Gore Vidal’s Myra Breckinridge Became One Of The Weirdest Movies Ever Made

[SandraJane]

DEADSPIN



Gore Vidal's Myra Breckinridge Became One Of The Weirdest Movies Ever Made


Will Leitch     | Grierson & Leitch | Aug 1, 2012 5:16 PM


http://deadspin.com/5930811/gore-vidals-myra-breckinridge-became-one-of-the-weirdest-movies-ever-made





Gore Vidal died yesterday, and though he appeared as an actor in a few movies—he played a professor in With Honors, an evil futuristic fellow in Gattaca and, most memorably, as Tim Robbins' lefty opponent in Bob Roberts—he'll be remembered, in a movie sense, as the guy responsible for Myra Breckinridge.

This is extremely unfair: Vidal had nothing to do with Myra Breckinridge other than having written the satirical novel the movie was ostensibly based on. Vidal claimed he'd never seen the film. It is difficult to blame him. The movie is considered one of the worst films ever made; if Vidal actually did see it, he'd have been loath to admit it.

[Joelene9]

  RIP, Mr. Vidal.  I didn't see much of the movie, but read the book.  I didn't think much of the movie either. 
  Joelene.

[SandraJane]

Never read the book, but I was 12 when the movie came out. I read several article and reviews about the movie, it actually repulsed me! Recently I caught a few seconds of it on cable...and moved on. Its a shame too given the cast, Mae West, John Huston, Rachel Welch, Farah Fawcett, John Carridine and a young Tom Seleck.

Shows how bad a movie can get!

It remained in my mind all these years, and when I saw the announcement of Gore Vidal's death on the News while I was leaving work the other morning....

..."Myra #@%*'ing Breckenridge" was all I could say.



SJ