Academy Award-winning American actor, writer and folk music singer Burl Ives was made famous by playing the role of “Big Daddy” in the play turned movie Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Big Daddy is portrayed as an impatient, selfish, and harsh father to his son Brick, played by Paul Newman. Big Daddy epitomizes impatience: agitated, red, sweaty, shaky, and hot. All signs of high level stress.
In a comedic exchange in the play/movie, Big Daddy and his wife have a conversation:
Harvey ‘Big Daddy’ Pollitt: Let’s go home.
Ida ‘Big Momma’ Pollitt: Don’t you want to ride with the children, honey?
Harvey ‘Big Daddy’ Pollitt: No!
Ida ‘Big Momma’ Pollitt: [laughing] He’s his sassy old self again, all right!
Harvey ‘Big Daddy’ Pollitt: Be quiet, woman!
Throughout the play/movie, Big Daddy does not have much patience for Big Momma or for that matter his entire family in general.
