TRUMAN CAPOTE
G'day folks,
Welcome to the life of Truman Capote. Truman Garcia Capote was an American novelist, screenwriter,
playwright, and actor, many of whose short stories, novels, plays, and
nonfiction are recognized literary classics. Truman Capote was also a trailblazing writer of Southern descent
known for the works Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood, among others.
Synopsis
Born in
New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 30, 1924, Truman Capote went on to become
a professional writer, making waves with his debut novel Other Voices, Other
Rooms. His novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958) was adapted into a
popular film, and his book In Cold Blood (1966) was a pioneering form of
narrative non-fiction. Capote spent his later years pursuing celebrity and
struggled with drug addiction. He died in 1984 in Los Angeles, California.
Early Life
Acclaimed
writer Truman Capote was born Truman Streckfus Persons on September 30, 1924,
in New Orleans, Louisiana. One of the 20th century's most well-known writers,
Capote was as fascinating a character as those who appeared in his stories. His
parents were an odd pair—a small-town girl named Lillie Mae and a charming
schemer called Arch—and they largely neglected their son, often leaving him in
the care of others. Capote spent much of his young life in the care of his
mother's relatives in Monroeville, Alabama.
In
Monroeville, Capote befriended a young Harper Lee. The two were
opposites—Capote was a sensitive boy who was picked on by other kids for being
a wimp, while Lee was a rough and tumble tomboy. Despite their differences, Lee
found Capote to be a delight, calling him "a pocket Merlin" for his creative
and inventive ways. Little did these playful pals know that they would both
become famous writers one day.
While he
had fun with his friends, Capote also had to struggle with his nightmarish
family life. Seeing little of his mother and his father over the years, he
often wrestled with feeling abandoned by them. One of the few times he caught
their interest was during their divorce with each of them fighting for custody
as a way to hurt the other. Capote finally did get to live with his mother full
time in 1932, but this reunion did not turn out as he had hoped. He moved to
New York City to live with her and his new stepfather, Joe Capote.
His
once-doting mother was quite different once he started to encounter her on a
daily basis. Lillie Mae—now calling herself Nina—could easily be cruel or kind
to Truman, and he never knew what to expect from her. She often picked on him
for his effeminate ways, and for not being like other boys. His stepfather
seemed to be a more stable personality in the home, but Truman was not
interested in his help or support at the time. Still, he was officially adopted
by his stepfather, and his name was changed to Truman Garcia Capote in 1935.
A
mediocre student, Capote did well in the courses that interested him and paid
little attention in those that did not. He attended a private boys' school in
Manhattan from 1933 to 1936, where he charmed some of his classmates. An
unusual boy, Capote had a gift for telling stories and entertaining people. His
mother wanted to make him more masculine, and thought that sending him to a
military academy would be the answer. The 1936-1937 school year proved to be a
disaster for Capote. The smallest in his class, he was often picked on by the
other cadets.
Returning
to Manhattan, Capote started to attract attention for his work at school. Some
of his teachers noted his promise as a writer. In 1939, the Capotes moved to
Greenwich, Connecticut, where Truman enrolled at Greenwich High School. He
stood out among his classmates with his ebullient personality. Over time,
Capote developed a group of friends who would often go over to his house to
smoke, drink, and dance in his room. He and his group would also go out to
nearby clubs. Seeking adventure as well as an escape, Capote and his good
friend Phoebe Pierce would also go into New York City and scheme their way into
some of the most popular nightspots, including the Stork Club and Café Society.
While
living in Greenwich, his mother’s drinking began to escalate, which made
Capote’s home life even more unstable. Capote did not do well in school and had
repeat the 12th grade at the Franklin School after he and his family returned
to Manhattan in 1942. Instead of studying, Capote spent his nights at the
clubs, making friends with Oona O'Neill, the daughter of playwright Eugene
O'Neill and writer Agnes Boulton, and her friend heiress Gloria Vanderbilt,
among others.
First Published Writings
While
still a teen, Capote got his first job working as a copyboy for The New
Yorker magazine.During his time with the publication, Capote tried to get
his stories published there with no success. He left The New Yorker
to write full time, and started the novel Summer Crossing, which he
shelved to work on a novella entitled Other Voices, Other Rooms. Capote’s
first successes were not his novels, but several short stories. In 1945, editor
George Davis selected Capote's story "Miriam" about a strange little
girl for publication in Mademoiselle. In addition to befriending Davis,
Capote became close to his assistant Rita Smith, the sister of famous southern
author Carson McCullers. She later introduced the two, and Capote and McCullers
were friends for a time.
Capote's
story in Mademoiselle attracted the attention of Harper's Bazaar
fiction editor Mary Louise Aswell. The publication ran another dark and eerie
story by Capote, "A Tree of Light" in its October 1945. These stories
as well as "My Side of the Matter" and "Jug of Silver"
helped launch Capote's career and gave him entrée into the New York literary world.
While
struggling to work on his first novel, Capote received some assistance from
Carson McCullers. She helped him get accepted at Yaddo, a famous artists'
colony in New York State. Capote spent part of the summer of 1946 there, where
he did some work on his novel and completed the short story, "The Headless
Hawk," which was published by Mademoiselle that fall.
Capote also
fell in love with Newton Arvin, a college professor and literary scholar. The
bookish academic and the effervescent charmer made quite an interesting pair.
Arvin, as with most of the others at Yaddo, was completely taken by Capote’s
wit, manner, and appearance. That same year, Capote won the prestigious O.
Henry Award for his short story "Miriam."
His first
novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms, was published in 1948 to mixed
reviews. In the work, a young boy is sent to live with his father after the
death of his mother. His father's home is a decrepit old plantation. For a time
the boy does not get to see his father and instead must deal with his
stepmother, her cousin, and some other unusual characters that inhabit this
desolate place. While some criticized elements of the story, such as its
homosexual theme, many reviewers noted Capote's talents as a writer. The book sold
well, especially for a first-time author.
In
addition to receiving accolades and publicity, Capote found love in 1948. He
met author Jack Dunphy at a party in 1948, and the two began what was to be a
35-year relationship. During the early years of their relationship, Capote and
Dunphy traveled extensively. They spent time in Europe and other places where
they both worked on their own projects.
Capote
followed the success of Other Voices, Other Rooms with a collection of
short stories, A Tree of Light, published in 1949. Not one to stay out
of the public eye for long, his travel essays were put out in book form in 1950
as Local Color. His much-anticipated second novel, The Grass Harp,
was released to in the fall of 1951. The fanciful tale explored an unlikely
group of characters who take refuge from their troubles in a large tree. At the
request of Broadway producer Saint Subber, Capote adapted his novel for the
stage. The sets and costumes were designed by Capote's close friend, Cecil
Beaton.
The comedy opened in March 1952, closing after 36 performances.
In 1953,
Capote landed some film work. He wrote some of Stazione Termini (later
released as Indiscretion of an American Wife in the United States),
which starred Jennifer Jones and Montgomery Clift. During the filming in Italy,
Capote and Clift developed a friendship. After that project wrapped, Capote was
soon working on the script for the John Huston-directed Beat the Devil,
starring Humphrey Bogart, Jennifer Jones and Gina Lollobrigida, during its
production. His best screenplay, however, was done years later when he adapted
the Henry James novel The Turn of the Screw into The Innocents (1961).
Undeterred
by his past failure, Capote adapted his story about a Haitian bordello,
"House of Flowers," for the stage at Subber’s urging. The musical
debuted on Broadway in 1954 with Pearl Bailey as its star and had Alvin Ailey
and Diahann Carroll in the cast as well. Despite the best efforts of Capote and
the show's fine performers, the musical failed to attract enough critical and
commercial attention. It closed after 165 performances. That same year, Capote
suffered a great personal loss when his mother died.
Always
fascinated by the rich and social elite, Capote found himself a popular figure
in such circles. He counted Gloria Guinness, Babe and Bill Paley (the founder
of CBS Television), Jackie Kennedy and her sister Lee Radziwell, C. Z. Guest,
and many others among his friends. Once an outsider, Capote was invited for
cruises on their yachts and for stays on their estates. He loved gossip—both
hearing and sharing it. In the late 1950s, Capote began discussing a novel
based on this jet-set world, calling it Answered Prayers.
In 1958,
Capote scored another success with Breakfast at Tiffany's. He explored
the life of a New York City party girl, Holly Golightly—who was a woman who
depended on men to get by. With his usual style and panache, Capote had created
a fascinating character within a well-crafted story. Three years later, the
film version was released, starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly. Capote had wanted
Marilyn Monroe in the lead role, and was disappointed with this adaptation.
In Cold Blood
Capote's
next big project started out as an article for The New Yorker. He set
out with friend Harper Lee to write about the impact of the murder of four
members of the Clutter family on their small Kansas farming community. The two
traveled to Kansas to interview townspeople, friends and family of the
deceased, and the investigators working to solve the crime. Truman, with his
flamboyant personality and style, had a hard time initially getting himself
into his subjects' good graces. Without using tape recorders, the two would
write up their notes and observations at the end of each day and compare their
findings.
During
their time in Kansas, the Clutters' suspected killers, Richard Hickock and
Perry Smith, were caught in Las Vegas and brought back to Kansas. Lee and
Capote got a chance to interview the suspects not long after their return in
January 1960. Soon after, Lee and Capote went back to New York. Capote started
working on his article, which would evolve into the non-fiction masterpiece, In
Cold Blood. He also corresponded with the accused killers, trying them to
reveal more about themselves and the crime. In March 1960, Capote and Lee
returned to Kansas for the murder trial.
While the
two convicted and sentenced to death, their execution was staved off by a
series of appeals. Hickock and Smith hoped that Capote would help them escape
the hangman's noose and were upset to hear that the book's title was In Cold
Blood, which indicated that the murders had been premeditated.
Writing
this non-fiction masterwork took a lot out of Capote. For years, he labored on
it and still had to wait for the story to find its ending in the legal system.
Hickock and Smith were finally executed on April 14, 1965, at the Kansas State
Penitentiary. At their request, Capote traveled to Kansas to witness their
deaths. He refused to see them the day before, but he visited with both Hickock
and Smith shortly before their hangings.In Cold Blood became a huge hit,
both critically and commercially. Capote used a number of techniques usually
found in fiction to bring this true story to life for his readers. It was first
serialized in The New Yorker in four issues with readers anxiously
awaiting each gripping installment. When it was published as a book, In Cold
Blood was an instant best-seller.
While In
Cold Blood brought him acclaim and wealth, Capote was never the same after
the project. Digging into such dark territory had taken a toll on him
psychologically and physically. Known to drink, Capote began drinking more and
started taking tranquilizers to soothe his frayed nerves. His substance abuse
problems escalated over the coming years.
Despite
his problems, Capote did, however, manage to pull off one of the biggest social
events of the 20th century. Attracting his society friends, literary notables,
and stars, his Black and White Ball garnered a huge amount of publicity. The
event was held in the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza hotel on November 28, 1966
with publisher Katharine Graham as the guest of honor. In choosing a dress
code, Capote decided that the men should dress in black tie attire while women
could wear either a black or white dress. Everyone had to wear a mask. One of
the evening's more memorable moments was when actress Lauren Bacall danced with
director and choreographer Jerome Robbins.
Those
society friends that flocked to the ball were in for a nasty shock several
years later. Considered one of the notorious instances of biting the hand that
feeds, Capote had a chapter from Answered Prayers published in Esquire
magazine in 1976. That chapter, "La Cote Basque, 1965," aired a lot
of his society friends’ secrets as thinly veiled fiction. Many of his friends,
hurt by his betrayal, turned their back on him. He claimed to be surprised by
their reactions and was hurt by their rejection. By the late 1970s, Capote had
moved on to the party scene at the famous club Studio 54 where he hung out with
the likes of Andy Warhol, Bianca Jagger, and Liza Minnelli.
By this
time, Capote's relationship with Jack Dunphy was becoming strained. Dunphy
wanted Capote to stop drinking and taking drugs, which—despite numerous trips
to rehabilitation centers over the years—Capote seemed unable to do. While no
longer physically intimate, the two remained close, spending time together at
their neighboring homes in Sagaponack, Long Island. Capote also had other
relationships with younger men, which did little to improve his emotional and
psychological state.
Published
in 1980, Capote's last major work, Music for Chameleons, was a
collection of non-fiction and fictional pieces, including the novella Handcarved
Coffins. The collection did well, but Capote was clearly in decline,
battling his addictions and physical health problems.
In the
final year of his life, Capote had two bad falls, another failed stint in
rehab, and a stay in a Long Island hospital for an overdose. Capote traveled to
California to stay with old friend Joanne Carson, the ex-wife of Johnny Carson.
He died at her Los Angeles home on August 25, 1984.
After
Capote's death, Joanne Carson received some of her beloved friend's ashes. When
Carson passed away in 2015, Capote's ashes became part of her estate,
and in what some media observers saw as a fitting end for the
headline-grabbing author, his remains were sold at auction in Los Angeles for
$43,750 in September 2016. An anonymous buyer purchased Capote's remains which
were contained in a wooden Japanese box. “With some celebrities this wouldn’t
be tasteful, but I know 100 percent he would love it,” Darren Julien, president
of Julien’s Auctions, told The Guardian. “He loved to create press opportunities and to read his name in the
paper. I think he would love it that he’s still grabbing headlines today.”
Clancy's comment: Another interesting life, but one beset with problems. I loved his movies.
I'm ...
