For the Future: The Irvine Fertility Scandal (1996)

John and Debbie Challender have been trying to conceive a child for ten years. Because this hasn't worked they adopted a son, but Debbie still feels she has missed out on something not ... See full summary »

Director:

David Hugh Jones

Writer:

Stephanie Liss

Stars:

Marilu Henner, Randle Mell, Linda Lavin

Cast

Credited cast:
Marilu Henner	...	Debbie Challender
Randle Mell	...	John Challender
Linda Lavin	...	Marilyn Killane
Castulo Guerra	...	Dr. Ricardo Asch
Alicia Coppola	...	Nurse Beth
James Sutorius	...	Sen. Thomas Hayden
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gregg Almquist	...	Pastor Dan Mettler
Lisa Chess	...	Dr. Rubin
Peter Crook	...	Del Roth
Pamela Dunlap	...	Supervisor Maryann
Marva Hicks	...	Receptionist Tanya
Carolyn Mignini	...	Darlene Mettler
Forbes Riley	...	Francine Merrill
Cristine Rose	...	Rina Manelli
Jake Sakson	...	J.R. Challender

Storyline

John and Debbie Challender have been trying to conceive a child for ten years. Because this hasn't worked they adopted a son, but Debbie still feels she has missed out on something not knowing what it's like to feel life inside of her. They decide to seek treatment from a so-called 'miracle doctor' Ash at Irvine University. Although John doesn't like the doctor they go ahead with the treatment, which almost kills Debbie. All ends well though and they become the parents of another son. Meanwhile the office manager of Dr. Ash's clinic become more and more suspicious when she finds out that some of his nurses are not licensed RN's.

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Plot Keywords:

based on true story

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

For the Children: The Irvine Fertility Scandal

Filming Locations:

City Hall - 200 N. Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Typical movie of the week, but with an important message

This film holds all the ingredients for a typical movie of the week: a family being 'abused' by a doctor who feels he is God only because they desperately want children, but need help getting pregnant. RN's and embryonologists at the clinic turn out not to be licensed and the doctor cares more about lunches and golf than about his patients. Even the fact that it is a 'true story' fits the format perfectly. Although the acting is very good, the direction is average, with lots of flash-backs and a narrative, but it does get the message across.

It is clearly shown that when people ignore the warning sirens (they ARE that loud!) bad things happen! For example: the doctor never has time to speak to them, he asks for thousands of dollars cash up front to pay for medication, while he admits that insurance will cover all of the treatment itself and they don't get copies of any of the papers they sign. It could happen to you!

Oh and check it out: since this is a true story it's about real people and one of the real people in the real trial is Sen. Tom Hayden (played by James Sutorius), who used to be married to Jane Fonda.