Waris Hussein Movies

Originally telecast in a three-hour network slot, Surviving is virtually two films in one. In the first 90 minutes, we see the identity crises and outside pressures that propel a "normal" teenaged boy (Zach Galligan) and a "disturbed" teenaged girl (Mollie Ringwald) into committing suicide together. The second portion of Surviving explores the emotional residue left behind by the youngsters' deadly pact. Specifically spotlighted are Zach's parents (Len Cariou and Ellen Burstyn), who feel that Molly goaded their boy into killing himself; and Molly's parents (Paul Sorvino, Marsha Mason) who are consumed with guilt over not catching on to the warning signs of their daughter's despair. Though the acting is overly ripe at times, Surviving never loses dramatic focus throughout its 150 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Michael de Guzman scripted this prettified TV-movie adaptation of John Steinbeck's gloomy 1961 novel The Winter of Our Discontent. Donald Sutherland stars as Ethan Hawkley, a solid citizen loved and respected by his family and by the citizens of his town. Ethan's loyalty and ethics will be tested to the snapping point by a huge bank loan, and by "other woman" Tuesday Weld. Hawkley eventually redeems himself, but it's a tight squeeze. Teri Garr costars in Winter of Our Discontent as Ethan's steadfast wife Mary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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