''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 was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...
and
Second World War
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
. 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 Canadians, Canadian actress. She made her big screen debut in the 1967 drama film ''Banning (film), Banning'' and the following year played the female lead in the crime thriller ''Coogan's Bluf ...
) 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 Support ...
) 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.
History
The French had been present in Acadia since the early 1600s, but when the British expanded into the area in the 1700s, Acadian settlements on the South ...
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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