Original Article
Demi Moore’s memoir — now a top best seller– has more takeaways than an In n Out Burger on Saturday night.
One of the top revelations is that Moore, at the age of 16, had two dinners with director Roman Polanski after his conviction for having sex with a 13 year old in 1978.
Moore, who left a rocky home life at age 15 to escape a horrifying mother, launched herself into the acting world. She became fast friends with Nastassja Kinski, who was also a teen (17) and had become Polanski’s lover in 1975 after the death of Sharon Tate in 1969.
Moore says in her book:
“I went with Nastassja to her dance classes, trying to emulate her grace, and one night she took me along to dinner with Polanski. He tracked me down to invite me to dinner a second time months later, and I went with my mom. He was a perfect gentleman on both of those evenings, but he had been convicted of having sex with a thirteen-year-old girl. (I saw this dynamic all around me. Thirteen was a little extreme, but in my world, believe it or not, relationships with underage girls was the norm.
He expected probation following his plea bargain, but the judge saw it differently. Faced with imprisonment, Polanski fled the United States just a few days after that second dinner. He ended up making “Tess” in France; the film received three Oscars, and Nastassja won a Golden Globe. I was disappointed when she moved out of the apartment building. It would be two decades before we saw each other again—unexpectedly, at Elizabeth Taylor’s regular Sunday lunch. When we embraced, it was like a homecoming. We knew each other in a way that no one else could.”
There’s plenty more in Demi’s book, and I’ll pick a few more items next. But it’s definitely worth picking up for yourself and reading. I always fear a celebrity memoir will be like something to be parodied in “Celebrity Autobiography” on stage. But Demi’s book is captivating, to say the least.
26 comments:
Demi Moore is an attention seeking ex-"A" list actress who wants to be relevant and seeks attention. Personally, I find her annoying and have zero interest in her book. She has been all over TV and the internet doing promotions(sensationalizing)her book. Yawn. Pass.
I agree. Nothing important to see here.
Does it surprise anyone that Polanski 'hung out,' with other teenage girls. The wrong Polanski's were murdered that night.
beauders (testimony from his trial)
13-yr-old (that's right ... thirteen) Samantha Gailey testified:
After drugging her with Quaalude and alcohol that he “started to have intercourse with me.” Gailey testified. She also said that Polanski, 43 at the time, “put his penis in my butt” after asking her
“Would you want me to go in through your back?”
... and Polanski apologists start weighing in (3 ... 2 ... 1 ...)
The original article should've stated this:
Demi "launched" herself into the acting world by posing her giant, black, built-in bikini bottom for the world to see (and gawk at in sheer amazement.)
The article should have also shown pictures of her before plastic surgery. As a teen she was very plain with a big nose. The article also should have told how she smoked "spice," a synthetic analog of marijuana, with her daughter at a party and went into seizures. She's a hack.
Unknown said: " ... and Polanski apologists start weighing in (3 ... 2 ... 1 ...) "
In Europe, where Polanski's from, the age of consent is much lower than in the US, reaching to age 14 in several countries like Austria. But it's not so much a numbers game there as ensuring both (yes both) lovers are beyond puberty.
Our bud, Unknown, deeply manifest in the Puritan Ethic of which Europe fortunately never experienced, seems to paint a one sided portrait of what really went down but decades ago Samantha said it wasn't a big deal to her and forgave him for whatever people wanted her to forgive him for (her words).
Without parental supervision I could easily see a Demi Moore using everything she has to break into the movie industry (although not suggesting it came to all of that). But like Moore said, in reality even in the US back then (and even now) it wasn't a numbers game so much as mutual consent between the two involved.
"Celebrity Autobiography" parody....ha! One of my favorite shows in NYC. Had no idea it was a thing, or anyone knew of it, elsewhere.
I have mixed feelings about Polanski. One moment I think he is a coward, and the next moment I feel sorry for him. He is definitely not a Weinstein. I do not think his intent was to take advantage of his power. I often wonder what Sharon would have thought or said about his predicament.
I often wonder what would have happened had Bruce Lee been visiting Sharon on the night of the murders.
Orwhut said: " I often wonder what would have happened had Bruce Lee been visiting Sharon on the night of the murders. "
My guess is nothing. Recall it was already one guy and three women vs. three guys, four if you include the weenie gardener, and two women plus an unborn. The difference was ambush and a gun.
If you meant tongue-in-cheek then I'm not so sure Bruce Lee the showman would really be Bruce Lee the savior when facing down reality.
I was serious. Bruce was a great showman in my opinion. Whether he was a great fighter, I don't know.
I'm amazed her and Bruce's daughters have turned out normal for the most part. Demi is a train wreck and Ashton should thank his lucky stars he got away from her.
orwhut said...
I often wonder what would have happened had Bruce Lee been visiting Sharon on the night of the murders
Charlie, Tex, Pat and Susan would have been put away for 8 murders rather than 7 and Bruce would've died 4 years earlier than he eventually did.
Robert C said...
In Europe, where Polanski's from, the age of consent is much lower than in the US, reaching to age 14 in several countries like Austria. But it's not so much a numbers game there as ensuring both (yes both) lovers are beyond puberty
Well, it depends on the country in question. "Europe" doesn't really mean anything unless you are talking about a land mass. Russia is as different from Wales as England is from Greece as Poland is from Switzerland as Turkey is from Denmark. In some places, the age of consent was as young as 12. That was the case in Spain up until 1995. In the 19th century in France, at times it was 11 and 13. In Hungary, as long as the older partner isn't over 18, then it's 12. In fact it's interesting looking at the clauses and nuances that exist in most of the countries of Europe when dealing with the 12/13 age range. Certain factors like the Hungarian one are taken into account. Rarely will this apply to those deemed to be adults.
"Beyond puberty" is a somewhat nuanced phrase, given that puberty can begin at 8 or 9. So when you say "beyond puberty" what exactly do you mean ? Was Samantha Geimer in puberty or beyond puberty ? And if a girl or boy has been sexually abused before the onset of puberty and has become sexualized as a result so that they are sexually active at a young age, yet pubescent, while clearly showing immaturity, how much of their consent is truly consent, given that they may have been giving 'consent' before being pubescent ?
So one can see that the entire topic can open up a can of worms and explode in a minefield.
Furthermore, the laws where Polanski came from, if different, would be irrelevant to the matter of his behaviour because he wasn't where he came from. He was in a state in America and he knew he was breaking the law of the place he was in. Interestingly enough, from 1932 or thereabouts, the age of consent in Poland was 15 although if the minor was 13 or 14 and married abroad, sex with that person wouldn't be illegal because according to Polish civil law, a minor would become an adult as soon as they got married. Otherwise one became an adult at 18.
Samantha Geimer was not married or 15.
So whichever way one skins the cat, Polanski was knowingly flouting any law he had lived under, be it Polish or state American.
beauders said...
The wrong Polanski's were murdered that night
That's a bit harsh !
I know Grim it is harsh, but the damage adults do when they sexually abuse children is astronomical. Do you realize most serial killers were abused sexually as children?
Grim said: " Well, it depends on the country in question. "
Of course it does but it's not really suitable for this discussion to outline each and every European country's age limitations, past or present. The point was to make note the numbers game varies widely and with Polanski the legal nonchalance may have played a role.
Grim said: " "Beyond puberty" is a somewhat nuanced phrase … So when you say "beyond puberty" what exactly do you mean ? "
A woman and a man passing through puberty becomes very obvious. I'm not going to sit here listing the physical and auditory changes that occur. Samantha was technically two weeks from age 14 when the incident occurred. She more than agreed she was already past puberty at that time, had already had a sexual encounter (or more ?) elsewhere. You can see in the pics she has changed into a young woman (and would continue to do so the next few years).
Grim said: " He was in a state in America and he knew he was breaking the law of the place he was in. "
Did he ? As already stated repeatedly, it was always a numbers game rather than a legal one in Europe as well as the US unless the people involved were children - not sexually mature. The only time it was ever really addressed legally is when something happened that brought it out into the public forum. That's what Samantha's mother did, put it out there for sensational and lecherous entertainment involving a major movie director, enough cap feathers for all in the fight, plenty of money to be had in this melee, promises to continue indefinitely.
Grim: " So whichever way one skins the cat, Polanski was knowingly flouting any law he had lived under, be it Polish or state American. "
Well I don't know about *** knowingly flouting it *** but back then in particular it was always a 'wink-wink' thing *** everywhere *** as long as both involved were beyond puberty. He always said she consented. She has changed her story a few times.
Rest in Peace, Ginger Baker. You were legendary...
Matt said: " Rest in Peace, Ginger Baker. You were legendary... "
Same for Diahann Carroll. But surprised Baker made it to 80 given his heavy smoking to the end.
Robert C said...
surprised Baker made it to 80
You know, that was exactly what I thought when I heard he'd died. I saw a newspaper headline a couple of days ago saying he was pretty ill and I thought that he would be dead very soon. I never stopped to think about his age but yesterday, I remembered that although he was very much part of the 60s, he's one of the few 60s rockers {he'd probably swear at me for calling him that} that was actually born in the 30s, a bit like Cliff Richard. I'm amazed he made it to 80. That's a ripe old age considering the decades of fags and the time he spent in heroin addiction. And all that falling off of horses.
As a drummer though, he actually is in the class of 'legendary,' not a word I like using or one I use often. As wild as this may sound, I actually think he was somewhat underrated if one really considers his scope. His jazzy mindset and love of African tribal rhythms and his clever incorporation of blues {he actually made blues quite interesting, which few drummers did} meant that he was perfectly poised to be a major wellspring of influence at the dawn of psychedelia, jazz rock fusion, heavy metal rock and progressive rock ~ all at the same time. Though he was a crabby old sod {even when he was young}, his moodiness and cantankerous being made him hilariously funny even though he wasn't trying to be. When he says Jack Bruce's writing partner, Pete Brown, made more money from Cream than he ever did due to songwriting royalties, it shouldn't be funny. It should be quite tragic in a way. But the bitterness with which Baker spits it out is side splitting. Maybe I've just got a warped sense of humour.
Ginger baker, legend.
The issue with Roman isn’t the blurring of age related lines in terms of what’s acceptable in other countries versus the USA.
He put himself in a position of authority and used that authoritative position to make advances on young girls. Period.
Yes, there are parts of the world where that type of behavior is acceptable and the fact that he’s not been cast out speaks volumes.
Robert C said...
The point was to make note the numbers game varies widely and with Polanski the legal nonchalance may have played a role
14-16 is hardly wide and it is very much the point that regardless of what may have been the case elsewhere, it wasn't the case in California in the 70s, especially after the Manson debacle. It's without doubt that there was a lot of 'nudge nudge, wink wink, elbow elbow' going on and it's certainly questionable what Samantha's mum real motives were.
He always said she consented. She has changed her story a few times
How could he say otherwise ? That would be like Charles Manson saying "Well yeah, I did send Tex up to Terry's old house to wreak havoc." Not going to happen.
Has Geimer changed her story a few times ? If so, that alone should give pause.
I'll tell you what I find interesting. It was pointed out that she forgave him. No one forgives someone for doing something considered right or OK to them.
AstroCreep said...
Yes, there are parts of the world where that type of behavior is acceptable
Poland was not one of them.
GRIM said: " 14-16 is hardly wide and it is very much the point that regardless of what may have been the case elsewhere, it wasn't the case in California in the 70s, … "
Try 12-18 and that's pretty wide considering the extent and degree of transformation that occurs during those years.
GRIM said: " … it wasn't the case in California in the 70s, …"
I don't think Polanski began to read the State law books when he arrived in California.
GRIM said: " How could he say otherwise ? "
Or if he is sincere, how could he express such and not be cursed no matter ?
GRIM said: " I'll tell you what I find interesting. It was pointed out that she forgave him. No one forgives someone for doing something considered right or OK to them. "
Her mother was the primary one defining what was what. She never said she disliked any of it except the sodomy. In fact, she never objected to trying it but once it started she told him to stop but he was already too excited to do so (she also mentioned once she said no to the proposal but some feel that was mother-coaching).
The forgiveness of which she speaks addresses that plus the Svengali aspect of age difference and perceptions of power and control.
GRIM said: " Poland was not one of them."
Sure it was and is.
Robert C said...
Try 12-18 and that's pretty wide considering the extent and degree of transformation that occurs during those years
12 was very rare but more importantly is the fact that Europe does not and never has operated as one unified mind. To a large extent, that's been the history of Europe. Furthermore, whatever may be happening with laws in one country is by no means commonly known in another.
I don't think Polanski began to read the State law books when he arrived in California
Probably not but you're going to have a hard time convincing me that he was not aware of the concept of 'jailbait,' particularly moving in Hollywood circles. He did, after all, live in Cali for 10 years.
She never said she disliked any of it except the sodomy. In fact, she never objected to trying it but once it started she told him to stop but he was already too excited to do so (she also mentioned once she said no to the proposal but some feel that was mother-coaching)
"Some feel it was mother coaching."
"She told him to stop but he was already too excited to do so."
"She never said she disliked any of it except the sodomy."
It seems like no matter what objections Samantha Geimer may have raised, either before, during or after, her words are to be treated with doubt, suspicion and scorn and that poor Roman is actually the real victim here.
Sure it was and is
You can look it up for yourself if you don't believe what I posted earlier. The age of consent in Poland in Polanski's time there was 15. Let's face it, Polanski eventually pled to unlawful sex with a minor. His defence, even when reluctant to cop to anything was never "I didn't know !"
Her mother was the primary one defining what was what
And sometimes that's what a parent has to do. Just because the child in question {even if they are nearly 14 and doing adult things} doesn't consider something to be wrong/dodgy/suspect doesn't make it so. Sylvester the singer was having sex from the age of 8 with an older man and he always said it was consensual, never regarded it as abuse in any way. Was it ? Maybe it's a result of some of the high profile {and come to think of it, the more non high profile} cases of sexual abuse in the UK that have ended up with perpetrators ending up in jail where the accuser has said that at the time, they did not know what was happening was wrong but nonetheless went ahead with it, that I see some of these kind of cases as more than just a matter of "the age of consent being this here or that there." Even some of the leading advocates of a lowering of the various ages in consent say that they don't think adults and children should be having sex; they see it more as a case of, if people under the age of consent are sexually active with each other or someone close to the AOC is with someone just under it, they shouldn't be criminalized because of it.
I wouldn't have locked Polanski up for 50 years though. That was extreme and that's primarily why he fled.
Technically Polanski was born in France and I think that was he fled there when he left the United States. His parents returned to Poland in time to become victims of the holocaust. Polanski then left Poland when the holocaust ended. Does anyone know the age of consent in France?
It's 15. It went to 15 from 13 in 1945. Roman was 12 at the time.
Polanski left France when he was 3 and didn't leave Poland until the early 60s when he was almost 30.
Grim said: " 12 was very rare but more importantly is the fact that Europe does not and never has operated as one unified mind. "
I think we may be talking past each other now because my meaning with the 12-18 thing is the dubious age of consent throughout Europe varies widely not only over time but even today. I say dubious because they are and have always been 'soft' laws enforced, as I mentioned before, only under notorious circumstances like in the case of rape and THEN if one of the participants is underage, slap on the jailbait law for good measure.
Grim said: " Probably not but you're going to have a hard time convincing me that he was not aware of the concept of 'jailbait,' particularly moving in Hollywood circles. "
Again the laws are soft here too and in the 60's all the powerful people were doing it in 'Hollywood'. Probably still are today but back in the 60's if you were to point out to a friend the 'other' person may be underage you'd receive a hearty, "Bwaa-ha-ha-ha".
Grim said: " It seems like no matter what objections Samantha Geimer may have raised, either before, during or after, her words are to be treated with doubt, suspicion and scorn and that poor Roman is actually the real victim here. "
You're pulling it out of context to present a leading suggestion.
Grim said: " Let's face it, Polanski eventually pled to unlawful sex with a minor. "
There's no doubt of that - never was. He was doing what all the other guys were doing, got exposed and wow was he surprised. Thought he could cut a 'wink-wink' deal and when the wacky judge hinted otherwise, left. Neither US Customs nor the FBI tried to stop him. Ditto where he went.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Polanski_sexual_abuse_case
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