Long overdue! I cannot wait to get my hands on this book!
SHARON TATE: RECOLLECTION by Debra Tate Foreword by Roman Polanski
Release date: May 13, 2014
Considered by many to be the most beautiful woman of her generation, Sharon Tate remains a fascinating pop icon and a poster child for the 1960s. What struck most about Sharon was her gentle nature and the sheer perfection of her face, but she was far more than just a beauty. The few films she made during her brief career, including Valley of the Dolls, Eye of the Devil, and The Fearless Vampire Killers, have secured her position as a Hollywood legend. Over forty years since her last film, Sharon’s spirit and charisma lives strong in the memories of those who knew her best, and her style continues to inspire the worlds of fashion, beauty, art, and film.
Sharon Tate: Recollection is a one-of-a-kind celebration of Sharon’s life and career, her influence as a fashion icon throughout the world, and in effect presents a sociological portrait of the 1960s—its youth culture, the sexual revolution, the rise of independent cinema, and Hollywood's changing studio system. In this impressive photo book, Sharon Tate’s story emerges through quotes and short essays—recollections—by her sister, Debra Tate, as well as by those who knew and have been influenced by her.
What emerges from these pages is a stunning tribute to an unforgettable life. Highlights include: A foreword note by Sharon's husband Roman Polanski.
An introduction and remembrances by Sharon's sister Debra Tate.
Previously unseen childhood photos from the Tate family album.
Original quotes and recollection essays written specially for this book by Jane Fonda, Kelly Osbourne, Bert Stern, Michelle Phillips, Patty Duke, Lee Grant, Elke Sommer, Joan Collins, Viva, Tony Scotti and Trina Turk.
Retrospective quotes by Truman Capote, Diana Vreeland, Richard Avedon, Dominick Dunne, Warren Beatty, Mia Farrow, Orson Welles, Barbara Parkins, George Harrison, David Niven, Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner and Kirk Douglas.
Rare and classic photographs by David Bailey, Milton Greene, Philippe Halsman, Shahrokh Hatami, Terry O'Neill, Peter Basch, John Engstead, Peter Brüchmann, Neal Barr and Jean Jacques Bugat.
Never-before-seen or published images of Sharon in the classic film Valley of the Dolls, digitally reproduced from their original negatives and transparencies specially for this book by the 20th Century Fox archive. Amazon Link
Add me to the list. Saw her for the first time in The Fearless Vampire Killers,which happens to be one of my all time favorite movies to this day. Thanks for telling me about this. Already on my wishlist at Amazon!
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
Kelly Osbourne's name seems out of place with that list of contributors. How can she contribute a recollection essay when she wasn't even born until 15 years after Sharon Tate's murder? Just seems odd to me.
I think they included her as a fan of Sharon's and the film Valley of the Dolls. At one time Kelly Osbourne had her bedroom painted pink and adorned the walls with framed stills from the movie.
I also think they included her to show how the film and Sharon's legacy is far reaching and encompasses generations.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
"Eye of the Devil" - Deborah Kerr, David Niven, David Hemmings and Sharon. Interesting tid-bit about that picture is that Kim Novak was originally the star.
In fact she was almost finished filming when she suffered a fall from a horse and could not complete the several key scenes her character was a part of so she had to be replaced by Deborah Kerr and all Novak's scenes were re-filmed. This was Sharon's official film debut, her manager Martin Ransohoff was the producer of the picture. Another interesting fact is that all of her dialogue is dubbed in by another actress.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
"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.'" - Claudia Cardinale
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
The book was finally released on June 10th and I just picked it up yesterday. It is such a beautifully designed and put together book that features many never before seen photographs of Sharon and many anecdotes and remembrances from the many people who knew her. I had no idea how many lives she touched. It is a long overdue tribute to one of the world's most beautiful women who was on the brink of stardom when she met an unfortunate end, but again this book that was lovingly put together by her sister Debra celebrates Sharon's life, not her death and gives a rare glimpse on who she really was.
I am absolutely in love with this book.
There's a website dedicated to the book run by it's publisher and you can order it from any major book retailer and it's also available as an e-book. SHARON TATE: RECOLLECTION - WEBSITE
The Wrecking Crew was the first film I saw starring Sharon Tate. It was on TV. I loved it and thought she was hilarious and gorgeous. I knew nothing about her. It was the days before the internet so it was a while before I new anything about her.
Of her other movies, I have only seen Valley of the Dolls. Love that film too.
You're welcome VeraCharles3. I also loved her in THE WRECKING CREW...it was a rare opportunity for her to show off her comedic talent. She was funny and adorable in it. xo
Updated On: 6/25/14 at 06:51 AM
The few films she made during her brief career, including Valley of the Dolls, Eye of the Devil, and The Fearless Vampire Killers, have secured her position as a Hollywood legend.
That's not why she's remembered. Most people didn't know who she was when she died nor are her films considered classic except for Valley of the Dolls which has become a cult/camp classic but not because of her. Rather, it was the manner of her death and by whom that has made her legendary and iconic after the fact, which the blurb doesn't even mention.
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
But the blurb stated she's a Hollywood legend because of her movies -- "The few films she made during her brief career... have secured her position as a Hollywood legend" -- which isn't true. I'm not being negative, just pointing out the inaccuracy of that statement.
That's not to say she wasn't beautiful or fashionable, but she wasn't a star nor are her few films considered classics. She had done some TV (e.g. recurring supporting role on The Beverly Hillbillies), and she was usually fourth- or fifth-billed in her films, which were not commercially successful nor well-received. Valley of the Dolls was her only hit, but that was panned by critics, too, and she wasn't the star.
If anything, she was probably better known for being Mrs. Roman Polanski, but he was just starting out, too, and had just gained some recognition stateside with Rosemary's Baby a year before her death. He didn't become a famous or respected director until the 1970s (e.g. Chinatown).
In conclusion, though Tate's beauty is appreciated nowadays, with exhibits of her photographs traveling the country and beyond, the sad fact remains that she only gained notoriety for being a victim of the Manson Family. Her films have nothing to do with her so-called legendary status.
Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
I have to agree with SM2. Her film career is not why she is remembered. Sadly.
Just to clarify: Yes, she was a beautiful woman. Her death is not taken lightly by anyone. But to refer to her as being a legendary film star is a bit of a stretch. Unfortunately, her place in the annals of history were cemented by her brutal murder.
Updated On: 6/25/14 at 12:32 PM