Marlene [Hardcover]

Marlene Dietrich (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Attansio's translation from the German echoes the voice of the actress, famous since the 1930s as the quintessence of glamor and beauty. Yet Dietrich herself and the intimates she writes about remain obscure in the narrative, despite some deeply moving images: she makes palpable, for example, her bewildered pain as a child in Germany during the World War I, experiences that contributed to her sturdy independence. And there is enormous pathos in her recollections of platonic friendship with her beloved Hemingway and with the doomed "sparrow," Edith Piaf. Dietrich writes of entertaining the allied troops during WW II, of her SRO concerts around the world and of her performances on stage and TV. She expresses admiration for Joseph von Sternberg, the director who starred her, an "unknown," in the film classic The Blue Angel. But only by indirection does the memoir disclose the personhood of Dietrich, mother of Maria and wife to the late Rudolf Sieber: "I've done my duty. I've assumed my responsibilities. That's all that counts for me." Photos not seen by PW. First serial to Cosmopolitan.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Dietrich takes pleasure in frequently pointing out mistakes made by her previous "biographers" (she always disparagingly puts the words in quotes), but while Hollywood memoirs have never been known for their accuracy, hers sets a new low standard. To give but two examples: she says (twice) that Ernst Lubitsch wrote the script for the film Desire . He didn't. She writes of starring in Rancho Notorious and then says, "After that, I made Manpower ," when , in fact , Manpower was made 11 years before Rancho Notorious. Shelley Winters's Shelley: Also Known as Shirley ( LJ 5/15/80) showed that an entertaining memoir can be written even with a blithe disregard for facts, but Dietrich also fails on this count. Winters's follow-up memoir, The Best of Times, The Worst of Times , will be published this July . -- Ed. Dietrich refused to appear in the 1984 documentary Marlene; she should have refused to do an autobiography, too.
- John Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 273 pages
• Publisher: Grove Pr; 1st edition (May 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802111173
• ISBN-13: 978-0802111173
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,376,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what you'd expect from Dietrich, January 17, 2009

By 

Myrna (Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marlene (Hardcover)

The best way to summarize the contents of this book would be to describe it as a compilation of words that attempt to describe Dietrich as she understood herself. It is rather like a journal in that she writes about her thoughts and opinions, honestly and frankly all throughout. There are no tell-all's, this is not that kind of an autobiography. Instead, reading this book will enable one to understand what motivated the woman and the actress, and what values were her priorities in life. It is very straightforward and often inspiring. There is much to learn here, and I can only say a belated thanks to the lady who was willing to share her wisdom and experience with a devoted audience.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous!!!, February 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Marlene (Hardcover)

this book was an awesome insight into the character of one of the twentieth centuries greatest icons. dietrich was a walking contradiction, and her own words show that... but it also helps to add a touch of humanity to an untouchable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book by a great legend, December 26, 2010

By 

Giavanni - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marlene (Hardcover)

I read the entire book in 1 day couldnt put it down. What an amazing woman so smart and whitty..for any one who wants to learn bout the legend herself and for anyone who wants to learn how it was and how it should be..going into the new year of 2011 this book is a reminder of how classy people where and hard working not so ghetto and lazy like now...love you mrs dietrich..and its december 27 ....marlenes birthday...happy birthday dietrich...