Contact: Lori Lenz Heiselman, 714-553-5181

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- A modern take on It's a Wonderful Life, the spellbinding thriller, Doonby, will release in select theaters and via Video On Demand on November 1, 2013. Written and directed by Peter Mackenzie, Doonby examines how one man's life can affect those around him while answering the larger questions of what one life is worth.

Starring John Schneider (The Dukes of Hazzard, Smallville) as Sam Doonby, alongside Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, Congo), Will Wallace (Tree of Life, The Thin Red Line), Robert Davi (The Goonies, Die Hard), Jenn Gotzon (Hulk, Frost/Nixon), Doonby is produced by Riverhorse Entertainment.

"I'm really delighted about the release of Doonby in US theaters. It's been a long haul and a labor of love for me, but I'm thrilled that I have been able to bring this to the screen with the help of some wonderful actors," says Mackenzie. "Doonby is a thought provoking mystery and one that I hope will stay in the minds of the viewer long after they leave the movie house."

Doonby tells the story of Sam Doonby, a mysterious drifter who becomes the talk of the small Texas town. He finds work at Leroy's Country Blues Bar, where his musical talents make him a local celebrity, attracting the attention of the beautiful but spoiled Laura Reaper. Sam is strangely immune to the misfortunes of others, yet always around to prevent sudden disasters from happening. It's not long before the narrow-minded townsfolk become jealous and start to question his background and motives. But it is Laura's doubts that that cause Sam to vanish, leaving the locals to deal with some difficult admissions. Sam's abrupt disappearance forces those he left behind to consider some painful revelations and to question his mysterious arrival and departure.

Ernie Hudson, who portrays Leroy, the owner of the bar where Doonby finds a job, expounds, "The film encourages us to live in the moment and enjoy what we have, for life is unexpected. One must be prepared and yet appreciated all that we have been given - after all life is a wonderful adventure." Filmed in Smithville, Texas, Doonby features a special cameo performance from Norma McCorvey, the real-life plaintiff Jane Roe in the 1973 United States Supreme Court landmark case Roe v. Wade. This will be McCorvey's first appearance in a motion picture.

For the latest news and updates about Doonby, please visit www.DoonbyTheMovie.com.