Donna Reed Wins Supporting Actress: 1954 Oscars

Donna Reed winning the Oscar® for Supporting Actress for "From Here to Eternity" at the 26th Academy Awards® in 1954. Presented by Walter Brennan and hosted by Donald O'Connor.

[@MrBirundio]

One of the prettiest actresses in golden era of Hollywood!! Bellísima ❤

[@ronnoten]

One of the happiest winners ever, lovely lady who died way too young. Still Love her.

[@hcombs0104]

I love how she EXITS the stage! She is very obviously happy with the win!

[@bman560]

Yes you could see she was just ecstatic about winning.

[@JeffersonDinedAlone]

Some people simply make you feel good, whether in actual association or by their presence in a movie or television production. Donna Reed was one of those people.

[@scottmiller6495]

A great lady with charm,talent , beauty and a loving presence not seen anymore !!!!!

[@gatewayski1]

Miss Reed grew up on a farm in Denison, Iowa with strong family ties there. Her Oscar is on display at a historical site there. Every year people come to Denison in June where a Scholarship & Festival exists in her honor, thanks be to the Donna Reed Foundation which her family created upon her wishes. A very friendly woman throughout her entire career who appreciated her fans and the general public. Her children, Penny, Tony , Mary and Tim and many friends and fans still miss her very much.

[@mjbedwards55]

Donna Reed was an effervescent actress & very lovely as well. She will always be an American treasure!

[@jwelch5742]

Donna Reed has great acting in From Here to Eternity.

[@jamesbridge6408]

jwelch5742 ... I too! Love is her smile.

[@bman560]

I love this clip. You can see she was ecstatic over winning. After this award, Mercedes McCambridge was introduced to present Supporting Actor and said, "I am just so thrilled for Donna". Terrific actress in a great movie.

[@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET]

notice how mm knew the name Frank Sinatra before reading the envelope?

[@Harringtonml54]

One of my 5 favorite wins in the category. Great performance, very nice woman (I worked once with her).

[@scoppio07]

Please tell more. :)

[@onoalerr]

Love the Movie!! Clift and Reed are amazing on it, Kerr was great as usual and Sinatra shines, Lancaster and Borgnine also delivered, it was a great cast overall. She deservedly won and What an Actor Montgomery was, every single one of his pictures are timeless and he was always on point

[@jamesbridge6408]

Ono Ramírez ... G e o r g e. S t e v e n s

[@travels129]

Walter Brennan wat a great actor great voice

[@cat-lw6kq]

one of my favorite films, a classic, she didn't have a big part but she was really good

[@stevefonda6238]

Loved her in everything she did! What is amazing to me is how she could jog down the isle in those heels! Damn!

[@terrihenricks4160]

Donna Reed received unfair blame for the box office failure of "It's a Wonderful Life." Her performance in that picture - and the movie itself - are of course viewed much differently today. Winning an Academy Award for "From Here to Eternity" must have felt really good for her. The baby boom generation remembers her best as an "All American Mom" on her own television sitcom.

[@hcombs0104]

I hate to say it, but for James Stewart and Frank Capra, she was a convenient scapegoat because this was one of her first starring roles. Never mind the fact that Frank Capra's own career as director was slipping because his films no longer appealed to post-war moviegoers, or that James Stewart had lost his box office appeal and had to rebuild it. It was easier to blame the newbie.

[@alel3544]

How could someone blame her? She was terrific as Mary!

[@MrImiller07]

Donna Reed was wonderful in "From Here To Eternity" and deserving of her Oscar, however, isn't it curious that neither Reed or Frank Sinatra, who won for the same film, expressed their thanks to Fred Zinnemann, the director who inspired these performances, or to Montgomery Clift, who worked with Sinatra to improve his acting skills and provided a perfect counterpoint to Reed? Without Clift's Prewitt, the film and its' supporting actors, doesn't rise to the same level of quality.

[@jaymorgenthal9479]

If you see the two part HBO special on Sinatra, he gave a lot of credit to Clift for helping him.

[@slc2466]

I think the Academy was pushing for short speeches that year as well (I believe William Holden was told to "keep it brief" or something to that effect).

[@gabrielhalston6726]

One of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, both physically and personally. Miss her.

[@FabinhoFlapp]

Full clip. ❤ Thanks, Academy!

[@MikeysGayToday]

Amazing how far away from the stage she was!! But I LOVE HER DRESS!!!! More should dress like this!!

[@amyclarke41]

donna was ace in its a wonderful life 😁

[@lynnturman8157]

Not to take anything away from Donna Reed but she won this award (and deservedly so) for one reason: Montgomery Clift. Clift had a way of eliciting great performances from those actors he shared scenes with. This is a good example of that. Other examples: Sinatra in this movie, John Wayne in Red River, Elizabeth Taylor in Place in the Sun, Jennifer Jones in Indiscretion of an American Wife, Clark Gable in the Misfits, etc, etc, etc...

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+Lynn Turman Don't "take anything away" from Fred Zinnemann either, one of the best directors of actors. That also goes for Hawks, Stevens, and Huston all of whom worked on those films with the great Clift. Don't know who directed Indiscretion, not familiar with it.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

**REALITY CHECK** So, let's see, on the basis of these comments, DR had NOTHING to do with her winning an Academy Award, it was totally due to her co-star & director...(ROFL)

[@javiervalverde2374]

@@TheChannelTV-bt8em Vittorio de Sica was the director of an Indiscretion of an American Wife

[@gatewayski1]

She made some very fine films, among them THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, my personal favorite.

[@drstrangelove6558]

did you even know that she starded with the great Mr. Stewart in ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE? ;)

[@drstrangelove6558]

k

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

I would have been hammering my head against the wall trying to decide between Donna and Thelma in Pickup on South Street. Ms Ritter's street peddler and informant was the best of her career. And Ms Reed's Lurene-Alma the "dance hostess" was also the best of hers. "You're a funny one." I just don't know. But gosh, Donna Reed sure was a knockout.

[@lnl3237]

Just finished watching "From Here to Eternity" and saw "Pickup on South Street" yesterday on TCM. Donna Reed and the great Thelma Ritter both gave extraordinary performances. No winner could've been more over-the-top thrilled than Ms. Reed.

[@slc2466]

I think Donna nailed her last scene with Clift, one of the best in the movie, but Ritter also memorably hit probably the best scene in "South Street" out of the park- I'd go with Ritter, but Reed's against-type casting paid off with a vivid performance.

[@Sereno44]

I watched that movie 50 years ago for the first time after coming from School. I cried at the scene of Montgomery Cliff´s tumpet.

[@loveyu2778]

She looked so happy

[@julieriley1059]

Wonderful elegant lady I wish Monty Clift won an oscar for this film too

[@trilby5546]

DR got it for a different type of role and she, like Shirley Jones, did their finest acting.

[@psychokarloff]

I can't believe she had to run from the rear of the auditorium! Shows how much the studios (and the Academy) valued supporting players in those days. Really a shame.

[@dobazajr]

I think during those days, all nominees can sit anywhere they like.

[@lnl3237]

She deserved an award just for flying down that aisle without tripping!

[@bingovegas4867]

Studios have nothing to do with seating. Frank Sinatra also won that night and he also had to sit in the back with Donna and he ran up the aisle too. You got seated as you arrived, and they both obviously were late!

[@fob1xxl]

Always a CLASS ACT ! LOVED her TV Show.

[@aagold76]

that was a good speech

[@Adgod152]

Hermosa y gran actriz , además amada hasta hoy día en 2021 por el público de todo el mundo ....reñida competencia ....junto a la gran Thelma Ritter .....por ambas RIP 🙏

[@jaymorgenthal9479]

Walter Brennan had a very strong Boston type accent. He was from Lynn,Mass.

[@hiyallhiyall1644]

WOW! so gorgeous! face and FIGURE! mama mia!

[@donnareed1015]

Well Deserved❤❤❤ Love Her💋

[@death2pc]

Seated all the way back. How utterly insulting. Phenomenal - brilliant actress.

[@bingovegas4867]

Have said this before. If you arrive late you get seated in the last row THEN you must run up the aisle??? WTF??? Frank also, check his run as Best Supporting Actor, same movie. Thank God things changed over the years. P.S. Meryl now has a permanent front row seat at the Oscar's!

[@janethu9169]

Donna Reed. Walter Brenner. ....

[@uninstaller2860]

There's a reference to her speech in one of the reader letters of Mad Magazine issue 15. Mad had made a spoof on the film in a previous issue, with the name From Eternity to Here, which the reader jokingly said she was referencing here, in her speech

[@dantedfw]

I think it is so cool that she won.

[@dotsyjmaher]

I LOVED HER

[@mattcohen261]

A great moment for a beautiful and classy lady.

[@ShashiChandra]

I love how she walks, thats cute.......

[@drstrangelove6558]

the great Ocoonor! ;D

[@trilby5546]

DR so deserving.⭐️👍⭐️👍

[@drstrangelove6558]

Mrs. Ritter should won imo

[@guviergodoy8594]

Cuando vi la pelicula y la vi me enamore gueon quede loco con ella.

[@Leonardoeditor37]

After quite a time, what about posting videos about past winners in the whole Oscar history like this one here? I believe that there are other winners that haven't been posted yet. It's just a suggestion.

[@lorenzopalmas]

BRAVA DONNA REED!!!!!

[@justsayin1643]

Why they sat so many in the back? Gloria Graham when she won had to dash from the back as well as Dorothy Malone.

[@viantzpradz4771]

Her face remains me to Olivia de Havilland...!!!

[@machovoce6826]

What's up with Brennan trying to whisk her off before she speaks? A real effin McCoy, man.

[@ceylawo]

Great...perfect

[@delrey874]

She's sooo cute.

[@jay_rjabonillo9908]

Wondering if this is in color. Donna has glitters on her hair.

[@Winduct]

Her performance was barely noticeable in the film.

[@psychokarloff]

SO bizarre that in those days, "supporting" actors were relegated to the insultingly far, far netherworld of the auditorium. They had to nearly sprint a mile just to reach the stage.

[@bingovegas4867]

Nope, you were seated as you arrived. This has been discussed often and movie experts all said that's how it was back then. 7 years later things began to change and Actors were all moved up front but on the aisle in 1st 7-8 rows. Now it's all the way across for lead with supporting noms in 2nd rows along all aisles.

[@johnedwards6318]

Should of went to Thelma Ritter for Pickup On South Street. Donna Reed is my second choice.

[@FilmDisney]

Jane Campion winning Best Original Screenplay would be great.

[@kerstindahlqvist9641]

It was a brave Choice to play a prostitute after playing girl next door. She was good in both kinds of film.

[@viantzpradz4771]

I think donna reed face look alike olivia de havilland right!!!

[@stephenkennedy8767]

When did they figure out to put nominees up closer?

[@rr7firefly]

Why in the world would they seat the nominees so far from the stage? Donna Reed had to run. William Holden had to rush also.

[@TheTerryE]

Thelma Ritter deserved this Oscar for Pickup on South Street. She was amazing.

[@CLASSICALFAN100]

TR was nominated 6 times for an Academy Award, and never won. Toward the end of her career, she lamented, "I truly know what it's like to be 'always a bridesmaid, never a bride'..."

[@lnl3237]

Look what she did with literally a minute or two as the mom in "Miracle on 34th Street." That scene and the one with the little Dutch girl singing with Sinterklauss are highlights for me.

[@stevencheatham5041]

@@lnl3237 Donna Reed played the mom in “It’s A Wonderful Life“ not Miracle On 34th Street.

[@lnl3237]

@@stevencheatham5041 So sorry, Steven, I wasn't clear. The commenter above me was talking about Thelma Ritter; I was referring to her. Gosh, it's so nice to know there are others out there watching these videos and reading our comments. Thanks.

[@stevencheatham5041]

Lorraine Liberti Sorry, I thought you were talking about Donna, I love these old Oscar videos and I’ve always been a huge fan of the Oscars. It’s fun to see these telecasts from before I could actually have watched them.

[@fatima1009]

Geraldine Page goes back a long way.

[@stephenkennedy8767]

Where was she seated in the lobby?

[@verak66]

And a charming host, too. Unlike today. They should think about asking Billy Crystal and Hugh Jackman again. Add some class and good taste which are both sorely lacking currently.

[@Cunninghamily]

1:17

[@MartinSage]

Oh, I was sure Maureen O'Sullivan was going to get an Oscar for Jane in Tarzan and his mate! Walter Brennen was a Big A-Hole as everyone knew!

[@Winduct]

Very.

[@Winduct]

I think the reason no one made an impact on me is because the film itself hasn't aged well through the years. It seemed so cliche and melodramatic, as did the performances. Not to mention Sinatra's overacting in every scene.

[@triciajohansen3027]

She was a great actress, but I did not like her as Miss Ellie on "Dallas".

[@drstrangelove6558]

Reed ignored Mr. Brennan very much here.

[@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET]

dr strangelove he was to move away from the podium after the handover... always awkward when they continue to stand in frame

[@gatewayski1]

What a strange observation.

[@drstrangelove6558]

oh

[@slc2466]

I think she wanted to say a few words before being led off the stage.

[@bonniebester606]

That was cheesy lol

[@TheAxellle]

danik lein lijn : ligne de tram en flamand , portugais meme ligne de tram tram trames thermes ternes si mone si gnoret wi ns be st ac tress 19 60 os cars

[@TheAxellle]

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[@robdykes3659]

So much better than the shit today

[@trilby5546]

DR got it for a different type of role and she, like Shirley Jones, did their finest acting.