PODCAST Your ticket to Truman Capote’s celebrity-filled party at the Plaza.
Truman Capote is a true New York character, a Southern boy who wielded his immense writing talents to secure a place within Manhattan high society. Elegant, witty, compact, gay — Capote was a fixture of swanky nightclubs and arm candy to wealthy, well-connected women.
One project would entirely change his life — the completion of the classic In Cold Blood, a ‘non-fiction novel’ about a horrible murder in Kansas. Retreating from his many years of research, Truman decided to throw a party.
But this wasn’t ANY party. This soiree — a masquerade ball at the Plaza Hotel — would have the greatest assemblage of famous folks ever gathered for something so entirely frivolous. An invite to the ball was the true golden ticket, coveted by every celebrity and social climber in America.
Come with us as we give you a tour of the planning of the Black and White Ball and a few glamorous details from that strange, glorious evening.
FEATURING: Harper Lee, Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, Robert Frost, Lillian Hellman, Halston, Katherine Graham and a cast of thousands (well, or just 540)
Truman Capote in 1945
From the unusual book jacket of Other Voices, Other Rooms, 1948
Babe Paley with Truman Capote in Capri, early 1960s
Capote in Kansas, at the grave of the Clutter family, their murder being the inspiration for his book In Cold Blood.
Just a few days before the party, this is what New York City looked like — draped in a toxic smog.
Truman Capote with his guest of honor — Katherine Graham
Graham is on the left and Capote is front and center, but the real action is Lauren Bacall and Jerome Robbins at right.
©Lawrence Fried or photo by Lawrence Fried.
Supermodel Penelope Tree looks a little bit like Batgirl here.
Andy Warhol came to the party without a mask.
Norman Mailer and an unidentified guest.
One of the most talked about couples of the evening — Frank Sinatra and his new bride (with a new haircut) Mia Farrow.
4 replies on “Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball: The Absurd Story of a Marvelous Party”
This is brilliant
Somebody, what is the song used in 3:02??
Sarah…..I think the song might be from the soundtrack to the movie “Australia.” Whatever it is, it’s haunting and gorgeous and I want to drown in it!
Here is the song I think it might be:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEKavSST2iM&list=PLF8B0389CDFF51716&index=8
Where was Lee Radziwill? She came up with idea of a black and white ball. You never see people eating at these affairs. I’m always hungry, so it doesn’t look that appealing, since I like fod more than people!