READ THIS: Marlene: Marlene Dietrich, a Personal Biography by Charlotte Chandler Our Coverage Sponsored by Maine Woolens
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Except for her name and that she was an actress, I knew nothing about Marlene Dietrich prior to reading this book. It was such a treat to get the chance to get to know this film legend through Charlotte Chandler's efforts. I was struck by what seemed to be her over-arching commitment to her personal brand throughout her life, which is something from which we can all learn. In some of the first pages of the book, we are introduced to this commitment. We learn of the genius of her saving flowers from opening nights of certain shows so they could be showered on the stage after subsequent nights’ performances. Throughout the book, as we wind through her life experiences, we hear about seeming dichotomies between the glamorous film star and the incredibly “human” chicken-soup-making, USO dish-washing volunteer all supported her brand and her image. Supporting the troops was, to her, the right thing to do given the times, but also reinforced her image as movie-icon, desired leading lady and supporter of the cause. As summed up in one of the final pages of the book: “I think my mother would be proud of my commitment to what I feel is my duty to preserve Marlene Dietrich’s image, to being Marlene Dietrich. I feel she would be especially proud of my dedication to my discipline. I would sacrifice a great deal to protect the Dietrich image. I shall always do so.” (p267) Charlotte Chandler exposes a very intimate portrait of Marlene Dietrich. It’s a must-read for anyone fascinated with Dietrich, one of the icons and quintessential leading ladies of silent film and the early days of Hollywood.
One of my favorite quotes:
“I would give up my favorite treat before I would drop my standard for it. I would never lower my standard.” (p262)
Dietrich. The mere mention of the name inspires thoughts of glamour, sophistication, and worldliness. However, I never really knew much about the woman behind the legend. That is, of course, until I read Charlotte Chandler's captivating biography, Marlene, which provides an intimate and detailed portrait of the legendary actress. Chandler had the opportunity to sit down with Ms. Dietrich, herself, in the mid 1970s, and that interview provides the material for much of the book. Although Dietrich's career was mostly behind her at that point, she agreed to meet with Chandler, because Chandler hadn't known her when she was "young and beautiful," and therefore wouldn't be able to make any unfavorable comparisons to the 75-year old version of herself! Told mostly in Marlene's own words, the biography follows her from her strict upbringing in Berlin to her start in show business as a model, to her German film career, to her Hollywood success and beyond. In the interview, Marlene spoke to Chandler with refreshing candor about her unconventional marriage to Rudolf (Rudi) Sieber (though they were both the love of each other's lives, they had a very open marriage and each had extra-marital affairs), the very personal effects of World War II on her life and the lives of her family members, and a variety of other topics. Interviews with many of Marlene's friends and colleagues, including Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Burt Bacharach, cinematographer Jack Cardiff, and Marlene's grandson, David Riva, add color and depth to the biography and help to create a well-rounded picture of a truly fascinating woman. Smart, decisive, daring, sophisticated, and fiercely loyal to those she loved, Marlene Dietrich left an indelible mark in the world of entertainment, as well as in the lives of those who knew her. From start to finish, Marlene is an absolutely riveting read, and I cannot recommend it more highly!
One of the glamorous movie stars in the golden age of movies, Marlene Dietrich led the life she wanted. Without conforming to convention or traditional morals, Dietrich was extremely open about her opinions. This great book by Applause digs deep into the life Dietrich with interviews with the star herself. From the limelight to a recluse hiding in Paris, the star opened up to Charlotte Chandler in the mid- 1970’s. Not only does she share stories of being raised in a strict Prussian household but how that shaped her way of rejecting many conformities of society. You are treated to unique questions that shine quite a light on the life of Dietrich. Not only from herself but from interviews conducted of some of the people closest to her. This book is great for Hollywood buffs and those interested in how movie stars related to history. Especially interesting is her detachment from Germany before WWII and her choice in becoming an American citizen.
When I first started reading this book I did not know much about Marlene Dietrich. This book truly goes into depth about the extraordinary life she led. Charlotte Chandler is such a riveting writer of old-time Hollywood and kept me hooked the entire time! She is the author of many biographies of directors and actors, like Alfred Hitchcock and Bette Davis. "Marlene" is her eighth "personal biography" published by Applause Books and creates an intimate portrait of one of Hollywood's greatest stars. In the mid-1970s, Chandler interviewed the actress in her Paris home. The book is enriched by this interview and others Chandler interviewed with that knew the actress well. I like how she gives Dietrich's movies in chronological order throughout the book, weaving her work in and out of her personal life as she starred in those movies. This well written biography is incredibly fascinating to read and gave me such insight into Marlene Dietrich's life! I will have to share this book with my friends!
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Marlene Dietrich lived an extraordinary life, and in Marlene ($19.99), now available in paperback from Applause Books, Charlotte Chandler relies extensively on the star’s own words – and those of her closest friends – to reveal just how fascinating that life really was.
In the mid-1970s, Chandler interviewed the reclusive actress in Dietrich’s Paris apartment. Dietrich’s career was all but over, but she agreed to meet because Chandler hadn’t known her earlier, “when [Dietrich] was young and very beautiful,” and wouldn’t be comparing the then-75-year-old actress with her younger self. Marlene is further enriched by Chandler’s interviews with others who knew Dietrich well, including Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Burt Bacharach.
Chandler relates how Dietrich began her career in her native Berlin as a model, then as a stage and screen actress during the silent era, achieving stardom in The Blue Angel (1930), the first major talkie to come out of Germany, before moving on to become one of the brightest lights in Hollywood. Prior to World War II, the fiercely anti-Nazi Dietrich resisted Hitler’s flattering invitations to return to Germany and became an American citizen instead, later entertaining Allied troops on the front lines. After the war, she embarked on a second, highly acclaimed career as a stage performer.
Dietrich had a strict Prussian upbringing, but she refused to be constrained by society’s expectations. She spoke candidly with Chandler about her unconventional marriage; she and her husband both had affairs, each with the other’s consent. She even expressed warm feelings toward her husband’s mistress.
In Marlene, Chandler’s eighth “personal biography” published in paperback by Applause Books, she has once again created an intimate portrait of one of Hollywood’s greatest, most glamorous -- and this time – most reclusive stars.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charlotte Chandler, is the author of many biographies of directors and actors, including Groucho Marx, Federico Fellini, Billy Wilder, Alfred Hitchcock, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Ingrid Bergman, Mae West, and Katharine Hepburn, all of whom she interviewed extensively. She is a member of the board of the Film Society of Lincoln Center and is active in film preservation. She lives in New York.
March 20, 2012 $19.99 Paperback 978-1-55783-838-4
320 pages 6” x 9” 16-page B&W photo insert
Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, an imprint of Hal Leonard
