Customer Reviews

Marlene Dietrich

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

In this astonishingly honest biography of Marlene Dietrich from birth to age 73, her daughter Maria Riva reveals the truth about her mother as it contrasts with the sometimes embellished stories of the Dietrich legend. She does this with love, a sense of understanding of the needs of this complex woman, and with a surprising humor which is never deprecating. The resulting biography shows Dietrich in an almost heroic light--but not for the actions which have become part of her show-biz mystique. Her real life and her real commitments, many of which are far less celebrated, often prove to be more remarkable than the stories promulgated by the press.

Dietrich began keeping diaries and journals at age ten, and her daughter uses these and her personal knowledge to show Dietrich's life in three phases. The first part includes her family background, childhood, acting studies, early career, and decision to pursue a film career in Hollywood, and also incorporates her marriage to Rudolf Sieber (which lasted fifty years) and the birth of her daughter. In Part II, her decision to become an American citizen, help actively with the American war effort, and work tirelessly for the USO in America, Europe, and Africa shows a commitment to helping others that belies her cold, sexy image. In Part III, her postwar career in Las Vegas and on tour, despite her undiagnosed health problems, reveal her dedication to remaining a "goddess" on stage and in the public imagination.

Throughout the biography, Riva's honesty, including her awareness of her mother's faults, is always tempered by her respect for Dietrich's integrity and her commitment to entertaining--Dietrich, she says, was "the embodiment of other people's dreams." She details Dietrich's long love affairs with director Josef von Sternberg, with whom she made seven films, with French actor Jean Gabin during the war, and with Yul Brynner in the 1950s, along with shorter relationships with many other show business personalities, generals during the war, and composers and directors.

Though Kenneth Tynan once referred to the fact that Dietrich oozed "sex without gender," Riva pays little attention to the interest Dietrich may have had in other women, and to Dietrich's boast that she had slept with three members of the Kennedy clan. Her "inside look" at Dietrich as she grows older and keeps performing despite serious circulatory and cardiac problems, and her ability to share the "secrets" Dietrich used to enhance her image and hide her flaws, make Dietrich-the-Legend come to life. Written in an informal, straightforward style, Riva continues the legend despite her revelations--she just revises it a bit and makes it more realistic. n Mary Whipple

"Marlene Dietrich", a massive, tell-all biography by her daughter, Maria Riva, is a fascinating read about a fascinating subject. Ms. Riva had been writing this book for years, and it was understood by all (including her legendary mother) that it not be published until after her death. A "Mommie Dearest" book? Not really. Riva is in awe of her mother, and does have some affection for her, although it sounds as if Dietrich DARED people to love her. She was a very strong-willed woman, infinitely German in this respect, stubborn, opinionated, and even somewhat delusional. However, well into her seventies, she once peered at herself in her full-length mirror before going onstage, and uttered, "Look at her-isn't she frightening?" The woman had more than a little self-perspective to utter a remark like that. She probably just wouldn't tolerate it coming from someone else. Screen legends are human, even though they may not think so. They are flawed, under pressure to "deliver the goods" and "never grow old", and, in the case of an aging star legendary for her glamorous beauty, "never to become ugly". Miss Dietrich was VERY aware of this, and ultimately trapped by this. But back to the book. It is almost exhaustive in its detail, particularly Ms. Riva's fascination with her mother's self-discipline, scrutinous eye for detail and beauty, and opinions on everything, is fascinating to myself, as well as millions of others. Her disdain for her parents' treatment of "Tami" is well-grounded-they didn't sound like the most sympathetic souls when it came to "personal issues", so who is to say that she is an "ungrateful, self-pitying daughter"? There are millions of parents who AREN'T famous who are insensitive to "personal issues." I think that the critics of this book should realize that ANY book is written with the intention of making money, and that no one would believe a totally whitewashed account of "My wonderful mother". This book could be THE book about being a show-business legend and its effect on everyone involved. Miss Dietrich, in my opinion, was the epitome of "Hollywood glamor" at its divine best. One can see why Madonna, who is a genius at self-perpetuating and publicizing a myth, emulated her for a while. I don't think that she has Dietrich's beauty or class or style, but that's another story. I have been a Dietrich fan since my teens, (I'm in my 40s now), and I am still fascinated by her. I am also a little horrified now, after reading Ms. Riva's book, but I also had to grow up with the fact that screen legends are human, too-even that fascinating, forbidden orchid known as Marlene Dietrich.

Maria Riva's conversational style of writing makes this page-turner a very easy read. The author's honesty and compassion comes through over and over again. She clearly has mixed emotions about her famous mother, but in my opinion she did a yeoman's job in giving an objective account of her mother's life. Another plus is the way she anchors her narrative with brief, relevant references to historical events, such as the depression and events leading to World War II. The background information about Hollywood in the 30's, 40's and 50's is also nearly as fascinating as Marlene Dietrich herself.

While it's hard to believe that anyone can write nearly 800 pages about a Hollywood moviestar, Maria Riva has done it with intelligence and style. I feel as though I knew Marlene Dietrich personally and wish I could get to know her daugher better.

I don't know how many times I've read this book, but each time I find something new. No "Mommy Dearest" biography here (though many would argue), it is in fact a surprisingly objective look at the life of an screen idol and her impact on her only child.

Maria Riva takes apart the image of Dietrich and scatters the pieces for all to see: the dreamy-eyed daughter of war, the struggling stage actress, the faithful wife and mother, the awestruck protogeé of a tyrannical yet dependant director, the sexual manipulator of men and women, the screen seductress, the box office poison, the war veteran, the Las Vegas star, the alcoholic, the senile shut-in, the legend that lives on after her death...

...but I digress.

I find this book to be a bittersweet memoir of a mother who was a star to all and only all-too-human to few. Definitely worth at least one or two read-throughs.

I have read this book many times over the years and never cease to be appreciative for such an interesting and insightful and witty biography (and in essence, autobiography)!

You really get a sense of the 'fascination' of Marlene Dietrich - or I suppose you could say her sense of 'self-fascination' and how she projected her image and mystique onto others and how easy it must have been for people to succumb to it.

Maria Riva provides such a full-out and well-rounded accounting of her mother's life and personality - that it's practically intoxicating.

Tho' certainly, it is also provides a great 'warning' in terms of how to view this most 'celebrated' figure - and how dangerous it could be to your heart and soul and psyche to become too deeply involved or fall under the sway of this beguiling, selfish, suffocating, nurturing, romantic and ultimately, unknowable woman.

Still, after reading this book, who would not have liked to meet and spend time with this woman, this icon?

Just an incredible book!

And as noted in a prior review, Maria Riva certainly has an incredible memory for events and a gift for giving you the 'feeling' of a life so grandly lived.

I read this book expressly as a result of seeing Maria Riva being interviewed by Larry King. I never was a big Dietrich fan - prior to reading this book, all I knew of her was the caricatures. I love a well-written biography, though, so sought this book out after seeing the interview.

Maria Riva's story of her mother's life and hers as they intertwined is both a tribute and an expose'. Her mother was an odd duck (putting it mildly) and Riva doesn't shrink from any aspect of her mother's life and personality, "warts and all". She loved her mother before, during, and after realizing how different their lives were from other people's, and even after recognizing her mother's shortcomings as a person and as a parent.

"Dietrich" does indeed seem to have been a contradiction in terms - indisputably talented (which was also recognized by her colleagues at the studios), staunchly supportive of people she liked (when she liked them), but also bigoted, manipulative, and phenomenally self-centered. The fact that these qualities could co-exist simultaneously, and the way they affected those around her, is what makes the story so interesting.

Riva's writing style is easy to read. Chapters are well paced, and the story never bogs down in any one time or event. The fact that she was able to publish nearly 800 pages without belaboring any particular event is indicative of how much there is to tell. (Bonus - lots of photos!)

Who ever could write an objective biog. of their mother? Not many people. Considering the author's life I think that she does a pretty good job. It has none of the constant sniping of 'Mommie Dearest', and it records a turbulent life with many ups and downs.

I found the end very sad, comparing one's own image of the ancient and dying Dietrich with the glamorous, seductive star in the photos throughout the book.

It is not just an inventory of a life, it is a book on a relationship, and a lifestyle. It is not trashy, as many such books are, nor is it glowing with nostalgia. Can one not imagine how sad it must have been for the author to witness her mother's decline?

I was enthralled by this book.

Just two words: the least important character here is Marlene Dietrich, whom I worship. But she had this daughter, so brilliant, sincere personality and, in result, we have here a superb portrait of an epoch and many passionate personalities.

By far, one of the best books I have read in many years, and, in fact, the best, most compassionate biography I have ever read about a contemporanean artist.

But this is a wonderful work of art, not just a biography!

This is a sometimes hard to read book, as it deals with Dietrich's all too human side - the alcoholism, the lovers, etc. As I was reading it, I kept thinking to myself, 'What on earth possessed Maria to write such a revealing book?'

Even so, this is a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most glamorous and mysterious stars of the 20th Century, dealing with making movies, looking the part, and even the normal family side of Dietrich's life. Definitely worth buying - if only for the many stunning photos of her movies and of her life.

By Michael Keats (16/6/97)

This book gets stronger as it goes along, because we begin to understand how the relationship between Riva and Dietrich evolved over the years as the author had to become the caretaker of her mother. In the first half of the book, when Riva is recounting the "glory years" of 1930's Hollywood, she has a tendency to talk about her own fondness for egg salad sandwiches...not exactly interesting stuff. But as she grows up, her observations grow as well, and soon we are left with a biography that leaves Dietrich naked before us and yet endears her to us as well. She may not have been a wonderful mother, but it is still clear that Riva respected and loved her, and this comes through in the pages. Dietrich was a fascinating presence on screen and is an equally fascinating one in print.