White Mama

White Mama
GenreDrama
Written byRobert C.S. Downs
Directed byJackie Cooper
StarringBette Davis
Ernest Harden, Jr.
Eileen Heckart
Music byPeter Matz
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerThomas W. Moore
ProducerJean Moore Edwards
Production locationsEast Los Angeles
Skid Row, Central City East, Los Angeles
CinematographyWilliam K. Jurgensen
EditorJerry Dronsky
Running time96 minutes
Production companyTomorrow Entertainment
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseMarch 5, 1980 (1980-03-05)

White Mama is a 1980 American made-for-television drama film directed by Jackie Cooper and starring Bette Davis in the title role. It was adapted from the novel of the same name by Robert C.S. Downs. It was broadcast as The CBS Wednesday Night Movie on March 5, 1980.

For her performance, Davis was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.

Synopsis

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Davis portrays Adele Malone, an impoverished white widow who takes in a black juvenile offender named B.T. for the support money it will bring. During the course of their stormy relationship, Adele teaches B.T. about responsibility, dignity and pride, and he teaches her street savvy, survival and grit. Together they find a mutual trust and respect that are dramatically tested when Adele is evicted from her apartment and forced to join the legions of homeless bag ladies. In the subsequent dramatic change of events, B.T. enters a brutal boxing match where he must fight an awesome opponent in order to help his caring friend to financially survive.

Cast

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