Customer Reviews

Good Afternoon Miss Dietrich

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Brown's book is great!! In the summer of 1974 the author was an assistant in a small summer theatre group in Columbus, Ohio. Somehow, they got Marlene Dietrich to perform for a "special pre-season gala."
Dietrich was 74 and still wowing audiences with her sultry voice and charismatic seductiveness. Brown's book describes his personal experiences with the legendary performer over a three day period.
Amazingly, Dietrich toys flirtatiously with the lackey assistant throughout the entire engagement, while heaping verbal abuse on all other theatre personnel. Dietrich compliments only "Michael" as she affectionately refers to him, as she invites him to her dressing room for wine and cheese fetes. To the troupe's astonishment, she lures him onstage nightly after each performance to present her with roses, at which time she embraces him, kisses him coyly on the cheek, and invites him to share her bows and applause. It has a surprise ending, which I won't give away.
Brown wisely waited nearly thirty years to write this backstage tell-all. From the vantage of elapsed time, accompanied by thorough research, his account possesses objectity and insight. It's a quick fun read for all Marlene Dietrich fans or for anyone who would vicariously enjoy a proverbial "fifteen minutes of fame" in the spotlight with a legend.

I had the pleasure of being in a writers' group when Michael Brown was writing his tell-all book about the instant connection he had with the legendary star. His book is deeply personal and is a tribute to the deep connections that can take place between strangers. His easy-to-read writing style draws the reader into being part of the mysterious rapport between the old lady and the young assistant who is humbled by those three magnificent days.