John Schneider does Hazzard-less duty in 'Doonby'

Tommy Warren, John Schneider and director Peter Mackenzie on the set.

"Omar" Kent Dykes (left) jams.


The Doonby cast.


You know him as Bo Duke of The Dukes of Hazzard or perhaps as Daddy Kent on Smallville, but John Schneider has been knocking around Austin's Spiderwood Studios shooting a part in Doonby. Spiderwood's Tommy Warren sent along these photos from the film shoot, which includes an appearance by Omar and the Howlers.

Also in the cast are Ghostbusters' Ernie Hudson, Robert Davi of Die Hard and the always dreamy Jennifer O'Neill of Summer of '42.

Schneider even found time to appear at the opening a shopping center in Fredericksburg.


Here's how filmmakers describe the Doonby story:

This is the story of a small Texas town and a mysterious, yet talented drifter who gets off a Greyhound bus one afternoon to change and improve the lives of all he comes in contact with. It is a story of greed and envy, evocative of classics like John Steinbeck’s ‘The Pearl’ and the dark side of Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. Its shock ending could have been inspired by J.B. Priestley’s immortal play ‘An Inspector Calls’.

It will be an entertaining movie, played out against the backdrop of the classic country and blues music that is performed in Leroy’s Country Blues Bar by some of the greatest stars of this genre. The powerful and disturbing message is contained in its unexpected sting in the tail which will likely inspire furious debate in a country deeply divided over social issues. A powerful viral marketing campaign is being planned to get the word out to millions of moviegoers around the world about this piece of masterful storytelling.

Spiderwood Studios gears up

Lots going on outside of Austin at Spiderwood Studios. Here's the latest from Tommy Warren:

The upcoming thriller/horror film Wilderness directed by Scooter Downey recently shot on the studio's back lot. The film stars Lance Henriksen and Sean Elliot.

Perhaps even more interesting, Bo Duke hisownself John Schneider will star in Doonby, a film to be shot soon at Spiderwood. The cast also includes Joe Estevez, Jennifer O'Neill, Ernie Hudson and Jenn Gotzon. The story is about Schneider as "Sam Doonby, a happy-go-lucky drifter who takes up residence in a small Texas town but seems suspiciously immune to the misfortunes that beset the other townsfolk."

Schneider has started blogging about the film over at the Huffington Post.