June 12, 2024

Humpday Weirdness

I got a bit of a late start today. In all honesty, I was not going to come to the Ransom Center today, since there was all-day rain in the forecast, and I had some grading to do. Yet, as I ate my breakfast, I felt guilty. So, I donned my gear and walked the two miles to campus. Today was overcast, but I think it might have been the hottest day so far—I was drenched by the time I arrived, so much so, I had to sit in my office and cool off for an hour.

The photo by Robert Frank is from a February 1961 interview with Mailer in Mademoiselle. It’s one I’ve not seen before, and I like it better that he seems to want some more bourbon. Of course he does.

I saw a lot of random stuff today, like Mailer was trying to decide what to do after publishing Advertisements. I found notes on cancer, existentialism, and other ideas that seem germane for Mailer at this time. There was also a newspaper clipping: “Author Mailer Jailed in Row at Jazz Club.” The brief article from November 14–15, 1961 reads:

Norman Mailer, author, was arrested and jailed early today on charges of creating a disorderly scene at Birdland, 1678 Broadway after trying to pay $1.60 tab with a credit card.

Mr. Mailer, 37, who wrote "The Naked and the Dead," was held on a complaint by the club's manager, Oscar Goodwin.

Police said Mr. Maller, accompanied by a woman, used "loud, boisterous and disturbing" language after the club, which features jazz, refused the credit card payment.

Police said the club turned the card down because it didn't participate in the card's credit plan.

When the author persisted in refusing to pay cash, the club called in Ptl. John Van Ostrom, on duty on Broadway.

Mr. Mailer, of 250 W. 49th St., was scheduled for arraignment in Upper Manhattan Arrest Court today.

There were also several interviews that might prove useful. I’ve gotten to the early 1960s, toward the end of Mailer’s short-story-writing period. Still, there’s more to go.