Chapter 17
Friday, April 13, 1979 I was reading the Margaret Trudeau book. She writes like Viva. If Viva had met interesting people in her life, she would have written a book like this.
Went to the Copa for the Mork show. Robin Williams. He was terrific. Jed's sister, Susan, was our waitress (tip $10). Then Mork's wife invited us to the Sherry, so we went over there and Lucie Arnaz was there, too, and everybody was sitting around a big table of bagels. Mork has a hairy chest and arms but pretty blue eyes.
Monday, April 16, 1979 Did I say that the other night Nureyev was in Elaine's? I never know what you're supposed to do there when you see somebody. Be very cool so you don't bother them? Or should you throw your arms around them because I mean it is is great when Diana Ross does it. great when Diana Ross does it.
I didn't go to Steve Rubell's getting-out-of-jail party. In the paper it said that while he was in his jail cell he wrote his diary on Studio 54 cards that he had in his pocket. Isn't that great? He said the cell was disgusting and that the first thing he'll fight for is jail reform.
Tuesday, April 17, 1979 Called Mork's hotel. They said to come right over. Cabbed to the Sherry ($2.50). We thought they'd have a limousine because there were twelve of them but then we had to get three cabs down to the Village. They wanted to pay for the cab, but I did ($6). We met on Christopher and Bleecker and then went to a used-clothes store and they had a good time. Mork can tell in a second what will fit him. He picked out three suits and he put them on and they fit perfectly. His wife's name is Valerie and she's really nice. She said she'd been down to Bleecker Street already that morning and gotten French provincial furniture that morning to send back to L.A.
We went though the back streets, and it's funny-when kids see Robin they just say, "Hi, Mork" without getting excited, it's like seeing somebody they know. It's the grownups who get excited. We walked over to Lady Astor's. Then we went to meet Michael Sklar, who I haven't seen in years who was in our movies Trash Trash and and L'Amour L'Amour. He looks thin in the face. He's a friend of theirs.
Robin's going to do the Popeye movie. Sue Mengers just became his agent. Valerie said that when she saw Robin was going to get famous and they'd been living together for two years, she told him she didn't want to go through life and the newspapers as Robin Williams and Guest, so she made him marry her. They're nice and they're (laughs) (laughs) "real." You know? So they don't have limousines. But a limousine would have been so much easier. "real." You know? So they don't have limousines. But a limousine would have been so much easier.
Did I tell the Diary about Henry Post's bad accident? He was driving his new car out to Southampton and he woke up in the hospital. He doesn't remember a thing. He hit two poles. And then I slipped and said something dumb-which I shouldn't have because when you're on pills and painkillers and things you get paranoid-I said, "Maybe because of the exposes you write, maybe somebody sabotaged you."
Wednesday, April 18, 1979 It was a sunny day, walked over to Lexington, pa.s.sed out Interviews Interviews, and then went over to the Russian Tea Room to meet Joan Hyler, my agent who's going to get me movie parts. She has John Savage and Meryl Streep for clients.
John Fairchild, Jr. called and invited me to see Manhattan Manhattan on his father's tickets, but I looked in the book and saw I had a dinner at Alice Mason's. She's the real estate person in New York who got Carter elected president. Dropped Rupert (cab $4). Went to 150 East 72nd Street. on his father's tickets, but I looked in the book and saw I had a dinner at Alice Mason's. She's the real estate person in New York who got Carter elected president. Dropped Rupert (cab $4). Went to 150 East 72nd Street.
And I wanted to see her apartment, because after all, she's the big realtor, and when I saw it you couldn't believe it, it's just nothing, on a sixth floor with (laughs) (laughs) paint peeling. Nothing special at all. paint peeling. Nothing special at all.
But it was a heavy-duty party. It was all big, tall, beautiful intellectual girls and old, rich bachelors. A room full of heavies. Bess Myerson, John and Mary Lindsay, John Kluge. Jaquine Lachman who was so thrilled that Mr. Lachman died, but now Rita, an ex-Mrs. Lachman, is giving her problems.
The daughter of Alice Mason brought me into her mother's bedroom where my Carter portrait was and other photos of her with Carter. They had funny art around the house. At around 12:15 I slipped out.
Thursday, April 19, 1979 Had to go to the memorial service for Amba.s.sador Hoveyda's brother who was executed in Iran. Cabbed to Riverside Drive ($2.50). Everybody was there. We took our shoes off. There was a rug in the middle of the floor and no one wanted to step on it because it was like stepping on the body because there wasn't a body there. There was Iranian music. It was like the best c.o.c.ktail party but with no drinks.
Steve Rubell's suing Ron Galella, I read in the papers-for starting a fight at Studio 54, he says. And I'm invited to Ron Galella's wedding on Sat.u.r.day. I think I'll go.
Friday, April 20, 1979 Talked on the phone to Henry Post. He's getting better. They restructured his nose.
Tuesday, April 24, 1979 The papers were full of Margaret Trudeau walking off the Today Show Today Show-she really knows how to get the publicity-and then showing up at Studio 54.
Cabbed downtown ($3.50). Pa.s.sed out Interviews Interviews. Walked over to the office where I was meeting David Whitney and David White and Fred at 12:00 to go through all the portraits I've ever done for the show at the Whitney.
Sunday, April 29, 1979 Cab to Ruth Warrick's on Park Avenue. I was a little late. Lucie Arnaz had already left. I was standing there and this really good-looking guy came over and then I realized it was William Weslow who used to be with the Ballet Theater twenty or thirty years ago. I was introduced to him a few times and he always ignored me, he'd never talk to me because I was n.o.body then. He's a ma.s.seur now, Henry Geldzahler goes to him. He was fired from Balanchine in about 1970. He said that Balanchine said, "Listen darling, you're too old, we've seen you too much around, and you're through, darling. I hope you're not going to commit suicide, darling, are you?" And he said he told him not for somebody like him-he wouldn't give him that much pleasure. Balanchine doesn't like boys, he only likes tall girls.
So now he's a ma.s.seur. d.i.c.k Cavett uses him, too-he said d.i.c.k's sent him about forty people. He made me feel his legs and (laughs) (laughs) I giggled. I giggled.
It was such a weird party. When you go to places where people are sort of n.o.bodies and you have to think of what to say to them, it's so hard. I met Kay Gardella, that's who I met. The newspaper television critic. And she's really fat. She's the fattest person I've met in years-most people aren't fat anymore, they're chubby. n.o.body's really fat anymore.
Monday, May 7, 1979 Went up to Hoveyda's exhibit at the Bodley Gallery. Hoveyda had a letter in the Times Times yesterday about his brother, a letter to the new regime that said his brother didn't run away from the country like all the other ministers because he believed in Iran, and Hoveyda called it murder, he said that the new prime minister could look forward to getting murdered, too. It was a good letter (cab $4.50). yesterday about his brother, a letter to the new regime that said his brother didn't run away from the country like all the other ministers because he believed in Iran, and Hoveyda called it murder, he said that the new prime minister could look forward to getting murdered, too. It was a good letter (cab $4.50).
Bob had a big lunch where he got lots of Lee Radziwill gossip. Everybody thinks she was just too drunk to make it to her own wedding. In San Francisco. She left the groom waiting at the altar. But I think she's probably just depressed because she got so skinny that her chemical balance changed and she doesn't know what she wants.
Wednesday, May 9, 1979 The Du Pont twins came in and Brigid told them that Freddy von Mierers had called and put out the word that he was going to send the police after them if they didn't return his two sweaters. They turned bright red, and she told them not to come around anymore since they steal. Dropped Rupert (cab $4).
Thursday, May 10, 1979 It was another really hot day in the nineties. Paul Morrissey's out in California. He wants to do Trash II Trash II where Holly's an entertainer and Joe's living in the Bronx, still shooting up, and their son is selling drugs in school. Nelson Lyon's in town, he said he gave Paul the idea. where Holly's an entertainer and Joe's living in the Bronx, still shooting up, and their son is selling drugs in school. Nelson Lyon's in town, he said he gave Paul the idea.
Sat.u.r.day, May 12, 1979 Got up. Nelson called and wanted to know why I'd left Studio 54 so quick the night before-he said did I go to a "better party." Can you believe it? (laughs) (laughs) The same old paranoid Nelson. The same old paranoid Nelson.
Halston and Steve Rubell aren't getting along so well anymore-there was a picture of Steve in the front row at Calvin Klein's fas.h.i.+on show.
Sunday, May 13, 1979 Went to church in the afternoon. I hadn't gotten any calls from John Fairchild, Jr. for five or six days so I tried calling him. Curley keeps calling, telling about his escapades at Studio 54.
Nelson called from Tarrytown where he's working on the trailer for Apocalypse Now Apocalypse Now. And Bobby De Niro says he might be able to get money for Trash II Trash II. Nelson's writing it with Paul.
Oh, and I've been running into Crazy Matty on the street a lot again. I told him to come by the office. I want to tape him and have that be my abstract movie. He said he's staying at the Grand Union Hotel on East 32nd Street.
Sat.u.r.day, June 2, 1979 Truman called and he was so mad at Lee Radziwill for giving the deposition against him in the Gore Vidal lawsuit. It was so scary. He said she'd be "s.h.i.+tting razor blades" after he goes on The Stanley Siegel Show The Stanley Siegel Show on Tuesday to "really let her have it." And he kept saying, "Well, don't you agree? Don't you agree? What's the matter, you're not saying anything." It was really horrible. He said, "She's going to wake up and hate herself. Don't you agree? Don't you agree?" And I said, "Well, Truman, she's so weak now, she might commit on Tuesday to "really let her have it." And he kept saying, "Well, don't you agree? Don't you agree? What's the matter, you're not saying anything." It was really horrible. He said, "She's going to wake up and hate herself. Don't you agree? Don't you agree?" And I said, "Well, Truman, she's so weak now, she might commit suicide." suicide." And he said, "Too bad." He said, "If I told you all the things she's said about And he said, "Too bad." He said, "If I told you all the things she's said about you you...." I said I didn't care, that I never thought of her as a friend, that I've always known what kind of a person she is, that she was just somebody who was renting our house in Montauk, so whatever she said, it didn't bother me, I knew all about it already. It was scary how vicious he could get over someone he was best friends with. When Truman turns, he really turns.
And Halston's going to rent Montauk, we think. Vincent was out there this weekend showing the place to him. Victor was with him and I got scared about that, visualizing Victor painting red footprints all over the main house.
Sunday, June 3, 1979 Nelson called and told me the plot for Trash II: Trash II: Joe's working in a pizzeria, and Holly wants them to move from the Lower East Side to a better place- Joe's working in a pizzeria, and Holly wants them to move from the Lower East Side to a better place-(laughs) Lodi, New Jersey, the town with the chemical spills-but they don't have the money until one of the kids gets..h.i.t by a cab and they sue the cab company and they're able to buy a house. Lodi, New Jersey, the town with the chemical spills-but they don't have the money until one of the kids gets..h.i.t by a cab and they sue the cab company and they're able to buy a house.
Oh, and everybody seems to like the Popism Popism ma.n.u.script. Bob and Fred and Rupert. They were reading it in Paris. ma.n.u.script. Bob and Fred and Rupert. They were reading it in Paris.
Tuesday, June 5, 1979 Watched The Stanley Siegel Show The Stanley Siegel Show in the morning. Truman went into a "Southern f.a.g" character and began telling all the embarra.s.sing things that Lee had told him over the years about people-that Peter Tufo looked like a ferret and was publicity-crazy riding on her coattails, and that Newton Cope who she's engaged to marry, still-even after calling off the wedding a few weeks ago-was "no great catch," except for maybe he would be, in a "provincial town." And he told how she tried to seduce William F. Buckley, Jr. by asking him for spiritual advice and then when he didn't respond she accused him of being queer. If Lee was drinking in the morning. Truman went into a "Southern f.a.g" character and began telling all the embarra.s.sing things that Lee had told him over the years about people-that Peter Tufo looked like a ferret and was publicity-crazy riding on her coattails, and that Newton Cope who she's engaged to marry, still-even after calling off the wedding a few weeks ago-was "no great catch," except for maybe he would be, in a "provincial town." And he told how she tried to seduce William F. Buckley, Jr. by asking him for spiritual advice and then when he didn't respond she accused him of being queer. If Lee was drinking before before this feud with Truman, can you imagine this feud with Truman, can you imagine now? now? Oh, Truman's making such a fool of himself. He should at least be drunk. Oh, Truman's making such a fool of himself. He should at least be drunk.
Liz Smith called Interview Interview to say that she was going to do an item on the channel 4 news show at 5:45 about our interview with the Mondale kid because of the part where he said that in the vice-president's house where his parents live now, when Nelson Rockefeller used to live there, he had a trap door put in that connected his bedroom with the guest bedroom. to say that she was going to do an item on the channel 4 news show at 5:45 about our interview with the Mondale kid because of the part where he said that in the vice-president's house where his parents live now, when Nelson Rockefeller used to live there, he had a trap door put in that connected his bedroom with the guest bedroom.
Halston said he was all for Truman, that Lee deserved what she got. Then we were talking about Steve Rubell and Halston said that confidentially he thought Steve was going up the river. Then Steve arrived and said his lawyers told him he could get off if he gave evidence to the government about the Was.h.i.+ngton people that've come to Studio 54 and taken drugs and things. Then he went to pick up Diana Ross to take her to Studio 54.
Wednesday, June 6, 1979 Truman called and told me that all the Was.h.i.+ngton papers and the California papers had his thing on the Siegel Show Siegel Show on the front page. But the New York papers haven't really played it up. on the front page. But the New York papers haven't really played it up.
Daniela Morera gave me a black linen Giorgio Armani jacket and it's too small, but it's beautiful, no lining, the way the Italians are
I had to autograph a copy of the Philosophy Philosophy book and I was rereading it and I wonder why it didn't make it big-it's got a lot of good lines in it. book and I was rereading it and I wonder why it didn't make it big-it's got a lot of good lines in it.
Thursday, June 7, 1979 Truman called. He said he got a telegram from a fan congratulating him on The Stanley Siegel Show The Stanley Siegel Show saying that it was the best thing on TV since Ruby shot Oswald. Steve Rubell said that his flower guy was at Lee's to deliver and she wouldn't answer the door. saying that it was the best thing on TV since Ruby shot Oswald. Steve Rubell said that his flower guy was at Lee's to deliver and she wouldn't answer the door.
At home I put on my new black linen Giorgio Armani jacket. It's the stiff fine linen like what used to be under crinolines.
Anyway, the big party Studio 54 gave for Interview Interview last night got ruined for me because Jed had trouble at the door with Mark, the doorman. And I mean, it's confusing, because Steve said he let Jed in, but Jed says that Steve last night got ruined for me because Jed had trouble at the door with Mark, the doorman. And I mean, it's confusing, because Steve said he let Jed in, but Jed says that Steve saw saw him and him and wouldn't wouldn't let him in. let him in.
Sunday, June 10, 1979 Worked at home. Went to church. And I'm just remembering, John Fairchild, Jr. told me that William Pitt went to an EST conference in New Hamps.h.i.+re and flipped out and now he thinks he's G.o.d. He'd already gone through EST and this was like a refresher course, and it was supposed to last for eight days but he flipped out in one. Pepe Balderago was with him there and confirmed that he absolutely flipped out and "realized he was G.o.d" and left. So when I went downstairs at New York/New York and I saw him, I said, "Hi, G.o.d," and he called me a genius for knowing. And it's true, he actually does think he's G.o.d. So I walked with Pepe Balderago and G.o.d over to Studio 54. I talked with G.o.d as we walked. When we got to Studio 54 I saw John and told him that G.o.d was on the dance floor, and he ran away.
Monday, June 11, 1979 As I was talking on the phone to Brigid, they said on TV that they might come on with a news bulletin, but then they didn't, and then later on the regular news they said that John Wayne died.
Tuesday, June 12, 1979 Cabbed down to Chembank ($3.75), walked around Union Square then went to the office. Oscar de la Renta and his friend Jack Alexander, who does the advertising, were there. It was a business lunch to talk him into advertising in Interview Interview. Bob was telling Oscar that young kids don't know about him. Oscar reminded him that Jerry Hall was young and she she wore his clothes. And Barbara Allen stopped by and she came and sat down and she made the lunch more interesting. She's going to Maria Niarchos's wedding, and she talked Bob into going over for it, too. wore his clothes. And Barbara Allen stopped by and she came and sat down and she made the lunch more interesting. She's going to Maria Niarchos's wedding, and she talked Bob into going over for it, too.
A lady Ivan Karp sent over came to see if she wanted to have her mug done. If you closed your eyes you'd think it was Lee Radziwill talking, so I guess she went to the same school as Lee and Jackie. She said her original idea was to have Scavullo do a photograph, and since that was going to cost $5,000, she thought why not go all the way and see about a Warhol portrait. I doubt if she'll ever get it done. I think she just wanted something to do for the afternoon. Then Oscar left and Brigid and I rushed out and went to Mays to get some supplies for the office ($11.55, $22.68). It was such a beautiful day. Then rushed back to meet Famous Amos the cookie man. He's good-looking, sort of like that black record guy who managed Nico at first-Tom Wilson. But I do think he has chops. His teeth looked too perfect. He doesn't look good-looking on the package, though, because the picture makes him look like a pickaninny. He brought his white girlfriend Christina-they live in Hawaii. And he brought his son Gregory, about sixteen or seventeen. While we were talking Amos ate some cookies, but I'm sure he must be so sick of them. I asked why the cookies inside don't look like the ones on the package and he said because it took too long to bake to make them look like that.
Ran into Pepe Balderago who said he just doesn't know what to do with Bill Pitt, that he's still flipping out thinking he's G.o.d. And so Pepe called Bill's father and said, "Look, you're the family, you have to put him in the hospital." I told Pepe to take him to a steambath-in case it was LSD in his system, to sweat it out-and then he said he'd tried that but Bill wouldn't go in when they got there.
Wednesday, June 13, 1979 Bill Pitt called and he thinks I'm Walt Disney. I told him he should get some rest, really go to bed and stay there for a while. Curley called up and invited me to his birthday party. I called Henry Geldzahler to invite him because he said he wanted to go. I couldn't get Curley back because his father'd given him a box to answer calls.
Vincent called Doug Christmas and he's so awful. They swear up and down that the check was sent and give you the bank number and everything and when you call back they're "out to lunch." The girls at his gallery there must feel horrible having to say things like that. If he'd just say, "I can't pay you," you'd know where you stood.
And Philip Niarchos is still going with Manuela Papatakis who I never liked at first, but she's really sweet and cla.s.sy-one of those short girls who make themselves look tall. You know, they wear those high shoes and I just don't understand how they walk in them, you're always on your toes. I've put some on and that's how I don't understand it.
Bob Weiner called and accused us of having an anti-Semitic newspaper because of some line in Truman's interview about stuffing all Jews and putting them in the Museum of Natural History. He said he'd read it to five people and they all agreed.
Thursday, June 14, 1979 Henry Post called from out in Long Island where he's still recovering from his car crash. He said that his bones were all set and he'd gone back on crutches but then when the doctor was examining him he suddenly flipped him over and by mistake rebroke every bone that'd been set. He's in terrible pain.
And Pepe Balderago put Bill Pitt into St. Vincent's Hospital, he's really out-there.
John Fairchild, Jr. called and invited me to go roller skating Friday night.
Cabbed to Pearl's for Curley's birthday ($2).
We had a round table with ten boys at it so I had to tell Pearl it was a stag office dinner. Everybody was blond except for Henry Geldzahler and me who were grey. Henry was being very funny, showing his commissioner's badge, and it was one one-liner after another. He's so funny, so bright. I took pictures. Then we went over to Studio 54 and my birthday present to Curley was getting them all in.
Friday, June 15, 1979 Some kid I met asked me if I could get him and his friend into Xenon that night and I said oh sure, that it was so easy. So when I got to the office I called Xenon. I told the girl who answered who I was and she said, "You don't sound like Andy Warhol." I said, "Well, it is." She said, "How do I know it's you?" And this went on and it turns out she was just setting me up, I guess, because she said, "I'll call you back to see if it's you." So the phone rang and I said, "h.e.l.lo, this is really embarra.s.sing, I mean..." And she said, "Well, we had eighteen Angela Lansburys call this week, so..." And I said, "Well, so what, I mean the place isn't that busy, and here I'm telling you about two cute kids who want to come and pay! pay! And one even wants to be a member, so..." And then she said, "Just a minute, I'll have to call you back." So then in a few minutes she called back and said, "We decided over here that we don't want to ever see you again at Xenon." I said, "Whaaat?" She said, "We're all upset about what you did the other week." Meaning the party And one even wants to be a member, so..." And then she said, "Just a minute, I'll have to call you back." So then in a few minutes she called back and said, "We decided over here that we don't want to ever see you again at Xenon." I said, "Whaaat?" She said, "We're all upset about what you did the other week." Meaning the party Interview Interview gave at Studio 54 on the same night as the Xenon anniversary, which we didn't even know about until afterwards. I mean, I don't know if the girl's crazy and she was just embarra.s.sed because she didn't believe who it was at first and had to prove something, or if she asked Howard Stein and gave at Studio 54 on the same night as the Xenon anniversary, which we didn't even know about until afterwards. I mean, I don't know if the girl's crazy and she was just embarra.s.sed because she didn't believe who it was at first and had to prove something, or if she asked Howard Stein and he he said that, because if Peppo Vanini were in the office I don't think he would be that mean, and besides, I think Peppo's over at Maria Niarchos's wedding. But I mean, they're turning away $30. It was such a shock, and then I realized that I should never call places myself. But then it could have been worse, she could have said, "Fine, send your friends over," and said that, because if Peppo Vanini were in the office I don't think he would be that mean, and besides, I think Peppo's over at Maria Niarchos's wedding. But I mean, they're turning away $30. It was such a shock, and then I realized that I should never call places myself. But then it could have been worse, she could have said, "Fine, send your friends over," and then then not let them in. not let them in.
So I (laughs) (laughs) called the kid up and said, "You won't believe this, but I can't get you in-they told me they never wanted to see called the kid up and said, "You won't believe this, but I can't get you in-they told me they never wanted to see me me there again, either. I'm sorry." And he was embarra.s.sed. I guess somebody else would have made up some story, to save face, but I just told him. there again, either. I'm sorry." And he was embarra.s.sed. I guess somebody else would have made up some story, to save face, but I just told him.
Went to 55th and Broadway with John Fairchild, Jr. and Belle McIntyre. It's this brand-new roller skating place run by Negroes that n.o.body knows about yet, and it was great. They let us in free and gave us skates, which they don't usually do. It was great to skate, so much fun. I'm going to buy skates today.
Then we went to the Stage Delicatessen and had good Jewish Celebrity sandwiches. The "Diana Ross" was the worst, though-liver with jelly and peanut b.u.t.ter. Then we stood on the corner and John went to 54 with Curley and I dropped Belle (cab $4).
Sat.u.r.day, June 16, 1979 Got up and called Curley, he was too tired to go out to Manha.s.set with us to the Brentano's bookstore where we were taking Blondie to autograph Interviews Interviews.
Barbara Colacello picked me up and then we picked up Rupert at the Pierre because it was near a subway stop. Then went over to pick up Blondie. She lives in the great building on 58th and Seventh. Blondie-Debbie-was sweet, her hair was fixed up, and you'd never believe she's in her thirties-no wrinkles and so pretty. She said her grandmother lived to be ninety-five and all her family looks young. She spends all her money on makeup. She must not have been pretty all these years, though, or I would have noticed her. She must have tried to look bad or something. But I guess some people look better, actually, when they get a little older. I didn't know what to call her. I guess I call her Debbie. But when I introduce her, I call her Blondie. But Blondie is the name of the whole group, so... She was really great on the ride out, she didn't complain about anything and she didn't want anything.
So we got to Brentano's and the thing was a big dud. The store didn't advertise that we would be there until that same day's papers, which didn't come out until one, and so even if people did read it they wouldn't rush down, probably. But the kids who came all came just to see Blondie, they didn't care about me, they were a whole new young crowd. What they did was go next door and get copies of her record and had her autograph that.
Then Debbie had to get back to rehea.r.s.e for her new alb.u.m. We got back around 5:00. After we dropped her, Rupert and I went for a late lunch.
We had aquavit and caviar ($70). We were getting drunk talking business, and we didn't pay attention when a guy next to us was down on the floor screaming, and finally he said, "Oh, can I have your autograph?" and it turned out to be John Lennon! And I just wished we'd noticed him before-he was with Yoko and her mother and it would have been so much fun. John's very skinny now. I don't know what kind of diet he's on, maybe rice. They live at the Dakota. Then I went home, and I was drunk so a movie was out. I really can't drink in the afternoon.
Thursday, July 19, 1979-Paris Such a pretty day, walked around, stopped at Fauchon ($20). Went past the Beaubourg. Bought some magazines and Vogues Vogues ($8). Went by the Flore but it was closed. Made dinner plans to meet Anthony Russell and Florence Grinda at Castel's. He's still working on his rock and roll. Cabbed to Castel's ($3). ($8). Went by the Flore but it was closed. Made dinner plans to meet Anthony Russell and Florence Grinda at Castel's. He's still working on his rock and roll. Cabbed to Castel's ($3).
There were Florence and Anthony and Florence's brother and a big beautiful model named Margo. Mick and Jerry arrived. Mick has a beard. Jerry's wearing some pearls that he gave her. And he's making a record. They were talking about Anita Pallenberg's seventeen-year-old boyfriend killing himself on the bed. Jerry was in between going back and forth to Houston, working in the John Travolta movie, Urban Cowboy Urban Cowboy. She was thrilled about that, said John was just adorable. We all chipped in for dinner. Fred walked me home. Sat up reading, called Curley to find out what was happening in New York-he was off to Bermuda because his family's caretaker there died.
Friday, July 20, 1979-Paris-London Up very early. Fred arrived at 8:30 A.M A.M. and pretended that he'd been in bed and just gotten up. Later, he said he'd been with Jerry Hall and I don't know if he was kidding. He was so tired he fell asleep, I had to get him up at 10:30 because we had to pack and go to London. We had to buy some tickets ($600) at Lufthansa (tips $20, cab to airport $25). Took British Airlines, it was okay, a really big plane, jam-packed, one of those DC-10s, I think. Cabbed from airport to the Savoy ($30). At the airport while waiting for bags, we heard the people talking about Martha Graham coming in, that she's old, and they should send a cart for her. We waited for her a little while but she never arrived.
Checked in at the Savoy and Martha arrived with Ron Protas, they were coming in from Denmark. Ron is Martha's right-hand lady. So Martha and I stood there talking, it was fun, she was very tired. Learned Dr. Giller had checked in, tried to get him, but he was out. Liza and Halston hadn't arrived yet, they were coming in on the Concorde (tip to porter $5, room service $5). Read the Martha Mitch.e.l.l book, slept an hour.
The rooms at the Savoy were small and d.i.n.ky, on the courtyard, but not really a courtyard. Small. So expensive. Then Nick Scott, the good-looking rich English kid who was the butler of Bianca during the period when he thought he'd lost all his money, invited us to have dinner with him and his wife at the Savoy Grill-he's in the bucks again. Sabrina Guinness was at dinner, and she's been going out with Prince Charles a lot, and we think she f.u.c.ked him. Fred met Halston in the lobby so he told him I would call him as soon as I could.
We had a really good dinner, the Grill was great, and Sabrina and I went up to Halston's room and I started taping Liza for her Interview Interview interview. Steve Rubell was there with Randy and they had a bedroom and a sitting room, and Halston had an adjoining bedroom with Victor Hugo, and the next room was Dr. Giller. He had the prettiest room-it was purple and white overlooking the river, and it was fun to see everybody in a new place. Steve wanted to go discoing, he was carrying his portable radio around, turning it up and down. Victor was changing his clothes, putting on different outfits. Bianca was in another room with Peter Sparling, the dancer with Martha Graham. interview. Steve Rubell was there with Randy and they had a bedroom and a sitting room, and Halston had an adjoining bedroom with Victor Hugo, and the next room was Dr. Giller. He had the prettiest room-it was purple and white overlooking the river, and it was fun to see everybody in a new place. Steve wanted to go discoing, he was carrying his portable radio around, turning it up and down. Victor was changing his clothes, putting on different outfits. Bianca was in another room with Peter Sparling, the dancer with Martha Graham.
Sat.u.r.day, July 21, 1979-London Got up early and checked in with the Halston crowd. Halston had a car and he decided to take us out sightseeing. Went to a couple of s.h.i.+rt stores with him. Then we wandered around, bought some film and tapes ($60). Then came back to the hotel and Fred wanted to go to the King's Road and I wanted to take Victor, but Halston didn't want to go with Fred.
We all went to Mr. Chow's for dinner. It was terrible food. Then we decided to do the discos. Halston was the most fun person on the trip. He would call up every place and say, "h.e.l.lo, this is Steve Rubell, the owner of Studio 54. Can I get in free?" He was just camping the whole time-the tour guide. Bianca had to wear all her Halstons while he was in London, and she was unhappy because Mick had called her and had a fight about Jade. He said he can have more children and she can't, and she got insulted and said she could. They do use Jade as a prop, and they make each other really unhappy. He wanted Jade to come over for his birthday, but Bianca didn't want to let her, she said it was bad publicity with the Pallenberg boyfriend's suicide.
Then we went to Tramps, stayed about half an hour, it was fun. Went to the Emba.s.sy. And at all the discos Steve takes on the role of being the host. The first thing he asks is: "Would you like to have a vodka?" They wanted to go to more places but it was about 4:30 so we decided to get home.
Sunday, July 22, 1979-London The night before I'd talked to Catherine Guinness on the phone and she invited us out to her mother and stepfather's place in Ess.e.x-Kelvedon, a huge estate. Catherine really is on Easy Street. It was so beautiful. Drue Heinz and her husband were there. And Guy Nevill's parents. About thirty-five people for lunch. Then Halston, Steve, Victor, and Randy. Catherine's stepfather, Paul Channon, he's a minister in Mrs. Thatcher's government. He's a Guinness, too, but an even richer Guinness than Catherine's father. I sat next to Catherine's mother, Ingrid, and Halston sat on her other side, and Victor sat nearby. Really fun, lots of wine, got really drunk. Halston had to get back to London to Martha's rehearsals. Victor went back, too. Catherine gave me a tour. Beautiful. Steve played tennis and he plays really good.
After you see how rich Catherine is, it seems so silly that she should ever have had a dump in New York and worked at a regular job. It was wonderful, they showed us a good time, people were all so friendly. Lost my contact lens and Catherine helped me find it. It was lying on the sink, I was putting it in and it fell.
Monday, July 23, 1979-London Went to some punk stores with Victor and Catherine, one was called Seditionaries. We got s.h.i.+rts that were made out of n.a.z.i symbols and that you could tie yourself together with, And a T-s.h.i.+rt of two c.o.c.ks p.i.s.sing on Marilyn Monroe's photograph, saying the word "p.i.s.s." Catherine knew a little Italian restaurant where her family goes on Sunday. Nice Italian lunch ($100), and after that we got some flowers for Catherine's mother ($20) and Catherine took us to see her stepfather's mansion on Cheyne Walk. Whistler lived there once.
Victor and I went back to the hotel (cab $7). It was Martha Graham's opening at Covent Garden. We all got ready and met in Halston's room-John Bowes-Lyon, Dr. Giller, me, Randy, Steve, Victor-Fred went off with his date, Sabrina Guinness. Liza went on before us. We all had front-row-balcony seats.
They did three numbers and then Liza came on with "The Owl and the p.u.s.s.ycat." Then Martha gave a long speech, about half an hour. They were all wearing beautiful Halstons. Lynn Wyatt was next to Fred, then moved up next to John Bowes-Lyon.
Then backstage, h.e.l.lo to Liza and Martha, and then a little c.o.c.ktail party in the bar part of Covent Garden. Covent Garden was very beautiful, it looked like the old Met. Then drinks, and then we all walked to the Savoy-Halston was giving a private party. We were upstairs and we didn't know the party was upstairs and and downstairs. The downstairs party had Princess Margaret and Halston, Liza, and everybody, and when we finally realized we were missing it, we went downstairs. Halston was nervous but his party was terrific, had the best time. downstairs. The downstairs party had Princess Margaret and Halston, Liza, and everybody, and when we finally realized we were missing it, we went downstairs. Halston was nervous but his party was terrific, had the best time.
Victor wanted me to meet Princess Margaret, and I didn't but I got two pictures. Victor got two photos of Princess Margaret and Roddy Llewellyn. They didn't want to be seen together and they wanted to take his film away, but then Fred said not to, that Victor was with Halston.
Left the party about 4:00, went to Liza's room. She was wearing a really beautiful see-through fabric dress with her hair brushed back like her mother used to wear it-that's the way she wears it in "The Owl and the p.u.s.s.ycat." It was a wig but I couldn't tell.
Then Halston and I left Liza's room and we began taking everybody's shoes from in front of their doors and moving them to other places. The funniest thing I ever did. Then to bed and read a little bit more of the Martha Mitch.e.l.l book.
Wednesday, July 25, 1979-London Halston called and said he wanted to go to an awful lady's shop to see the jewelry. He's very grand, I was sure he was going to buy $50,000 worth of the jewelry but he was just playing. Victor was putting the jewelry in his mouth and in his a.s.s and I was photographing it. He lay down on the floor and when he saw an electric surveillance eye looking down at him, he asked what "that ruby up in the sky" was. Halston asked for a discount and when they only offered him 5 percent he was shocked. They probably had the place bugged and listened to everything we said when they were out of the room.
Thursday, July 26, 1979-London-Paris Got up early-had to pack, had to get everyone together. Halston was the leader and Steve just didn't know who to tip, he was just bad at it, being so ungenerous-he really is a cheapo. He knows knows exactly how much things are worth, he just doesn't want to give it-he wants to exactly how much things are worth, he just doesn't want to give it-he wants to keep keep it, I think. I just can't understand that. After Halston paid his bill he screamed, telling the guy how dirty and unbeautiful and how did they really think a hotel could go on like this with service so bad. I asked him how could he do that and he said, "You've it, I think. I just can't understand that. After Halston paid his bill he screamed, telling the guy how dirty and unbeautiful and how did they really think a hotel could go on like this with service so bad. I asked him how could he do that and he said, "You've got got to do that, you've got to always keep them on their toes and pretend you're rich, really really rich." He kept screaming at the place, and n.o.body wanted to give any tips. We snuck out because we're never going to stay there again, a dump. I mean, it was $2,600 for two people in two dumb rooms without even ordering up anything. to do that, you've got to always keep them on their toes and pretend you're rich, really really rich." He kept screaming at the place, and n.o.body wanted to give any tips. We snuck out because we're never going to stay there again, a dump. I mean, it was $2,600 for two people in two dumb rooms without even ordering up anything.
We got to the airport in time, the Savoy had a nice man waiting there to check you in. I gave him $15.
Got on the plane, very easy. Then we arrived in Paris, forty minutes away. Victor forgot to get his visa, so he was stuck at customs. We waited for him. Steve said, "Isn't that Jerry Hall?" She was just coming in from Houston from the John Travolta movie. It's Mick's birthday in a few days and she was going to take him to some chic restaurant. Finally Victor got out of customs. Limo waiting there for us (baggage $5). Hotel Plaza-Athenee. Weather beautiful. Very beautiful best suite. The only thing Halston wanted to do in Paris was get his dog a piece of Vuitton. Luggage for Linda.
Victor fought with driver. He screamed and jumped out and said he'd never see us again.
Halston was fun buying shoes at Hermes, he said he never shops, which he doesn't-he really doesn't have time.
Limoed to Club Sept. Victor called me there and said he'd calmed down, said he'd come in a costume, but he came normal.
Then limoed to the Palace. Halston had called ahead and said, "Mr. Steve Rubell of Studio 54 will be coming by your club tonight-of course you'll want to let him and his party in free." I got the driver in with us because I felt bad for him because of Victor's fight. Victor got one of the waiters to loan him his outfit and so Victor went around taking everyone's orders.
Friday, July 27, 1979-Paris-New York I'd just gone to bed at 6:00 but at 7:30 Halston was knocking on my door. He hates being away from New York and he wanted to get back, but it was a horror trip getting up. And the hotel was just so beautiful, it had the geraniums in the window and red awnings. And Steve didn't want to get up and go, either, but after a half-hour of coaxing he did get up. We had to sit and eat breakfast but it was torture. Victor had his own room upstairs that he'd gotten after having an agitation, and he was cranky.
Halston really enjoys screaming. When he's paying he gets so grand and yells and tells everybody off about how rotten the service is for what he's paying, and when he pays the bill he makes you feel-well, he's like me me, only worse. He tells you how he has to go back to New York to slave so hard so he can make money so you can go on spending it all, and oh, G.o.d!-he makes you feel so funny about it. But then it is is just incredible what hotels cost now. just incredible what hotels cost now.
Finally Victor and everybody was in the car and we got to the Concorde on time, and Steve wasn't tipping the driver who hadn't even slept, he'd been out with us all night, so I gave him a fifty.
As soon as we got on the plane everyone fell asleep. The stewardess woke Halston up and he screamed at her that she better not wake him up again.
I wanted to get the Concorde silverware, and I wanted to wake Victor up and ask him to ask for food so I could get more settings-I'm working up to a twelve-piece setting-but I didn't wake him up so I only got one set. It was an easy flight. Then we went through customs and the customs guy used to be a cabdriver who had me in his cab once, so he sailed me right through. Got home and went to the office. Cab fares had gone up ($4).
It was a hot day and when I got to the office n.o.body was doing a thing. Brigid was waiting for the cake lady from New Jersey to deliver a cake for her mother's birthday, she was taking it out to the country for her later on.
David Whitney called and said I had to get some of the portraits to Paris, and I called Fred but I couldn't get him. Worked till about 7:30 with Rupert. Read my mail.
Sunday, July 29, 1979 Do you know what Jean Stein did? She called up my family in Pennsylvania and wanted to go down there and interview them for her book on Edie-she told them she was doing "a book on the sixties." What nerve! nerve!