Cold Blood Stain

Kansans have mixed feelings about their state’s connection to In Cold Blood, Truman Capote’s 1965 book about a perplexing 1959 quadruple homicide in Holcomb. The case came way out of left field for small-town western Kansas. And the collision of that parochial world with Capote, the eccentric New York homosexual author, offers further fascination. Kansas Citians can consider the strangeness at 1 p.m. today, when the National Archives (400 West Pershing Road, 816-268-8000) screens Richard Brooks’ 1967 film adaptation of In Cold Blood as part of its free film series. The film, which took home four Oscars, stars future accused killer Robert Blake as past convicted murderer Perry Smith. Reservations are required; call 816-268-8072 or e-mail kansascity.educate@nara.gov.
— Matt Mitchell

Sat., Feb. 5, 1 p.m., 2011