeff, this happens to
be miles over your head.

Is that so?

Let me tell you something.
I bet that if I had...

Hey, Mom, something
new has been added, huh?

Hmm-hmm.

It's Dresden, very old.

Mother, that's beautiful.
May I look at it?

Yes, certainly.

- Oh, Mother, that is
just gorgeous - Isn't it?

- And look at those colors.
- Uh-huh.

- I doesn't look like much to me.
- Oh.

Here, let me look at that.

Now, Jeff, be
careful. It costs $250.

Somebody take it
away from me, please.

Well, thanks.

- $250 for that?
- Hmm-hmm.

Wait, that's about
five bicycles.

Arithmetic with bicycles is
much better than with trapezoids.

Mother, did you buy it?

Oh, no.

I want to discuss it
with your father first.

He'll say, "No."

Now, Jeff...

Nothing personal,
Mom, but if you ask me,

that's an awful lot of money
to spend on something

you can't do anything
with, but look at.

I suppose, a Picasso
would mean nothing to you.

You're right.

What is it?

Never mind. You're hopeless.

Mom, can I go to Zack's?

Uh, yes, but be sure and
be home in time for dinner.

OK.

Mother, that Jeff
can be such a goon.

But he's right on one thing.

It is a lot of money.

Oh, but, Mother,
it's so beautiful

and I know Daddy
will like it, too.

Oh, I'm not sure.

Honey, it's a kind of thing
that women appreciate,

but not men.

Mother, didn't Daddy
say just last week

he wanted to buy a
new set of golf clubs?

That's right, he did,

- and that's just for men, isn't it?
- Hmm-hmm.

Honey, would you
like to help me prepare

a very special
dinner for your father?

Hmm-hmm.

- Hi, dear.
- Hi, darling.

- You're late, sweetheart.
- Oh, boy, what a day.

- Darling, I am so— - Hi, Daddy.

Hi, honey.

Well, in the first place,
Dr. Wilson had a lot of calls to make

- and so, I had to take his clinic
patients as well as my own.
- Oh.

Then on the way home,

some, some idiot woman
driver backs out of a driveway

and smashes
right into my fender.

I kept honking the horn,

but oh, no, she was
in her own little world,

kept right on backing up.

- Women drivers, I tell you—
- Was there much damage?

Enough. Enough.

It'll cost us at least $75
to get that fender replaced,

$75.

She should learn how to
use the rear-view mirror.

Oh, what a shame.

Of course, she insists
she was in the right,

had her hand out.

It could mean anything.

She could have been
drying her fingernail polish.

Oh, I tell you, she
should get back to school.

- I don't know how she got a
license in the first place— - Oh, darling!

Why don't you sit down
over here, in your chair,

- you'll be more comfortable.
- All right.

- Thank you.
- Hmm-hmm.

Drivers.

What's the matter?

- Oh, I had a lovely lunch
today - I was talking to some of

- the girls at school today
and— - And Mrs. Manning was...

we talked about tests and...

Oh, honey, did
you burn yourself?

It's all right, darling, it's just
all part of this wonderful day.

Alex, why don't you take
a little nap before dinner?

It'll make you feel better.

- Yeah, maybe
you're right, darling.
- Yes.

Yes. I'll just lie down
here on the sofa.

You can call me
when dinner is ready.

Are you comfortable, Daddy?

- Hi, Mom— - Shh! Hide it.

- Hide it?
- Shh!

Don't ask questions. Hide it.

- Have a good rest, dear.
- Well, thank you, darling.

Never mind.

All right, daddy, relax.

Uh, I was going
to the kitchen and I,

I hit the table and
knocked the fruit bowl over.

That's all right, darling.

- It just was the fruit bowl.
- I see.

I have a wonderful
dinner for you, dear.

Yes. It's very special.

- I look forward to it, darling.
- Yes.

Darling, that was the
best meal you ever made.

You think so, dear?

Only a poet could
do justice to that meal.

Oh.

I'm no poet, but I
thought it was great.

Oh, thank you, dear.

A poet expresses his
appreciation with a pen

and you do it with
a knife and fork.

Well, it's more fun that way.

- Mother?
- Yes?

It worked. Daddy's
in a wonderful mood.

Yes, he is, isn't he?

Are you going to ask him
now, about the Dresden statue?

Well, I can't think
of a better time.

Oh, and don't forget
about the golf clubs.

No, I won't.

Your favorite cake, dear.

Wow. Thank you,
darling. Wonderful.

You're feeling better
now, aren't you?

I sure am. Never
felt better in my life.

Good. Alex?

Yes, dear?

You mentioned a
couple of days ago

about buying a
new set of golf clubs.

Yeah, I remember.

Well, since you enjoy
the game so much,

I think you should have them.

- New golf clubs? I wouldn't think of it.
- But, dear?

Honey, over the weekend,
for the first time in my life,

I broke 90.

I wouldn't give up those
old clubs now for the world.

Well, Daddy, maybe with
a new set of golf clubs,

you can do even better.

- No.
- Yes, you never know.

No, I wouldn't take a chance.

"Leave well enough
alone" is my motto.

Do you realize that
all my approaches

were dropping
right on the green?

I was patting like a pro.

Then, every time
I use my driver...

- Driver...
- What driver?

I just reminded myself of that
woman driver who backed into me.

What an idiotic, careless,
downright dangerous thing to do...

Jeff. Would you
answer the door, please?

That woman is a menace.

She ought to have her
license taken away from her.

Let's get the coffee, dear.

They ought to force them
to take a test once a year,

put rubber bumpers on the car,

so they don't hurt anything
when they hit them.

You know, it was a mistake
bringing up those golf clubs.

Oh, I'm sorry,
Mother, it was my fault.

Oh, no, honey.

Well, we'll just wait until
he's in a better mood.

No more golf.

All right, Mother.

Here's the coffee, dear.

Thank you, darling.

- A telegram for you, Dad.
- Oh, thank you, Jeff.

Oh, telegram.

"Arriving 10:00 tonight.

We'll stop over to visit for two
hours on the way to Chicago,

- to be with Sylvia"—
- Who's Sylvia?

"when she has her
baby. Love, Aunt Lettie."

Who's Aunt Lettie?

My Aunt Lettie.

Well, as a matter of fact,
she's my mother's cousin.

Well, you remember, dear,
she was at our wedding.

Oh, was she the heavy lady,
who wore the grey lace dress

and the big earrings?

No, dear, that sounds more
like one of your relatives.

Well, goodness knows,

there were enough of
both of them at our wedding.

Which one was Aunt Lettie?

Well, she's just a
little bit of a woman,

but she likes to run everything.

Gee, I wish I could
remember her.

Aunt Lettie, is she the
muffler every Christmas

or is she the socks?

I'm afraid she's the mittens.

Now, when it comes
to giving presents,

Aunt Lettie is
about 50 years be...

Oh my gosh, presents.

- What presents?
- Aunt Lettie's wedding present.

If she comes to the house
tonight and doesn't see it,

she'll be hurt.
She's very sensitive.

What did she give us?

I don't remember.

Well, whatever it is,

we've got to put it out
where she can see it.

Well, how can I do that

if I don't remember
what it is or where it is?

The attic.

Oh, sure, it'll be up with all
the other wedding presents

and junk we've collected.

- Come on. Let's take them out.
- Yeah. Right now.

I'm sure I'll recognize
them when I see it.

- Mom! Mom!
- Yeah.

Yes, what is it?

That's where I put
your statue, in the attic.

Oh, right, maybe this is it.

Hmm?

No, no.

I think that was a present
from your cousin, George.

No, no, he gave us
silver candlesticks.

- He did, huh?
- Uh-huh.

- Are you sure?
- Uh-huh.

Where did you hide it?

I don't know, Mom.

Dad's been moving so
much stuff around here,

I've lost my sense of direction.

Hey, there you go!
I bet this could be it.

Uh, no, I think that's
an anniversary gift

from Uncle Ralph.

- Are you sure?
- No.

Is this it?

Yeah, yeah, it could be.

- Really?
- Are you sure?

No.

Hey, Dad, how about this?

Oh, no, I don't think even
your Aunt Lettie would do that.

Don't sell Aunt Lettie
short, she might.

There's so much stuff up here.

I wonder about this.

Could this be it?

Oh, no, I, I don't think
that's from your aunt.

- No. No.
- Well, it could be.

As a matter of fact, it could
be any of the junk up here.

Junk?

Darling, there's
only one thing to do.

How does it look?

It's awful.

It sure is.

Oh.

Well, anyway, Aunt Lettie
will fly right to her present,

whichever one it is,
like a homing pigeon.

Think how happy
it'll make her feel,

to know that we've had it in
our living room all these years.

The rest of my life, I'm
going to have nightmares

every time I think
of this room this way.

Oh, honey, it's
just for tonight.

It's too long.

Oh, boy, Aunt Lettie's
train gets here in an hour.

I better change
before I pick her up.

- Good evening, dear.
- Oh, Mrs. Manning.

Mrs. Stone.

I hope we're not dropping
by at an inconvenient hour.

Oh, no, not at all.

I helped Mr. Jason pick
out some drapery material.

- We'd like your opinion.
- Oh.

I think you'll find something
here that you'll like.

Oh, I'm sure, I will.

You sure have such delightful
taste with the new waiting room

that I thought...

My, you certainly
have a charming home.

Those are all wedding presents.

I'll get it, dear.

Everything seems,
uh, uh, so right,

uh, don't you think
so, Mr. Jason?

Charming. Charming.

Mrs. Manning, these
things aren't usually here.

- You see, my husband brought
them up— - Your husband?

You were so right.

He has excellent taste.

- Mrs. Manning— - And
a charming sentiment.

Oh, uh, about the material,

I'd like to get started
on the drapes.

You see, my husband's aunt
is expected here this evening

and we don't remember...

Well, we won't keep you if
you're expecting company.

Oh, uh, would it be all right
with you if Mrs. Barnett and I

make the decision
about the drapes?

Oh, yes, that'll be
perfectly all right.

- I'll take these.
- Oh.

Lovely. Just lovely.

Good night.

Good night.

Mrs. Stone.

Thank you.

Who was that?

Mrs. Manning.

Well, our first visit
from Mrs. Manning.

We're coming up in the world.

Probably our last.

By the way, that,
uh, that telephone call

was from Aunt Lettie.

She won't be coming.

- She won't be coming?
- No, no.

It seemed Sylvia had her
baby a little ahead of schedule,

so Aunt Lettie
took an earlier train

and called from the station
during the 10-minute stop.

She won't be coming?

Well, honey, I didn't know
you were looking forward

to her visit that much.

Hey, do you want to
hear something funny?

Oh, Alex, nothing in the world

would strike me
as funny right now.

Well, just listen.

Aunt Lettie said she was sorry
she couldn't make it because,

because she had
something for us.

She what?

It seems she never did
give us a wedding present.

She never gave us
a wedding present?

Oh, Alex.

What am I laughing at?

Oh.

Wait until I tell you.

It all started with this.

- Good morning, dear.
- Good morning, honey.

- Oh, you got rid of all the junk.
- Yeah.

- Oh, thank you, sweetheart.
- Hmm-hmm.

Did Jeff help you?

No, no, he's still in bed,
sleeping the sleep of the just.

And the lazy.

- I have a little present for you.
- Oh?

Oh, Alex, no, it, it's
very sweet of you,

but I won't let you spend
$250 on a present for me.

Well, you like it, don't you?

Well, yes, I love it,
but not that much.

Besides, I realize,

part of it was just trying
to impress Mrs. Manning.

Well, don't worry
about the money.

I called up Mr. Jason early this
morning to talk about the statue

and he said he
got a lot of calls

for that junk we had
in the living room.

- He does?
- Hmm-hmm. Yeah.

So, he came over
early, picked it all up

and we made an even
trade for the Dresden statue.

Oh, Alex.

- Oh, thank you, dear.
- Hmm-hmm.

Oh, it's really very lovely.

I don't see anything here
about Mrs. Manning's visit.

Oh, well, it would probably
be in the afternoon edition.

Come in.

Donna, did you ask
Alex? What did he say?

Oh, I see you did.
Well, what happened?

Alex, tell her.

Oh, it's quite simple.

Donna said, "Darling,
there's this Dresden statue

that I'm just mad
about, but it costs $250."

And I said, "Buy it, my sweet."

I don't believe it
happened like that at all.

You're right, but
I have my statue

and I think you
have Mrs. Manning.

What?

Come on, Louise. Let's
have some breakfast.