Chapter 37
Went over to the back-ma.s.sage guy on Seventh Avenue and now Chris tells me that he's not really a s.h.i.+atsu ma.s.seur, he's a chiropractor. And it seems now that it's just me who goes there. It's so lonely there, I'm probably his only customer. He'll probably break my back so I'll have to keep going to him (phone calls $.20).
Then went back and worked on my Alfred Hitchc.o.c.k portrait for Vanity Fair Vanity Fair. Waited for Rupert. Mr. LeFrak called and I've got to get to work on his portrait.
Then there was a screening of Gandhi Gandhi and went to that at the Columbia screening room at 56th and Fifth, and the movie was just thrilling. It was three hours long, and the only thing that ruined it was Miss Candice Bergen. It's like a jolt of reality. Suddenly there she is, saying that she's Margaret Bourke-White of and went to that at the Columbia screening room at 56th and Fifth, and the movie was just thrilling. It was three hours long, and the only thing that ruined it was Miss Candice Bergen. It's like a jolt of reality. Suddenly there she is, saying that she's Margaret Bourke-White of Life Life magazine, the photographer. She's just awful. Jarring. Like me in magazine, the photographer. She's just awful. Jarring. Like me in The Driver's Seat The Driver's Seat. I was so bad in that. But I could have been good if they used me good. Oh and some movie star told me recently that Bad Bad was the best movie they'd ever seen. Now who was it...? Oh, it was Jeff Bridges! He loved was the best movie they'd ever seen. Now who was it...? Oh, it was Jeff Bridges! He loved Badi Badi Thursday, December 16, 1982 Went all the way to Chinatown from way uptown because it's so funny to hear Benjamin talk Chinese (cab $9, phone $.20). We went looking around for new ideas, but it's so hard to do these things all at the same time, all the pressure-looking for new ideas, the pressure of painting, the pressure of buying the building. It's a lot of stress.
Friday, December 17, 1982 There were about eighteen parties going on that I missed. Frankie Crocker was having a party at Studio 54 that Laura Branigan was going to sing at. Maura Moynihan was having a Christmas party then playing at Danceteria. The Ritz was having a concert for the Who that was going to be televised. Suzie Frankfurt was having an open house and Couri Hay was having a party.
Sunday, December 19, 1982 Decided to go to Vincent and Sh.e.l.ly's party. They had about eight babies there and all the kids from the office. Asked Jay as a Christmas present to please get me a cab.
Monday, December 20, 1982 Had to meet the LeFraks. And they hated their portrait. She said I made her look too much like Kitty Carlisle.
Worked till 7:00. Gave PH her earrings for Christmas-David Webb frogs from the forties- and she was thrilled. Then went to Dr. Silver and he said I'll be cured of pimples in two weeks.
Tuesday, December 21, 1982 Mrs. LeFrak didn't like her hair and Rupert's working on it right now. I've got to call and tell him to make the screen fluffier-more highlights in her hair, but it's probably too late.
Wednesday, December 22, 1982 Went over to the Waldorf to the debutante ball thing. And Cornelia was supposed to be there because she's doing a How to Be a Deb How to Be a Deb book with Jon, but she wasn't there. And then this curly-haired blond boy came over and said, "You did some paintings for my grandfather," and I asked him who was his grandfather, and he said, "Nelson Rockefeller." All the kids at this thing were so beautiful. All the boys looked like Robyn in tuxes. book with Jon, but she wasn't there. And then this curly-haired blond boy came over and said, "You did some paintings for my grandfather," and I asked him who was his grandfather, and he said, "Nelson Rockefeller." All the kids at this thing were so beautiful. All the boys looked like Robyn in tuxes.
Thursday, December 23, 1982 When I walked into the office everyone was in a bad mood. Brigid began putting Christopher down and said that the only Christmas present that everybody at the office would really want is that Chris never come up there again. When I told him about it later he said that maybe he should pay Brigid the $20 he owes her. She did some work for him a few years ago on a project that then he he didn't get paid for, so he felt that he didn't have to pay didn't get paid for, so he felt that he didn't have to pay her her. And then of course he's cheap, that's really why he didn't pay her. And Robyn was so moody. Jay went home to Milwaukee and he's the only one who might've actually worked.
And Peter Beard called and wanted us to okay a check from Cheryl Tiegs that he was trying to get cashed at Brownies because he wanted to go around the corner to Paragon and buy some sports equipment. So I guess he's being kept by Cheryl. She's really got the bucks, she's got the Sears contract.
And Lorna Luft came down because Liza's giving her her portrait for Christmas. And she had no makeup on and she looked beautiful. She's on the Cambridge diet, and she really is pretty. Her portrait will be like Marilyn. If she just kept her regular brown haircolor and her regular looks, she could be a big serious actress. But instead she tries to look the opposite of Liza, to get an ident.i.ty.
Christmas is so confusing. Jon left for New Hamps.h.i.+re.
Friday, December 24, 1982 I made people come in to work and Brigid spent the whole day like Madame Defarge, she sat around needlepointing, thinking about not having the day off. My nerves were shattered, I couldn't put anything together. Worked at the office trying to wrap paintings up for the Halston group. Had Benjamin meet me at home.
Went to pick up Sondra Gilman, her kids are grown up now. The girl's a model type. The boy is tall, too. They're beautiful, like Village of the d.a.m.ned Village of the d.a.m.ned kids. The girl said how these old photographers tried to pick her up and one took her to dinner at Le Relais and tried to impress her, saying he'd made this one and that one-made their careers-and this young girl was telling me about it and laughing at him. kids. The girl said how these old photographers tried to pick her up and one took her to dinner at Le Relais and tried to impress her, saying he'd made this one and that one-made their careers-and this young girl was telling me about it and laughing at him.
So then finally we went to Halston's and Halston wasn't anywhere in sight. It was odd. Although we were four hours late. But finally we found him upstairs with Steve Rubell, next to the tree. Halston gave me-maybe-two Elsa Peretti candlesticks from Tiffany, but I had to sign a note saying that I would return them to Halston if it turned out that he couldn't get another pair for himself. So that's a new one. And I was a wreck, trying to figure out what size paintings to give to who. It was harrowing.
And Steve Rubell gave me five ca.s.settes. And he kept saying it over and over: "I gave you five ca.s.settes. Isn't that just the greatest gift?" I mean, they were just tapes that you can buy, like a Michael Jackson tape, that cost $3 apiece. I mean, Steve was cheap when he had had money, and now that he doesn't have any... money, and now that he doesn't have any...
Sat.u.r.day, December 25, 1982 Got up late. Went to church. Had a miserable Christmas. Got Benjamin to to come into the office before he went home to San Francisco (cab $5). Worked with him all afternoon trying to get my bills paid. Heard about the big snow out in Denver. Gave Benjamin cash for working that day come into the office before he went home to San Francisco (cab $5). Worked with him all afternoon trying to get my bills paid. Heard about the big snow out in Denver. Gave Benjamin cash for working that day ($100). ($100).
Tuesday, December 28, 1982-Aspen, Colorado At 8:30 Barry Diller invited us to have c.o.c.ktails with Calvin Klein and Marina Cicogna and Diana Ross. Diana came in and she had just bought a cowboy hat and big white shoes and she was out for action.
We all got in cars and followed Barry, he's a bad driver. Then Barry invited us out to dinner to Andre's. The food there was disgusting. Jon lost part of his Kieselstein-Cord belt. Diana was dancing on top of the table and everybody wanted to dance with her and she said, "I'm dancing with all oi all oi you!" That was a great line. you!" That was a great line.
Thursday, December 30, 1982-Aspen John Coleman told us Barbi Benton was giving a party so I just casually called her and said, "Hiiiii," and she said, "Hiiiiiii," and so then I said, "Oh I was just calling because we had so much fun last year, you know..."-playing it that way. And so she said she was having a party and would I like to come, and I said, "Oh why yeeeesssss."
We arrived at 7:00 and I met her parents and they were adorable. I found out about her being born in New York and about her having a grandfather who bought her fifty dolls and the mother wouldn't give them to her. And they moved to to Sacramento when Barbi was three. Sacramento when Barbi was three.
Met Zev Bufman again.
Buzz Aldrin came, from the moon. The astronaut. Took a lot of photographs of him. He's aged but he was cute and glad to meet us. We decided to start lying that night-Chris told people he had a twelve-month-old baby and that he was watching it while his wife was back in New York and they all believed him. And I told them I was a deep-sea fisherman, and this lady invited me to Boca Raton. I haven't been drinking at all.
Friday, December 31, 1982-Aspen Chris went skiing with Cornelia on b.u.t.termilk. Mark Sink called. He's the bicycle racer who does circulation for Interview Interview in Denver. in Denver.
Drove over to Jimmy Buffett's. As soon as we got in Couri Hay had taken one of our tables and filled it up with boys-Tab Hunter and a mincy boyfriend. But then Jamie Buffett gave us another table and then the party started getting good. Barry Diller arrived with Diana Ross, and Jack Nicholson with Anjelica Huston-Jack's got a big fat belly now. It was all country-western.
Five minutes before New Year's we decided, Jon and I, that we didn't want to be in a crowd and so we went right outside, not to hear them singing "Auld Lang Syne." Then we watched the fireworks outside and went in ten minutes after. So it was great, n.o.body even knew we were gone, and they had finished all their kissing and stuff.
Sat.u.r.day, January 1, 1983-Aspen Something strange happened, I thought Jon was trying to kill me. We were on a snowmobile and he pushed me over a cliff. I thought he did it on purpose. But somehow there were trees there and I fell off into a deep snow. We rode to the house, that was fun, but I didn't realize till I got back how scary going off the cliff was. Then it sunk in what had happened. So I confronted Jon, and he told me I was just being crazy and I was relieved.
Sunday, January 2, 1983-Aspen-New York I didn't have one drink the whole time I was away. And I didn't gain weight, either. I just got weighed and I'm 126 still.
Monday, January 3, 1983 The LeFraks called and said they still hated their portrait. Mr. LeFrak said why weren't Mrs. LeFrak's eyes hazel in the portrait, and then he said his nose was too bulbous. So maybe if we fix those two things it'll get by.
Bob still wasn't back from Santo Domingo from the Cisneroses. And Time Time magazine has Cornelia as Deb of the Year. magazine has Cornelia as Deb of the Year.
Tuesday, January 4, 1983 I had dinner with Chris at the Post House on 63 rd Street to decide once and for all what his money partic.i.p.ation in my Decorative Photography portfolio would be, and we hashed it out. And Chris is so cheap-cheap in ways you'd never even dream of. And it's like Bob. And Paul Morrissey. They want more and more. And Bob was just back from a grand weekend and he gets these ideas that he should live like royalty, and he gets very unhappy if he doesn't get more and more, and I mean, he should just marry one of these old bags and get everything he wants (dinner $130).
Thursday, January 6, 1983 When I got to the office Vincent handed me a letter. It was from Bob. He quit. No one at the office knows except Gael and Robert and Fred. And I hear he has the agent named Janklow, a big literary lawyer. I wonder if Jann Wenner's offered him a job because he's been having meetings with him lately, but I don't think so, because they'd never get along. I'm happy for Bob. Really I am. But I mean, he should have kept working until we found a replacement. It's awful of him to just leave with no notice. Fred called and talked to him but nothing changed. I think Thomas Ammann must have encouraged him. Thomas has gotten so grand, too. I mean, I see people that I knew so long ago, and suddenly they have airs.
So n.o.body at the office knows except the people I said. But (laughs) (laughs), everybody outside the office knows. But this has been building up for a while. Before Bob went away for the holidays I'd told him he could have any painting he wanted for Christmas and he said a Hammer & Sickle, and I only have two of those and I said, "Gee, Bob, just anything but that," and he got mad. But Bob has gotten so grand, he goes to these rich people's places and he thinks he should have it all, too. But magazine editors don't make that much. And Bob made so much off other things- he got commissions on the portraits and he has 50 percent of that Bruno photography portfolio. But what he really wanted was 50 percent of Interview Interview-at least I think he said 50, I couldn't really hear if he was saying 50 or 15. I told him then that he could have a percentage of the profits profits, when Interview Interview started making some profits, but it's not making any yet. And then he said that it started making some profits, but it's not making any yet. And then he said that it was was. But it's just not. And if Bob was smart, he could have just hired someone to do the routine things that he does for Interview Interview and just overseen the magazine, do it freelance.
And John Powers brought a possible portrait by-a plastic surgeon from Horida. And Mr. LeFrak came while they were there and John was great, he embarra.s.sed Mr. LeFrak into finally accepting the portraits-he told him what more do you want, and then later he told me, "I can't believe you made him look so good."
So I got home about 7:00, dropped Jay (cab $5). Decided to stay home, talked on the phone to Christopher and Fred.
You know, about Bob leaving, it's not about money, because he was making a lot. And it's not about the Hammer & Sickle, because if it wasn't about that it would have been about something else. He's been leading up to this for a long time. Maybe he's going into business with Thomas Ammann, too. Because Bob is good at selling art. If a person says they don't want a portrait, Bob will just make a face and walk away. And he's not shy about asking people to pay their bills. Even Fred is a little shy about that. But Bob isn't. If he's got a good new job I'm happy for him. He just shouldn't have quit with no notice. That's the bad thing, it's not professional.
Friday, January 7, 1983 The newspapers had a lot of Bob Colacello items and the office was still buzzing about it. Jane Holzer called and said that Steve Rubell had told her and then I changed the subject and asked her what was new with her, and she said, "You're so cool about all this," and what else can I be? I mean... but it's a big savings for the office payroll. Fred doesn't think we should rush into hiring a new editor-Robert Hayes has been so nice we'll just see what he can do.
Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran came to the office and he brought his girlfriend, Julie Anne. He's twenty and she's twenty-three. He was wearing twice as much makeup as she was, although he's half as tall.
Sat.u.r.day, January 8, 1983 It was a day of buzzing on the phone about Bob. There were more items in the paper saying that Bob was taking my favorite secretary, Doria Reagan, away. Bob's drunk with this newspaper power, getting items in the columns, because I mean, people just forget this stuff in a minute.
Tuesday, January 11, 1983 Vincent broke the news that the LeFrak portraits were coming back down, that the pupils were left out of the eyes and there was a spot on the face. So just when I thought I'd seen the last of them... It's like Night of the Living Portraits Night of the Living Portraits.
And Gael Love came to tell me how well the magazine's doing, but I never know whether to believe her because she's always so enthusiastic about everything. And Robert Hayes is being really sweet, I guess because he thinks he might be upped to editor.
Grace Jones came by in her macho outfit with a big raving beauty Swedish guy, like 6'6". Hans Lundgren. And we shook hands and it was strange because he had such a weak handshake, really wimpy. And Grace looked great.
Talked to Jon who's in L.A.
Wednesday, January 12, 1983 Chris was at the office and showed me the photographs he took in Aspen and he wants to use them for his monthly page of photographs in Interview Interview and I told him he had to fix some things. I mean, he had Barry Diller in photographs with people he wouldn't want to be in photographs with, and Barry's Jon's and I told him he had to fix some things. I mean, he had Barry Diller in photographs with people he wouldn't want to be in photographs with, and Barry's Jon's boss boss.
And Grace Jones came by with her Swedish boyfriend. And I gave her a speech about how she should look more normal or no one would hire her. It's the same speech I gave Debbie Harry after I saw Videodrome Videodrome, that she should just be normal-looking, keep her hair red so she could get the Faye Dunaway parts.
Then Barbara Allen also came down, she's now going with this really rich multi-multi-guy Henrik de Kwiatkowski, and everybody's hoping she'll this time get married. But Barbara's really changed a lot. She's like one of these older women now. Like the Roxanne Pulitzer one. She still looks good, but it's the att.i.tude. I'm not putting her down, she's really sweet, but it's just an att.i.tude change. They go from being a girl to this kind of woman. So this is the guy C.Z. was dating for a little while after her husband died.
We went to see Peter Pan Peter Pan (tickets $10). And that was great. Disney still holds up, the drawing and the color (food $5). And then on the way out I opened a door and knocked over a little girl. What's wrong with her parents, taking her to the movies at 10:00 at night! I felt so horrible-it happened because of those doors that go two ways. (tickets $10). And that was great. Disney still holds up, the drawing and the color (food $5). And then on the way out I opened a door and knocked over a little girl. What's wrong with her parents, taking her to the movies at 10:00 at night! I felt so horrible-it happened because of those doors that go two ways.
Friday, January 14, 1983 Got to the new building and I thought everything would be all done, but it was the same old workmen still working. I couldn't stand it. And I saw where my painting area will be-it's down there in the dark, in the bas.e.m.e.nt. I thought that was just going to be for storage. It looks like something we shouldn't be doing. I mean, when I go go down to 860 Broadway it's sunny and so bright in the front that you feel good. I may just find another place to paint in. The Great Jones Street building might be good. Or I may move up down to 860 Broadway it's sunny and so bright in the front that you feel good. I may just find another place to paint in. The Great Jones Street building might be good. Or I may move up to to the "Entertainment Area" on the third floor, which is the terrace covered with gla.s.s, because it's light there. But I don't know what we're doing with all this s.p.a.ce! Fred has this huge area and what's he going to do in it? n.o.body will ever see anybody anymore. Brigid has this huge entranceway, and Vincent has this big area for his TV things. It's fine for the "Entertainment Area" on the third floor, which is the terrace covered with gla.s.s, because it's light there. But I don't know what we're doing with all this s.p.a.ce! Fred has this huge area and what's he going to do in it? n.o.body will ever see anybody anymore. Brigid has this huge entranceway, and Vincent has this big area for his TV things. It's fine for Interview Interview to have a lot of s.p.a.ce because it makes sense, but I don't know why we don't just go into the real estate business and rent most of it out. to have a lot of s.p.a.ce because it makes sense, but I don't know why we don't just go into the real estate business and rent most of it out.
And I thought we were going to have a huge great elevator, but the elevator is 1" X 1". I didn't want to think about it, so I just began screaming at everybody.
So I got home and I watched Rebel Without a Cause Rebel Without a Cause, and gee, it was so strange to see Sal Mineo looking like a baby, just a real real baby, and James Dean and Dennis Hopper look like grown men. You can't figure out what this young thing is doing with them, and yet they're all supposed to be the same age. And James Dean looked so modern-the jeans and the Lacoste s.h.i.+rt and the red windbreaker, and leaning over with no underwear showing. And Natalie Wood looked her best in this, an American Teenager. And Dennis looked so good. And it was sad. The maid was left over from Imitation of Life Imitation of Life and she had the St. Christopher medal and she said, "Why couldn't and she had the St. Christopher medal and she said, "Why couldn't he he have somebody?" about poor little Sal Mineo. It was sad. Because James Dean had his head on Natalie's lap and then Sal Mineo came and put his head on James Dean's stomach and then he fell asleep and then James Dean and Natalie tiptoed away because they wanted to go kiss and be romantic, and it was sad, he didn't have anybody. have somebody?" about poor little Sal Mineo. It was sad. Because James Dean had his head on Natalie's lap and then Sal Mineo came and put his head on James Dean's stomach and then he fell asleep and then James Dean and Natalie tiptoed away because they wanted to go kiss and be romantic, and it was sad, he didn't have anybody.
Tuesday, January 25, 1983 I saw the tape I did for the first of the TV shows Vincent's shooting. They're for the Madison Square Garden Network and they'll be on cable TV. It's interviews with people talking into the camera. Susan Blond was a little corny and I was terrible. Reeeallly reeeallly peculiar. I'm just a freak. I can't change it. I'm too unusual. It was really bad-I was on top of the Empire State Building introducing the guys who light the buildings.
Thursday, January 27, 1983- New York-Atlantic City, New Jersey-New York I was going down later to Atlantic City, my first time, with Diana Ross to see the Frank Sinatra show and bring a print of the portrait I did of her down to the guy who owns the Golden Nugget. Diana had just signed a contract with the Golden Nugget to play in this room, they're paying her a lot, and she's never played a small room before, so she wanted to see it.
And I had a fight with the a.s.sistant art director girl at Interview Interview, I called her dumb, but then I cooled down. It was like Mr. Brodovich, the famous art director at Bazaar Bazaar, when he used to scream at me. You know, it was just people doing what they want to do after you tell them what to do. But Fred told me that you can get more out of people if you tell them they're dumb in a nice way, so the situation cooled down.
And the Twiggy cover came out so bad-it was so ugly, Twiggy in a snood-that we're going to use a Robert Risko caricature for the cover. Because Vanity Fair Vanity Fair is coming out and they're stealing all our artists, so we wanted to get this look out first since it's going to be their look. is coming out and they're stealing all our artists, so we wanted to get this look out first since it's going to be their look.
Then suddenly it was 5:00 and I had to be home by 5:15 when Diana Ross was picking me up to go go to the helicopter (cab $5.50). Just had time to put my contacts in. The doorbell rang and it was just Diana alone, so I was nervous. Then we went to the 60th Street place and got a Pan Am helicopter that the Golden Nugget was paying for. to the helicopter (cab $5.50). Just had time to put my contacts in. The doorbell rang and it was just Diana alone, so I was nervous. Then we went to the 60th Street place and got a Pan Am helicopter that the Golden Nugget was paying for.
We had to wait a few minutes for her lawyer, and also going down with us was Frank Sinatra's tailor who had an Italian name but looked Jewish. And I liked the lawyer, there was something adorable about him. I've noticed that all these people on top have a twinkle in their eye, their eyes twinkle. And he kept calling Los Angeles all night because of the big floods there, to find out if his house had gone down the drain with his wife and kids. As a matter of fact, everybody from California was calling to find out if their houses were still there. Diana called, too. And you'd hear things from the phone like, "Oh no! The neighbor's house just went!"
I told Diana she should really marry Barry Diller and she said how could she take a girlfriend's man-meaning Diane Von Furstenberg. I told her she really had to do more movies.
And we talked about David Geffen. I told her she should really be friends with him again because he was in with that crowd, and she said that they had been really good friends, that he was so great to her when her mother had cancer, he took her to Sloan-Kettering when she had no idea at all what to do, and I asked her when this was and she said, "Last year." So I said, "Well, what happened?" And she sort of said Dreamgirls Dreamgirls, the musical that's about the Supremes but they don't call them the Supremes. Geffen produced it. She said that at first she was going to sue but then she didn't.
And Diana tips people herself and does everything herself. It's really great.
And as we left New York the skyline was so beautiful.
When we got to Atlantic City the guy who met us was somebody who Edmund Gaultney had brought to the office once. He took us to the Golden Nugget and it turns out his brother, Steve Wynn, owns it. He was there with his wife and kids, and they're a good-looking American family-I couldn't tell if they were Italian or Jewish.
And Diana couldn't decide which of two outfits to wear. I said I'd be her hairdresser and decide, but then I couldn't decide, either. She finally put on a skimpy white dress, but then later changed her mind and wore tight black pants and a top. So I got a tour of the Golden Nugget and that was exciting. There were literally eighteen restaurants, and Victorian was the style for everything. I asked the guy why everything was Victorian and he said n.o.body gambled if it looks modern.
We went up an escalator five stories high. They said they'd send a plane for me whenever I wanted, but when I said I wasn't a gambler they dropped me. Diana is a big gambler, though, but she hasn't gambled there yet.
Then they said that Frank Sinatra always goes on on time and so we got to the room and it's about 500 seats. They sell 200 and then give 300 to the high rollers. Frank came on and he did all his songs and it was great.
And he introduced Diana Ross and me in the audience, he said, "We have two fabulous, famous people in the audience, each in their own fields, one an artist, one a singer," and the introduction went on for a long time. And Barbara Sinatra was between us. She was wearing a little black dress, she looks great. I couldn't think of what to say so I asked her if her son was still dating Barbara Allen, although I knew he wasn't.
Afterward we went to their suite and for the first time Frank shook hands with me. And gee, he looks great. How old is he? About sixty-seven? And he doesn't wear a toupee. I'm sure. I'm an expert, and I really would say absolutely not-I think he's maybe had transplants and that they look really good. And the tailor was there measuring for suits, and he was straight but he was kissing and hugging all these guys like a gay seamstress. It was so camp. And I didn't have my camera so I didn't take pictures, but anybody who tried to, the security people put their hands over the camera in sort of a great way.
Frank said he was doing a song on his next alb.u.m with Michael Jackson, and Diana said, "Why don't you do one with we?"
When Diana and I were alone for a moment, I told her that there were so many people with "funny names" here, and she pushed her nose sideways and said, "You mean like this?" And it was funny, it looked so Mafia. Home at 12:00.
Friday, January 28, 1983 Benjamin picked me up and we went on the usual rounds. We went over to Madison and I spotted Bob Colacello walking along the street. My first reaction was to change my direction and go the other way, but then I decided to catch up to him and talk to him, get it over with. I followed him into the chic little brick colonial Bank of New York on Madison. At first the guard tried to kick me out, but I made it over to Bob. This is Benjamin's bank, too, which is funny, because he has to come up from the dumpy Lower East Side to go to it.
So I said, "Oh hi, Bob. I was with Diana Ross last night and she took me to see Frank Sinatra and gee, I know you've been trying to interview him for so long and last night he said he'd probably do it, so do you still want to do it?" I was just trying to bring everything back to a friendly level, but Bob was so sour. I guess he does hate... well, so he said, "My agent, Mort Janklow, would never permit me to do that." So I said, "Well, uh, gee, okay Bob, it's great to see you, really great." So I left the bank feeling so moody. And then to make it worse, it was one of those times I tried to give people Interviews Interviews and they refused them (cab $4.50, phone $.50). and they refused them (cab $4.50, phone $.50).
I was then in the neighborhood of Doc c.o.x and so I stopped in to chit-chat. Rosemary is out for a couple of months, he said, because she got hepat.i.tis. And did I ever mention that she once told me that a man came in with a vacuum cleaner attached to his c.o.c.k? That's a good one. So I tried to get Doc c.o.x c.o.x to confirm what I'd been hearing about Henry Post, that he has AIDS and now he's sinking fast. He picked up a virus from his cat. He's in New York Hospital. to confirm what I'd been hearing about Henry Post, that he has AIDS and now he's sinking fast. He picked up a virus from his cat. He's in New York Hospital.
Monday, January 31, 1983
I watched Chinatown Chinatown on TV. Why isn't Robert Towne writing great things like that now? on TV. Why isn't Robert Towne writing great things like that now?
Went to meet Lidija (cab $6) and worked out. Then had an appointment to see Keith Haring in Soho (cab $3.50). Went with Chris and Peter. He rents a huge studio without a bathroom for a thousand dollars, and it's great. And there was this Puerto Rican kid sitting there, and I asked what he did and Keith said the kid does the writing in Keith's graffiti paintings, so I got confused, I don't know what Keith Keith does. He paints does. He paints around around the words, I guess. the words, I guess.
Wednesday, February 2, 1983 Was dropped by Benjamin (cab $10) at 277 Park, the Chemical Bank building with the big solarium on the ground floor. A meeting about financing our new building. You can really see how these banks are spending all the money. About thirty executives were eating with us-Fred and Vincent met me there-and for each one there was a black waiter.
And the bank buys all this cheap art, like it's from a drugstore or something, and then they put a plaque in. I don't know, maybe this will be the art to collect, who knows, but G.o.d....
And they put in stairways going from one floor to the next, as if you're getting married. Those kind of stairways.
Fred was going off to California with Gael Love and Barbara Colacello to promote Interview Interview. Fred's reading all his old Vogues Vogues and and Vanity Fairs Vanity Fairs again for ideas, which is great, he's working more with again for ideas, which is great, he's working more with Interview Interview.
Thursday, February 3, 1983 Went to Antonio's show at Parsons with Jon (cab $4). It was really crowded and I got mobbed for autographs, and I was signing away, and Grace Jones was refusing to sign autographs, telling the girls and boys to get lost, but then when she saw me signing so much, I think she got embarra.s.sed, so she came over and explained that her public liked it better when she treated them that way. I couldn't believe her.
Then to the Keith Haring opening (cab $4). It was on the Lower East Side, at the Fun Gallery, it's called. So we walked into the place and there's Rene Ricard, and he's screaming, "Oh my G.o.d! From the sixties to the eighties and I'm still still seeing you everywhere!" And I said how could he have said all those awful things about me in the seeing you everywhere!" And I said how could he have said all those awful things about me in the Edie Edie book and he said that I should have seen it book and he said that I should have seen it before before they cut it. they cut it.
And Keith's show looked good, it was his pictures hanging on a background of his pictures. Like my Whitney retrospective show was-all hung on top of my Cow wallpaper. We left there and Chris and Peter wanted to go go to the Coach House, naturally, because it was the most expensive place. to the Coach House, naturally, because it was the most expensive place.
Friday, February 4, 1983 It was freezing out.
Steve Rubell called and said he was sending tickets to the Joan Rivers thing at Carnegie Hall that night and invited me to Calvin's for drinks before the show. He also told me that he'd sent Bob over to see about the Page Six job at the Post Post, but that they couldn't believe the expense account he was asking for. I knew these places don't pay much, just from the days when I used to work for Harper's Bazaar Harper's Bazaar. I guess you get perks, but ten years ago The New York Times The New York Times sent a letter to all the writers saying that they could accept absolutely nothing for a gift. I guess Diana Vreeland, though, used to get so much, so many shoes and dresses. sent a letter to all the writers saying that they could accept absolutely nothing for a gift. I guess Diana Vreeland, though, used to get so much, so many shoes and dresses.
Went to Calvin's on Central Park West (cab $4). I asked Steve if he'd invited Bob Colacello and he said no, that since Bob wasn't working for anyplace why invite him. Calvin had fourteen boys and one girl-Sue Mengers. Barry Diller was there and Sandy Gallin, the big agent.
It was fun talking to Sue, she's such a pig. Then we went in limos to Carnegie Hall. Steve gave us two seats way off, separated from the center seats that he had.
Joan Rivers came on with her boa, and she's funny, but I don't know how she can say the things she does and get away with it, how she's not sued. Like she said that Richard Simmons is carrying Rex Reed's baby, and she says that Christina Ona.s.sis looks like an ape, and she did a thing about Nancy Reagan picking her nose with a breadstick. But then afterwards everybody was talking like her, so I guess she's popular.
Sat.u.r.day, February 5, 1983 Catherine Guinness is in town. She's staying at her old apartment, she kept it. And she's getting married to the lord who dresses like the nineteenth century, Jamie, so there's dinners for her. She's been calling every day, she wants to go out.
Sunday, February 6, 1983 Went to church. Worked some more on drawings. Went to bed early. The phone didn't ring all day.
Monday, February 7, 1983 Went to get black-tied for the Newsweek Newsweek party. Lincoln Center by cab ($4). It was a boring party. No stars. Just Nancy Reagan and President and Mrs. Carter. Basically it was a big office party. The show of past party. Lincoln Center by cab ($4). It was a boring party. No stars. Just Nancy Reagan and President and Mrs. Carter. Basically it was a big office party. The show of past Newsweek Newsweek covers was interesting. Through all these years, it was all war war war. We wanted to leave early to go to Marianne Hinton's party for Catherine on East 57th Street (cab $5). covers was interesting. Through all these years, it was all war war war. We wanted to leave early to go to Marianne Hinton's party for Catherine on East 57th Street (cab $5).
Catherine's husband-to-be was there, Lord Neidpath. He was in Interview Interview once as a "First Impression." I met him a few years ago. He has long black curly hair and he looks like he stepped out of the sixties, like right off the King's Road-britches, and a silk jacket. And Fred was there and Sh.e.l.ley w.a.n.ger and Steve Aronson. So Catherine's going to be a lady. once as a "First Impression." I met him a few years ago. He has long black curly hair and he looks like he stepped out of the sixties, like right off the King's Road-britches, and a silk jacket. And Fred was there and Sh.e.l.ley w.a.n.ger and Steve Aronson. So Catherine's going to be a lady.
Thursday, February 10, 1983 I invited Jane Holzer to the Rolling Stones' party for their movie opening because she was the one who introduced me to them in the sixties in the first place and she wanted to feel young again. Jane looked great. Cab to the Corso on East 86th Street, got there right at the right time. There were 100 policemen ($3).
And a freelance photographer kid took my picture and said that the National Enquirer National Enquirer had called him about getting a picture of me for the cover. What can that be for? A palimony suit? Dying of cancer? It made me nervous trying to think. had called him about getting a picture of me for the cover. What can that be for? A palimony suit? Dying of cancer? It made me nervous trying to think.
Missed a call from Jon in Las Vegas where Paramount was having their seventieth anniversary party.
Friday, February 11, 1983 The snow hadn't started at the beginning of the day and I just didn't believe it would, the weather reports are always wrong. But by 12:30 it'd started (cabs $5, $3, phone $.50).
Interview was having a screening of was having a screening of The Lords of Discipline The Lords of Discipline at Paramount and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get around so I hired a limousine. And then I went into at Paramount and I was afraid we wouldn't be able to get around so I hired a limousine. And then I went into Interview Interview and invited some of the kids to ride up with me, and then Fred screamed at me that I had destroyed the office protocol. I keep forgetting that at and invited some of the kids to ride up with me, and then Fred screamed at me that I had destroyed the office protocol. I keep forgetting that at Interview Interview they have all these levels of who gets invited to what with who, based on how important your t.i.tle is. Like a regular office. And I didn't invite Robert Hayes to ride up with me because he was with his sister and his boyfriend Cisco, and Cisco has AIDS so I didn't want to be that close to him. they have all these levels of who gets invited to what with who, based on how important your t.i.tle is. Like a regular office. And I didn't invite Robert Hayes to ride up with me because he was with his sister and his boyfriend Cisco, and Cisco has AIDS so I didn't want to be that close to him.
People in the streets were laughing and throwing snow.
The movie was great, I enjoyed it so much, it's so decadent. There are no girls in it, and all these boys fighting. Mitch.e.l.l Lichtenstein looks great, just like his father, Roy, twenty years ago, and I do think David Keith is going to be the new John Wayne.