June 22, 2004

DAVID JAMES ELLIOTT STARS IN "DODSON'S JOURNEY," A TELEVISION MOVIE TO BE REBROADCAST SUNDAY, JULY 18 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

Academy Award Winner Ellen Burstyn, Penelope Ann Miller, Robert Loggia And Alicia Morton Also Star in the Movie Based on the Novel by James Dodson

Nanci Chambers, Elliott's Wife, Also Plays a Role

DODSON'S JOURNEY, a touching television movie starring David James Elliott ("JAG"), will be rebroadcast as the "CBS Sunday Movie," Sunday, July 18 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn ("Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore"), Penelope Ann Miller ("Mario Puzo's The Last Don"), Robert Loggia ("Joan of Arc") and Alicia Morton ("Annie") also star. Nanci Chambers ("JAG"), Elliott's wife, also plays a role. (Originally broadcast 1/10/01)

The movie, based on the novel by James Dodson, is the story of a man facing an imminent divorce, who, upon the death of his father, takes his 10-year-old daughter on a cross-country camping and fishing journey, reminiscent of those he took with his father.

James Dodson (Elliott) is enjoying the Fourth of July with his 10-year-old daughter, Maggie (Morton), 6-year-old son, Jack (Casey Dubois) and wife, Meredith (Miller) when his mother, Emily (Burstyn) calls to break the news that his elderly father, Opti (Loggia) is on his death bed. James immediately flies to see his father for the last time. While he is at his father's side, the two reminisce about their past fly-fishing trips and Opti's tradition of bringing along a medicine bag full of poetry books. That evening, Opti passes away.

Upon returning home, James is hit with another piece of difficult news -- Meredith feels that their struggling marriage is over and plans to get a divorce. That evening, hurt and angry, James sits in his study re-stringing his old fishing rod when Opti's spirit appears and encourages him to take young Maggie on a fishing trip. With Meredith's blessing, the two pack up James' truck, "Old Blue," and, camcorder in hand, they head out.

During their trip through the beautiful lakes, rivers and campgrounds of America, James teaches Maggie the art of fly-fishing, as well as the meaning behind American poetry's greatest verses. He also recounts to his daughter some thoughtful American-Indian legends that were passed down to him from his father. But, James is not the only teacher on the trip. Through her contemplative questions and youthful outlook, Maggie helps James examine his past and put his life back into perspective. In the end, the trip becomes a healing and rejuvenating experience for both father and daughter.

Chambers plays the mother of a young boy whom James and Maggie meet during their journey.

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DODSON'S JOURNEY was produced by Regency Television, Inc. Jon Katzman ("The Hunt for the Unicorn Killer"), David James Elliott and Nancy Chambers are the executive producers; Stephen Sassen ("Cold Feet") is the producer. Gregg Champion ("The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn") directed the film from a script by John Pielmeier ("Flowers for Algernon"), based on the novel Faithful Travelers: a Father, a Daughter, A Fly-Fishing Journey of the Heart by James Dodson (Final Rounds: A Father, a Son, the Golf Journey of a Lifetime).

RATING: TVPG-DL

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Press Contacts: Andrea Ballas           323/575-2858            andrea.ballas@tvc.cbs.com
Barbara Abseck  212/975-4637            beabseck@cbs.com