Random Non-Louise Photo: Donna Reed in a photo shoot with Asta the playful terrier for “Shadow of the Thin Man” (1941). (Thread)
Notice: This seemingly endless thread is just an excuse to display way too many photos of the lovely Donna Reed and handsome Asta in a “Shadow of The Thin Man” publicity photo shoot. If you’re good with that, please continue...
Donna, just twenty years old and fresh from college, made two credited screen appearance in 1941, her first year with MGM. Her minor role in “Shadow of the Thin Man” as Molly, secretary to a conniving newspaper reporter, was her second.)
“The Shadow of the Thin Man” (1941) was the fourth entry in the popular “Thin Man” series of mysteries featuring the married, witty and occasionally tipsy amateur sleuths Nick and Nora Charles (William Powell and Myrna Loy). It’s generally considered one of the weaker efforts.
Donna would go on to a celebrated career in both film and on TV in her own popular series “The Donna Reed Show” (1958-66). Her two most notable screen appearances came with the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) with Jimmy Stewart and “From Here to Eternity” (1953).
Asta (real name Skippy) had a long and glorious canine career in Hollywood beginning with his star turn in the original “Thin Man” film in 1934. He also had memorable roles as “Mr. Smith” in “The Awful Truth” (1937) and as the mischievous “George” in “Bringing Up Baby” (1938).
Skippy, born around 1931, retired shortly after filming “Shadow of the Thin Man” in the fall of 1941. Asta, alas, would have to be played by another trained terrier — true identity shrouded in mystery — in the final two installments of the “Thin Man” series in 1945 and 1947.
Non-Donna/Asta Trivia: Famed acting instructor Stella Adler made one of only three film appearances when she played the girlfriend to the aforementioned reporter in “Return.” Her NY acting school counted Marlon Brando, Judy Garland, Warren Beatty and Robert DeNiro as students.
And finally, Donna in stills from “Shadow of the Thin Man” (1941): with Myrna Loy (L) and Barry Nelson (R) in his film debut. Trivia: Nelson played poker-playing U.S. agent “Jimmy” Bond in a one-hour TV adaptation of Ian Fleming’s “Casino Royale” in 1954.
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