Disney Sunday Night at the Movies Dayo

 ((Sun. (3), 7-9 p.m., NBC-TV))

By CAROLE KUCHAREWICZ

Filmed in North Carolina by Steve White Prods. Exec producer, Steve White; producers, Barry Bernardi, Ira Shuman; director, Michael Schultz; writer, Bruce Franklin Singer.
 
Cast: Delta Burke, Elijah Wood, Carlin Glynn, Charles Shaughnessy, David Packer, Ashley Peldon, Fred Dalton Thompson, Caroline Dollar, Bekka Eaton, Richard K. Olsen, Michael Hunter.
 

Acharming, well-done telepic revolving around a frazzled Delta Burke, "Dayo" is full of Disney "magic" and above-average performances. Telefilm is enjoyable for adults who want some escape from "60 Minutes," but it's doubtful if children will glean much from the well-written script.

Burke and her brother (David Packer) work with their dad (Fred Dalton Thompson) in the family business.

She's quietly successful in being the true power in the company, though Thompson gives much of the credit to Packer. Burke just keeps her mouth shut and covers up for him.

Packer is the little brother who usurped the family attention from Burke when he was born. It is obvious that he is dad's favorite; it's obvious as well that dad is very sexist in his views. This has chafed Burke all her life, and in the past she had compensated by inventing "Dayo," her imaginary friend.

Burke also finds out she is pregnant. Since she is ambivalent about motherhood, she keeps the news to herself and stresses out.

Dayo then reappears and throughout the rest of the telepic helps her cope and recognize her inner strength and worth. The rest of the family comes to recognize her value too.

Burke turns in a versatile, sympathetic portrayal, with the proper comic touches, of a woman on the edge -- goodbye to Suzanne Sugarbaker forever!

Pretty North Carolina beach locations are taken advantage of, and the rest of the tech credits are excellent.

Camera, Isidore Mankofsky; music, Lee Holdridge; editor, Chris Holmes; sound, Jeremy Hoenack, Joseph Zappala, Steve Jaskowiak; production design, Daniel Lomino.