by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Bette Davis is White Mama in this custom-made TV movie. Ms. Davis plays a poverty-stricken widow who is too proud to go on welfare. Aware that she can receive a steady income if she takes in a foster child, Davis becomes surrogate mother to tough black teenager Ernest Harden Jr. The relationship is shaky at best in the beginning, but soon foster mother and foster "child" learn to love, respect and trust one another. Originally telecast March 3, 1980, White Mama garnered an Emmy nomination for Bette Davis.
characteristics
- Welfare [govt. Aid]
- Widower
- Tenement
- Poverty
- Deprivation
- Black [race]
- Problem-child
- Adopt
- Friend
