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The Donna Reed Show
S1.E6
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  • User reviews
IMDbPro

The Foundling

  • Episode aired Oct 29, 1958
  • TV-G
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
63
YOUR RATING
Donna Reed and Fintan Meyler in The Donna Reed Show (1958)
ComedyFamily

Someone leaves a baby on the front doorstep. Alex, who thinks the baby should be turned over to the authorities, fears the family is becoming too attached to it.Someone leaves a baby on the front doorstep. Alex, who thinks the baby should be turned over to the authorities, fears the family is becoming too attached to it.Someone leaves a baby on the front doorstep. Alex, who thinks the baby should be turned over to the authorities, fears the family is becoming too attached to it.

  • Director
    • Oscar Rudolph
  • Writers
    • William Roberts
    • John Whedon
  • Stars
    • Donna Reed
    • Carl Betz
    • Shelley Fabares
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    63
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Oscar Rudolph
    • Writers
      • William Roberts
      • John Whedon
    • Stars
      • Donna Reed
      • Carl Betz
      • Shelley Fabares
    • 1User review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast7

    Edit
    Donna Reed
    Donna Reed
    • Donna Stone
    Carl Betz
    Carl Betz
    • Dr. Alex Stone
    Shelley Fabares
    Shelley Fabares
    • Mary Stone
    Paul Petersen
    Paul Petersen
    • Jeff Stone
    Paul Picerni
    Paul Picerni
    • Milkman
    Fintan Meyler
    • Kathleen
    Don Hildreth
    • Policeman
    • Director
      • Oscar Rudolph
    • Writers
      • William Roberts
      • John Whedon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.463
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    Featured reviews

    4wes-connors

    Donna Plays Baby Detective

    At the breakfast table, Donna (Donna Reed) reminds her family that Fintan Meyler (as Kathleen), an Irish woman with no boyfriends, will be coming to clean the house today. After Alex (Carl Betz) leaves for work, Mary (Shelley Fabares) goes to see if milkman Paul Picerni (as Tony) has arrived; instead, she finds an abandoned baby in a basket, left on the Stone's doorstep.

    An accompanying note says, "Dear Mrs. Stone, his name is Willie. He's a good boy and hardly ever cries. Please love him and take care of him for me. God bless you." Initially, Donna and Mary feel motherly; but, Jeff doesn't want a baby brother. Alex returns, and wants to call the police. Donna decides to play baby detective; and, he gets to the bottom of the baby mystery - with predictable results. This first episode written by John Whedon has a "social consciousness" angle; and, Mr. Picerni's portrayal of the well-meaning milkman is its highlight.

    **** The Foundling (10/29/58) John Whedon ~ Donna Reed, Paul Picerni, Fintan Meyler

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Quotes

      Alex Stone: Honey, please, we're already running an adoption agency; let's not start a matrimonial bureau.

    • Connections
      Featured in Married... with Children: The Hood, the Bud & the Kelly: Part 1 (1996)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 29, 1958 (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Production companies
      • Todon
      • Briskin Productions
      • Screen Gems
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 30m
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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