Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, known to all as just Mamie Fish, was one of the more larger-than-life personalities of the Gilded Age, a hostess who thrived within the confines of high society.
Who was this enigma of the Newport set? Carl Raymond is joined by historian and writer Keith Taillon, a returning listener favorite, as well as actor Ashlie Atkinson who portrays Mamie Fish in HBO’s The Gilded Age for a look at this complicated but fascinating woman.
If you received an invitation to a party at Mamie Fish’s — you went.
Mamie Fish was known as a “fun maker” with an iron-clad family pedigree and enough money to compete with other Gilded Age hostesses. If yoy attended a party by Mrs. Astor’s you may have cemented your role in society. If you attended a party Mamie’s, however, you were just looking for a really good time.
Her parties bordered on the outrageous — from inviting an elephant as a guest to co-hosting the famous dinner for dogs, some of them adorned with diamond collars. But just who was Mamie Fish – and why do we find her fascinating today?
Historian Keith Taillon and actor Ashlie Atkinson offer deeply insightful perspectives on this woman who sought to break out of the role prescribed to her and shake up society.
Mamie, when looked at through a modern lens, was challenging, complicated, conflicted and certainly controversial — but given the Gilded Age’s restrictions and gender rules and roles, it’s interesting to consider how much she can also be considered a rebel and revolutionary for her time.
Listen to the latest episode of The Gilded Gentleman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast or wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to subscribe or follow the show to get future episodes
PODCASTYour ticket to Truman Capote’s celebrity-filled party at the Plaza.
This month FX is debuting a new series created by Ryan Murphy — called Feud: Capote and the Swans — regarding writer Truman Capote‘s relationship with several famed New York society women.
And it’s such a New York story that listeners have asked if we’re going to record a tie-in show to that series. Well, here it is! Tom and Greg recorded this show back in November of 2016 but, likely, most of you haven’t heard this one.
Capote in 1959 / Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection.
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, Katharine 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
Courtesy the Red List
Capote in Kansas, at the grave of the Clutter family, their murder being the inspiration for his book In Cold Blood.
Two other New York cultural icon — who happened to be invited to Capote’s dance:
Some context on the New York ball/society scene, courtesy The Gilded Gentleman
FURTHER READING
Truman Capote / Breakfast at Tiffany’s Truman Capote / In Cold Blood Truman Capote / Other Voices, Other Rooms Truman Capote / “La Côte Basque 1965” and Answered Prayers Deborah Davis / Party of the Century: The Fabulous Story of Truman Capote and His Black and White Ball George Plimpton / “Was Truman Capote’s Black-and-White Ball the Greatest Party Ever?” Esquire 1991 Guy Trebay / “50 Years Ago, Truman Capote Hosted the Best Party Ever,” New York Times, 2016 Ralph Voss / Truman Capote and the Legacy of “In Cold Blood”
PODCAST The tale of New York City’s biggest annual party from its inception on New Years Eve 1904 to the magnificent spectacle of the 21st century.
In this episode, we look back on the one day of the year that New Yorkers look forward. New Years Eve is the one night that millions of people around the world focus their attentions on New York City — or more specifically, on the wedge shaped building in Times Square wearing a bright, illuminated ball on its rooftop.
In the 19th century, the ringing-in of the New Year was celebrated with gatherings near Trinity Church and a pleasant New Years Day custom of visiting young women in their parlors. But when the New York Times decided to celebrate the opening of their new offices — in the plaza that would take the name Times Square — a new tradition was born.
Tens of millions have visited Times Square over the years, gazing up to watch the electric ball drop, a time-telling mechanism taken from the maritime tradition. The event has been affected by world events — from Prohibition to World War II — and changed by the introduction of radio and television broadcasts.
ALSO: What happened to the celebration which it reached the gritty 1970s and a Times Square with a surly reputation?
PLUS: A few tips for those of you heading to the New Years Eve celebration this year!
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New Years Day celebrations have evolved since the days of New Amsterdam when visitations symbolized a ‘fresh start’ to the year.
Courtesy NYPL
A decorative cigar box from the 1890s, ringing in the new year with a winsome damsel and wholesome scenes of winter beckoning you to smoke a cigar.
Courtesy Museum of the City of New York
The crowds outside Trinity Church on 1906 gathered to usher in the new year. The church was traditionally the place people gathered before the Times Square celebration took off.
Fated to be the centerpiece of New Years Eve, One Times Square once wore some beautiful architecture until much of it was ripped off to accommodate a frenzy of electronic signs.
Courtesy NYPL
Times Square in 1905 for the very first New Years Eve celebration albeit one with fireworks, not a ball drop.
Courtesy NYPL
The party offerings at the Hotel Astor in Times Square in 1926.
Courtesy Museum of the City of New York
The view of Times Square from the Empire State Building.
Courtesy NYPL
New Years Eve 1938
AP photo
The throngs in 1940 with the Gone With The Wind marquee in the background (not to mention Tallulah Bankhead in the play The Little Foxes!)
Courtesy New York Daily News
Ushering in 1953:
Celebrations were also held for a time in Central Park, like this festive group from 1969:
Courtesy New York Parks Department
An electrician from the Artkraft Strauss Sign Corporation tests out the lighting effects that will greet the new year in 1992.
MARTY LEDERHANDLER/ASSOCIATED PRESS
And here’s some videos of New Years Eve countdown past!
Mr New Years Eve himself — Guy Lombardo — here at the Roosevelt Hotel, ringing in 1958
From 1965-66:
A clip from Dick Clark’s first appearance in Times Square. It cuts away to Three Dog Night in California!
CBS’s New Years Eve program featuring Catherine Bach from The Dukes of Hazzard.
The absolutely bonkers ball drop for the new millennium.
Last year’s commentary by those wacky cards Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin.
