Decoration Day (TV 1990)

A cantankerous widower (Garner) who is virtually living the life of a recluse is forced to rejoin his community when his Godchild (Skaggs) gets in trouble and a childhood friend (Cobbs), a ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Markowitz

Writers:

John William Corrington (novel), Robert W. Lenski

Stars:

James Garner, Judith Ivey, Ruby Dee

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
James Garner	...	Albert Sidney Finch
Judith Ivey	...	Terry Novis
Ruby Dee	...	Rowena, Finch's Housekeeper
Bill Cobbs	...	Gee Pennywell
Laurence Fishburne	...	Michael Waring, DOD Man
Jo Anderson	...	Loreen Wendell
Norm Skaggs	...	Billy Wendell
Wallace Wilkinson	...	Judge Wesley
Jonathan Peck	...	Young Gee
Ric Reitz	...	Young Albert
Jeff Young Lewis	...	Imposter Lieutenant
Tracy Perry	...	Tracy Wendell
Dwionne Dickerson	...	Fritzie, Gee's Granddaugher
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stephen Rollins	...	Private Lester

Storyline

A cantankerous widower (Garner) who is virtually living the life of a recluse is forced to rejoin his community when his Godchild (Skaggs) gets in trouble and a childhood friend (Cobbs), a black tenant farmer, refuses to belatedly accept a Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in World War II.

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Plot Keywords:

widower | congressional medal of honor | man crying | shot in the stomach | mastectomy | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Decoration Day (#40.1)

Filming Locations:

Agnes Scott College - 141 E. College Avenue, Decatur, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Marian Rees Associates, Vantage Entertainment Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Albert Sidney Finch got the Purple Heart for being shot in the back in France in World War II; James Garner received the Purple Heart for being shot in the butt during the Korean War.

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Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

User Reviews

A memorable movie

The cast and the setting of this movie was enough for me. When you add the plot and sub-stories it turns into an extremely well made and thought out movie. I enjoyed every minute and can't express in words the magnificent job the cast did. I really enjoyed the interaction between Rowena and Judge Finch. You could tell from the beginning there was quite a past between the two. I can't find any fault in Decoration Day. It's amazing how with the correct script and cast, that violence, profanity, and sex would seem out of place. The sub-plots were sufficient to keep the viewer guessing and the story of Billy and Loreen fit in perfectly. I would encourage everyone to see this to see what a real story and great actors can do when they are combined