Holden Luntz Gallery presents The Party of the Century, it happened nearly 60 years ago on November 28, 1966. It was Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball in the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel in New York City, and Harry Benson was there. Gigi Benson sent us this text.
Everyone wanted to be invited to what is still being called the “Party of the Century.” Rather than cause a feud to erupt among his entourage of society ladies he called his “swans,” Capote wisely chose the Washington Post newspaper publisher Katharine Graham as his honoree.
It is said that those who were excluded lied, saying they were out of town, rather than admit they weren’t invited. It seemed everyone who was there was famous for one reason or another. Even the detectives who broke the murder case Capote wrote about in his groundbreaking non-fiction novel, In Cold Blood, were there.
When Frank Sinatra and his young wife, Mia Farrow, arrived, someone shouted out “Frankie Bat Man” and the star looked up, not particularly amused at all.
The diminutive writer with the high pitched voice was the most melancholic person I have ever met, yet he was so clever. A tough little man whom I respected for his immense talent. He had an uncanny way of reading your mind.
Capote and his infamous ball are back in the spotlight due to the new television series Feud documenting Capote’s rise to fame…
Holden Luntz Gallery
332 Worth Ave.
Palm Beach, FL 33480-4617
www.holdenluntz.com
