Books: Cole Porter

Cole Porter wrote some of the most sophisticated and witty music ever written. His melodies and lyrics charmed a generation. Many assumed that his life was a happy romp through high society. This idea got further reinforcement when his life was depicted in the 1946 movie, Night and Day starring Cary Grant as Porter. His public persona: rich, sophisticated, happy go lucky and in love with a beautiful wife. In reality Porter preferred men for his intimate relationships and also suffered from a debilitating medical condition he acquired after a horse he was riding fell on his legs and crushed his thigh- bones. This eventually led to osteomyelitis, a painful and stubborn bone infection that then led to an alcohol and narcotic addiction. Porter suffered silently before the public for 25 years until his death in 1964. Remarkably during this period he wrote some of his most memorable music. I didn’t know any of this until I came upon William McBrien’s book, Cole Porter (2000). I told a friend this and he said, “Haven’t you ever seen the film De-Lovely with Kevin Kline?” Ah no. Missed it. He told me to see the movie and I told him to read the book. He was not impressed and said the book was 10 years old. Regardless of this book’s publication date it is an impressively researched biography that deserves a read. McBrien is meticulous in the way he recreates Porter’s high society life, his love affairs and his pain. What emerges is a stunning portrait of a talented man who in spite of his physical and emotional pain was able to produce some of the best and sophisticated popular music ever written. McBrien’s book shows just how complicated life can become. As Cole Porter wrote: “Is it the good turtle soup, or is it merely the mock?”