Donna Reed Festival refocusing amid financial woes

The Donna Reed festival in the star's hometown of Denison is taking a new approach because of financial woes and dwindling attendance.

The festival, held since 1986, paid tribute to Reed, who was born Donnabelle Mullenger in 1921. Actors, producers and writers from Hollywood and New York came to the western Iowa town for a week in June each year to tutor others.

Officials with the Donna Reed Foundation think a year-round schedule of events, seminars and workshops could be more manageable and affordable.

Foundation board member Roy Voggesser says it's worth a try.

Reed won an Academy Award for the 1953 movie "From Here to Eternity." She became a television icon with the "The Donna Reed Show" from 1958 through 1966. And she starred with Jimmy Stewart in the 1946 holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life."