1954 Elinor Donahue's Racy Dress - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

CosmicCharlie · 06-20-2026, 01:38 PM

S1 E3 The Motor Scooter

I'm amazed they allowed her to wear this in 1954 at age 17 +- in just the 3rd episode. She definitely filled it out ...

Not what I expected having never watched this show until now

What do you think the people behind the show were thinking ?

stevea · 06-20-2026, 03:10 PM

I remember Jim wigged out when he saw it.

Betty is overly ditzy in season 1.

She became annoying in other ways as the show went on. Like snobby, always having to win campus contests, etc.

biffbronson · 06-21-2026, 11:08 AM

Thank you for those images, wow!!

I like her choker. Longer hair usually looks nice when pulled back, and Elinor's is no exception here. Her hair always appeared to be very dark, so I was surprised years ago to learn that it was red.

She and Jane Wyatt both had very pretty faces. I think Jane is an underrated beauty, wearing somewhat dowdy / drab clothes in her role.

In my opinion, Elinor's most beautiful work was on The Andy Griffith Show, when she was in her 20s. I'll also mention her one-shot appearance on Dennis the Menace in 1960. Generally she was very hot in those years:

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CosmicCharlie · 06-21-2026, 11:47 AM

She and Jane Wyatt both had very pretty faces.
At times during FKB I mistake them in some scenes !
Jane seems too young for Robert Young +-

stevea · 06-21-2026, 01:31 PM

She was only around 3 years younger, and she outlived him by 8 years.

Howard · 06-21-2026, 05:32 PM

That famous ponytail hairdo for teens in the fifties! Interesting that in seasons 5 and 6 she sported short hair that miraculously grew back, maybe with the help of a clip on ponytail for the final season! just a thought!

Tankeryanker · 06-21-2026, 07:59 PM

Jimbob in the Waltons had a crush on a married woman and she wore some really short shorts and a tied at the waist crop top.

Very surprising for the 40s.

Princess doesn't look too racy.

I don't remember; did she have a suitable date for such a dress? That gentle guy from the vine-covered cabin or whatever it was called. He was pretty docile.

James Dean was running around then. Him showing up to take her out in THAT would have sent Bud over the edge.

biffbronson · 06-22-2026, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankeryanker

Jimbob in the Waltons had a crush on a married woman and she wore some really short shorts and a tied at the waist crop top.

Very surprising for the 40s.

Young man crushing on a married woman in the 1940s who wears shorts. Hmm...
Apparently there was heavy influence from the smash-hit 1971 film "Summer of '42" starring

Jennifer O'Neill

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06-20-2026, 01:38 PM	#1
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,437	1954 Elinor Donahue's Racy Dress S1 E3 The Motor Scooter I'm amazed they allowed her to wear this in 1954 at age 17 +- in just the 3rd episode. She definitely filled it out ... Not what I expected having never watched this show until now What do you think the people behind the show were thinking ? Attached Images

06-20-2026, 03:10 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,712	I remember Jim wigged out when he saw it. Betty is overly ditzy in season 1. She became annoying in other ways as the show went on. Like snobby, always having to win campus contests, etc.

06-21-2026, 11:08 AM	#3
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	Thank you for those images, wow!! I like her choker. Longer hair usually looks nice when pulled back, and Elinor's is no exception here. Her hair always appeared to be very dark, so I was surprised years ago to learn that it was red. She and Jane Wyatt both had very pretty faces. I think Jane is an underrated beauty, wearing somewhat dowdy / drab clothes in her role. In my opinion, Elinor's most beautiful work was on The Andy Griffith Show, when she was in her 20s. I'll also mention her one-shot appearance on Dennis the Menace in 1960. Generally she was very hot in those years:

06-21-2026, 11:47 AM	#4
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,437	She and Jane Wyatt both had very pretty faces. At times during FKB I mistake them in some scenes ! Jane seems too young for Robert Young +-

06-21-2026, 01:31 PM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,712	She was only around 3 years younger, and she outlived him by 8 years.

06-21-2026, 05:32 PM	#6
Howard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 23, 2003 Posts: 250	That famous ponytail hairdo for teens in the fifties! Interesting that in seasons 5 and 6 she sported short hair that miraculously grew back, maybe with the help of a clip on ponytail for the final season! just a thought!

06-21-2026, 07:59 PM	#7
Tankeryanker Do you like my monkey picture? Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 22, 2014 Posts: 3,049	Jimbob in the Waltons had a crush on a married woman and she wore some really short shorts and a tied at the waist crop top. Very surprising for the 40s. Princess doesn't look too racy. I don't remember; did she have a suitable date for such a dress? That gentle guy from the vine-covered cabin or whatever it was called. He was pretty docile. James Dean was running around then. Him showing up to take her out in THAT would have sent Bud over the edge.