Doonby

Doonby is a 2013 independent film written and directed by Peter Mackenzie. It stars John Schneider, Jenn Gotzon, Ernie Hudson, Jennifer O'Neill, Will Wallace, Robert Davi, and Joe Estevez.

Doonby
Film poster
Directed by	Peter Mackenzie
Screenplay by	Peter Mackenzie
Produced by	Peter Mackenzie Mike Mackenzie Tommy G. Warren Dawn Krantz Mark Joseph
Starring	John Schneider Ernie Hudson Jennifer O'Neill Will Wallace Robert Davi Joe Estevez
Cinematography	Peter Field
Edited by	Drake Silliman
Music by	Claude Foisy
Production companies	Spiderwood Studios Riverhorse Entertainment The Nobody Film Company
Release date	November 1, 2013 (2013-11-01)
Running time	104 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$2 million[1]

Plot summary

Sam Doonby is a mysterious drifter who gets off a bus one afternoon in a small Texas town to change and improve the lives of all with whom he comes in contact. It is a story of greed and envy, played out against the backdrop of the classic country and blues music that is performed in Leroy’s Bar.^[2] The film has been described by the producers as Crazy Heart-meets-It's a Wonderful Life, while Schneider described it as "It's a Wonderful Life without the Wonderful."^[3]

Cast

• John Schneider as Sam Doonby
• Jenn Gotzon as Laura Reaper
• Ernie Hudson as Leroy
• Robert Davi as Sheriff Woodley
• Jennifer O'Neill as Barbara Ann
• Will Wallace as Tony
• Joe Estevez as Cyrus

Production

The film was shot on location in Smithville, Texas.^[4]

Release

Doonby received a limited release in early February 2012, followed by a wider release in the United States^[5] on February 17, 2012 by Freestyle Releasing.^[6] In 2014, CMD Distribution obtained DVD distribution rights.^[7]

Reception

Doonby resonated with many antiabortion organizations due to its antiabortion theme. Activist Norma McCorvey (1947-2017), known as the plaintiff Jane Roe of the Supreme Court landmark decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States in 1973, appeared in a cameo in the film.^[1] It has also been endorsed by the Vatican and has premiered at the Landmark E Street Cinema during the 2013 March for Life, an annual antiabortion march protesting abortion in the United States.^[8]