by Richard K. Shull

Last Spring, a whole gaggle of female TV stars with their own weekly shows trooped off into the closing commercial, never to darken our living rooms again--well anyhow, not this season.

Only one escaped this mass extermination, and she's thriving stronger than ever this season. She, of course, is Donna Reed, star of her own "Donna Reed Show."

"I happened to be around at the right place at the right time," she said, making light of the success of her Thursday night show, now in its fourth season.

She was speaking by telephone from her Beverly Hills home. "So I'm told, once you get an audience, it's hard to lose them," she added, explaining her success while such formidable names as Loretta Young, Barbara Stanwyck, Shirley Temple and June Allyson had faded.

Donna's family situation comedy has undergone few changes in its more than three years on the air.

Last month, a giant shaggy dog was added to the cast. "A young fellow found the dog in a pound. He had no previous experience as a trainer, but he brought it around to the studio and our associate producer saw it and liked it," she explained.

She added that the canine behemoth (135 pounds) is "sweet, affectionate and bright," but a rank amateur as an actor. "He's learning though," Donna added, not wanting to sound catty around him.

Donna grew up on an Iowa farm (real name Donna Mullenger) and attended Los Angeles City College more than 20 years ago.

She was pretty well stereotyped as the wholesome girl-next-door in movies until 1953 when she won an Oscar for her role in "From Here to Eternity."

"I've frequently been asked if I'd do a 'bad girl' role again for the movies. With a TV play a week on my schedule, there is no time for other work," she said.

"Recently, my older daughter, Penny Jane--she's 15--appeared to be uncomfortable when she asked about the role I played in 'From Here to Eternity.' The fact that it earned an Academy Award for me didn't mean as much to her as the character I portrayed.

"Definitely, my family at this time will receive prime consideration. If a film role might cause them any embarrassment, then obviously it would not be acceptable to me," she said.