White Mama

White Mama
Genre	Drama
Written by	Robert C.S. Downs
Directed by	Jackie Cooper
Starring	Bette Davis Ernest Harden, Jr. Eileen Heckart
Music by	Peter Matz
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producer	Thomas W. Moore
Producer	Jean Moore Edwards
Production locations	East Los Angeles Skid Row, Central City East, Los Angeles
Cinematography	William K. Jurgensen
Editor	Jerry Dronsky
Running time	96 minutes
Production company	Tomorrow Entertainment
Original release
Network	CBS
Release	March 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

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

• Bette Davis as Adele Malone
• Ernest Harden Jr. as B.T. Williamson
• Eileen Heckart as Three Bag Lady
• Virginia Capers as Gorilla Sydney
• Anne Ramsey as Heavy Charm
• Lurene Tuttle as Mrs. McIntyre
• Tony Burton as Black Fighter
• Peg Shirley as Judge Alice Quentin
• Ernie Hudson as Counselor
• Dan Mason as Father Gannon
• Vincent Schiavelli as Medic

External links

• White Mama at IMDb