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Isiah Thomas - A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story

movie life children time

Isiah Thomas's mother's life story was dramatized in a 1989 NBC-TV movie starring Alfre Woodard in the title role. The movie showed how the single mother worked to free her children from poverty as they came of age on the crime-riddled streets of Chicago's West Side. For the most part, Mary Thomas kept her children on the straight and narrow, making up with love what she lacked in money.

The movie depicts many telling events from Isiah Thomas' life, including the time Mary Thomas went to Mayor Richard Daley to complain that case workers wanted to move her family into a violence-plagued housing project-and she wasn't going to go. The movie also told about the time a gang showed up on the family's doorstep eager to recruit the Thomas boys. Mary Thomas, however, pointed her shotgun at them and threatened to blow them across the expressway. She explained that there was only one gang in that house, the Thomas gang.

The movie, and Mary Thomas' life, served as an inspiration to other mothers facing the same prospects she did. Originally broadcast as a "Magical World of Disney" Sunday night feature, the movie won an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Prime Time Program.

Throughout his life, Isiah Thomas always gave his mother credit for his success, and the movie shows why.

Isiah Thomas - Won Back-to-back Nba Championships [next] [back] Isiah Thomas - Awards And Accomplishments

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about 1 month ago

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keep posting and sharing more a great article again This is truly a so many entertaining stuff in your blog Great thanks for sharing this article post . Really looking forward to read more. Awesome. read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles

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over 1 year ago

Ed Washington

I am in charge of my church's movie ministry and would like to show this one. Where can I get a copy

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almost 2 years ago

I would love to but this movie for my mother any idea where I can do that?

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over 2 years ago

I am a high school Consumer Science

teacher who teaches a Course entitled, Family Dynamics.This movie

is one that I certainly would like to add to my collection for classroom viewing. Please help me find a copy. Thanks!

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over 2 years ago

Angie

I've been searching for this movie as my son was advised to see this movie by his congregation brother. It seems my son is going through a similar situation and I want to see this movie as well.

Can ANYONE tell me where I can buy the DVD for it? Anyone please! Amazon, B&N, Best Buy and everybody else either don't stock it or never heard of the movie. I'd really appreciate it.


Angie

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about 3 years ago

This movie makes me understand why my mom always did the best she could with me and my sister when we were growing up.What all your mother did for you Isiah. My mom did for me as well and I see the reason why you thank your mother in everything you do.

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almost 4 years ago

Can anyone tell me how to purchase this movie? please let me know.

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over 4 years ago

I am a NYC special educator and have been using a tv vhs copy from 1989 for my students to view "my Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story". Although never really a good copy, the story itself has impacted the lives of many of my students over the past 19 years. Obvioulsy over time, my copy has become even more worn, and I fear that soon I will no longer be able to share the movie. It is such a valueable tool in my curriculum that I have tried to locate a copy of it for our class...no luck anywhere. Can you help? This movie should be in every school!

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over 4 years ago

I was with Mary Thomas and Isiah in Chicago when they made this movie and it was a wonderful experience. I have a lot of wonderful and one of a kind memories of the week that my daughter and I were there. We (my daughter was nine months old)sat in the Director's chair on set and I have pictures of Alfre Woodard holding my daughter in her arms. I will never forget this experience. I was Isiah's Academic Advisor in College at Indiana University and it was a joy having him as student.

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over 4 years ago

My husband played a small roll in the movie! I wanted to know how can I get the DVD!

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over 4 years ago

I first saw this movie on TV One and i didnt finished looking at I'm trying to figure out how i can get this dvd.

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about 5 years ago

I loved this movie and want the youth at my church to see it. How can I get a copy?

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over 5 years ago

Dear Isiah, or Ms.Mary, I have always wanted the opportunity to congregulate Isiah and say that as a little fat chubby some boy, I never imaged in a million years that GOD is so great. The story of Isiah and the "Bad Boys," is a great testimony for many. I only wish that I had considered contacting someone earlier, like about ten years ago when my only child was alive. I lost him unfortuately to a tragic homicide. I remember some family members, but not all. I also recall an adopted son "Markie" or Mark. In addition, I remember the dance place that I went to once called "Our Ladies of Sorrow." I was actually to young as I think back in the corners of my mind. My dad's name was Elzie Fox and he was sickly. We lived in a hugh double size brown colored brick building right off o Spaulding and Congress, the expressway was straight ahead on the corner. I am not sure but for some reason 409 South Spaulding sticks in my brain. I believe you all lived on Congress in front of the expressway. Another thing is that if Isiah is the youngest, I recall a somewhat slighty plump but teddy bear like image with tennis shoes that were never tied. GOD is my witness. I grew up around the Thomas' and was not allowed to go far from home. Otherwise, I would have spent much more time with the family. I did also spend time with his older sister Ruby, I believe she is the only girl. I also remember the two older brothers Bebe and Lord Henry. The latter had the most beautiful smile, like Ms.Mary, his mother and just like Isiah today. I have a short amount of time to continue writing, however, if the Thomas' are available I would love to communicate with them, either via email or phone. I live in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sincerely, Ms. Fox/a truly long lost neighbor.

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almost 6 years ago

please tell me how I can purchase this film because I have been raving to my wife about it and I love this movie