Donald Davis Movies

Based on the true story of a still-unsolved series of rapes and murders that happened in rural Korea in 1986-1991, this film by Bong Joon-ho (Barking Dogs Never Bite) follows the ultimately unsuccessful police investigation led by a pair of small town cops. After bungling the investigation of the first murder, they pin it on a retarded man who lives in the community. When the second murder occurs, it becomes clear that they are out of their depth. An investigator from Seoul is called in to help and his by-the-book manner causes friction with the local officers, who are more accustomed to beating confessions out of suspects that employing more conventional investigative techniques. But when the criminal continues to elude them, even he reaches his breaking point. ~ Tom Vick, All Movie Guide

Back in 1837 in the Northwoods of Canada and beyond, a movement was started among the colonialists to demand the right to own property in the New World. This interesting docudrama follows the tragic outcome of that movement for one of its leaders, the pacifist and nearly beatific Samuel Lount (also the great-great-great uncle of producer Elvira Lount). The orator and journalist William Lyon Mackenzie stoked up the fire among the property-deprived, and a march on Toronto was begun. Lount was convinced to join the rebellion much against his better judgment -- he belonged to the Children of Peace religious sect. Lount's own pacifism meant nothing to the authorities; they executed Lount for treason after crushing the rebellion. R.H. Thomson plays the title role in this low-budget but high-energy effort. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) has long suspected that a Communist spy ring that had operated in Germany during WW2 is still alive and well and "living" in Washington. Now a murder has been committed, and Erskine is certain that he's on the right trail. The problem is that the ringleaders may be safely ensconced within the borders of "diplomatic immunity." The supporting cast includes actor-director Alf Kjellin (then being kept busy on such action series as I Spy) and veteran villain Martin Kosleck, who during the 1940s was Hollywood's foremost impersonator of Nazi chieftan Joseph Goebbels. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this romantic drama based on a novel by Betty Smith, Carl Brown (Richard Chamberlain) is a student in law school who wants to marry his sweetheart, Annie McGairy (Yvette Mimieux). However, Carl and Annie's parents knew each other when they grew up in Ireland before emigrating to America, and Carl's father Patrick (Arthur Kennedy) vehemently objects to their engagement. The young couple decide to tie the knot anyway, and Patrick retaliates by cutting off financial support to his son. The young couple deal with the usual tribulations of newlyweds while they struggle to keep their heads above water -- Carl takes a job as a night watchman, while Annie makes a few dollars babysitting for Beverly Karter (Joan Tetzel), a married woman who is cheating on her husband with Stan Pulaski (Oscar Homolka), a married man. Living in a tiny apartment on the shabby side of town, Carl and Annie get to know other people too poor or too different to fit in elsewhere in an upscale college town. When Annie becomes pregnant, she leaves Carl, not wanting to burden him so that he can continue with his education. This sends Carl into an emotional tailspin, and Patrick tries to patch up the marriage he once opposed for the sake of his son's happiness. Joy in the Morning marked the first and only feature film role for TV and stage actor Donald Davis, who played Anthony, a gay florist who befriends the young couple. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Irregularly scheduled on NBC from 1954 through 1957, Producers' Showcase was a series of lavish, full-color 90 minute specials, bringing the best of Broadway to the 21 inch screen. On November 14, 1955, the series digressed from its usual format to present Dateline 2, the second annual variety show produced by NBC in cooperation with the Overseas Press Club. The theme of the program is "Freedom of the Press", and the subject matter ranges from the front page to the editorial column to the comics section. Highlights include a new Irving Berlin song composed for the occasion, "Free"; Robert Frost, poetically discussing "The Right to Know"; John Steinbeck's eulogy of legendary combat photographer Robert Capa, who had been killed on the job the previous year; and a one-act play, based on the Korean War experiences of correspondent Marguerite Higgins. On a lighter note, Janet Blair sings a paean to the funny pages, backed by a "Li'l Abner" ballet choreographed by Tony Charmoli (the Broadway musical version of Al Capp's hillbilly comic strip was still one year in the future). William Holden serves as master of ceremonies, with John Wayne delivering the opening remarks. Originally telecast live, Dateline 2 reportedly still exists in kinescope form, though prints are hard to come by for general audiences. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide