RIP Fruitcake Lady

I just recently learned of the passing of Jay Leno's Fruitcake Lady Marie Rudisill. (1913-2006)

I will miss her wit and straight forwardness.


Interesting Trivial Fact about her:

She's the aunt of famed American novelist Truman Capote, and helped raise him during his formative years in Alabama and New York City.

quote:

Originally posted by cajunking

I just recently learned of the passing of Jay Leno's Fruitcake Lady Marie Rudisill. (1913-2006)

I will miss her wit and straight forwardness.


Interesting Trivial Fact about her:

She's the aunt of famed American novelist Truman Capote, and helped raise him during his formative years in Alabama and New York City.

she was real funny; she reminded me of a "Dr. Ruth" (westheimer) with her racy answers

Yeah, he wrote the book "A Christmas Memory" about her- I had no idea that lady was her, though! I totally would have watched Leno just for her! It's a wonderful book, a classic in my family- we usually read it to each other at Christmas time.

Edited to add: I take back my statement- it's almost impossible that Marie Rudisill is the relative that "A Christmas Memory" is written about. The cover of the book, assuming it is a real picture of Truman Capote, is of Truman at about 7-8 years old and an old woman. Marie Rudisill is only 11 years older than Truman, and according to passages from the book, the woman he made fruitcakes with is in her 60's when he was a child. At first I thought the whole thing was a myth, but now I'm thinking that Marie Rudisill and the unnamed relative in the book are two different people. Maybe this unnamed relative taught both of them how to make the family fruitcake?

All I know is that fruitcake has never sounded as good as in that book!

You are correct. The book is not about his aunt (the Fruitcake Lady).
It is about him and his elderly spinster cousin named Sook. They had a wonderful friendship and were very fond of one another. She died in 1936.

Ahh, see, I saw that Marie wrote a book and I thought "who's Sook?" because in A Christmas Memory, she doesn't really have a name. Thanks for filling in that last piece of the puzzle- I'll have to go get the other book!

Many years ago (might have been 60s) there was a T.V. production of "A Christmas Memory" starring Geraldine Page and narrated by Capote. I was still in grade school when I saw it, but I still remember moments of it.

Guess stuff like that just can't compete with Jessica Simpson lighting a tree (Wow! did you see that? She can operate a light switch!).

Wow I am soooooo glad I joined a forum where people have actually heard of Truman Capotes "A Christmas Memory"
By the way which is extremely hard to find on film with Geraldine page.
The book not too much easier.
I wanted to get one or the other for my mother who is 87 she and I love this story.
I too was about 13 when I first saw the movie which then inspired me at the time to read the book.
I did a book report on it and remember that my nglish teacher was very impressed that I would pick a great story such as this.
I really felt proud.
nyways what a great story,and I am glad there really ARE people somewhere who know of this.
chickenlittle

Sorry I forgot to add One other thing,about the Jessica Simpson stuff,yes you are right, I guess people just don't really care anymore.
I did however go on line to Turner Classic Movie channel before Christmas and left a request that they please run this movie.
The top of the list was "A Christmas Story"on the request sheet which like why?
They over play that one and never the Capote Classic.
and come on Geraldine Page,who from what I understand won an Academy Award for this Capote (story) film.Well maybe next year,we can only hope TCM will run it!!!!
Also,I always remember Minihaha I loved that name.
take care all,
Chickenlittle

"A Christmas Memory" with Geraldine Page was broadcast in 1966 by ABC. Geraldine Page won Best Actress from the National Board of Review, not an Academy Award... Oscars don't go to TV movies.

According to Amazon, it is available on VHS. However, the color master has been lost and it is only available in black and white.

TCM might show it if they ever purchase the rights to it. No telling who owns the rights to a 40 year old TV movie, plus the remaining archive is of very poor quality. Pity.

OOPs...thought I was in the Molly Ivins thread, sorry.