The Greats: Marlene Dietrich
Born: Marie Magdalene Dietrich on December 27th, 1901 in Schöneberg, German Empire
Died: 6 May 1992 (aged 90) Paris, France
Occupation: Actress/Singer
Active Years: 1919 - 1984
1 Spouse/1 Child
Marlene Dietrich is known for a great many things. Some things people don’t know of today. For instance? In one of her first movies, “Morocco” (1930), there is a scene where she’s in a mans tuxedo (pictured above) singing. Not only is this shocking to the audience viewing this movie, but when she finishes the number she then kisses another woman on the lips! Now, if you know anything about that time period you’ll know a woman wearing pants wasn’t exactly a common thing to see in a movie, but to then show her kissing another woman? I’m surprised it wasn’t banned from all major movie theaters immediately. But Marlene Dietrich not only broke many molds that woman in her profession were forced into, she created some of her own. To me, she was her own icon. She is one of a handful of women who were able to transition, quite effortlessly, from the era of silent movies in the 1920’s, into talkies in the 1930’s. And although her accent might have caused many to doubt her staying power in America, that was proven wrong quickly by the movies she appeared in. They all seemed made for her. They showed off her talents in a myriad of ways. Along with her ability to act and capture your heart and soul straight away, she had a voice of like an angel, a “Blue Angel” to be exact. I only hope I get the chance to see more of her movies on TCM as well as own them someday on DVD as well. Now, allow me to share with you a few movies she’s known for, along with those I’ve seen, and can honestly watch over and over again, because she is in them.
Judgement at Nuremberg (1961), directed by Stanley Kramer
Touch of Evil (1958), directed by Orson Welles
Witness for the Prosecution (1957), directed by Billy Wilder
No Highway in the Sky (1951), directed by Henry Koster
Stage Fright (1950), directed by Alfred Hitchcock
A Foreign Affair (1948), directed by Billy Wilder
Kismet (1944), directed by William Dieterle
Desire (1936), directed by Frank Borzage
Morocco (1930), directed by Josef von Sternberg
Blue Angel (1930), directed by Josef von Sternberg
Have you seen any Marlene Dietrich movies? Which was your favorite? The ones I’ve seen above are in bold. My favorite of them all, that I can see every single day and never be bored by it? Witness for the Prosecution. If you ever get a chance, in my opinion, to watch this movie, do it! You’ll be glad you did!
