 |
| Truman Capote with Lee Radziwell |
The most fascinating 'celebrity' of my lifetime has been Truman Capote. To grow up as an All-American boy in the 1970s... especially in a very conservative Southern city, and see this bizarre creature on the
Johnny Carson show was unforgettable. Homosexuality back then wasn't acknowledged or spoken about.
Gay only meant happy. The word most often used was "sissy" but it was more in the context of temperament rather than behavior. Capote's persona was so over the top that it bordered on freak show. He had the perfect name, so memorable and pleasing to the ear, and that voice was something off a Saturday morning cartoon. As for my family, I have an Uncle L who is gay but it was never spoken about...not that it was thought of as a dirty secret but in the grand WASP tradition if talking about it was awkward better to leave well enough alone...as if it were a 'drinking problem' or mental illness and we had some of that too.
 |
| Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote |
Philip Seymour Hoffman who so tragically died recently won the Oscar for his lead role in
Capote. PSH was a genius of an actor but I felt his physicality was all wrong for the role; PSH was much too large as Capote was tiny and that was so central to his persona.
 |
Toby Jones as Capote in Infamous
|
I preferred English actor Toby Jones's performance in
Infamous that unfortunately got mostly overlooked due to
Capote's bigger budget, publicity, and awards. In 1989 there was a one man Broadway show starring Robert Morse as Capote called
Tru that was also taped and later presented on Public Television. Morse won the Tony on Broadway and an Emmy for the TV presentation. It's available in 9 installments on
youtube and I think it's brilliant.
 |
| Robert Morse in Tru |
Back around 1990, I asked my grandmother, 'Dodie', what was the latest on Uncle L and she told me he was working on getting a hit play onto TV and she was drawing a blank on what the play was about (this was likely early symptoms of what would later be Alzheimer's) and she finally said "oh you know what's his name...the gay writer" and we had this somewhat awkward long pause and then I offered up "Truman Capote" as I wondered if there might be some 'acknowledgment' of Uncle L also being gay. We left well enough alone.
I've always had a TC obsession. Maybe from the little character in to Kill a Mockingbird? And that Black and white ball.
ReplyDeleteLa Cote Basque is a go to comfort read for me. When I was in NY in 2003 I actually went and found the restaurant. He really loved dishing the dirt and biting the hands of his swans. Apparently CZ was the only one he didn't snark on.
Dodie is a good name for a Grandma x
FF, the TC/Harper Lee relationship fascinates me and those two being childhood friends from the tiny town of Monroeville, Alabama and then going onto becoming such major literary figures...I do wonder how much actual input TC had into 'Mockingbird' as she never wrote anything else and they did have a falling out since he felt she didn't adequately acknowledge him...along with being a tad jealous of it selling zillions of copies.
DeleteDodie was a treasure and we always called her Dodie rather than Grandma, Nana, etc.
He was an original! This reminds me that I wanted to read that new book by/about Marella Agnelli, she was a "swan" and thought she was the only one of course, she speaks briefly I think of TC's betrayal in the book... between TC and her own husband I think she has had an interesting life.
ReplyDeleteVery good point made about TC and Harper Lee, I have often wondered about that as well.
Love Dodie!!
All of those swans were interesting in their own right and Ms Agnelli I perhaps know the least about. I adored Dodie and she had the most charming laugh I've ever heard...I witnessed her cascading cackle bringing bustling restaurants and busy airport terminals under it's spell; TC would have adored her...
DeleteG, I agree with your opinion of the late, fabulous PSH being such a big person in so many respects. Loved his work, but not as Capote. However, I do own a copy of the film,and now must re watch! Dominic Dunne did such an entertaining Capote-esque job with People Like Us, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has a taste for all that juicy, society glamour stuff that just doesn't seem to exist anymore.
ReplyDeleteC, we may have had this convo before but I still get a giggle that TC actually got his idea for the B & W ball from Dominick Dunne at a fab Hollywood party DD hosted and TC attended...then flash forward a few years to the ascendant TC (fresh off his Breakfast at Tiffany's and In Cold Blood triumphs) throwing the 'Party of the Century' and stiffing the fallen on hard times DD out of a much coveted invite.
DeleteI was always a DD fan when 'serous people' always felt it so necessary to conspicuously dismiss him. Eventually I will read 'People Like Us'. In that same genre Julian Fellowes (of Downton Abbey fame) is a brilliant writer and I eagerly devoured the superb 'Snobs' and 'Past Imperfect'. Gossip is a natural inclination of a first rate creative mind and GSL has been accused of trafficking in a rumor or two over the years...not that I go for that silly nonsense mind you...
He seems so emblematic of a time we won't see again (not until the sensibility pendulum swings back: I'm hopeful that future grandchildren might know elegance and gossipy glamour.) I always got the feeling I would not like him in real life but, gosh, his persona was intriguing.
ReplyDeleteJen, no doubt he was a handful and at times difficult to be around...I don't know enough about him to draw a definitive conclusion but I have a very close friend (mentioned in my 'Dramatis Personae' post) who can be outrageously flamboyant, blazingly funny, tragic, indiscreet, and snobby but also, I've come to find out, privately very caring and generous to regular people who aren't glamorous, interesting, or dynamic who don't reflect any glory on him.
DeleteI didn't realise he was so tiny - he looks like a jockey in the photo with Lee R.
ReplyDeleteI loved the movie Capote though, he was such an interesting character and PSH did play him well, even if his physicality didn't match up. I'm also keen to read that book on Marella Agnelli - the whole concept of the swans thing and the black and white ball… I think he really instinctively understood human psychology and used it as a very cutting weapon.
Heidi, I don't think TC was any more than 5'3" so really was the size of a jockey before he plumped up in the '70s. PSH's performance was superb but I just felt the size discrepancy made his character miss such a central aspect of TC. I don't know if TC was using his insights as a cutting weapon or just a portrait artist who paints his subject who has a double chin with a double chin.
DeletePlease do let me know what you think about Ms. Agnelli as she did apparently live an interesting life.
Darling G,
ReplyDeleteTruman Capote is definitely one of those mysteriously enigmatic yet, simultaneously, overwhelmingly powerful characters who secure a place in the drama that is life in the C20.
Philip Seymour Hoffman can do no wrong in our eyes and 'Capote' remains a firm favourite with us. We can accept the reservation about his physicality but the clipped speech, waspish remarks, facial expressions and permanent state of 'ennui' seemed so spot on that all else could be overlooked. Our friend here in Budapest who once met Truman Capote said that he was a thoroughly unlikeable person. Certainly kindness seemed to have completely eluded him. And so, we have a curiosity about him but, more than likely, would not have wished to spend too much time in his company.
Darlings J & L,
DeleteI share your very high regard for PSH and perhaps inadvertently left the impression that I didn't think highly of his brilliant performance in Capote. I did and do but just felt the fascinating character he depicted on screen missed such a central aspect to TC. The Toby Jones performance got us so close to the artist at work and who he was when away from the swans, Studio 54, and in an environment (rural Kansas) with an old dear friend (Harper Lee) that drew a more intimate, and I think Tru-er, portrait.
I don't doubt that TC could be at times thoroughly unlikeable and suspect as his life unrivaled his capacity for kindness diminished. A recent controversial book about the very private and now quite old Harper Lee has come out which has me thinking of her and TC's relationship. HL grew up with TC and used him as a major character in a book that achieved international critical acclaim for it's deep humanity and compassion. HL would have witnessed the torment and ridicule TC endured as a small, frail, lisping, unusual boy who was largely abandoned by his family and likely understood how those experiences can often linger in a person's soul and reveal themselves at inopportune times. She likely saw him at his best and worst yet remained friends and she accompanied TC to Kansas (well after her astonishing commercial and critical success of 'Mockingbird') and assisted him on his great work of creative non-fiction so I think all though this time of great artistic output he was a man of many parts with some of those parts being kindness, warmth, and humanity.
I suspect your friend's encounter with TC was later on when his demons and excesses got the better of him.
Dear GSL
DeleteVery interesting post. I'm a great PSH fan but haven't yet seen his version of TC's life. Have however seen the Toby Jones film - it seemed to be very sensitively handled. His portrayal of TC was quite sympathetic - he didn't come over as cruel or unkind. I think the inclusion of his friend Harper Lee certainly helped create the warmer more empathetic image of him - one was constantly remembering him in "Mockingbird" as the poor little kid visiting next door. In the Toby Jones version he seemed to be quite brave in many ways and one could see that his homosexuality probably made him feel something of an outcast (in those days), alienated from average society members, possibly why he felt drawn in a strange way to other outcasts like the murderers he wrote about.
"Mockingbird" is one of the great books of all time - and one I can read over and over again. Also the film was perfect! Don't think I could bring myself to read "In Cold Blood". Loved "Breakfast at Tiffany's" though. Fascinated by the swans - and agree with Heidi would like to read the book on Marella Agnelli. Have already read quite a bit about her rival, Pamela Harriman.
Also loved PSH in "The Talented Mr Ripley" - but then the whole cast was brilliant really! Cate Blanchett was especially good in it - and the background settings were glorious. With best wishes, Pamela
Hi Pamela,
DeleteMake sure you read John LeCarre's New York Times piece on PSH.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/20/movies/john-le-carre-on-philip-seymour-hoffman.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%221%22%3A%22RI%3A9%22%7D&_r=0
It's a wonderful tribute from a great literary Lion in Winter to a Lion who fell too soon.
I tried to read 'Mockingbird' right after finishing LeCarre's magnum opus 'A Perfect Spy' and didn't allow enough time to transition from such a densely packed narrative to the voice of a Southern teenager. I'll pick it up again in the future.
Yes the Toby Jones TC portrayal was more intimate and sympathetic and interesting in my view.
'Ripley' really was an overlooked gem and a visual feast....forgot all about Cate Blanchett being in it.
Thanks for stopping by!
Yes, Truman Capote was one interesting character! I remember watching him on the Tonight Show as a kid,too, in fascination.
ReplyDeleteHaving seen both movies and also the play Tru, I feel Tru was probably the most accurate,also. It truly shows,that one cannot go thru life without a filter, not caring who one hurts, without suffering the consequences! What a tragic figure he was!
I find DD's books and articles always entertaining and of course Harper Lee is one of my favorites! As for TC, I doubt I would answer the door if he rang! Kindness trumps cruel and crass any day!
Trudye, TC was indeed a tragic figure and kindness does trump cruel and crass and don't know enough about the specifics of TC's doings to know whether his indiscretions ever reached the level of 'cruelty' or merely mild embarrassment of an enormously privileged social set...I will allow that of an artist for the latter but not of the former.
DeleteI always liked DD's column in VF.
He was a fascinating character who always made me a little uncomfortable. Frankly, he creepd me out. I always enjoyed DD. I'll have a peek at the you tube videos because I think Robert Morse is quite the talent.
ReplyDeletexo~J
J, do have a look at Robert Morse on youtube in Tru; I think you'll like it. He captures the wit, spirit, and tragedy of TC quite well once you become accustomed to the voice which isn't quite right. xo ~G
DeleteI really liked PSH as TC in the movie. I think the Oscar was well-deserved but I know what you mean about the physicality. Still, PSH nailed that role. I have never read 'In Cold Blood' and don't think I ever will, I can't take that kind of writing anymore, but I recently re-read 'Breakfast At Tiffany's' and I love the cadence of his sentences and how smooth they are. He was a clean and modern writer and definitely one of a kind. XO, Jill
ReplyDeleteJill, I think PSH was the greatest ever American character actor; I highly recommend 'The Talented Mr Ripley' as that was a completely different character he did brilliantly. I think that movie is underated beautifully shot and your keen eye for fashion will have much to feast on as well.
DeleteI wonder if 'Dodie' was short for Doris- my aunt Doris is Dodo. I never really thought it sensible, but I did think 'Dodo' was a cute name, and so is Dodie
ReplyDeleteNever really took to TC Im afraid. I so often find myself unappreciative of the art if I cannot like the artist. Respectful, certainly, just not warmly receptive
Bebe, it actually was short for Doris (she used Dolores as her official name which she also hated) even though we only found out posthumously and also that she was 2 years older than we thought. Since she was born in Canada to expat Americans, lots of interesting details have only recently been discovered via ancestry.com.
DeleteLoved dominique Donne , great social commenter
ReplyDeleteI really liked him too and after his daughter was brutally murdered he became a very passionately involved observer in the OJ Simpson trial and others like it which I found compelling. I was looking straight at him on TV when the shocking verdict in the OJ trial was announced and will never forget his look of disbelief followed by outrage.
DeleteMy favourite short story, (which I read EVERY Christmas Eve,) is Truman Capote's; A Christmas Memory. I read it aloud to my son; from the time he was born, until several years ago, when I finally gave him a break from my tear filled rendition. Now, I just make him watch a Playhouse 67 DVD recording with Geraldine Page.
ReplyDeleteDuchess,
DeleteI've never read TC's 'A Christmas Memory' and based on your high praise this year I will.