Table of Contents
82 THE LAST OF HEATH With an exclusive look at Heath Ledger’s final months, Peter Biskind learns how the actor’s passion inspired Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell to rescue his last movie.
90 THAT OLD SINATRA MAGIC Tony Bennett lifts his glass to his best friend and inspiration, the late, great Frank Sinatra. Photograph by Mark Seliger.
92 IT CAME FROM WASILLA Sarah Palin’s disastrous ride on the Republican ticket didn’t faze her at all. Talking to top McCain advisers, Todd S. Purdum finds that the freshest face in the G.O.P. has some of the sharpest teeth.
98 THE MAN WHO CRASHED THE WORLD Investigating the implosion of A.I.G., Michael Lewis explains how one of the world’s safest insurers became a reckless juggernaut—and a national target.
104 MAD ABOUT THE HATTER Mary Ellen Mark and Evgenia Peretz spotlight the frabjous combination of Tim Burton and Lewis Carroll.
106 RICH HARVARD, POOR HARVARD If Harvard is so smart, how come its record $36.9 billion endowment has collapsed? Nina Munk hits a campus in crisis.
112 DANGEROUS LESSONS Brigitte Lacombe and Krista Smith spotlight Eva Green, who shows her class in Jordan Scott’s debut feature, Cracks.
114 OUR LADY OF THE KITCHEN Laura Jacobs serves up the trailblazing life and legacy of America’s beloved “French” chef, Julia Child.
120 AIN’T WE GOT STYLE? Channeling John Ford and Frank Capra, V.F. re-creates Depression-era movie magic, with fashion’s top names and the summer’s top stars. Photographs by Michael Roberts, Norman Jean Roy, Mark Seliger, and Art Streiber.
FANFAIR
53 31 DAYS IN THE LIFE OF THE CULTURE
56 Krista Smith relaxes at the Annenberg beach house; nine sandwiches that hit the spot; The Cultural Divide
58 Victoria Mather seeks out the very best
62 Elissa Schappell’s Hot Type; Lisa Robinson’s Hot Tracks
63 My Stuff—Michael Smith; Dolce & Gabbana debuts a scent wardrobe; Hot Looks
Columns
68 WHAT’S A CULTURE SNOB TO DO? When all our entertainment can fit on a microchip, James Wolcott asks, how will we display our superior tastes to houseguests, fellow subway riders, and potential mates?
72 NO, PRIME MINISTER Hardly recognizing the Labour Party of his rebellious British youth, Christopher Hitchens blames embattled prime minister Gordon Brown for crushing its remaining ideals.
74 POLITICO’S WASHINGTON COUP With its über-wonky Washington reporting, Politico has captured more than six million power readers, online and in print. Michael Wolff argues that such obsession is the future of journalism. Photograph by Gasper Tringale.
77 ABE AND MR. JONES Bruce Weber and Laura Jacobs spotlight dance star Bill T. Jones, who has choreographed a tribute to Abraham Lincoln.
VANITIES
79 GORDON-LEVITTATION
80 Lawrence Levi categorizes Oeuvre Appendages; Howard Schatz captures Jeff Daniels in character
81 Out to Lunch: Denise Hale educates John Heilpern on the rules of society—including the ones she doesn’t follow
Et Cetera
40 EDITOR’S LETTER
42 CONTRIBUTORS
50 LETTERS Behind the Miracle
65 FAIRGROUND
149 CREDITS
152 PROUST QUESTIONNAIRE Tony Curtis
There was something so exciting about him, something magnetic and unusual that made me like him right from the start. The interview was engaging and filled with little tidbits about his life, I don't usually remember celebrity interviews since they're by and large dreck but this stood out to me. I feel like once people die they should be remembered for their contributions to society rather than the tragedy surrounding their lives.
I really don't understand why they bring his death up now again - something to do with MJ recently passing away? I hope not. Either way, I don't get it. (And I also don't think they chose his best pic...)
