Share stories and discussions about Michelle Phillips.
If anyone lives in the Los Angeles area, Debra Tate will be signing copies of her book at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, where she will introduce a double-bill screening of Valley of the Dolls and Fearless Vampire Killers!
Valley is one of my favorite guilty pleasures and I'm looking forward to seeing it on the big screen.
I also bought the book. It gave a lot of personal insight about Sharon's character, which made the senseless violence that cut short her life even more sad and tragic. I loved what Michelle wrote about her.
I agree with your post; but, I was struck by what a great job the book does removing Sharon from the context of her death. Nothing epitomizes this more than the last pictures of Debra and Sharon at the Cielo Drive house during the moon landing in July 1969--a scant two weeks before Sharon's death. The last close-up of Sharon on page 269 is actually cropped from a photo where soon-to-be co-victim Voytek Frykowski has his ear up to her very pregnant belly as if listening for the baby's heartbeat. While breathtakingly poignant, the inclusion of Frykowski would have had the effect of jamming the stereo on "10" whilst in a peaceful, meditative state, bringing the crimes back to center stage. Instead, I totally forgot about the murders and just vicariously enjoyed the exciting life of a sweet, luminous soul.
By the way, I really like Michelle's stream-of-consciousness remembrance of her friend.
I just watched an episode of a History Channel show called Our Generation that focused on the impact the Manson Murders had on our culture and, to my surprise, Michelle (Good Lord does that woman never age?) is interviewed. She talks about being close to Sharon and the other victims and admits to carrying a gun in her purse after the murders. She is circumspect and sad recalling the time and events; but, she's also sincere and touching. Well worth seeking out if you have a DVR.
Thank you for the information. I will check it out the next time I'm on the History Channel. In other interviews I've seen /read over the years, this case affected many of the people close to Sharon, Michelle Phillips, included. Many people seem to feel that the murders marked the end of the Sixties. Okay, enough of my pontificating.
On the contrary, please pontificate on! Your observation was pretty much what the show's message was. Add the debacle of Altamont to the murders and you have the equation for the end of the counterculture sixties--a time of enchantment and gravitas never to be equaled.
As mentioned before, Michelle looked ravishing on the special. She, thankfully, has not effed-up her face with plastic surgery and proves that beauty comes from within and radiates outward. In that respect, she continues to be a pioneer.
I hope you can find the special. If you have satellite TV, try using their search engine to see if the show is scheduled again anytime soon.