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.

Rare Sharon Tate Memorabilia, Yorkie Necklace and Can a Teacher be Arrested for Showing a Polanski film?

Here is some rare Sharon Tate memorabilia I have come across.  I have not seen these before:

A rare magazine cover.

A rare book cover.

Rare "Wrecking Crew" French Poster.

A rare Polish article on "The Fearless Vampire Killers."

For those of you who are fans of dogs I found a lovely set of necklaces that are being offered through Bradford Exchange that include two of Sharon's favorite breeds: Poodle and Yorkie:

Here is a website if you are interested in these necklaces? :

http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-109217001.jsp

And here are more great items that depict animals including dogs:

http://bradfordexchange.collectiblestoday.com/ct/store/brad/Pet+Gifts/_prod/_14

Can teacher be arrested for showing Polanski's Macbeth? 

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/01/27/Can-teacher-be-arrested-for-showing-movie/UPI-10151264626142/

NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- The father of a Virginia high school student threatened to have a teacher arrested for showing a class Roman Polanski's 1971 movie of Shakespeare's "Macbeth."

Bill Thompson, a Norfolk police officer, told The Virginian-Pilot he would take out a warrant for contributing to the delinquency of a minor if Great Bridge High School does not take action.

The teacher showed the class several filmed versions of the play. The Polanski movie, which got mixed reviews when it came out, is marked by graphic violence and nudity.

Tom Cupitt, a spokesman for the Chesapeake schools, said the district is investigating. He said the teacher is likely to be disciplined for using outside materials without getting them approved by an administrator.

Morgan Thompson said she was not the only student upset by the movie. She said the nudity started with the first scene.

"It was disgusting. All the boys in the class were making noise, hollering and hooting," she said. "It was entirely offensive to show that. Even if you were going to show that version, at least fast-forward through that."

I guess some of Polanski's vintage films are still causing a stir.

Photo of the Week and Another Article on Sharon Tate

Here is the photo of the week of Sharon holding her new puppy by a Christmas tree:

Note on this photo session:  This was Sharon's first Christmas spent in England during the production of "Eye of the Devil".  The puppy's name is Guiness and the then four month old Yorkshire Terrier was a gift to Sharon from the production team of the film.  The photo session was photographed by Stephan C. Archetti.

Another short article on Sharon:

TV and Movie Play magazine for April 1968

Sharon Tate: Why She Prefers Love Without Marriage by Joan Selig

Remember that old refrain: Love and marriage, love and marriage. Go together like a horse and carriage?

Not for Sharon Tate, they don't. Sharon has her own ideas on love, sex and marriage. And they aren't conventional.

Lots of actesses have had affairs. But generally, they pretend it's just friendship or dates. And some Hollywood dames with uncounted "Friendships" maintain the utmost air of propriety.

Not so for Sharon Tate.  Sharon is different.  She confessed to living with director Roman Polanski to a reporter for a national magazine.  And another national mag featured her posing on a bed "in a house which Polish director Roman Polanski rents for her."  Presumably with visiting priviliges.  Yet, why does Sharon prefer this "arrangement."  Why be a mistress instead of a wife?  Are she and Roman unable to marry?  They are both quite eligible.

Sharon has never married. Polanski is divorced from his first wife, a Polish actress.

Don't they love each other?

Quite the contrary, she and Polanski are very much in love and more devoted than many of the legally married couples in Hollywood. They are truly inseparable. Whether simply relaxing at home or on the town, they're always together. In fact, no one ever sees either of them with another date. And that is a bit of a record in this town.

Why then, since she and Roman love each other and there are no legal barriers--why then doesn't Sharon rush her man to the altar?

The answer is that Sharon wants to be a sex goddess- a super star. And she appears to be going the whole route.

Sharon evidently doesn't believe in hiding her beautiful body.She posed semi-nude for that famous mens magazine and she does completely nude scenes(well, she does have those teeny weeny bikini panties) in Valley of the Dolls. Real sexy scenes, like rolling over and over in bed.

The nudity bit is part of the standard sex goddess buildup. Brigitte Bardot, the late Marilyn Monroe, Jane Fonda-- you name the star and she's taken off her clothes. (Interestingly enough, Raquel Welch, who has superb natural endowments but who refuses to wear less than a scanty bikini hasn't made it to super stardom.)

The article shows a photo of Sharon and has a caption that reads:

Sharon plays Jennifer North, the doomed Monroe-like super-sex-star. But she wants to be a real-life goddess as well. Will she pay the same tragic price?

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Sharon's Love of Dogs and More Polanski News

I thought it might be fun to look back at Sharon and her love of animals.  She had dogs--poodles and Yorkshire Terriers.  She took care of many, however, over the years and we cannot forget all the animals she had at Cielo.

Here is some information on the breeds we know she had:

Poodles:  The Poodle, though often equated to the beauty with no brains, is exceptionally smart, active and excels in obedience training. The breed comes in three size varieties, which may contribute to why Poodle is one of the most popular breeds according to AKC® Registration statistics. Poodles can be a variety of solid colors, including white, black, apricot and gray, but never parti-colored.

A Look Back

The breed originated in Germany as a water retriever. The stylish "Poodle clip" was designed by hunters to help the dogs move through the water more efficiently. The patches of hair left on the body are meant to protect vital organs and joints which are susceptible to cold. The Standard variety is the oldest of the three varieties. The Miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting. The Toy Poodle was often used in performances and circuses.

The Poodle can accommodate nearly any size living quarters. His hypoallergenic coat may reduce allergic reactions, but requires regular professional grooming. The Poodle is an active breed and requires daily exercise.

For more on poodles: http://www.akc.org/breeds/poodle/

Yorkshire Terriers:  Yorkshire Terriers, affectionately known as "Yorkies," offer big personalities in a small package. Though members of the Toy Group, they are terriers by nature and are brave, determined, investigative and energetic. They have long, luxurious blue and tan coats. This portable pooch is one of the most popular breeds according the AKC® Registration Statistics.

A Look Back

Named for the English city from which they originally hail, Yorkshire Terriers were used in the nineteenth century to catch rats in clothing mills. Surprisingly enough, in its beginnings, the Yorkie belonged to the working class, especially the weavers; in fact, facetious comments were often made about how the dogs' fine, silky coats were the ultimate product of the looms. Eventually, the breed left the workforce and became a companion animal to families of European high society.

Yorkies are easily adaptable to all surroundings, travel well and make suitable pets for many homes. Due to their small size, they require limited exercise, but need daily interaction with their people. Their long coat requires regular brushing.

For more information about this breed: http://www.akc.org/breeds/yorkshire_terrier/index.cfm

Here is an interesting link I found to do with the Polanski Unauthorized sequel.  Please ignore some of the comments left by some about Roman.  (One comment even says that Polanski was friends with Manson?)  Sometimes I hear so much of this crap I have considered doing a day of "Getting the Facts Straight" to clear many apparent misconceptions up.  Here is the link:

http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/41088544.html

While we are on the subject of getting to the truth of things, I found a interesting paragraph written by M. James Jenkins an attorney stating this about the Polanski case:

Often times, as counterintuitive as it might sound, innocent people plead guilty to charges for which they are truly innocent to avoid the risks of extremely serious consequences if convicted after trial. Even if there were a 5% chance of conviction and going to prison for 15 years, or pleading to a probationary sentence, should one take the risk? It may be easier to say “no, not if I am innocent!” if you are not the person risking their freedom and life. This is a very interesting situation and case. What are your thoughts?

(For his entire article here is the link: http://www.floridacriminallawblog.com/2009/11/plea_deal_reneged_roman_polans.html)

However, much of Jenkins article relies on Samantha Geimer's testimony at the time, which to me--I think all the evidence should be taken into consideration.  For instance, whatever happened to the boyfriend who Griemer had sex with prior to Polanski?  Was he ever spoken to?  Was that ever even looked into? 

Sorry, it just seems to me that there are a lot of things missing in the case and that are not being considered by many who have commented and made arguements. 

I still think the case is really between Geimer and Polanski: if she was still having psychological problems or anything else then I would think something should be done.  But since Geimer has forgiven him, received damages and--last but not least--wants to drop this case, I think it should just be dropped.

A preview for tomorrow: Another special edition of our Photo Comparison of the Week!