Waris Hussein Movies

This fact-based TV movie stars John Ritter as Ed Chandler, whose life is torn asunder when his daughter Missy (Anna Chlumsky) is diagnosed with cancer. The nature of Missy's illness obliges Ed to spend many hours away from his job as a car salesman to commiserate with her daughter's doctors at the hospital. Then one day, Ed shows up at work to be coldly informed that he has been fired--and there is no one to whom he can go to plead his case. The plight of the Chandler family ultimately leads to the creation of the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows persons up to six weeks' leave from their jobs when their family members are suffering from serious illnesses. Telecast by CBS on January 21, 1997, Child's Wish (cable title: Fighting for Justice made headlines when it first aired because of the appearance of President Bill Clinton in the final scene--the first time that a sitting President ever starred as "himself" in a dramatic film (as well as the first such scene to be lensed on location in the Oval Office!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Erich Maria Remarque's novel Arch of Triumph was originally adapted to film in 1948 with stars Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman under the direction of Lewis Milestone. This TV-movie remake aired May 29, 1985. Anthony Hopkins and Lesley-Anne Down play the star-crossed lovers whose prewar romance in Paris is endangered by intrigue and revenge. Hopkins, a doctor recently escaped from a concentration camp, rescues Down, the mistress of a dissipated playboy, from committing suicide. Their chance for happiness is sabotaged by Hopkins' desire to wreak vengeance on SS officer Donald Pleasence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

This campy drama, set in the 1940s, was inspired by a hit song by Barry Manilow. It tells the tale of an aspiring songwriter, Lola, a showgirl, and the sleazy owner of the Copa. Tragedy ensues as the two men duel over Lola's love. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

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

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

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

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

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

Down payment on Murder is a fact-based TV movie starring Connie Sellecca as a battered wife. For ten years she has been the punching bag of her real-estate agent husband, played with brilliant repugnance by Ben Gazzara. When Connie moves out, Gazzara is convinced that it's because of another man; his twisted ego suffers a further blow when she is given custody of the children and police protection. With the help of a security guard with mob connections, Gazzara hires a hit man (G.W.Bailey) to kill his estranged wife. Down payment on Murder is drawn out far too long to sustain its suspense, but its neat surprise ending compensates for the duller passages. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The two-part British miniseries Fall From Grace was set in the fifth year of WWII. To mislead the Germans as to the date and location of the invasion of France, Col. Sir Henry Ridley (James Fox) leaves an elaborate trail of false clues, not least of which is the fabrication of an entire "battle front." Swept up in the intrigue is novice British spy Lady Deirdre Seabright (Patsy Kensit), who slowly and painfully came to the realization that she would be expendable once Ridley's plan reached full fruition. Posting a total running time of 180 minutes, Fall From Grace was originally telecast in England in 1994 and in the United States not long after. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Forbidden Nights is set in the Red China of 1979. Robin Shou plays a Chinese radical, working on behalf of bringing political reform to his homeland. Melissa Gilbert costars as an American teacher who falls in love with Shou. The dramatic thrust of the story is Ms. Gilbert's willingness to put her own life on the line for Shou's ideals. This made-for-TV star-crossed romance was filmed in Hong Kong, seven years before it too would fall within the Mainland China orbit. Forbidden Nights was directed by Waris Hussein, the Indian-born craftsman responsible for such theatrical features as Quackser Fortune Has a Cousin in the Bronx (1970) and The Possession of Joel Delaney (1972). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Arriving in Seattle to attend the birthday party of her best friend Mandy Roberts (Bess Armstrong), the recently widowed Jane Thornton (Cheryl Ladd) is shocked to learn that Mandy plans to divorce her husband Will (William R. Moses). Having recently lost a loved one herself, Jane feels the Roberts' pain, and endeavors to bring Jane and Will back together again. But things don't go quite as planned when, while helping Will alleviate his new-found loneliness, Jane realizes that she is attracted to the man. Although the premise smacks of contrivance, the development and the outcome are touchingly realistic -- and all too human. Filmed in Toronto, the made-for-cable Her Best Friend's Husband premiered March 11, 2002 on the Lifetime Network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide