For Monday, December 27, 2010: Web mention of Sharon and Steve McQueen, Glamorous Sharon, And another blogger who loves Sharon...

Here is a web mention of Sharon and her friend Steve McQueen:

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/blog-post/10-you-dont-know-about-steve-mcqueen-23488

Here is blog for Glamorous celebrities and it has some great stuff on Sharon:

http://glamourousblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/sharon-tate.html

And here is another Sharon fan who has posted two rare great pics of her:

A rare polariod of Sharon.

http://blondiematic.blogspot.com/2010/12/sharon-tate-candids.html

Sharon in the News for September 1st: Don't believe rumor that new novel is based on, Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre Shows "Valley of the Dolls" today, and Walter Chappell's son Robin shows off some rare never-before-seen photos of Sharon

I am trying continuously to get back to blogging daily for Sharon's memory.  Sorry for all the delays.  I will try to get caught up on everything as soon as I can but it may take awhile.  I will update some of the past blog entries with news from the months of April thru August soon.  So all will be updated shortly.

A recent photo of Sharon sold on Ebay.

For today...

Here is the news I found for Sharon:

There is a new novel called 'Sick City' that even showcases a photo of Sharon on front.  Unfortunately it is based on one of the worst rumors ever printed about Sharon and some of her friends.  It has a character who comes across a famous video tape of Sharon having an orgy with Steve McQueen, Mama Cass, and Yul Brynner.  There are other rumored tapes of Sharon but none truly exist.  Writer Dominick Dunne asked Vicent Buglosi if these tapes really existed and he said no.  And there was a collector of Sharon memorabilia in the 1970s who was offered a tape of Sharon supposedly with two men but on close inspection, the collector comfirmed it was someone who looked a bit like Sharon but was definitely NOT Sharon.  He said that someone from the LAPD had sworn it was her and tried to sell it for a lot of money.  None of the rumors of these tapes have ever been able to be confirmed by anyone.  They are just part of the horrible rumors and false stories that were told about the victims after their sad deaths.  Such a shame anyone would ever do this. 

The only tape that does exist is one of Sharon and Roman and Polanski confirms it in his biography.  There were some other tapes found but none like what the media and rumor mill would have you think.  Also, there is a tape of a girl swimming in the nude in the backyard pool.  Some think that this is Abigail Folger and that Frykowski shot it.  However, none of the actual tapes sound that bad.

Anyway, if you are still interested in the book, here is a recent review with a photo of the cover:

http://www.daemonsbooks.com/2010/09/01/sick-city-by-tony-oneill/

Today the Hollywood Egyptian Theatre is showing both "Valley of the Dolls" and "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls":

http://popcultureaddict.com/pca-retro-reviewevent-board-special-hollywood-egyptian-theatre-screens-valley-of-the-dolls-and-beyond-the-valley-of-the-dolls-sept-1st-2010/

And Robin Chappell sent me a link to a new website showing some of his father, Walter Chappell's rare photos of Sharon.  Some great stuff here:

http://www.walterchappell.com/purchase.htm

Finally, thanks to all for your understanding and for staying with me during this difficult summer.  My best to all of you! :)

Quote of the Week, Fans of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" and Ali MacGraw talks about Steve McQueen

Thanks to everyone for wishing me well.  I am, thankfully, starting to feel better.

Now here is the quote of the week:

By Claudia Cardinale:

"Sharon was such an amazing person, worldly but not in any negative way, she was so grounded, still seemed to show such a delight in the little things. A good waiter or waitress, a terrific sunset, ANY animal, little things never lost their magic for her. She had the world at her feet, but never lost touch with who she was, or became blase about how fortunate she had become. The superficiality of the movie world didn't fool her one bit, she often said, 'If I start to believe I'm as good as they keep telling me I am, I'll get out, there's still so much to learn.' "

Here is another great review of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" along with fans commenting below:

http://www.buyscheaper.com/buy-cheap-fearless-vampire-killers-vhs-discount-review/

Also, be sure to check out the latest edition of Vanity Fair for March.  It has an interesting article and interview with Ali MacGraw.  She discusses two men she loved, Steve McQueen and Robert Evans.  McQueen and Evans were also good friends of Sharon and Roman.

Speaking of MacGraw, in the article it talks about how giving and kind she was and still is.  It also says she became a fashion icon in the early 1970s.  Sounds like Sharon, doesn't it?  Furthermore, this quote by Gloria Steinem who lived for a short while with MacGraw, also reminds one of Sharon even though it is really about MacGraw:

"She was a remarkable creature.  Ali seemed unaware of being beautiful, though I remember thinking it was like living with the most magnificent and graceful cat.  It was proof of her warmth and kindness that those pre-feminist days, when we were all suppose to be in competition with each other, I don't remember a female human being who resented her."

That reminds me of how Sharon got along with so many actresses in Hollywood.  Patty Duke said, "I was crazy about her and I didn't know anyone who wasn't."  And Sharon never fought with anyone on the set.  Robert Viharo who starred with Sharon in "Valley of the Dolls" said, "Everybody was competitive with everybody (on the set of the Valley of the Dolls). The only one that I felt was above it, was Sharon Tate. The sweetest, purest, most open spirit."

The article also talks about McQueen not always being everyone's favorite but of Ali, like a saint.  This is sometimes the way Polanski is talked about as compared to Sharon.  But McQueen's love for McGraw is as genuine as Roman's was for Sharon, according to the magazine. 
 
Lastly, the article mentions her love of Scottie dogs and how she has always had one.  That sounds like Sharon and her love of Yorkies.
 
Anyway, it is a long article but worth reading.
 
This week I will try to get around to the promised translated articles.  Sorry for the delay.

Steve McQueen and Sharon Tate? Immortal Muse and More

Has anyone ever read Darwin Porter's Steve McQueen biography?  In it the book says that Sharon and McQueen had an on again/off again affair.  It also has the rumor that McQueen was invited to Sharon's house on that fateful night in August 1969.

I know McQueen and Sharon were great friends and perhaps they did get together in the early 1960s but I'm not so sure about when she was with Sebring and Polanski.  I've heard Sharon was a one man kind of woman.  Has anyone read the book?

Speaking of the name McQueen, RIP to the fashion designer Alexander McQueen.  Sorry to hear of his passing today at the young age of 40.

Here is a blogger who calls Sharon an 'Immortal Muse', I couldn't agree more:

http://chicandyoushallfind.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/true-beauty-lives-forever/

Roman Polanski Thanks Everyone Who Sent Support to Him, Valley of the Dolls Opening and Steve McQueen in "The Cincinnati Kid"

Roman Polanski wants to thank everyone who has sent messages of support during this difficult time:

http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b159792_roman_polanski_says_merci_support.html?utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories

From his chalet in Gstaad, Roman Polanski sends his very best.

In a letter to French author Bernard-Henri Lévi, the Oscar-winning filmmaker says he is "overwhelmed by the number of messages of support and sympathy" he has received since being locked up in Switzerland for skipping out on his sentencing for having sex with a teenage girl 31 years ago.

"These messages have come from my neighbors, from people all over Switzerland, and from beyond Switzerland—from across the world," reads the translated-into-English letter, which Lévi gave to the Huffington Post, where he's a contributor.

"I would like every one of them to know how heartening it is, when one is locked up in a cell, to hear this murmur of human voices and of solidarity in the morning mail. In the darkest moments, each of their notes has been a source of comfort and hope, and they continue to be so in my current situation."

Sounds like something the director of The Pianist and Death and the Maiden would write.

Polanski requests in his letter that, because he can't respond to each missive individually, Levi "disseminate these few words" somehow. "These few words" are also the director's first remarks since his legal troubles started all over again.

The Poland-born, longtime resident of France hasn't stepped foot in the U.S., where he made Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown and other films, since 1978.

He was arrested Sept. 24 in Winterthur prison after landing in Switzerland, where he was to accept a lifetime achievement honor at the Zurich Film Festival. He was transferred to home confinement Dec. 4 while he awaits possible extradition to California.

An appellate panel denied Polanski's latest request to have the decades-old charge dropped, in which he argued that the judge and prosecutor from his original case conspired against him.

On this day in movie history, Valley of the Dolls was released:

http://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/2009/12/27/on-this-day-in-movies-valley-of-the-dolls/

Tuesday Weld as Christian with Steve McQueen in The Cincinnati Kid.  McQueen had originally wanted Sharon for the role of Christian.

A review with some great trivia about "The Cincinnati Kid".  Personally, no disrespect to Tuesday Weld but I would have rather Sharon had gotten that role.  Also, the information here suggests it was a black woman filmed in the nude scene by Peckinpah instead of the rumor that usually purveys that Sharon was the one and that this is one of the reasons Peckinpah was fired from the film:

http://cinemaroll.com/drama/steve-mcqueen-in-the-cincinnati-kid-1965/

Does anyone have any information regarding the Peckinpah rumor?

Tribute to Martin Ransohoff Earlier This Year and Another Take on the Polanski Case

I didn't know that Ransohoff was being honored this year?  I found this article from May 15, 2009:

A recent photo of Ransohoff

A Tribute to Producer Martin Ransohoff  May 3, 2009

This is an Egyptian Theatre Exclusive

Producer Martin Ransohoff started out in television and, after an incredible success story with the original "The Beverly Hillbillies" beginning in 1962, graduated to producing hit motion pictures the same year with BOYS’ NIGHT OUT and THE WHEELER DEALERS. A string of critically acclaimed and successful movies came in their wake, including THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY, THE SANDPIPER, THE CINCINNATI KID, THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS, DON’T MAKE WAVES, ICE STATION ZEBRA, CATCH-22, 10 RILLINGTON PLACE, SAVE THE TIGER, SILVER STREAK, THE WANDERERS and JAGGED EDGE, to name just a few of his many hits! He was also partly responsible for helping to launch the careers of such actresses as Tuesday Weld, Ann-Margret and Sharon Tate. Join us for some of producer Martin Ransohoff’s favorite films. He’ll be here in-person for two out of the three evenings!  

Here are the highlights of the films they showed:

http://www.egyptiantheatre.com/archive1999/2009/Egyptian/Martin_Ransohoff_ET2009.htm

Another mention announces it this way:

Director Arthur Hiller & Producer Martin Ransohoff In Person at the Egyptian

Producer Martin Ransohoff is the subject of a tribute this weekend at the Egyptian Theatre. Though himself, not a household name, his films are quite famous. He got his start in television producing "The Beverly Hillbillies" and went on to produce THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY (starring Julie Andrews & James Garner (forever Jim Rockford of "The Rockford Files" to TV fans), helmed by LOVE STORY director Arthur Hiller. Hiller, a former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, will appear in person with Ransohoff to reminisce about making 'EMILY' in 1964. MARY POPPINS starring Andrews was also released in 1964.

Director Arthur Hiller today

Ransohoff will be joined by Robert Loggia for a look at JAGGED EDGE on Sunday, May 3rd. Loggia was Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as investigator Sam Ransom. Another highlight is ICE STATION ZEBRA on May 2nd, the film that eccentric, compulsive billionaire Howard Hughes watched repeatedly in his private screening room (remember the days before video let alone DVD???) Join us for some big screen action. Also screening are, SAVE THE TIGER and THE CINCINNATI KID with Steve McQueen.

For more on the films they showed go to the 2nd article here:

http://americancinematheque.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html

Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything about if anyone present asked about Sharon.  But here is a summary of the events from a fan that was there:

Mister, we could use a producer like Martin Ransohoff again. And again and again.

Sunday the Egyptian played host to the final night of the Martin Ransohoff tribute. Joining Mr. Ransohoff on stage were the evening’s host, Alan Rode and one of the truly great veteran Hollywood actors, ROBERT LOGGIA.

Much of Friday’s bloggery was taken up with war’s ugliness. Sunday’s double bill encompassed far less grave subject matter, namely murder, betrayal, gambling, small-fry in comparison. All encased in a pair of classic films that continue to mature, recruit new fans to the table, and send the rest of us reeling back in timed-release-capsules.

How such a diverse career? A filmography from which any handful of titles will yield the same results: stories seemingly world’s apart – polar opposites (ICE STATION ZEBRA was Saturday). If anything holds true in an overview, it is this extreme diversity of thematic commitment. And a handling of the material that was –don’t say it, don’t say it – edgy! A producer who exhibited more than just a token willingness to take chances, but real desire and as we heard Friday, one that was willing to go up against studio bosses, to fight for an artistic choice, despite the box office impaction. It is testament to Ransohoff’s guiding hand and diligence that the films are both timelessly entertaining and revelatory of their respective “times.”

The “knife with the jags” certainly holds up, clearly if tonight’s audience was any indication. Collective gasps and a “yeah” when the killer gets “his,” same as the day it was made. Pure 80s gold, prototypical of an entire subgenre, sporting a razor sharp script by the screenwriter who virtually defined the era’s potboiler, Joe Eszterhas, very quickly into the Q&A one begins to realize, that this is one more movie whose story belongs to the man who first conceived of the basic idea, none other than Martin Ransohoff. Not stated in some vanity mirror-moment-of-reflection, rather matter-of-factly in the first moments of discussing the project. “Basically the original idea for the movie was mine.”

Much like the way Mr. Ransohoff refers to himself as a “creative producer,” completely lacking in pretense. He is in fact un-credited on EDGE as he was, we learn, on much of his earlier work.

He mentions it in passing, like the CINNCINNATI KID’s locale being shifted from St. Louis where Richard Jessup’s novel is set, to New Orleans and a more bygone era. Ransohoff: “I’m from New Orleans.” If you’ve seen KID you know how pivotal the Big Easy’s setting is to the movie. If you haven’t seen it, than where the heck were you Sunday Night?

Between films, Mr. Ransohoff took a seat on stage between Robert Loggia and Alan Rode, the Q& A having commenced while he was returning from the lobby and Mr. Loggia recounting a dinner at Spago’s and nearly begging for the role of Sam Ransom. A performance which would land him an Oscar nom., the part had originally been set for Jason Robards, a much older actor. It was Loggia’s input that led to the character’s incorporation of the “F” carpet-bombing, and other major changes that were eventually embraced by both the director, Richard Marquand and Ransohoff.

Repeatedly, as audience, we bear witness to producer Ransohoff’s openness to the collective give and take of the creative process. Loggia said, “Marquand listened and was a gentleman.” The same holds true in spades for Ransohoff.

Ransohoff stated that as a producer, “after my first five or six pictures, I spent very little time on the set. My bonus to a director was not to have to see me.” To the “director who was doing his job… if dailies looked good, if we were on budget, my gift was to stay away… Plus, sitting around on a film set, watching films being made is like watching paint dry.”

Watching a Ransohoff movie is nothing like latex. Also, make note, “director doing his job.”

What might stand out the most in reviewing Ransohoff’s credits (he made the number at 41) is the sheer span of time – the post war 50s, the 60s, and on into the 80s – Mega eras of cultural and social upheaval, shifting norms and taboos, all reflected in shades of nuanced entertainment, engaging and more often than not, challenging, work. Culled from some of the greatest literary sources of the day, “I bought the rights to the book,” and so it would start.

Loggia remarked that he had recently turned 79 years of age, and with Ransohoff at somewhere in the low 80s, both gentlemen were still “ambling,” as Loggia put it, albeit at a somewhat leisurely pace. And this here is one darn glad moviegoer – I’m thinking next month for another six of the 41!

Wonder who I can ask about that?

Wish I could have asked Hiller if Sharon was really in "The Wheeler Dealers" and "The Americanization of Emily" like I have heard?  And there would endless questions to ask Ransohoff.

Another Take on the Polanski Case now that Roman is on house arrest.  It also talks about when Roman lost Sharon:

http://www.pamil-visions.net/polanski-flees-chalet-can-he-escape-conviction/28643/

Breathless Article on Sharon Tate Plus Fearless Vampire Always a Top Ten Favorite, Polanski sequel? Photos & more

Here is another great article and interview with Sharon from Stars and Stripes Military Newspaper.  I dedicate this one to Rossman, a wonderful fan of Sharon, I think he will get a kick out of it ;)  :

Sharon Tate Leaves You Breathless

Read her exciting story here:

By Robert Musel

For some years now a certain producer of television commercials in Hollywood must have been wondering what happened to the teenage blonde who arrived to audition for a cigarette advertisement.  They gave her a cigarette, she inhaled deeply with the proper look of ecstasy on her fabulous features--and passed out cold on the floor.

Well, time has turned that young blonde into a ravishing 22 year old.  Her name is Sharon Tate and she has been studying hard ever since in as concentrated a campaign for film stardom as any in the recent annals of the movie industry.  Now, after all the acting lessons, the dancing lessons, the singing lessons, the vocal lessons, the moment of truth has arrived. 

She is starring in her first film "13" in a cast headed by David Niven and Kim Novak.  And producer Marty Ransohoff may win what amounts to a $50,000 gamble that she is star material.

She showed up at her first ever interview to tell all.

"Where do I begin?" she asked, trying to pull down a skirt short even by the latest Paris standards.

She was advised to start at the beginning and this is the biography that emerged:

She is 5 feet 5 1/2 inches tall, a natural blonde with hazel eyes that change color.  She weighs 112 pounds.  She was born in Dallas but has never lived long in one place because her father, Maj. Paul Tate, now of San Pedro, California, is a career soldier.  They were stationed in Verona, Italy, when a friend in television suggested she ought to try Hollywood.  And there she went after an unsuccessful attempt to study as a beautician in Houston, Texas.

"You must remember," she said continuing this breathless tale, "that I was shy and bashful when I reached Hollywood.  My parents were very strict with me.  I didn't smoke or anything.  I only had just enough money to get by and I hitchhiked a ride on a truck to the office of an agent whose name I had.  That very first day he sent me to the cigarette comercial job.  A girl showed me how it should be done, you know taking a deep, deep breath and look ecstatic."

Miss Tate demonstrated the deep, deep breath.  At this point the waiter, who was serving tea, apologized for rattling the cups but there may be no connection between these two events.

"I tried to do as she said," Miss Tate explained, "but the first breath filled my lungs with smoke and I landed on the floor.  That ended my career in cigarette commercials."

Miss Tate, who smokes quite expertly now, said her agent later decided she needed experience to overcome her shyness and took her along for a minor role in the 'Petticoat Junction' tv series.  Enter fate in the form of Ransohoff, who is producer of the series. 

"Marty saw me there," Miss Tate recalled, "and he said 'Baby'--you know how Marty talks--'Baby, we're going to make you a star.'  He took me to his legal department and he said, 'Sign this girl.'  I'd only been back in the states for three weeks when all this happened.  What do you think of that?"

We agreed that America is the land of opportunity and Miss Tate went on:

"Up until then, I had been living on a tight allowance from my folks and what with my sheltered life and all I had never even driven a car.  But when I signed with Marty the contract provided for a car and that was the first thing I got.  That and a dog.  These little things count you know.  The very first night I got the car I wrecked it.

"Later I was on a bus and a boy of about 16 said to me, 'There's been a terrible crash on Sunset Boulevard.'  I said, 'I know, it was me.' He looked at me.  Suddenly he kissed me and jumped off the bus."

We agreed this was an encouraging display of initiative by American youth. 

Just when she thought she could really act she played a test with Steve McQueen, the first time she had ever appeared with an actor of his power.  "I was in shock for three days afterwards," she said.  "But he taught me a lot.  He showed me how to really act."

Miss Tate's boyfriend is a Hollywood hairstylist.  Her hobby is people.

"They'd have flipped in Hollywood if they knew what I was doing for amusement," she said.  "About once a month I'd have an 'experience.'  By that I mean I would go somewhere on my own and just look at and listen to people.  I went to a bar once at midnight and a woman said to me, 'Why drink here when you could have men buy you drinks for nothing at other bars?'

"I used to do the same sort of thing in Italy by taking different trains.  Once I met six men from Moscow, Russia.  They were fascinating too."

'13' is the screen version of the novel The Day of the Arrow.  Ransohoff is so sure of his protege he has already cast her for a comedy.

I never knew Sharon studied to be a beautician in Houston, Texas.  I have heard that she had family there so I would suppose she stayed with them possibly? 

I bet it was funny when she demonstrated that 'deep, deep breath' she used for the commercial and the waiter was taken aback and accidently rattled the cups he was filling.  Somehow, I can see a connection between the two, can't you? ;)

And that young man who kissed Sharon?  I imagine he quite enjoyed that kiss with a beautiful stunner like Sharon! :)

Onto other news:

Even though Halloween has past there is still talk of Vampires on the web.  Maybe it's because the Twilight New Moon sequel is coming out on the 20th?  

Anyway, here is another top ten list that includes "The Fearless Vampire Killers."  It seems that Polanski's film is always showing up on these:

http://www.filmshaft.com/martyns-top-ten-vampire-films/

A sequel to Polanski Unauthorized?  um... apparently:

http://www.mmdnewswire.com/polanski-unauthorized-6209.html

More great stuff from Keith on his blog here:

http://lotsofsugarandspice.blogspot.com/2009/11/sharon-tate-is-all-american-beauty.html

Steve McQueen Picked Sharon Tate as the Next Big Star!

This is a very rare article from a British magazine called Tit-Bits for December 19, 1964:

Showpiece Special: Steve Finds Another Swinger!  By David Hunn

"What makes a star?  The ingredients are as unknown as what two flies say to each other on a window sill.  Either you have it or you haven't.  It's that simple--and that tragic." --Fred Astaire

The question of star quality, magnetism or magic (call it what you will) has intrigued the world of entertainment since kings and queens kept court juesters.

Now David Hunn, the brightest and best-informed writer on the show business scene, tries to find some of the answers from the stars themselves.

He presents today the first of a sizzling series of interviews in which 'the international stars of today' give their choice for 'the stars of tomorrow.'

David Hunn:  Steve McQueen didn't hesitate.  But when he picked his winner he put the lights on a mystery.  His tip for the top is a girl unknown in Britian, a find so hush-hush that her Hollywood studio did their best to stop TIT-BITS taking the wraps off her.

"The name is Sharon Tate," said Steve.

"You've never heard of her, but you will.  She has everything she needs for success, including two qualities that do not often go together--a wonderfully pure simplicity and very great beauty."

Producer Martin Ransohoff--now shooting 'The Sand Piper' with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton--discovered Sharon.

As soon as Steve met her, he wanted her to play opposite him in "The Cincinnati Kid," which he is soon to make for Ransohoff.  It was one swinger's compliment to another.

But Sharon's lack of experience cost her the part.  Steve said: "I even did the screen test with her"--a rare occurrence for a star.

"I was proud to do it.  That girl looks really good.  I'm sure she could have done the part, but of course I don't have the final say."

In Martin Ransohoff's office in Los Angeles I found the attitude: "Sure she'll be a star, but she'll make it when we're ready."

They refused to release any pictures of Sharon, and her agent denied even having any. 

But here we present pictures taken of Sharon with Richard Beymer.

Making a film with Steve would have been a great start for Sharon.

His is one of the most exciting talents in the cinema today.  A casual, gritty actor, he hides a Gary Cooper charm behind a Humphrey Bogart magnetism.

(The rest of the article is a rundown of Steve McQueen's career.)  For more on Steve McQueen click on these links:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_McQueen and http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000537/

I think it was wonderful of Steve to back Sharon up at a time when she truly needed it.  I think she would have been 'the next big thing' had she lived.

News Links for the day:

French Rock Star Johnny Hallyday Defends Polanski:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h5AQ13DgIAt44wU-QcB3Jl206E6g

For more of the best Halloween movies to watch go to this link, it includes "The Fearless Vampire
Killers." ;)

http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-19160-scared-silly.html

Want a run down of what's on TV this Halloween. Here is a great link:
http://www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/10/28/the-cliqueclack-tv-guide-to-halloweens-tricks-and-treats/

If you still haven't seen "Wanted and Desired" here is a review:
http://mysticaljett.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/roman-polanski-wanted-desired/

And if you still haven't seen "Rosemary's Baby" here is another great review and it has some nice photos:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cathy-whitlock/em-rosemarys-baby-em-revi_b_333706.html

Sharon Tate was going to Star alongside Steve McQueen in "Le Mans?" & News on Polanski & new Italian Blog for Sharon

I have an interesting Spanish Article translated today that says Sharon was going to be in "Le Mans" with Steve McQueen?  Here is the article:


Nuevo Fotogramas June 27, 1969:


Sharon Tate, Polanski's Baby

Wife of Polish filmmaker with whom she met while filming The Dance of the Vampires, Sharon Tate has continued her career over the years without great spectacle, but at a good pace.


Recently, she finished shooting "13", in Rome, with Vittorio Gassman. The American actress is to commence within a few weeks, another film in which she will partner up with Steve McQueen. The film is a project McQueen has wanted to do for years and will be set in the world of cars.


Shooting will take place mainly in the Le Mans circuit.

 

Launched by an American production company that she set out to make her a mixture of Kim Novak and Jean Harlow, she jokes it may be time to begin lying about her age even though she is only 25.  But she told me not to tell her husband.  "Now I say that I am 24 years old and next year I will be 23 years old."
 
Following her joke, I said of the director of "The Baby of Rose Mary,": "If you continue on like that, in 20 years or so you will be Polanski's baby."
 
Although I have heard that Steve McQueen wanted to work with Sharon on a film, I have never heard this reference to "Le Mans" which was released in 1971.  Also, nothing is mentioned about her pregnancy?  She would be filming only in a few weeks?  Not with a baby on the way?  Maybe the article meant a few months instead of weeks? 
 
According to the Internet Movie Database this is what the film is about:
 
Almost in breadth and depth of a documentary, this movie depicts an auto race during the 70s on the world's hardest endurance course: Le Mans in France. The race goes over 24 hours on 14.5 kilometers of cordoned country road. Every few hours the two drivers per car alternate - but it's still a challenge for concentration and material. In the focus is the duel between the German Stahler in Ferrari 512LM and the American Delaney in Gulf Team Porsche 917. Delaney is under extraordinary pressure, because the year before he caused a severe accident, in which his friend Lisa's husband was killed. Written by Tom Zoerner.

I wonder if Sharon was considered for the part of Lisa?  Or was she to have played Johann Ritter's wife  Anna in the film?  Hmmm....Any comments?


For more on the film go to:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Mans_(film)


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067334/


New News on Roman Polanski:


Roman Polanski Hospitalized: Director Roman Polanski has been hospitalized for the second time since his Zurich arrest on decades' old rape charges, People reports.


Polanski apparently is suffering from an undisclosed medical condition and was transferred from prison to a Zurich hospital for medical examinations Friday. His hospitalization is expected to last several days.


Polanski's lawyer, Herve Temime said in a recent radio interview, "His general condition is no longer satisfactory. But the situation isn't easy for any prisoners, even less so for a man the age of Polanski. One has to be attentive."

“All I know is that he has been taken from prison for medical attention. I don’t know where he is or when he will be returned to prison,” the Daily Express quoted his French lawyer Herve Temime, as saying.


Polanski, who lives in France, was arrested Saturday upon arriving in Zurich where he was to receive an award at the Zurich Film Festival. The famed director fled the United States in 1978 after being charged with having sex with a minor. U.S. authorities have sought the 76-year-old's arrest around the world since 2005.


Polanski is best known for his film work that includes classics like Rosemary's Baby and the multiple Oscar-winning Chinatown. The director won the Academy Award for Best Director in 2002 for The Pianist, though his legal issues forbade him from attending.


Sadly, the director's life has also been marred by tragedy. In 1969, his wife, Sharon Tate, then pregnant with Polanski's child, was murdered by the Charles Manson family at a hillside home in Los Angeles. And it was in 1978 that Polanski was accused of plying then-13-year-old Samantha Geimer with quaaludes and alcohol before repeatedly forcing her to have sex. Geimer has since publicly forgiven Polanski and has tried to get the case against him dropped for almost a decade now.




Here is a report on how the Swiss and the US planned Polanski's current arrest:


http://www.charlotteobserver.com/132/story/1011132.html


There is a great new blog for Sharon written for her Italian fans.  It has a nice set up page and photos.  Be sure to check it out:


http://sharontate4ever.wordpress.com/

Why Sharon Tate had trouble finding roles that were worthy of her.

I ran across a vintage article that has a few actresses talking about how hard it is for women in the industry to find good movie roles.  Some of the quotes made me think of Sharon and how Ransohoff handled her career.  We all know Sharon wanted to get better film parts.  She did not want to be the next Marilyn Monroe, she wanted to be the next Catherine Deneuve/Carole Lombard.  Even MM got tired of playing sexy roles and was like Sharon in that respect.  Both wanted to be taken more seriously as an actress.

The article comes from TV Radio Mirror September 1973

Ask the Stars by Bob Lardine

Do you think actresses are discriminated against in show business?

Suzanne Pleshette said: "The last ten years have been really rough on actresses.  Even when the material was available, they had to settle for secondary parts."

Julie Newmar said: "Women definitely are being discriminated against.  And the reasons are quite obvious.  Most of the writers are men.  Most of the producers are men.  Most of the directors are men.

"I say 'most' in the above instances when in some cases the better word would be 'all.'

"It's very difficult for an actress to have a juicy part when the show business field is so dominated by males.  The only solution is to permit more women into the industry."

Stella Stevens said: "I think it's quite obvious that women aren't given the same opportunities as men in show business."

Bette Davis adds: "There's no question that women aren't getting the same breaks as men.  It's a man's world in show business as well as anywhere else."

Sharon's friend, Jacqueline Bisset is also quoted in the article:  "Unfortunately, a lot of men regard women as inferior creatures, or as nothing but sex objects.

"It's really up to the woman as to how she wants to be treated.  If you rebel against being regarded in that light, you discover that people start to look at you differently.

"Though it's true that actresses seldom get juicy parts, it's also true that when they do get them, it results in exciting movies.

"For example, I thought Jane Fonda's part in 'Klute' was magnificent, and it turned out to be an exceptional movie."

I think these quotes fit Sharon's career.  Ransohoff definitely thought of Sharon as a sex object.  He put her in a Marilyn Monroe type part in "Don't Make Waves" as the not to bright sexy Malibu.  It was only when Roman Polanski entered her life that she started to rethink things and Polanski and Steve McQueen helped her in deciding to get out of her seven year contract with him.  She was finally able to do this and who knows what great parts she could have went on to play.  Polanski and Tate talked about doing a western and, of course, "Tess" together.  I have never thought of Sharon along the lines of the Fonda part in "Klute" but, who knows?  She could have gotten it and done wonders with the role.  After all, that role was only a few years after Fonda appeared as the sexy "Barbarella."

I've always thought it was a shame she didn't get the Tuesday Weld role in "The Cincinnati Kid."  We can only imagine what roles may have come her way had she gotten that part. Steven McQueen wanted her for it but the director Norman Jewison didn't think Sharon had enough experience and, after original director Sam Peckinpah was fired from the production, Sharon was replaced by Weld.

We will, unfortunately, never know what might have become of Sharon's career, had she lived.  I have always wished she at least had been able to do one role that she was really proud of.  But, according to friend Sheila Wells, Sharon did not feel this way.  Often Wells says Sharon would say: "Oh, Sheila, the movie I just made was so awful, don't bother going to see it."

I think Polanski would have helped her to become the actress she was wanting so much to be.  I would have loved to see Sharon's career florish as time went on.  But, at least, with this insight into how hard it was for actresses to get the 'really juicy parts' we can see what forces Sharon was up against.