Literary Smackdown: Gore Vidal v. Truman Capote

In one corner - a dimunitive, flamboyant queen and in the other a prolific, bisexual jock

Frenemies for a time (Vidal: It's inhumane to attack Capote. You are attacking an elf. [ouch]), Capote incurred Vidal's wrath by stating in a Playgirl interview that Vidal got thrown out of the White House for being drunk and insulting Jacqueline Kennedy's mother.

Vidal countered by filing a lawsuit demanding a million dollars and an apology.

Asked about their friendship gone sour, Capote said, "Of course, I'm always sad about Gore. Very sad that he has to breathe every day."

During a deposition for their court case, Vidal was asked what happened when he last saw Capote at a party in the 60s.

Q: What occurred on that occasion?
V: I sat on him.
Q: What do you mean?
V: I didn't have my glasses on and I sat down on what I thought was a stool and it was Capote.
Q: Where was Capote sitting at the time you sat on him?
V: On a smaller stool.

Vidal eventually won - not only the lawsuit, which was settled out of court and with a written apology from Capote, but in getting the last word, as well. Upon hearing of Capote's death, Vidal said that it was a "good career move."

But - has anyone ever made two movies about Vidal, one of which earned an Academy Award for Phillip Seymour Hoffman?

Mmmm.

Being vertically-challenged myself, I will have to give it to the elf on this one.