In the first of two episodes about the Manson Family’s most famous victim, we’ll trace actress Sharon Tate’s early years, her romance with celebrity hairdresser Jay Sebring, and the on-set affair that changed the course of Tate’s life and career. Plus: sex, drugs, haunted houses, Warren Beatty, and Steve McQueen.
Show notes:
The base list of sources for this series can be found here.
In the immediate aftermath of the Manson murders, much misinformation, rumor and slander about the victims was published as fact, so it can be difficult to sort out truth from fiction even today — particularly when it comes to things like sexual habits and drug consumption. My primary sources for this chapter were Roman Polanski’s autobiography Roman by Polanski; Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders by Greg King; and My Husband, My Friend by Neile Adams McQueen This 2002 story on Jay Sebring from the New York Times Magazine is a little odd, but it was useful for me to understand Sebring’s accomplishments as a hairdresser. The Warren Beatty/Shampoo stuff came from Peter Biskind’s Star and Easy Riders, Raging Bulls — books which cover the same territory in almost the same exact language at times.
Today we introduce a new special guest: Ram Bergman played Roman Polanski.
Episode Breakdown:
Intro: “Album Tag Song” by Dennis Wilson; “Modern Heavy Rock Guitar Top Line” royalty-free track; “Mellow Suspense Music” royalty-free track.
Jay Sebring and the Manson murders’ connection to Warren Beatty’s Shampoo: “Pacific Ocean Blues” by Dennis Wilson.
Sharon Tate’s early life: “Family Tree” by Jahzzar.
Tate’s teenage rape: “Crazy Raggae FX Guitar” royalty-free track.
Richard Beymer, Jack Palance and Sharon’s early ambitions to act; Tate’s arrival in Los Angeles: “Boulevard St. Germain” by Jahzzar.
Sharon Tate’s beauty, and insecurity: “OLPC” by Marco Raaphorst.
Sharon Tate and Marty Ransohoff: “Starlight” royalty-free track
Thomas Kummer becomes Jay Sebring, who revolutionizes hairdressing: “La Hacienda” by Apache Tomcat.
Jay Sebring’s taste for danger, living in Jean Harlow’s former, now haunted house; drugs; Sharon’s first big film, Eye of the Devil: “Piano Spa” royalty-free track.
Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski abortive early dates and acid trip: “Cylinder Six” by Chris Zabriskie.
Sharon and Roman’s acid trip turns bad: “Sci Fi Movie Sound Effects 2 Spacey Guitar” royalty-free track.
Polanski and Tate become a couple on the set of The Fearless Vampire Killers, Polanski’s attitude towards women: “Relaxing Piano Notes (Easy Listening Music) royalty-free track.
Sharon Tate breaks up with Jay Sebring, who insists on meeting Roman Polanski: “The Operation” by Morrissey.
Sharon and Roman’s idyllic early relationship: “Readers! Do You Read?” by Chris Zabriskie.
End Credits: “Pop Rock Guitar Rhythm Loop 3″ royalty-free track.
Outro: “LA Woman” by The Doors.