A Date with the Duke: Donavan Reef

In Donovan’s Reef (1963), three World War II Navy veterans – Donovan (John Wayne), Doc Dedham (Jack Warden) and Gilhooley (Lee Marvin) – converge on the French Polynesian island of Haleakaloha and team up to deceive Dedham’s prim daughter Amelia (Elizabeth Allen), who just learned of her father’s existence and his inherited stock from the company of which she is chairman. She hopes to find just cause to reclaim his shares.

Dedham’s marriage to an island woman serves to further threaten his share in the company. Sparks and even a few fists fly between Donovan and Amelia before reconciliation and a romantic clinch at the end, in this sweet, sentimental comedy-drama.