The Best Place to Be is a 1979 American TV film produced by Ross Hunter. It marked Donna Reed's return to acting after 13 years.[1] Hunter planned a sequel but this did not eventuate.[2]

The Best Place to Be
GenreDrama
Directed byDavid Miller
StarringDonna Reed
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Mildred Dunnock
Music byHenry Mancini
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersAaron Spelling
Leonard Goldberg
ProducersRoss Hunter
Jacques Mapes
CinematographyTerry K. Meade
EditorRichard Bracken
Running time195 min.
240 min.
Production companyRoss Hunter Productions Inc.
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseMay 27, 1979 (1979-05-27)

Plot

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A widowed mother has an affair with a younger man.

Cast

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Production

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Reed said of her character, "In a way, she is a child-woman. She must learn to grow up and earn her own way. It's a long, hard battle. The children get into trouble. She takes on the wrong lover, a younger man. It's really about a woman who grows up enough to know the difference between a really good, old-fashioned man and a rogue and a playboy. She learns the lesson and finally meets a man who is right for her."[3]

Reception

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One review called it "a two part corpse".[4]

References

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  1. ^ Donna Reed to Return to TV Los Angeles Times 3 Oct 1978: e12.
  2. ^ Donna Reed: Back Where She Wants to Be Smith, Cecil. Los Angeles Times 4 Dec 1978: f1.
  3. ^ Donna Reed back on TV in NBC drama The Globe and Mail 8 Jan 1979: P.14.
  4. ^ TV REVIEW: Any where Else Is 'Best Place to Be' Rosenberg, Howard. Los Angeles Times 26 May 1979: c2.
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