''Decoration Day'' is a 1990 film based on a novella by John William Corrington of the same title. The

made-for-TV movie A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

was directed by

Robert Markowitz Robert Markowitz (born February 7, 1935, in Irvington, New Jersey) is an American film and television director. He directed episodes of ''Serpico'' (1976), '' Delvecchio'' (1976-1977), and ''Amazing Stories'' (1986), and a number of television ...

and filmed on location in

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

Plot

James Garner James Garner (born James Scott Bumgarner; April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor. He played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, including ''The Great Escape (film), The Great Escape'' (1963) with Steve McQueen; Paddy ...

plays a retired judge and recluse who comes out of "hiding" to investigate when his childhood friend (

Bill Cobbs William Francisco Cobbs (born June 16, 1934) is an American actor. He is known for his roles in movies such as Louisiana Slim in '' The Hitter'' (1979), Water in '' The Brother from Another Planet'' (1984), and as Lewis Coleman on ''I'll Fly A ...

) refuses to accept a

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...

awarded decades ago in

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

. His reason is kept in confidence and Garner's character files a motion to deny the ceremony. Meanwhile, the personal lives of the other characters have issues of their own to work out. In the end of things Cobbs' character is told of something he didn't know about and the two romantic side stories resolve in a positive fashion.

Cast

...Albert Sidney Finch *

Judith Ivey Judith Lee Ivey (born September 4, 1951) is an American actress and theatre director. She has twice won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play: for ''Steaming'' (1981) and '' Hurlyburly'' (1984). She has also appeared in several film ...

...Terry Novis * Ruby Dee...Rowena, Finch's Housekeeper *

...Gee Pennywell *

Laurence Fishburne Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor. He is a three time Emmy Award and Tony Award winning actor known for his roles on stage and screen. He has been hailed for his forceful, militant, and authoritative charact ...

...Michael Waring, DOD Man * Jo Anderson...Loreen Wendell * Norm Skaggs...Billy Wendell

Critical reception

''Entertainment Weekly'' movie reviewer Ken Tucker gave the film an A−. In his review, he says the movie "starts out like the ..a video greeting card designed to warm your heart. But very quickly it becomes something better than that." He goes on to say "To be sure, there's a lot that's sentimental about this story," and calls the film "entertaining." The DVD Verdict website also praised the film, saying "''Decoration Day'' offers a solid evening of family entertainment, handling serious subject matter with care and presenting a wonderful cast we'd like to wrap in a great big group hug by the end of the film's 99 minutes." They also declared "...if you haven't brushed aside a tear or three by the closing credits, you probably can't see your reflection in a mirror, either." They summed up, "Gather the relations, grab a box of Kleenex, and enjoy."

Awards

; Awards * 1991 Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series or Special – Ruby Dee * 1991 Golden Globe Award for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV * 1991 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV – James Garner ; Nominations * 1991 Emmy Award for Directing in a Miniseries or a Special – Robert Markowitz * 1991 Emmy Award for Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special – James Garner * 1991 Emmy Award for Writing in a Miniseries or a Special – Robert W. Lenski

References

External links

* * {{Use mdy dates, date=November 2014 1990 television films 1990 films Hallmark Hall of Fame episodes Television shows based on American novels NBC network original films Best Miniseries or Television Movie Golden Globe winners Films directed by Robert Markowitz Films set in Georgia (U.S. state) Films shot in Georgia (U.S. state)