For fifty years, I’ve been silent about my friend Sharon Tate. How weird to see her being played on screen... I’m not sure how to process the edge and wit of the Tarantino flick, but at least it helps transform gruesome into paradox.
Sharon was the least likely to be thought of in connection with that world, although she did make an odd choice having Roman as a boyfriend. He was so surly and almost always in a bad mood.
Most times, when he was around, I made excuses and extricated myself from their suite at the Chateau Marmont. I understood perfectly how he could make those horror movies—he spent so much time brooding.
It was an odd mix because Sharon was a beam of light.
Roman and I shared a very dear friend—Christian Marquand. They both wanted to see what Disney had concocted with their new ride, “The Pirates of the Caribbean.”
One afternoon, Sharon, Roman, Christian and I set out for Disneyland in a helicopter. Disney wanted to razzle-dazzle these European film directors.
Sharon and I were going crazy listening to the two men trash America, saying that Disney was a load of bull. “What a preposterous place.”
I looked at Sharon like, “They’re serious ya’ know,” and she gave me one of those shrugs like “Yeah... I know.”
When we arrived at Disneyland, the kind folks gave us the royal treatment, which was thrilling. I tried to entice them onto other rides, but All Roman wanted was that particular ride.
Sharon and Roman were in the car behind us. I remember turning to see Roman grinning like a little kid once the adventure began.
It was a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts... halfway through, the ride broke down.
“No!” shouted Christian, standing up in the boat, hands on his head. “I don’t believe it!”
The slew of insults began again. Roman hissing and Christian huffing and puffing—insisting on a team to get us out of there. It took several men and some time for them to wade into the water to rescue us. We literally had to walk the plank to get out.
I remember taking Sharon’s arm and skipping away from Roman and Christian. “You know we’ll be hearing about this for months, right?”
She burst out laughing, and so did I!