Chapter 11
Friday, May 26, 1978-Zurich Paulette called and said she thought the show was so exciting. And then I called Bob at the office and he was in a very bad mood, but he didn't tell me what was wrong.
Thomas Ammann took us to a gay bar called Man (cab $3.50). Drag queens singing to American records. "There's No Business Like Show Business." Fred and I wanted to throw up.
Stayed a few minutes. Then the mayor had invited me to a big party at an old castle a little out of town, so we went. All Zurich society (cab $4).
Sunday, May 28, 1978-New York Still off-schedule from the time change. Bob called from Nantucket. He apologized for being cranky on the phone and said that he'd gotten robbed and that was why, that after Studio 54 he went down to the Cave and two boys from there robbed him of his jewelry, but then one of them brought it all back the next day. He said that he was through with drugs, and that he was drying out, too.
Oh, and I guess Marina Schiano's spread it all over, that Diana Vreeland and Fred had a big fight outside New Jimmy's in Paris. When he came back in he'd mentioned it to me, but I thought he meant they'd just had an argument. The real story is that Diana actually hit him and YSL tried to help and she said, "No, it's a fight between Fred and me!" and she was crying and everything. Because she's jealous of Lacey Neuhaus, she thinks Fred's making it with Lacey and I think she wants him to make it with her her. Can you believe it? It's so crazy.
The new Interview Interview looked good. Paloma on the cover, and it has fifteen pages of ads. looked good. Paloma on the cover, and it has fifteen pages of ads.
Hoveyda was giving a dinner for Mrs. Saffra at the Pierre (cab $3). We went up to a whole big chic apartment right in the hotel. I sat next to Mimi Herrera under a Motherwell. She had a forty-carat diamond on. Poor Gina Lollobrigida was the only person there who had fake jewelry, I think. Fake emeralds. She has really big t.i.ts. I should interview her. I told her she should hook up with Dino De Laurentiis. She said she didn't know him, that she was doing photography as a profession now. That guy we knew in the sixties, Carlos, the one who always said Edie stole his leopard-skin rug, gave the toast. I remember he sent a contessa down to the 47th Street Factory to try to get the coat back. But you know, now that I think about it, I guess Edie probably did did steal it, but only in fun. steal it, but only in fun.
Monday, May 29, 1978 Went down to David Bourdon's to get some art gossip (cab $2). David's building is on 10th Street, in the middle of the street art fair going on in Greenwich Village, and David was upset by it-too many Howdy Doody men.
We walked over to have lunch at One Fifth, and on the way we saw Patti Smith in a bowler hat buying food for her cat. I invited her thinking she'd say no, but she said, "Great." When we walked in, there was the number-one bestseller Fran Lebowitz sitting with Lisa Robinson. One Fifth is pretty-bright and chintzy.
Patti didn't want to eat too much, so she ate half my lunch. She said she only loves blonds and that she wanted to have an affair with a blond. All I could think about was her b.o.-she wouldn't be bad-looking if she would wash up and glue herself together a little better. She's still skinny. She's with a gallery now, doing drawings and writing poetry. The Robert Miller Gallery.
She had a baby, she said-that's why she originally left New Jersey, and she said that the baby was adopted on Rittenhouse Square. She called it "it" and David asked her what "it" was and she said a girl. She reminds me a lot of Ivy-everything was put on. She said she was in Italy the day Moro was kidnapped and that she and Moro were the big things on Italian TV that day. She said she didn't take drugs in the sixties, that she'd only started recently, and just for work.
Anyway, I missed my girl-lunch with David, I didn't get any gossip (lunch $35). Patti lives over One Fifth and so she went upstairs and David and I walked over to Mays to get some supplies for the office ($32.89, $2.79). I got tired from walking in the sun.
And the hot water here on 66th Street is overheating and leaking and I have a vision of an explosion and the guy won't come.
Tuesday, May 30, 1978 I called Doc c.o.x and wanted to ask about the gallbladder medicine, but he wasn't there, I guess he's too busy with his garden party.
Francois de Menil called and invited Fred and me for dinner, but then later on he called and said he had to make it for just drinks. He's just back from Hollywood where he signed a deal with a woman named Hannah Weinstein to produce four movies and so we were going to talk movie-talk with him (cab $4). Francois looked heavier and happier. He told us his mother was starting a museum, that she was giving $5 million. G.o.d, it's so incredible, to have that much money, it's so abstract. You just sit there and try to think of how to be creative with it. We stayed there until 8:30.
I began watching The Valachi Papers The Valachi Papers on TV with Charles Bronson, and then I fell asleep, and then I woke up and ran to the window when I heard a voice say, "Open up, it's the narcotics squad," and then I realized it was on the TV. It was scary to think that when you dream, you're dreaming what's on TV, and it's so real. I really thought the narcotics squad was right there. on TV with Charles Bronson, and then I fell asleep, and then I woke up and ran to the window when I heard a voice say, "Open up, it's the narcotics squad," and then I realized it was on the TV. It was scary to think that when you dream, you're dreaming what's on TV, and it's so real. I really thought the narcotics squad was right there.
Wednesday, May 31, 1978 There was an event up at Gracie Mansion. Left at 6:30 and the traffic was bad, it took an hour to get there (cab $5.50). The Mayor wasn't there yet, but Arts Commissioner Henry Geldzahler was, and the first thing he said was, "I don't have any of your your art up here." He had Bob Indiana there, and George Segal, and a lot of creepy people. It looked like the people who work at the city Welfare Department. art up here." He had Bob Indiana there, and George Segal, and a lot of creepy people. It looked like the people who work at the city Welfare Department.
Thursday, June 1, 1978 It turned out it was Catherine's birthday. And Robbie Robertson from The Band called, wanting me to do a poster for The Last Waltz The Last Waltz, and so Fred and I were going up there to meet him at his place at the Sherry Netherland to talk about it, and when Catherine found out, she said that that could be her birthday present. So we all cabbed up at 6:30, traffic was bad ($4).
We went up to the Scorsese-Robertson suite-Marty was in Rome visiting (laughs) (laughs) the grave of Roberto Rossellini. Robbie gave us champagne, and then it was the same thing, they always say, "Well, will you do this art poster for us and then we will sell it for you and isn't that wonderful?" And it's mixed in with hippie talk and phrases, and then everyone was too embarra.s.sed to talk about money, so finally Fred said, "Look, man, what's in it for Andy?" the grave of Roberto Rossellini. Robbie gave us champagne, and then it was the same thing, they always say, "Well, will you do this art poster for us and then we will sell it for you and isn't that wonderful?" And it's mixed in with hippie talk and phrases, and then everyone was too embarra.s.sed to talk about money, so finally Fred said, "Look, man, what's in it for Andy?" (laughs) (laughs) Yeah, he really said "man." Oh, and the butler who answered the door was that kid Marty's making the movie about, Steven Prince. Yeah, he really said "man." Oh, and the butler who answered the door was that kid Marty's making the movie about, Steven Prince.
Then cabbed up to Suzie Frankfurt's ($3.10). Fred and Catherine had a big fight because she was putting down the Jews saying again that if only Hitler had won... Fred told her how could she say that because she was in a Jewish house. I honestly don't know if Suzie's Jewish or not. I mean, she's Catholic now-she got baptized this year. But why would she turn Catholic unless she were Jewish? I don't know, I think she's just crazy.
Cabbed to the Eberstadts' ($2.00). When we got there only Lord "Brookie" was there, Harrison Ford and Earl McGrath. Fred was chasing me, trying to kiss me, I don't know why, he was acting out of it, weird. And Keiko Carimati broke an antique nutcracker they had, it was in three pieces, and we didn't know whether we should say anything or not. And then Catherine dropped a champagne gla.s.s and within a minute Fred dropped one, too, and there was champagne and gla.s.s all over and it was embarra.s.sing. They'll probably never ask us over again.
Friday, June 2, 1978 Robert Kennedy, Jr. was on TV for the tenth anniversary of when his father was shot, so it's ten years since I was shot, too-he was the day after me. He's been staying at Fred's house for two weeks, Robert. With the Fraser girl, Rebecca. They're heavy in love.
Sat.u.r.day, June 3, 1978 Ran into Dino Fabio on the street, the one who sold the house in L.A. to the Arabs, who I met in Milan where he had the house with machine gunners around it. While I was talking to him about five cars of people yelled my name so he was impressed. One of them said, "I'm Andy Anka and I'm personally inviting you to the Copa." He's Paul's brother, but I don't know what he does yet.
Fred told me about his scene with Freddy and Isabel Eberstadt after I left on Thursday. Freddy started picking on him about Nenna or something, and Fred started crying uncontrollably, he couldn't stop. Isabel and Freddy had to take him home. Fred was in such a strange mood that night.
Averil Meyer told me she was bored, she said she wanted something to do, so I invited her to a job at the office. I asked her to be a volunteer. She's supposed to come in on Monday, but she won't show up. She's too rich.
Sunday, June 4, 1978 Watched the Tonys on TV on the phone with Brigid. Liza was there with Halston, and she won for Best Singer in a Musical, and when they called her name Stevie Rubell jumped out of his seat next to Halston. Liza was running against Eartha Kitt in Timbuktu Timbuktu and Madeline Kahn in and Madeline Kahn in Twentieth Century Twentieth Century.
Catherine called and said that Steve Aronson came over to her house the night before-the lady he was going to visit in Southampton wouldn't let him bring his big dog so he didn't go at all-so he and Catherine were both depressed together. Catherine is in love with Tom but doesn't want to go out to Montauk and be a maid and Tom doesn't want to be serious, and she once told me that she would never get serious about it but she is, so she was depressed. And Margaret Trudeau's run off with Jack Nicholson or something. And we're upset if there was a party for Liza and we weren't invited. Yeah, I'm sure there was.
Monday, June 5, 1978 Walked along Madison handing out Interviews Interviews. People really know me now, they think I'm the regular newspaperman (cab $3.50). Worked till 6:40 then went home (cab $3.50) and glued myself and went to the Carlyle (cab $2.25) to pick up Jerry Hall to take her to the dinner Hoveyda was giving for the Shah's brother way down at Windows on the World.
Mick opened the door. I thought he wouldn't be there. He was on his way up to Woodstock. I asked him if it was true that he'd bought 200 acres up there and he said no, that he was just living upstairs from a dump. He showed me their new alb.u.m and the cover looked good, pull-out, die-cut, but they were back in drag drag again! Isn't that something? again! Isn't that something?
After we left the Carlyle I told Jerry I thought Mick had ruined the Love You Live Love You Live cover I did for them by writing all over it-it's his handwriting, and he wrote so big. The kids who buy the alb.u.m would have a good piece of art if he hadn't spoiled it. And Stevie got it into Earl Wilson's column that Bianca was "so touched" by the "Miss You" song that she "slowed down divorce proceedings," but Jerry said the song was really written about cover I did for them by writing all over it-it's his handwriting, and he wrote so big. The kids who buy the alb.u.m would have a good piece of art if he hadn't spoiled it. And Stevie got it into Earl Wilson's column that Bianca was "so touched" by the "Miss You" song that she "slowed down divorce proceedings," but Jerry said the song was really written about her her. She was wearing the same green Oscar de la Renta dress she wore the last time I went out with her, and when we got into the elevator I noticed that she had underarm b.o., like she hadn't taken a shower before she got dressed. So I guess Mick must like b.o. I didn't have a limo but she didn't mind. I told Jerry that Barbara Allen had called from England where she went with Bryan Ferry. Bryan never gave Jerry her clothes back after she left him for Mick-he said he was keeping them because he knew she'd come back-and after Barbara had been over there once, she told Jerry she'd been trying on her clothes, and that did upset Jerry, but she said she hopes Bryan and Barbara make it as a couple (cab $10). Down at the World Trade Center the wind was really blowing so that's when I was really noticing the b.o.... We went up to the 107th floor and our ears popped. The Secret Service was there because of the Shah's brother, and Peter Beard said the waitress and the bartender were S.S. because he'd heard them talking on the way in. Hoveyda really fell for Jerry, making her kiss him on the lips.
The food was rotten but the sunset was so beautiful. Everybody was trying to make Jerry. On the way home in a limo we picked up out front, she told me her philosophy of How to Keep a Man: "Even if you only have two seconds, drop everything and give him a b.l.o.w..j.o.b. That way he won't really want s.e.x with anyone else." And then she said, "I know I can tell that to you (laughs) (laughs) because you won't tell anybody." She's so funny, she says such stupid things. But then she'll be able to rattle off the names of every single person she met when she was in Iran. It's what talking to Jane Forth used to be like (limo $20). because you won't tell anybody." She's so funny, she says such stupid things. But then she'll be able to rattle off the names of every single person she met when she was in Iran. It's what talking to Jane Forth used to be like (limo $20).
Tuesday, June 6, 1978 Adriana Jackson and Clarisse Rivers and Princess Marina of I guess Greece came to lunch (cab downtown $3) and they told about going the night before to the enema doctor who Sam Green and Kenny Lane and Maxime have been going to who also (laughs) (laughs) does readings. And they all looked into the crystal ball the guy had and n.o.body could see anything because there was so much s.h.i.+t and dirt and candlelight. The guy told Nicky Weymouth he saw a plane crash but later she got on the Concorde anyway, although she was shaking, and it didn't crash. But they all say they're going back to him anyway. How can people go back when they know that what the person said didn't happen? does readings. And they all looked into the crystal ball the guy had and n.o.body could see anything because there was so much s.h.i.+t and dirt and candlelight. The guy told Nicky Weymouth he saw a plane crash but later she got on the Concorde anyway, although she was shaking, and it didn't crash. But they all say they're going back to him anyway. How can people go back when they know that what the person said didn't happen?
Christopher Sykes came by, too, and he sang the newspaper in falsetto and opera, which I've always wanted to do. He sang the story about the girl going to the erotic dentist and another story about a chicken. I told him I would manage him and book him at Reno Sweeney's and Trax, but he said he only performs for friends. He's another poor-rich English kid.
At Trax, Tom Sullivan told Catherine that yes, they're boyfriend and girlfriend, but that they shouldn't let it show in public because it cramps his style with other girls.
Rupert's a.s.sistant told me that blonds aren't big in the gay world anymore, and it's true-it's the hot tamales like Victor who make out now.
The new club called Xenon is opening tonight. Stevie called Bob and asked him to spy there for him.
Wednesday, June 7, 1978 In the morning a guy with a foreign accent called the office and said there'd be a "bomb at the party" that night. But we didn't know (laughs) which (laughs) which party. So I started getting a headache. We were going to parties at Fiorucci and then Barbetta's and then MOMA. party. So I started getting
The cover of the Voice Voice this week is "Studio 54 and the Mafia," and when Bob called Stevie to invite him to dinner, Stevie made it seem like he was doing us a big favor-"Oh yeah, I'll come, I'll do anything for Andy." this week is "Studio 54 and the Mafia," and when Bob called Stevie to invite him to dinner, Stevie made it seem like he was doing us a big favor-"Oh yeah, I'll come, I'll do anything for Andy."
We ended up the night at Halston's (cab $4). Stevie was going to be there and Catherine had said we should show loyalty on the compet.i.tion's opening night. Stevie said, "Let's go to Studio." It was jammed.
And forgot to say that the other day Doc c.o.x told me that Dr. Jacobs said I couldn't take this new medicine after all-the one that dissolves gallstones-because my stones are too hard on the outside.
Sunday, June 11, 1978 Went to church, got magazines ($6) and went to the office (cab $3) because Rupert was bringing by the Flower things. I decided I won't sign the fake ones that're turning up all over Europe-the ones the people told us they bought from Gerard. Maybe I should do new ones and make good on the fakes in Europe. I don't know, I'll see. I dropped Rupert (cab $3.50) and stayed home.
And I forgot to say that last week when Jed and I were walking on Madison we ran into Dustin Hoffman in his beard with his little girl. He was carrying lots of record alb.u.ms from the house that he and his wife, Anne, live in behind the Cerfs' house, carrying them up to 75th Street. I didn't know then that he was leaving home, which I just read in the paper.
Tuesday, June 13, 1978 When I got to the office Phyllis Diller was already there with Barry Landau eating lunch. She looks really old, but she was great. I don't think the facelift did much for her, but then again, maybe it did. Averil had invited her mother Sandra Payson and her brother Blair Meyer, and John Reinhold was there, too.
Dropped Vincent (cab $4) and then cabbed with Jed ($4.50) to the opening of Grease Grease. Edd Byrnes came over and said h.e.l.lo, and Randal Kleiser, the director. It turns out he's the kid who wrote Jed letters from California and then was the a.s.sistant a.s.sistant director on Heat Heat when Paul and Jed filmed it in L.A. in 1972. when Paul and Jed filmed it in L.A. in 1972.
Fatso Allan Carr was there. What a b.u.t.terball-if you pushed him over he'd roll. Catherine was there with Stevie Rubell who was cool to me, I guess because he read in New York New York magazine that I was standing in line to get into Xenon, which I wasn't. The movie's great, Travolta's so good. In some camera angles he looks like a turtle, but with the right ones, he looks like the new Rudolph Valentino. Stockard Channing is actually pretty but one side of her face is much better than the other. magazine that I was standing in line to get into Xenon, which I wasn't. The movie's great, Travolta's so good. In some camera angles he looks like a turtle, but with the right ones, he looks like the new Rudolph Valentino. Stockard Channing is actually pretty but one side of her face is much better than the other.
We walked over to Studio for the Grease Grease party and went in the back door where all the fifties cars were parked and the waiters were siphoning the gas out of the tanks because I guess you're not allowed to bring cars with full gas tanks into buildings. John Philip Law was behind us. They were giving out hair pomade, and the place smelled so good-just hot dogs and hamburgers, everything from the fifties. Met Mr. Nathan of "Nathan's," he and his wife were doing the hot dog stand. party and went in the back door where all the fifties cars were parked and the waiters were siphoning the gas out of the tanks because I guess you're not allowed to bring cars with full gas tanks into buildings. John Philip Law was behind us. They were giving out hair pomade, and the place smelled so good-just hot dogs and hamburgers, everything from the fifties. Met Mr. Nathan of "Nathan's," he and his wife were doing the hot dog stand.
Sunday, June 18, 1978-London Staying at the Dorchester in a big ugly Spanish-style suite overlooking the park. Ran over to Sotheby's to see the Von Hirsch collection, the biggest since Scull.
Monday, June 19, 1978-London Lunch at La Famiglia. Chris Hemphill came for coffee. He always manages to say that one wrong thing. With Bianca sitting right there he asks me, "When is Jerry Hall's cover coming out?"
Walked on the King's Road. Fred was hawking, trying to sell Bianca's autograph and mine for 50p but no one was interested. Bianca got very embarra.s.sed.
At the Turf Club Ball Fred evidently flipped out-he started crying about the pa.s.sing of the nineteenth century-how there were so many beautiful things done in it and how the people who did it were now all gone-and a girl took him into a room alone. I was upstairs with Bianca. Later we found out that Fred stopped in a bar on the way home and met five Scots and they ended up stealing his shoes from outside his door.
Tuesday, June 20, 1978-London The phone operators at the Dorchester were so great, very sharp. One said, "There's a fake Mrs. Jagger on the line. Do you want to talk to her?" I said, "Okay," but when I said h.e.l.lo the girl hung up. The operators screen every call and they know where you are every minute, they don't have to look it up. I mean, if the whole world were British it would run so great. London this time was so much fun, better than New York in the sixties. But all the great people only were there for these two big weeks of events, so...
At lunch we were teasing Bianca that it had somehow made it into the newspaper that Fred was trying to sell her autograph on the King's Road and that n.o.body had wanted it, and she believed us and got upset all over again.
Nicky Haslam gave us a memorable party, really paid us back for entertaining him in New York. It was at Pat Harmsworth's on Eaton Square. Her husband owns Esquire Esquire and and Soho News Soho News and the and the Evening Standard Evening Standard. The English girls are so beautiful, I don't know how the English made so many aristocratic-looking people. Had a good time talking dirty to Clarissa Baring and talked to a guy who said he invented the waterbed, but that now everybody's copied it so he's on to a floating cloud bed. The Gilmans were in town because of Ascot, and Sondra was talking about (laughs) (laughs) "meeting Elizabeth." I talked to the widow of Laurence Harvey. Jimmy Connors was cute, going around asking every girl if she wanted to go home with him and f.u.c.k. Fred keeps on being so peculiar-trying to kiss me and crawl in bed with me, so goony. "meeting Elizabeth." I talked to the widow of Laurence Harvey. Jimmy Connors was cute, going around asking every girl if she wanted to go home with him and f.u.c.k. Fred keeps on being so peculiar-trying to kiss me and crawl in bed with me, so goony.
We went over to Nona Gordon Summers's party on Glebe Place. She bought a row of houses behind some other houses and turned it into one big one with a one-way gla.s.s roof. I never used to like her, but I do now. She's elegant and nice. Her party was for Bob Dylan, and Bianca was raving about him and how he's after her. He had his bus parked outside. Nona told him he should buy a painting of mine and he came right out and said he'd already had one-the Silver Elvis I gave him-and that he'd traded it for a sofa. So what Robbie Robertson told me a few weeks ago was true. And then Dylan said that if I ever gave him another one, he'd never do it again. He kept introducing me to the girls around him-really beautiful, d.y.k.ey girls who were lying all over Nona's floor. Like Ronee Blakley types. It was sort of like Arabian Nights Arabian Nights because that's the kind of house Nona's is. Later on, Bianca was complaining that Dylan had wanted to take her in the bus, and how insulted she was that he hadn't gotten a limo for her. because that's the kind of house Nona's is. Later on, Bianca was complaining that Dylan had wanted to take her in the bus, and how insulted she was that he hadn't gotten a limo for her.
Wednesday, June 21, 1978-London Sat around reading newspapers and we couldn't believe it-the Evening Standard Evening Standard actually actually did did have an item about Fred trying to sell Bianca's autograph. Room service didn't answer. have an item about Fred trying to sell Bianca's autograph. Room service didn't answer.
Cabbed to the ICA press conference ($4). Huge crowd, the show looked really terrible. Did twenty interviews and some pictures. Then we went to Marguerite Littman's for lunch to meet Rock Hudson but his plane was delayed and I had to leave to do more interviews. Marguerite invented something great for dessert-chocolate soup! It's orange juice and Grand Marnier and chocolate, hot. Back to hotel (cab $4).
The ICA opening. Lots of punks. Ann Lambton and I went to sit where the punk band was in the cafeteria and we had fun. Then Fred was arranging a small party back at the Dorchester in one of the restaurants there but it turned into forty-five people. Rock Hudson came in with his big butch sixty-year-old boyfriend. It's so funny when they have boyfriends older than they are. Thomas Ammann took a picture of Rock and Rock didn't like it, but Fred said Rock was a bore, anyway. Jack Nicholson came, he's in London doing The s.h.i.+ning The s.h.i.+ning, and I guess we forgot to invite Sh.e.l.ley Duvall. The kids were smoking joints and went out to the clubs-the Emba.s.sy Club, Tramps, Annabel's. But I was too tired.
Thursday, June 22, 1978-London-New York London was just so much fun that I had to leave. Fred and Bob stayed on. Nicky Haslam gave a nice dinner for Fred at a restaurant on the King's Road. And I think Fred's really seeing a lot of Diana Vreeland. I mean, we see a lot of her, and then he stays on and sees even more more of her. And I can't figure out why she doesn't have cancer yet. She's been dyeing her hair now for, what, seventy years? And I asked her why she doesn't have wrinkles and she said that her philosophy is to do exactly what she does. of her. And I can't figure out why she doesn't have cancer yet. She's been dyeing her hair now for, what, seventy years? And I asked her why she doesn't have wrinkles and she said that her philosophy is to do exactly what she does.
Took the Concorde with Richard Weisman. Got home and glued myself, went to the bank (cab $5). Tired all day long. Vincent had been out to Montauk, said Mr. Winters wants to quit-he doesn't like Tom Sullivan being out there, I guess.
Victor called and said he was back with Halston, that they were back being really good friends, that he had the limousine and he was out shopping and life was wonderful all over again.
Monday, June 26, 1978 Have I said that I ran into Cyrinda Foxe recently? I think she made a big mistake leaving David Johansen for the Aerosmith guy because David's going to be so big.
I sent Chris Makos out for a Konica camera ($175.55)-it's a built-in flash, I think it's going to be great, built-in focus.
Cabbed to Martha Graham's thing at Lincoln Center ($3). Martha came out and made an hour speech, she must love to talk. She had on a beautiful dark green Halston with bright green underneath, but the white gloves she wears to cover her hands distract. I guess Halston is probably trying to figure out what to do about that.
The first number was boring, but the sets were by Noguchi. Went for drinks ($10). Then back for the second number-the sets were by Noguchi again, they were the best thing-but that was boring, too. Drinks again, this time doubles and triples ($20). Then the third number was "The Owl and the p.u.s.s.ycat" that Liza was doing. It was a good number and if she'd sung, it would've been better. Halston ran up on stage afterwards.
Tuesday, June 27, 1978 Had a meeting with Mr. Kahn about his portrait. He has a big nose and I made it smaller but when he saw it he thought that he would like to have his really big nose, that I should do it up really big. He asked his wife, "What do you think, darling? Should it be my big schnoz?" and she said, "Darling, it's your your big schnoz, and big schnoz, and I I love it, and whatever love it, and whatever you you think." think."
Thursday, June 29, 1978 Had a date to have lunch with Truman and his boyfriend Bob MacBride to discuss Interview Interview. Cabbed to La Pet.i.te Marmite which is on 49th in the Beekman Towers ($4). Truman said he's starting to be normal again and when I believed him he told me I was (laughs) (laughs) "too naive." "too naive."
Truman was throwing his hands all over the place. I taped, and we dished the whole lunch.
He said that after lunch he was going to his a.n.a.lyst and I asked why someone like him would go to an a.n.a.lyst and he said because it was an old friend and he didn't want to hurt his feelings by not going.
Truman is so silly-looking, open-toe shoes and no sweater, and he said he just decided that he's going to start wearing anything anything. He said that Issey Miyake sent him a coat and he just threw it on immediately-he was written up in the papers when he wore it to Studio 54 with a white hat. We had lots of drinks and it was fun, and then it got down to what Truman had invited me for. Bob MacBride who he always said was a writer but who we could never figure out what he did is now doing sculpture. He's left his wife and kids.
We went back to Truman's place in U.N. Plaza. He's redecorated, but the bulldog's torn off the b.u.t.tons and the fringes from the furniture. And Bob MacBride brought out his-toys. His art. It was little cut-outs, like you make in kindergarten. You know? Like circles, and then you paste another circle over it, and you make hexagons and things. That's what he does. And they wanted me to help him get a gallery. I said he'd just missed Leo Castelli, that he just went out of town, but that when he got back we'd make a lunch for Leo and him, and Leo will think that's fun-lunch with Truman Capote.
I told Truman I would tape him and we could write a Play-a-Day, he could act out all the parts himself. (laughs) (laughs) He could really do it-play his grandmother and everything. He could really do it-play his grandmother and everything.
He gave me all the dirt, we dished Lee and Jackie. Lee's got a new really rich boyfriend in San Francisco, that's why she's spending time there.
Truman said the Ladies' Home Journal Ladies' Home Journal offered him $10,000 to review a movie but they wouldn't tell him which one it would be, and then he found out it was offered him $10,000 to review a movie but they wouldn't tell him which one it would be, and then he found out it was The Greek Tyc.o.o.n The Greek Tyc.o.o.n so he turned it down. I think Truman likes me because I like everything he doesn't. He's so nuts, you're embarra.s.sed sitting there with him. And he's always talking about how he's getting a hundred thousand for this and a million for that, but who knows. so he turned it down. I think Truman likes me because I like everything he doesn't. He's so nuts, you're embarra.s.sed sitting there with him. And he's always talking about how he's getting a hundred thousand for this and a million for that, but who knows.
He was thrilled, he said, with his Tom Snyder Tom Snyder show a couple of months ago, thought it was really one of his best. I don't know why he doesn't go on show a couple of months ago, thought it was really one of his best. I don't know why he doesn't go on The Gong Show The Gong Show.
Home to glue. Then picked up Catherine and went to Doubles to get the bus to see Lucie Arnaz opening in Annie Get Your Gun Annie Get Your Gun out at the Westbury Music Fair. Barry Landau was in charge, and I think he out at the Westbury Music Fair. Barry Landau was in charge, and I think he (laughs) (laughs) invited all the people in his apartment building. I really think he did. People were going in for drinks and Gary Morton couldn't get in because he didn't have a tie. The doorman was so dumb, I told him, "Don't you know that's Mr. Lucy?" Lucille Ball looks so old but she has a beautiful body, and she really was a beauty. invited all the people in his apartment building. I really think he did. People were going in for drinks and Gary Morton couldn't get in because he didn't have a tie. The doorman was so dumb, I told him, "Don't you know that's Mr. Lucy?" Lucille Ball looks so old but she has a beautiful body, and she really was a beauty.
On the ride out, Bill Boggs did some announcing, and then Gary Morton did some announcing, like, "Here we go by a garbage can," things like that, and finally after an hour and a half we arrived. The place looked empty, but then when they saw Lucy, every old lady in pantsuits came swarming. G.o.d, why do Americans dress so bad? Do they want to look unattractive so they won't get raped, or what? When did it start?
But Lucie Arnaz was good, and I just love Harve Presnell, he's the one I always really loved. He's 6'5" and Tammy Grimes had an affair with him. The show was really long, I don't know why.
Oh, a woman came up and asked for my autograph and she said, "I'm Gloria DeHaven," and I looked at her and it was. So I think maybe there were a lot of old stars that you just couldn't tell. A kid was throwing up, and it was funny because we all just stood there and watched him.
Friday, June 30, 1978 Prince Rupert Loewenstein said that Catherine's stepmother or stepfather or something had just inherited $50 million and they hadn't told Catherine about it yet, the English don't bother. Catherine was going to meet Prince Charles at dinner at her mother's in London, her mother thought it might be a nice match (newspapers and magazines $16).
Halston and Stevie said that Bianca's living in Mick's Cheyne Walk house in London, but she's not supposed to be there, so it's boarded up, but she's still inside. They said it's really small, just one room on top of another room-smaller than Fred's in New York.
Went over to Halston's and Liza arrived around 12:00 with her new boyfriend, Mark, the stage manager. They just met, after six months of working on the show. He asked her if she wanted to see paradise, and she said yes, she asked him where it was, and (laughs) (laughs) he said in his room, so they went there and f.u.c.ked. He does sculpture in marble. He's very good-looking and very big-either Jewish or Italian, I can't tell which. Halston was sweet, trying to get Stevie to start an art collection and trying to convince Liza she should have me do a nude portrait of her, so she was doing her number, saying how could she go nude with her body, and she was taking her t.i.ts out and the guy was getting turned on, and then she was saying, "How would I cover my fuzzy?" he said in his room, so they went there and f.u.c.ked. He does sculpture in marble. He's very good-looking and very big-either Jewish or Italian, I can't tell which. Halston was sweet, trying to get Stevie to start an art collection and trying to convince Liza she should have me do a nude portrait of her, so she was doing her number, saying how could she go nude with her body, and she was taking her t.i.ts out and the guy was getting turned on, and then she was saying, "How would I cover my fuzzy?"
Sat.u.r.day, July 1, 1978 It was a pretty day. I worked all afternoon and then Victor came by and we went propping in the Village, we went to Utrillo's, the used clothes store, and left Interviews Interviews there. They said that they could sell there. They said that they could sell old old issues there if we sent some over. Then we went into the second-hand shops along 6th Avenue and one guy said, "Oh, you're the one I sold the stuffed dog to." And then I went into another shop down the street and the woman there said, "Oh, you're the guy I sold the stuffed dog to." Actually she sold it to Fred. So I said, "How could two places sell us the same stuffed dog?" and she said, "Oh, we used to be partners." These people just know the price of everything, every little piece of fifties junk has a price that they know! And I mean the easiest thing would be to just buy something new and stay in business for ten years and then sell it as an antique. Victor bought these clear plastic chairs from '65-or maybe even later-for $150. Was that a good price? What would something like that sell for new now? And they're nice-looking. Molded. It's things like old Mickey Mouse stuff. Why not just get it new now and don't use it and then you'd have it new in ten years instead of the old beat-up things they sell (photo supplies $16.96). issues there if we sent some over. Then we went into the second-hand shops along 6th Avenue and one guy said, "Oh, you're the one I sold the stuffed dog to." And then I went into another shop down the street and the woman there said, "Oh, you're the guy I sold the stuffed dog to." Actually she sold it to Fred. So I said, "How could two places sell us the same stuffed dog?" and she said, "Oh, we used to be partners." These people just know the price of everything, every little piece of fifties junk has a price that they know! And I mean the easiest thing would be to just buy something new and stay in business for ten years and then sell it as an antique. Victor bought these clear plastic chairs from '65-or maybe even later-for $150. Was that a good price? What would something like that sell for new now? And they're nice-looking. Molded. It's things like old Mickey Mouse stuff. Why not just get it new now and don't use it and then you'd have it new in ten years instead of the old beat-up things they sell (photo supplies $16.96).
Sunday, July 2, 1978 It was a pretty day out but I stayed home, worked on some drawings.
Victor called all day long, wanted me to come down and see the dog he wants to get, and go cruising and propping, but I thought it'd be a good chance to relax and (laughs) (laughs) think. Have I ever said think. Have I ever said that that before? I had a soggy mind. I'm working on invisible sculpture now, and paintings that look like they move, like Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Staircase." I think I'll move some fruit around. before? I had a soggy mind. I'm working on invisible sculpture now, and paintings that look like they move, like Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Staircase." I think I'll move some fruit around.
Oh, and Truman called me. He said he loves my idea of doing a Play-a-Day and that he's (laughs) (laughs) already done eight. He said that by Wednesday he'd be out of the hospital-he's there for a blood check-and that we should have lunch. already done eight. He said that by Wednesday he'd be out of the hospital-he's there for a blood check-and that we should have lunch.
Tuesday, July 4, 1978 The Fourth of July. Raining out, watched The Brady Bunch The Brady Bunch then went to the office (cab $3.50). Victor was calling, wanting me to see his dog-to-be. I tried to talk him out of getting it. I told him he was a dog himself. then went to the office (cab $3.50). Victor was calling, wanting me to see his dog-to-be. I tried to talk him out of getting it. I told him he was a dog himself.
At 4:00 Victor and Rupert picked me up and we walked over to McDonald's to have lunch and hand out Interviews Interviews (lunch $9.50). (lunch $9.50).
Talked about silkscreening while we cruised. The people in the Village were so unattractive, G.o.d. They were all the leftovers who didn't get taken away to Fire Island for the holiday. Dropped Victor at the Morton Street pier ($4.50).
Wednesday, July 5, 1978 Cabbed to Chembank ($4.50) then walked to the office and made some phone calls. Then cabbed to La Pet.i.te Marmite ($3) to meet Truman and Bob MacBride. They were on the wagon but I had orange juice and vodka. I taped his ideas for plays, but oh G.o.d, (laughs) (laughs) they were so boring. He said to me, "I have so many ideas, I've just got so many I'll tell you three plays right now," and then he told me the first one. He said they were so boring. He said to me, "I have so many ideas, I've just got so many I'll tell you three plays right now," and then he told me the first one. He said [imitates]: [imitates]: "It's called "It's called The Greek Ideal The Greek Ideal, and it's about a young man and his mother, and he's a Greek scholar and he's going to Harvard and he's maybe a little crippled. His mother gives him a present before he goes away, she takes him to a Greek island and it's just the son, the mother, and a maid"-I guess there was a maid-"and they're sitting on the island and suddenly the mmmoooooon rises and out of the moon come hundreds of little rats and they eat him. And the mother is in a black hood." Well (laughs) (laughs), I didn't know what to say, I said, "Oh, that's great, Truman, but does it have to be rats? I mean, there was Ben Ben and and Willard Willard and everything...." and everything...."
And then Bob said to me, "Don't you know that's from Truman's old short story, 'Walk Around the Block,' which he did years ago and everybody's copied copied it?" And then Truman told the second play, which was not as bad it?" And then Truman told the second play, which was not as bad [imitates]: [imitates]: "A young man of sixteen down South marries a girl of thirteen for her money, and he's precocious and paranoid...." I didn't really get that one. And when he got to the third play he said "A young man of sixteen down South marries a girl of thirteen for her money, and he's precocious and paranoid...." I didn't really get that one. And when he got to the third play he said (laughs) (laughs), "It will be improvised and we can do ANYTHING! It'll be called Deep Holes." Deep Holes." So then I said, "But gee, Truman, can't I just tape So then I said, "But gee, Truman, can't I just tape you you, the real thing, and do plays about real real people? Can't I go to your gym with you?" people? Can't I go to your gym with you?"
So we have a date for Friday at 11:00.
Then after lunch we went over to his apartment and there were two copies of The New York Times The New York Times magazine article on him that's going to be out this week, an advance copy. And the picture with it didn't look like Truman, it looked just like his mother. He was in a straw hat and a bedsheet that made him look pregnant, standing in the gra.s.s. And the article says just exactly what he did in his life, that he only likes men who have a wife and lots of kids, because they were the family that Truman never had, that he likes to become close to the kids. And it described Truman's boyfriend John O'Shea, the one that Bob and I met in Monte Carlo a few years ago. It was funny, it wasn't even talking about Bob MacBride and there he was fitting the description, reading about it. Truman said, "No, not six kids, just four or so is plenty." Then Truman read the article and Bob took me into the bedroom to show me more of his artwork. And Truman read for about an hour. Then Bob said he needed a nap, then Truman said he had to leave, so I asked him if he were going to his psychiatrist and he said no, to the gym. His gym is right where the old Factory used to be, 47th and Second. magazine article on him that's going to be out this week, an advance copy. And the picture with it didn't look like Truman, it looked just like his mother. He was in a straw hat and a bedsheet that made him look pregnant, standing in the gra.s.s. And the article says just exactly what he did in his life, that he only likes men who have a wife and lots of kids, because they were the family that Truman never had, that he likes to become close to the kids. And it described Truman's boyfriend John O'Shea, the one that Bob and I met in Monte Carlo a few years ago. It was funny, it wasn't even talking about Bob MacBride and there he was fitting the description, reading about it. Truman said, "No, not six kids, just four or so is plenty." Then Truman read the article and Bob took me into the bedroom to show me more of his artwork. And Truman read for about an hour. Then Bob said he needed a nap, then Truman said he had to leave, so I asked him if he were going to his psychiatrist and he said no, to the gym. His gym is right where the old Factory used to be, 47th and Second.
On the way out, in the lobby of his building, he held up the picture of himself in the article for the elevator people. He said, "Look, it's me. How d'ya like it?" And he was talking about the article, it said the word "decline," and he said, "Decline? What decline? I'm the most written-about writer in the world." I guess he's confusing written-about with writing.
Thursday, July 6, 1978 The woman from Detroit called and said the Henry Ford portrait is on for later in the month. Oh G.o.d, Detroit. Maybe Henry Ford's neighborhood will be okay.
When I got home Barry Landau called and said he was uptown and he'd pick me up to see Timbuktu Timbuktu. We went backstage and I gave Eartha some Interviews Interviews, told her we'd like to take pictures of her daughter, Kitt McDonald, and do an interview with her. We saw the show, drinks at intermission ($10). Barry's been walking Eartha's saint bernard and he didn't tell her but he and his friend Greg or Craig took the saint bernard down to Christopher Street for a gay walk.
Friday, July 7, 1978 Went over to meet Truman at U.N. Plaza at 11:00 (cab $3). He came down in the elevator. I had the tape on. He was talking about Babe Paley, she just died and he was upset, he'd been calling around trying to get lilies of the valley for her. He said he hated Bill Paley for being mean to her or something.
We walked into the gym and people were looking at us, we looked peculiar. Then we went into the room for Tony to ma.s.sage him and Truman took off his clothes and I (laughs) (laughs) took pictures. He's fat but he's losing weight. On the way over, his pants were falling down, like a loose diaper-you could see the crack in his a.s.s. took pictures. He's fat but he's losing weight. On the way over, his pants were falling down, like a loose diaper-you could see the crack in his a.s.s.
Then after lunch Truman took Bob MacBride, who was with us by then, and me to his psychiatrist. Truman had told him that I was going to be taping so there (laughs) (laughs) was Truman on the couch, and he was talking about his father and his mother and his stepfather and how his father took his money and all that c.r.a.p and the psychiatrist was saying all the things that they say in the movies-"Now let's get back to that dream you had." And Truman got up and looked out the window and then at us, and he had tears in his eyes, he was sort of crying, and then when he was finished he bounced up and said, "Wasn't that wonderful acting?" was Truman on the couch, and he was talking about his father and his mother and his stepfather and how his father took his money and all that c.r.a.p and the psychiatrist was saying all the things that they say in the movies-"Now let's get back to that dream you had." And Truman got up and looked out the window and then at us, and he had tears in his eyes, he was sort of crying, and then when he was finished he bounced up and said, "Wasn't that wonderful acting?"
Then they were going home for "a little nap" and I finally realized that "a little nap" must mean s.e.x with Bob-they must do it every afternoon and I guess I've been interfering-but I think Bob likes it better that I am, it gives him an excuse not to.
So we went back to U.N. Plaza. I was outside the door trying to tape Truman in the bathroom p.i.s.sing, but he closed the door.