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! :)

New Vintage Translated Article: The Tragedy of Sharon, More Screencaptures from FVK, and More New Books on Polanski

Here is another old article I have gotten translated. It is from our great contributor Andrea!  Thanks so much for this!

Sharon Tate: Her Fate Dealt Death

from Manchette August 1969 (A Portuguese magazine)

It was a beautiful day when the Tate family were joined together to discuss the future of the oldest daughter, Sharon, who had announced the choice to become an actress. The father, Colonel Paul Tate, was against it. The mother, Gwendolyn Tate, accepted it. The two younger daughters, Deborah and Patricia, were divided between whether or not to support the sister but at the same time, wanted to respect their parents.  Sharon insisted between all this that her friend, the actor Richard Beymer, thought she had talent.  Shortly afterwards, with the permission of her family, Sharon Tate began the great travel of her life.  The destiny was success, which surely was near.  But everything happened much too fast.  Sharon--lovely, famous and happy--would become a character of a tragedy that no filmmaker could ever have imagined.

The sexy image that was fabricated was soon to be changed for that of a young mother.

It took little time for Hollywood to start applying the actress for success.  She was the American Brigitte Bardot and Marilyn Monroe 's successor.  In synthesis, a new star.  Fox spent two million dollars to promote her.  But this was not exactly the reward Sharon was needing.  Besides her career, her marriage to Polanski had a big influence on her.  The rich hippie culture of Hollywood would also be present in the final chapter of her history. 

Sharon in front of Paul Bern and Jean Harlow's former home.

A Scenario of happiness would lead to the sad tragedy.

The first meeting with Polanski might not have been stranger.  The young director was in London, preparing to make his film "The Dance of the Vampires"--for which he had not chosen the principal actress yet--when he knew Sharon was walking towards the studio, he looked at her in fashion magazines.  He immediately called the producer of the film: "This is no Hollywood here.  In my movies, I choose the actresses.  Miss Tate must go."  So Sharon left.  But within two hours later, she was called by the director.  Some months later she was receiving another proposal, this one of marriage.  Her life was running with the speed that young persons always pursue.  And happiness would come, after marriage with a baby to be born in September.

At her funeral, hundreds of young people and Hollywood stars went to the cemetery to say a last goodbye to Sharon Tate.

"She was a good person," the Reverand Peter O'Reilly said while she lay in her coffin at the Church of the Sacred Cross, in Inglewood, Los Angeles, opposite to the mausoleum where it would be buried within moments.  "What can we do to make this death have meaning?  We can try to create a better world, for which that this never happens again. Sharon, may the angels take you to Paradise, and the martyrs help to show you the way. " Many friends of the celebrity couple gave the ultimate goodbye to Sharon Tate, like Yul Brynner, Peter Sellars, Kirk Douglas, Joan Collins and Warren Beatty, and great number of other men and women. Inconsolable, Roman Polanski cried during the whole ceremony, he stood beside the mother of Sharon, Mrs. Paul Tate, and of two younger sisters, Patricia and Debra. They all kissed the casket, and each one deposited on her a rose.

Her are the captions by the photos:

This photo so dramatic since the murder of Sharon shows the fact that she was pregnant of eight months and a half. Standing (in the photo, in front of the studio of Fox) she was never so happy as while be preparing to become a mother.

When making "Valley of the Dolls" director Mark Robson said she had great quality on film and was going to be an terrific actress one day. But Sharon cared more about having a family and could care less about the quality of the movie, even though she gained much publicity and had originally had a definite impulse to become actress.

Wearing dark glasses, Roman Polanski cried for the entire length of the funeral and had to be assisted by a doctor. 

Beside the mother and two younger sisters of Sharon (Patricia and Debra), Polanski was comforted by his doctor, Dr. Peter Thomas. He was in Europe when the tragedy took place.

Sharon looks a lot like Catherine Deneuve here.

And here are some more screencaptures from Micaela:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/sharon+tate/omgxsharontate/Sharon%20Tate/vlcsnap-2010-04-03-22h04m30s112copi.jpg?o=4&filter=newest

Tammie, another wonderful contributor told me about this new book on Roman:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0313377804/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0V289AAMZXYV3Y3GEX5T&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

Here is another strange one I found:

http://www.amazon.com/BURDEN-BEING-POLANSKI-MOMENTARY-REASON/dp/0557142946/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2#noop

Has anyone read these books?  Any comments?

Photo of the Week and Alan Young and Rock Brynner talk briefly about Sharon

Here is our lovely photo of the week:

Hope you enjoy!

I recently asked former Mr. Ed star Alan Young if he remembered Sharon?  His assistant replied back:

"Sharon's appearance was almost 50 years ago and only for a brief moment.  Unfortunately, he doesn't remember anything worth noting except she was sweet and beautiful.  Alan wishes you good luck on your blog."

In addition, since Yul Brynner has passed on, I asked his son Rock about Sharon:

Actor Yul Brynner.

"Yes, my father and I knew Sharon and Roman well, mainly in London in 1968-9.  I can only say the obvious: she was heartbreakingly beautiful, happy and in love with Roman.

"Yul flew with Roman from London to L.A. when Sharon was murdered, and stayed through the funeral."

Yul's son Rock Brynner.

I also asked if his father ever photographed Sharon? He replied:

"I don't believe he ever photographed Sharon."

I'll still keep trying and let you know what I can find out.