The time I met Polly Holliday (“Flo”) and her costars—but it’s not who you think

A couple days ago I heard on the news that Polly Holliday (who played Flo on the CBS show “Alice” in the 1970s-80s) died.  I was surprised to learn she never married or had any children, and was born July 2, 1937. 

She was exactly 3 weeks older than my dad—but with him being gone over 25 years now, she had a long life at least.

I was also surprised to see all the other roles she played in movies and on tv, I had no idea.  I only knew her as that waitress with the catch phrase “Kiss my grits!”

That’s not entirely true though; I saw her in a live performance once, and got to meet her after the show.

In January 1990, I was dating a girl named Rossi I met at the Shaler Highlands Apts (the first place I lived after moving to Pittsburgh).  We were the same age, and both worked downtown.  I was a computer programmer for Omega Systems, she worked in Public Relations at Heinz Foods.  

She worked for her mom, who was a big executive at Heinz.  The first time I met her mother, she asked me what I did for a living and when I told her, she said “How long do you intend to do that?”  When I told her I’d only been at it a few months, she said “Try to be a little more ambitious for Rossi’s sake.”

So one night we’re invited to Rossi’s parents for dinner, and her mother says she has a late Christmas present for us:  two tickets to the premiere of ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ at the Benedum Center downtown.  It stars Kathleen Turner as Maggie, Charles Durning as Big Daddy, Polly Holliday as Big Mama, Daniel Hugh Kelly as Brick.

(Kelly played the race car driver on the 80’s show “Hardcastle & McCormick” co-starring Brian Keith.)

Her mother tells us we MUST dress up and asks me if I own a navy or charcoal gray suit.  Yes, I have both.  She asked me if I had a nice tie and I said I had several—but she still had a tie delivered to my office a couple days later, with a $65.00 price tag on it.

The night of the show, a car was sent to pick us up at our apartment complex.  Rossi was gorgeous in a glittering red dress and I couldn’t believe my good fortune—but I felt out of place when we arrived, as most of the crowd in front of the theater was dressed pretty casual, and people kept looking at us and mouthing stuff like “Whoa”.

When the doors finally opened and we began filing in, I handed our tickets to the usher and he said “Sir, when the show is over please remain in your seats.  Either myself or another usher will escort you to our rooftop.”   Rooftop?

Polly Holliday as Big Mama, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Kathleen Turner & Charles Durning take their bows

It was a wonderful show, and when the lights went up and people began filing out, we remained seated.  We looked around the theater and noticed 5-6 other couples also in their seats, also dressed to the nines but appeared to be considerably older. 

We were taken behind stage (wow!) and up stairs covered in red velvet to the roof.  They had lights strung up, candles everywhere, and 2 tables in white linen with champagne, fruit, canapes, a chef standing behind a roast duck & roast beef.  It was very elegant.

I remember asking Rossi if she was used to this sort of thing, she said no, never.  We then heard a smattering of applause, and Charles Durning emerged, wearing baggy overalls with nothing on underneath, swigging from a bottle of whiskey.  He nodded at the group of us and said “Let’s get this shitshow over with” and walked over to the tables of food.  He didn’t talk to anyone the rest of the evening.

Daniel Hugh Kelly appeared next, in a red silk robe, with a towel wrapped around his neck.  He kept fluffing his hair back, and walked over and stood beside Durning.  I told Rossi “They don’t want to be here” and she said “But I do!” 

Then we heard louder applause and Polly Holliday emerged.  She had her hair piled high on her head with various rods in it at different angles, and wore a Japanese kimono with an obi pillow on it’s back.  She looked so tall!  She walked over to each couple and did a graceful bow, and when she got to Rossi & myself she said “What do you think?” and the three of us laughed and I’m not even sure why.  She was so kind, and so down-to-Earth, and told us she was going thru a Japanese phase and everyone should try it at least once in their lives.  She had the biggest smile I ever saw.

I very much wanted to tell her how much I loved her character Flo on “Alice”, but this whole affair felt so surreal & elegant, I was afraid to say anything that would reveal what a hick I really was. 

I have to admit though, the highlight of the evening was Kathleen Turner.  She was the last one to appear and was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING in a silver dress with long diamond earrings.  She looked 100% like a Hollywood star.  She smiled and nodded politely to the other audience members there, walked STRAIGHT OVER to Rossi and myself and asked what we thought of the show.  We told her she nailed Maggie, we just loved it.  She told us this was their very first performance, they were going on to Boston & Philadelphia next, then to New York.

Rossi said “I loved you in ‘Peggy Sue Got Married’, Miss Turner.  I hope that’s alright!”  Kathleen laughed and said thank you.  I was dying to tell her I’d seen all her pictures, I loved Prizzi’s Honor, Jewel of the Nile and Body Heat, but to be honest I was just… starstruck.  She looked at me and said “What is your industry?”  I said “Er… computers, Ms. Turner.”  Kathleen said “Of course.  How old are you?”  I told her we were both 28.  She said “I’m very impressed.”   Why?

All I kept thinking was that just 3 years earlier I was living in my friend’s attic back home, almost penniless—and in that 3 years time managed to go back to school, move to the city, land a good job and wind up on the roof of the Benedum with a bunch of hoity-toity rich people and Hollywood celebrities.  How?!

I did later learn the supper was sponsored by the theater, for locals who donated $25,000 or more to Children’s Hospital.  Rossi & I had gone in place of her parents, who were meant to be there on behalf of Heinz Foods who had made the donation.

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to share this story since I started this blog 20 years ago, but never had a good reason.  Now I do.  Rest in peace, Polly Holliday. I’m very glad I got to meet you and your terrific smile.