Milton Kahn Works PR Magic with Fried Green Tomatoes

The book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe was published in 1987, and remained

on the New York Times bestseller list for 36 weeks. No one was surprised, then, when it was

announced the story would be adapted for the screen, with newcomer Jon Avnet to direct.

 

Starring the amazing Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary-Louise

Parker, the tale that celebrated the power of female friendship and love went on to become a hit

at the box office, ranking #11 for all U.S. films released that year.

 

Combining the stories of a harried middle aged housewife (Kathy Bates) and her friendship

with an elderly nursing home patient (Jessica Tandy) with the tale of two local young women in

1920s Alabama, the film combined a plot about romantic love with themes of friendship, loyalty

and the importance of community in everyone’s lives both today and in yesteryear.

 

As the premiere public relations expert in Hollywood, Milton Kahn was hired to promote the film.

His efforts led to Academy Award nominations for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best

Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, as well as Golden Globe and

BAFTA nominations for Ms Tandy and Ms. Bates. Aside from being enormously entertaining,

the film also was notable for earning its GLAAD Media Award for “Best Lesbian Content”, a

remarkable milestone for a popular mainstream film of that time.