New Vintage Translated Turkish Interview with Sharon Tate...

Thanks to Andrea, we have a new translated article on Sharon.   A friend of mine did it for me today.  I hope everyone enjoys it.

Hayat - 1967

According to the British this will be the year of Sharon Tate: 1967

In recent years, British stars have emerged to be the new cinema sensations, Julie Christie, Vanessa Redgrave, Samantha Eggar and now a new star is slated for stardom.

Everyone has a common opinion: If you like the photos of an actress in advertisements then generally you will like the star. Movie star Sharon Tate, a 23-year-old blonde of English origin, is a complete exception to this rule. She has avoided advertising herself to the public.  She has even hid under a black wig out in front of television audiences. Sharon, is not recognized as a star yet on posters or marquees of theaters.  Fame has become a suitable adventure to be found for this young lady.

How many years has she been hidden ?

Everything is riding on this girl who came to the eyes of Hollywood cinema three years ago.  Martin Ransohoff discovered her and drew up a seven-year contract. For a period of 30 months Sharon fully learned how to be an actress and she has longed for the moment to be introduced. 

Sharon, recently met with a journalist in London and gave answers to various questions. Let us now turn our attention to this interesting conversation:

Q: Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Brigitte Bardot are actresses called sex symbols.

A: For actresses we cannot control everything that is said about us. It is not possible.  Having said that, I do not mind being called that.

Q: Do you look upon yourself as a 'sex symbol'?

A: Everyone says I am a beautiful girl. But sexy... that's another thing altogether.

Q: What are your thoughts about the fashions of today?

A: I do dress from Paris. I am glad women wear something more comfortable than say in the 1920s.  Now, the apparel is more sharper and full of commericial lines.

Q: In the "Vampire Killers" film you have a naked bath scene.  Do you have on anything at all in this scene?

A: No. The director Polanski said: "You don't have to allow it to embarrass you.  The crew will eventually not even think about it if you don't.  But, of course, you can just ignore them if you want to!"  In this way, it was easier to do my job.  Polanski is a genuine artist.

A: So you like him?

A: I think he is a good and valuable person.

Q: What characteristics should your ideal man have?

A: To have an emotional yet strong character.

Q: For example, such as Roman Polanski?

A: Yes.

Sharon Tate is a caring young girl who is on her way to the great climb of fame.

A Hairdresser and his Dresser Wife Remember Sharon Fondly...

I have interviewed another couple who knew Sharon.  Harold Leighton did the stars hair and his wife Maxine dressed the stars in London in the 1960s.  Harold and Maxine (yes, they were and are still married) had quite a client list that included: Joan Collins, Raquel Welch, Julie Christie, Romy Schneider, Ursula Andress, Dusty Springfield, Marlo Thomas, Glenda Jackson, Natalie Wood.  And the men included: Charlie Chaplin, Woody Allen, Rod Steiger and Dudley Moore and so many others!  The list of men and women go on and on.

Harold and Maxine early in their relationship.

They both remember Sharon fondly and say she had a great sense of humor.

Harold says: "God bless her, one of the most perfect women. One of the most beautiful women of her era if not the most beautiful! She was fun to share time with with such great humor.  She was sharp and we have very fond memories of her and being with her."

With their sons here.

Maxine says: "One of our most gorgeous clients was model Sharon Tate. She was the most beautiful looking woman with a faultless body and glowing skin, even without one jot of makeup on her face. On her first visit to the boutique, she came with her film producer lover Martin Ransohoff.

“Martin introduced himself to me as her mentor and producer. ‘I want Sharon to come here whenever she needs new clothes,’ he said. ‘I have heard so much about your look and taste Maxine, so please give her whatever you choose, no matter the cost.’

"Sharon said: ‘I love that Sonia Rykiel sweater and knitted skirt,’ – and with that she took off the shirt she was wearing and dropped her skirt to try on the clothes. Low and behold, there was not a bra in sight – only the most perfect boobs and just a G-string in satin and lace! I have never seen such a wonderful figure on any woman."

One of Harold's hair styles from the 60s. 

Harold adds that "she was understanding if you did not have her size of garment, that would make her come back in the following days when another shipment of merchandize would arrive from Paris." 

"She came into my boutique every other day," Maxine continues,"sitting down for a chat and ending up with a bag full of goodies! Every time she walked into the salon Harold was informed immediately and would rush upstairs to have a coffee, chat and plan a photo shoot."

...And another...

"Our boutique was on Hampstead High Street in the 60s," says Harold. "Sharon became a fan of Maxine’s ‘French Look’ and shopped almost weekly. She could not stay away and then Maxine sent her down to my salon under her boutique and I did her hair and later I did her hair for her Wedding at the Chelsea Register office on Kings Road. When you see the photographs of her being married to Roman Polanski--that’s my hair with all the flowers in it."

...And another.

 
There are some wonderful photos taken of Sharon with jewelry and such in her hair.  Harold also did her hair for these shots.  "Roman Polanski told me he wanted to give her some jewelry for their first anniversary.  I was there when thousands of of pounds' worth arrived at her flat for her to choose a one.
 
" 'Let's cover her with the jewels for a photograph,' Roman said and he was right, it made a wonderful study. 

Sharon with Harold during the famous jewelry photos.

 
"At another session, Sharon was all but naked, and I was nervous about doing her hair.  With her impish sense of humor, she decided to make things worse for me.
 
"She sat up like a lovely, half-naked bear, wrapped both arms around me and said, teasingly: 'Now Harold, does that make you happy?'

Harold today.

 
"We had such fun.  It was the hub of French fashion in Hampstead and in today's market would have been the shop where the Paparazzi would live outside the salon and boutique."

New Book on Sharon and Roman's friend Warren Beatty, Sharon Tate and a fashion show based on "The Fearless Vampire Killers", Top 10 Chick Flicks includes "Valley of the Dolls" and Polanski has art exhibit in Germany.

Apparently there is a new biography on Warren Beatty.  I'll see if I can find it and see if it says anything about Roman and Sharon.  But the blurb on the web said:

With "Star: How Warren Beatty Seduced America" (Simon & Schuster; $30), Peter Biskind delivers a fact-filled, gossipy biography of one of Hollywood's most reclusive personalities.

Biskind reportedly had support from Beatty, who was interviewed for the book, but it's hard to believe the subject was aware of how far the author would go into his personal life.

The notoriously seductive Beatty had affairs with stars such as Joan Collins, Natalie Wood, Leslie Caron, Julie Christie, Michelle Phillips, Diane Keaton and Madonna, as well as with many non-famous women over the years, something the book notes in great detail.

Film fans should be fascinated by the background stories on Beatty's films, particularly his critically and commercial breakthrough smash "Bonnie and Clyde," which he also produced.

According to Biskind, "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) was filmed for just $1.8 million, and initially French filmmaker Francois Truffaut ("Jules and Jim") was approached by Robert Benton and David Newman, who wrote the original screenplay and saw the cinematic project as a European film.

Truffaut considered doing it with Terence Stamp as Clyde.

The foreign filmmaker, however, didn't get along with Beatty and refused to direct the film if the American actor remained as producer. (Eventually, Arthur Penn, who worked with Beatty on "Mickey One," directed.)

Natalie Wood was offered Bonnie, but she declined. The actresses considered for Bonnie before Faye Dunaway won the role included Jane Fonda, Jean Seberg, Carol Lynley, Ann-Margret, Sharon Tate, Tuesday Weld and Sue Lyon.

You can see this article on the bottom of the page here:

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/177/2010/february/28/third-time-another-charm-for-these-two-franchises-2.html

Here is a blog discussing a new Fall/Winter collection that is based on Polanski's "The Fearless Vampire Killers": 

http://sallyjanevintage.blogspot.com/2010/02/two-drifters-off-to-see-world.html

The Top 10 Chick Flicks includes "Valley of the Dolls":

http://horrorhunt.com/horror-story/the-top-10-chick-flicks-that-will-make-you-cry.html

And Polanski's art and photographs from his films are on exhibit at a german gallery:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2010/03/roman-polanskis-photographs-drawings-and-other-artifacts-go-on-display-in-german-museum.html

I wish we could see his stuff that includes Sharon...

Sharon Defies Ransohoff in Translated Article and More

I found this interesting article on The Brazilian Sharon Tate Site and thought I'd share it here.

http://sharontate.bravehost.com/index.html

"CAPRICHO" - March 1968 - Brazil

HOLLYWOOD IS HELL'S GATE

SHARON TATE, ONE OF THE MOST PROMISING AMERICAN STARS OF THE NEW GENERATION, ACCUSES HOLLYWOOD OF BEING FALSELY MORALIST AND SAYS THAT THE OLD CINEMA MECA IS VERY DEPRAVED. SHE RESISTED A LOT OF PRESSURE TO GET HER STARDOM AND ENDURED ALL KINDS OF THREATS, EVEN FROM THE PRODUCER WHO DISCOVERED HER, JUST BECAUSE SHE DIDN’T WANT TO BREAK UP OR BETRAY HER GREAT LOVE.

"I’m completely psychedelic. And not in Julie Christie ’s way, please! I know there are people who think that I imitate her! Can you believe that? I want much more freedom than she has. Julie became a slave of her ambition. I think she’s frustrated. Now she says she’s neurotic. I’m not inhibited at all. I just do what I want. If I feel like it, I flirt with a cab driver. I like new things, try new sensations. Why not?"

Sharon likes to speak. And explosively. In her luxurious apartment she didn’t think for a moment: ask the maid to serve something serious from the bar, took her shoes and the stockings off, and loved chatting.

"I got tired of being nobody. I’ve been pretty since I was a little girl. Everybody kept telling me: Why don’t you make movies, Sharon? One day I decide to take the advice. I was very lucky. On the same day I went to an agent’s office from New York, a very strange man came in and said: 'It’s you. I’m gonna make you a movie star.' It looks like a fairytale, I know, but it isn’t."

The man was Martin Ransohoff, a producer who took 30 months and spent more than 500.000 dollars to prepare Sharon for stardom. The first movie Sharon did was Eye of the Devil. The impact she created was such that when Polish director Roman Polanski saw it in a private exhibition in London, he took a plane and went to Hollywood to take a look at that sensational girl. He had been looking for a face like hers for a long time: pure and depraved at the same time, to act in a movie about vampires he was preparing. The meeting of Sharon and Polanski became love at first sight. Much to Ransohoff’s anger, she had no doubts, went along with the young Polish director when he went back to London.

"And why not? I never promised Martin I would give up the right to live my own life the way I want. And then, it’s funny when one falls in love. It happens suddenly. Contracts, plans, everything changes at that moment. The notion I was in love with Roman overwhelmed me. Nothing else mattered. It’s wonderful and horrible at the same time. I stayed in London with Roman. I made Fearless Vampire Killers for him. Martin wouldn’t accept it. He even threatened me. I told him to go to hell. And what annoyed him the most was that I was living with Roman. 'At least, get married' he would shout. It’s funny; Hollywood is a very depraved place, the hell’s door, but knows how to be Victorian when it’s about beginners like me. The pressure was such that Roman understood. He married me. He’s an angel. He realized it was necessary. Hollywood offered me something wonderful though Martin Ransohoff: the role of Jennifer, in Valley of the Dolls, America’s number one best seller, the depraved and pill addicted vamp was coveted by people such as Candice Bergen, Anna Karina, Anouk Aimee, Anne Bancroft. They wanted to give me the role if I married Roman. And that happened. The worst, now, is that Martin doesn’t know that when I love I don’t give a damn to career and fame. When I love and get married, I want children, a home, a quiet life. He says Valley of the Dolls put Hollywood at my feet. And so what? Women who can handle marriage and career are very rare. When you want both things tragedy happens: the husband is jealous of his wife’s success, the wife gets tired of the husband’s jealousy, just because she wants the husband as much as her career. And what’s more important? A magazine cover to look for one whole day, or the love of a husband to have your whole life?"

Caption below photo reads:

30 MONTHS TO BE PREPARED – "Martin just wanted to prove that he could make anybody a movie star. I was very luck but then came the worst: 30 months of super intensive preparation. Diction, walking, singing, acting classes and some small parts in television. I learned how to be an actress."

Here is another great recommendation for "The Fearless Vampire Killers" :

http://zombiesaremagic.blogspot.com/2009/12/fearless-vampire-killers-1967.html

Micaela has uploaded many great videos of Sharon including the Hatami ones here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSLTWdLY2Co

Ellen Graham and Sharon Tate

Thanks to Melly for sharing this article on photographer Ellen Graham and Sharon Tate:

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/4159

Ellen Graham’s eye on the world: Sharon Tate

I first knew Ellen and her husband Ian Graham in Los Angeles where they have a wonderful house in Beverly Hills and often entertain with cocktail parties. Ellen’s fabulous photographs are kept mainly in one large room, a gallery/library. There are so many famous faces in fascinating places that you can’t resist being distracted by them. Many times you’d see the same faces out on the Grahams’ terrace or around the pool during cocktails. In 2004 she published some of them in her “The Bad and the Beautiful” (Harry Abrams) with Christopher Walken on the cover.

Sharon Tate

The photograph (above) was taken in May of 1969. It was a beautiful spring day in Beverly Hills around four o’clock in the afternoon when the light is right, on the lawn of the house on Cielo Drive that she shared with the director Roman Polanski.

She was one of the most beautiful women I ever photographed – one of three at the time – Julie Christie (see NYSD 2.9.08) and Candy Bergen being the other two. Those are faces of perfection, with all the beauty of the old movie stars like Swanson and Garbo – the bone structure, the eyes, the skin.

She was very sweet, very much of a lady, very cooperative and very much appreciative. She trusted me completely but I didn’t have to tell her anything. She knew what to do (and she didn’t have to do anything because she was so beautiful; nobody could look better).

Ellen Graham

She was pregnant expecting her first child. She trusted me completely. I was overwhelmed with her beauty and her kindness. There were no press agents, no handlers, no stylists, no makeup people, unlike today when those people are always around. Without them, you have an intimacy with your subject –there’s no one to get in the way (these people don’t know anything; anyway).

Sharon Tate didn’t need that; she loved the camera and the camera loved her. The session lasted about an hour – I try not to go beyond that because people get tired. She changed her clothes a couple of times. It was a very easy session and she was pleased enough with it that she told me she wanted me to photograph her baby.

Three months later that hideous tragedy which occurred in that very house ended all that might have been for this beautiful woman and her child. When I saw Roman several years later in Paris, I said, “I have some beautiful pictures of Sharon.” He said, “I don’t want to be reminded.”

I understood. But looking back, I now think we should all be reminded.

— Ellen Graham

A Look Back at Polanski's Tess in Photographs

I found some great photos taken of the set of "Tess", the movie Polanski so lovingly dedicated to Sharon.

Trivia:

Julie Christie gave friend Sharon Tate a copy of Thomas Hardy`s novel "Tess of the d`Urbervilles" with the inscription "For my Hardy heroine" (Julie had recently become a Thomas Hardy heroine in Far from the Madding Crowd (1967)).   Sharon would read the book on board the Queen Elizabeth II ship as she came back to America from London when she was pregnant.  Sharon told her husband Roman Polanski that it would make a wonderful movie shortly before her death. When Polanski later made the film Tess (1979) he dedicated it "For Sharon". 

It's interesting to think about this because Sharon and her life are sort of reminscent of a tragic Thomas Hardy heroine.