Waris Hussein Movies
- 1963
The Doctor Who saga began on November 23, 1963, with the first episode of the four-part story arc known variously as "An Unearthly Child," "100,000 BC," and "The Tribe of Gum." Curious about their secretive pupil Susan (Carole Ann Ford), schoolteachers Ian Chesterson (William Russell) and Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill) follow her home. Stopping off at a junk yard, they meet Susan's grandfather, the Doctor (William Hartnell), who is able to travel in space and time with his marvelous machine, the TARDIS. Entering the machine, the two teachers join the Doctor on a journey back in time -- 100,000 years back, to the era of the Great Cold. Episode one of "An Unearthly Child" was written by Anthony Coburn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1963
In the conclusion of the four-part story arc "An Unearthly Child," Doctor Who (William Hartnell) and his companions, Ian and Barbara (William Russell, Jacqueline Hill), are still stranded in the era of the Great Cold some 100,000 years ago. Having managed to escape both the Cave of Skulls and the Forest of Fear, the Doctor and his companions are unable to elude their pursuers, a hostile cave-dwelling tribe. The only hope for salvation lies in the Doctor's ability to create fire and to show the tribesmen how to do the same -- but how to accomplish this, with next to no materials at hand? Originally telecast on December 14, 1963, "The Firemaker" was written by Anthony Coburn. Subsequently, the entire "An Unearthly Child" saga (also known as "The Tribe of Gum" and "100,000 BC") was novelized by Terrance Dicks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1963
In the third episode of the four-part story arc "An Unearthly Child," Doctor Who (William Hartnell) and his companions, Ian and Barbara (William Russell, Jacqueline Hill), have managed to escape the Cave of Skulls. But they have not yet managed to escape the prehistoric-earth surroundings -- and the TARDIS is far from ready to return the travelers to their own time. With an angry cave-dwelling tribe hot on their heels, the little party must make their way through a blazing forest inferno. Written by Anthony Coburn, "The Forest of Fear" originally aired on December 7, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1963
In this second episode of the four-part story arc "An Unearthly Child," Doctor Who (William Hartnell) and schoolteachers Ian and Barbara (William Russell, Jacqueline Hill) have journeyed some 100,000 years back time. Captured by a pre-civilized race, the Doctor and his companions are thrown into the Cave of Skulls. There they must figure out a method of summoning up that remarkable new invention called "fire" -- or else face a horrible death at the hands of their captors. Written by Anthony Coburn, "The Cave of Skulls" first aired on November 30, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
The current unavailability of the entire first-season Dr. Who story arc "Marco Polo" is perhaps the most frustrating of the many gaps in the series' chronology. Written by John Lucarotti, this seven-part adventure began on February 22, 1964, with the episode titled "The Roof of the World." The TARDIS ends up in 13th century China, high atop the snowy slopes of Pamir Plateau. Here, the Doctor (William Hartnell), his granddaughter Susan (Carole Ann Ford), and his traveling companions Ian and Barbara (William Russell, Jacqueline Scott) come face to face with Venetian explorer Marco Polo (Mark Eden) and his entourage, including duplicitous warlord Tegana (Derren Nesbitt) and highborn Lady Ping-Cho (Zienia Merton). Given no other choice, the crew of the TARDIS joins Marco Polo's journey to visit Mongol ruler Kublai Khan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the second episode of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the Doctor and his companions reluctantly accompany Marco Polo (Mark Eden) on a long journey to the Peking stronghold of Kublai Khan. The first leg of their journey requires them to cross the Gobi Desert, known as "the singing sands" due to the eerie sounds made by the relentless wind. What no one yet suspects is that Marco's "trusted" associate Tegana (Derren Nesbitt) plans to use the Doctor's TARDIS to topple Kublai Khan from power -- and it is Tegana who has volunteered to search for water on behalf of Marco and his entourage. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Singing Sands" first aired on February 29, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the third episode of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the treacherous Tegana (Derren Nesbitt) intends to leave Marco Polo (Mark Eden), the Doctor (William Hartnell), and their traveling companions to die of thirst in the desert. Seeking shelter not only from the elements but also from the bandit hordes which seem to surround them, the travelers are led to the Cave of the Five Hundred Eyes by Lady Ping-Cho (Zienia Merton). The Doctor is at first grateful, but slowly changes his mind when it appears that the grim interior of the Cave may be just as dangerous as what lies outside. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Singing Sands" first aired on March 7, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1969
- PG
Also titled A Touch of Love, this British drama concerns a woman who decides to keep and raise a baby born out of wedlock. Sandy Dennis stars as Rosamund Stacey, a graduate student who has an affair with a television broadcaster, George (Ian McKellen). When she learns that she is pregnant, her friends advise her to have an abortion, but after some confusion she decides to have the child. She doesn't tell George about it, and they drift apart. Her child is born, but the little girl has a heart condition and must undergo delicate surgery. Her life is saved, and Rosamund returns to school to complete her doctoral degree. Her daughter is a year old when Rosamund meets George again and invites him to her home. The story was written by Margaret Drabble from her own novel The Millstone. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sandy Dennis, Ian McKellen, (more)
- 1970
- PG
Quackser Fortune (Gene Wilder) is a carefree fertilizer merchant in Dublin. Something of a local "character," Quackser becomes the object of fascination for wealthy American visitor Zazel Pierce (Margot Kidder). At first, the radical differences in their stations in life make little difference to Quackser and Zazel, but before long she grows bored by his eccentricities. Humiliated by Zazel's rich friends at a fancy dress ball, Quackser retreats to his old vocation of following the horses to gather his "wares." When his cousin in the Bronx passes away and leaves him a small inheritance, Quackser leaves Dublin, holding out hopes that now he will be an acceptable mate for Zazel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gene Wilder, Margot Kidder, (more)
- 1971
An excellent musical score by the Bee Gees adds appeal to this curious little movie about two ten-year olds, Daniel and Melody (Mark Lester and Tracy Hyde) who are completely taken with each other and announce to their parents, in all seriousness, that they plan to get married. This marriage is not planned for the distant future, but as soon as possible. The uproar that is caused when their seriousness becomes clear is not too surprising. Their best friend Ornshaw (Jack Wild) is not too thrilled with their plan either. What makes the film work is that the entire story is told from the children's point of view in which the grownups' objections, since they have no relation to the truth of what the children are feeling, come across as silly or inconsequential. This film is a reunion of sorts for Oscar-winning Oliver! co-stars Mark Lester and Jack Wild ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Wild, Mark Lester, (more)
Originally made for television, this production features divorce from two perspectives: in the first half, the husband (Richard Burton) explains his perspective of his failed marriage, while the second includes that of his wife (Elizabeth Taylor). ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Henry VIII and His Six Wives is a feature film based upon the 1971 BBC miniseries The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Keith Michell weathers several makeup changes as the much-married titular monarch. While the miniseries was able to explore the political and personal reasons for the selection (and sometimes rejection) of the wives, the shortened version concentrates chiefly on such highlights as the birth of Queen Elizabeth and the execution of Anne Boleyn. The film is constructed in flashback form, with an aged Henry recalling his marital record. Side note: Donald Pleasence appears as Thomas Cromwell in Henry VIII and His Six Wives; Pleasence's daughter Angela had played Katherine Howard, Bride No. 5, in the original Six Wives of Henry VIII. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Michell, Donald Pleasence, (more)
- 1972
- R
- Add The Possession of Joel Delaney to QueueAdd The Possession of Joel Delaney to top of Queue
In this supernatural thriller, Norah Benson (Shirley MacLaine) is a wealthy woman living in Manhattan who keeps a close and protective eye on her brother Joel (Perry King), who has a flat in a rough section of the East Village. Joel is a frequent guest at Norah's home and loves her two children, but when he begins acting strangely and playing too rough with the kids, she wonders if something is wrong. When Norah doesn't hear from Joel for several days, she stops by his apartment to see if he's all right, just as he's being led away by police after attacking the custodian in his building. At first Norah and Joel's doctors think that drugs may be to blame, but when Joel's girlfriend Carrie (Lisa Kohane) is found murdered and beheaded, Norah learns that Joel has become involved with Santeria, a religion that mixes voodoo with Catholicism, and his interest in Santeria has brought him in contact with Tonio Perez (Jose Fernandez), a suspected serial killer. The Possession of Joel Delaney features an original score by Joe Raposo, best known for his very different work as a songwriter on the children's TV series Sesame Street. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley MacLaine, Perry King, (more)
- 1974
The title character in this British historical miniseries was 19th century French novelist Aurore Dupin (1804-1876), who wrote under the nom de plume of George Sand. Audaciously adopting male clothing and scandalizing her contemporaries by talking and behaving in a mannish fashion, George Sand also conducted several high-profile romances with members of the opposite sex. Much of the series' running time was given over to the heroine's torrid nine-year affair with Polish composer Frederick Chopin. Although American actors Rosemary Harris (who won an Emmy Award for her performance) and George Chakiris starred as Sand and Chopin, the rest of the cast was largely comprised of Britons, including Alan Howard as novelist Prosper Merimee and Jeremy Irons as composer Franz Liszt. First telecast by the BBC in 1974, the four-part Notorious Woman was seen in America via the PBS anthology Masterpiece Theatre beginning November 16, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosemary Harris, George Chakiris, (more)
- 1976
- Add The Glittering Prizes [TV Series] to QueueAdd The Glittering Prizes [TV Series] to top of Queue
A hit with the critics when it first premiered on PBS back in the late 1970s, Frederic Raphael's six-part miniseries details the hopes and fears of an entire generation by following a group of friends who first meet while studying at the esteemed Cambridge University in the 1950s. Later, as the 1950s give way to the turbulent 1960s and the hedonistic 1970s, the once idealistic students find themselves struggling with emotional disillusionment as they attempt to find success on their own terms. Tom Conti and Barbara Kellerman star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Conti, Barbara Kellerman, (more)
Sir Laurence Olivier stars in this film about a group of people in a Soho restaurant who are all invited by a boisterous woman to a tea at her husband's home. Enraptured by the woman is an elderly businessman who may find that things with this enchanting woman may not be what they seem. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Middle-aged Colleen Dewhurst shocks her family-and herself-when she announces she is pregnant. Partly out of concern for her health, and partly out of selfishness, the family argues over whether or not she should go to term. Husband Pat Hingle is indecisive until he witness the baby's development via ultrasound. The film's final scenes are an amalgam of truly touching moments and bedslat comedy. Timothy Hutton makes one of his first major appearances as Dewhurst and Hingle's teenaged son. First telecast October 22, 1979, And Baby Makes Six was intended as the pilot for a weekly series; as it turned out, it yielded only a feature-length sequel, Baby Comes Home (1980) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Edward and Mrs. Simpson was the six-part TV follow-up to the syndicated miniseries Edward the King. Produced in England, this elaborately crafted historical drama stars Edward Fox as King Edward VII, who gives up the throne for "the woman I love," American divorcee Wallis Warfield (Cynthia Harris). The couple's relationship virtually tore England apart in 1936, with the King and his lady becoming political pawns for pro- and anti-marriage factions in Parliament. Perhaps wisely, the series does not delve into the potentially disastrous consequences had the reportedly pro-German Edward been the reigning monarch during World War II. Marius Goring and Peggy Ashcroft co-star as Edward's mother and father, King George V and Queen Mary. Syndicated in January of 1980, Edward and Mrs. Simpson was originally telecast minus commercial interruptions by the "Mobil Showcase Network." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
The sequel to the popular 1979 TV movie And Baby Makes Six, Baby Comes Home reteams Colleen Dewhurst and Warren Oates as middle-agers who find themselves the parents of a newborn child. The first film dealt with the impact of the 47-year-old mother's unexpected pregnancy on her three grown children, as well as on her own well-ordered lifestyle. The sequel concentrates on the alienating effect that Dewhurst's affection towards her baby has on the rest of her family. Both And Baby Makes Six and Baby Comes Home were intended as pilot films for a weekly series, though one wonders if the ever-busy Colleen Dewhurst would have found the time to star in such a project. The point is a moot one: The series never sold. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Colleen Dewhurst stars as psychologist Elaine Lipton in the made-for-TV Death Penalty. A strong opponent of the eponymous punishment, Dr. Lipton struggles valiantly to rehabilitate street gang member Carlos Rivera (David Labiosa). Convicted of murdering two rival gang members, Carlos faces the gas chamber unless Lipton can prove that he's cleaned up his act. This fictional drama would make an interesting double feature with the fact-based Dead Man Walking (1996). Death Penalty originally aired January 22, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The made-for-television movie The Henderson Monster is about a genetic scientist who experiments with the creation of new life in a small university town. After he is discovered by the community, the town is gripped by an ethical debate. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Lindsay Wagner stars as Callie, who battles her way up the ladder from waitress to fabulously wealthy Texas socialite. The price for her success is her son Randy, played by Jameson Parker. Though wielding great power, Callie is nearly powerless in her efforts to keep Randy away from beautiful young schemer Michelle Pfeiffer. The film's many intrigues result in a sensational murder trial. Made for TV, Callie and Son was originally seen October 13, 1981. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Coming Out of the Ice stars John Savage as the real-life Victor Herman, an American athlete born to Ukrainian immigrants. In 1931, when Herman was sixteen, he and his family moved to the Soviet Union when his father was transferred there for his job with Ford Motor Company. Four years later, Victor won the world parachute jump competition, but refused to accept an award bestowed by Josef Stalin or to renounce his American citizenship. Presumably as a result, Herman was sentenced to hard labor and then exile in Siberia; he would not be cleared of "counterrevolutionary" charges until 1955. He eventually returned to the United States nearly 45 years after he was first imprisoned. Filmed in Finland, Coming Out the Ice was first telecast on May 23, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
