''Butterbox Babies'' is a film adapted from the book ''Butterbox Babies'' by Bette L. Cahill, which is based on the true story of the
Ideal Maternity Home, a
home for unwed pregnant mothers, during the
Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
and
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
. The home made millions from the illegal adoption of illegitimate babies during the 1930s and 1940s.
Synopsis
On the surface, Lila Young (
Susan Clark
Susan Clark (born Nora Golding; March 8, 1943) is a Canadian actress, known for her movie roles such as ''Coogan's Bluff'' and '' Colossus: The Forbin Project'', and for her role as Katherine Papadopolis on the American television sitcom ''Web ...
) and her husband William (
Peter MacNeill
Peter MacNeill is a Canadian film and television actor and voice-over artist who has starred in numerous television series and films.
His film credits have included '' The Hanging Garden'' (for which MacNeill won a Genie Award for Best Suppo ...
) are devout Christians pursuing their calling of helping young, unwed expectant mothers deliver their babies at the Ideal Maternity Home in
Chester, Nova Scotia
Chester is a village on the Chester Peninsula, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada. The nearby waters of Mahone Bay and its numerous islands are well known for yachting and have made the Chester Yacht Club into a cruising destination. A provi ...
during the 1930s and 1940s. The medical community, however, is very skeptical about the safety of the procedures being conducted by Lila and the care being given to babies born at the Home. Skepticism soon becomes intense scrutiny when a routine delivery results in the death of a young mother and her baby. Desperate to continue their work and prove they are doing God's work, the Youngs start selling healthy babies to wealthy, childless couples. The babies that are born premature or unhealthy are poorly cared for and unceremoniously buried in wooden butter boxes if they die. The Youngs are out of business at the end of this shocking true story, but their years of illegally selling and burying babies makes it impossible to determine the extent of their atrocities to this day.
Awards
* Two Gemini Awards – Best TV Movie, Best Supporting Actress In A Dramatic Program (Catherine Fitch)
* Nominee – Banff Television Festival, 1995 (Television movie category)
* Silver Award – Worldfest Houston Festival, 1995
Cast
External links
* http://www.idealmaternityhomesurvivors.com
*
Sullivanmovies.com- Official Butterbox Babies Page
1995 films
1995 drama films
Films shot in Ontario
Gemini and Canadian Screen Award for Best Television Film or Miniseries winners
Canadian drama television films
1990s English-language films
Films directed by Don McBrearty
1990s Canadian films
English-language drama films
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