HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Marlene Dietrich

Source: TVR

Born on 27 December 1901 in Schöneberg (now in Berlin), Germany, sultry actress, Marlene Dietrich, had intended to become a violinist upon enrollment at the Weimar Konservatorium in 1919. But a wrist injury apparently made the instrument too difficult to play as a career, so she changed her focus to theatre instead. She may have appeared as early as 1919 in the silent film, 'Im Schatten des Glücks' ('In the Shadow of Happiness').

Bumming about as a chorus girl in Berlin's theatres for a few years, Marlene's first credited role in a major silent film arrived in 1923 as Lucy in 'Tragedy of Love' ('Tragodie der Liebe'). She had worked in numerous silent films by the time she made her first recordings. Werner Sudendorf at Sounds Like Marlene has her in session as early as 30 May 1928 in Berlin for 'Potpourri' ('Medley') from the musical revue, 'Es liegt in der Luft' ('It's in the Air'), which had opened a couple weeks earlier on 15 May. That saw issue on Electrola EH-146 with orchestral backing by Mischa Spoliansky. June 2 witnessed 'Wenn die Beste Freunden', also from 'Es liegt in der Luft', that a duet with Margo Lion backed by Spoliansky at piano released on Electrola EG-892).

'Potpourri aus der Revue 'Es liegt in der Luft'' Marlene Dietrich

Medley from the Review 'It's in the Air'

Recorded 30 May 1928 in Berlin

Part 1 matrix 4214-2 Part 2 matrix CL 4215-3 Electrola EH 146

Vocals:

Margo Lion / Käte Lenz / Ida Wûst / Oscar Karlweis / Otto Walburg / Hubert von Meyernick

'Wenn die Beste Freundin' Duet by Marlene Dietrich w Margo Lion

('When the Best Friends') From 'Es liegt in der Luft'

Recorded 2 June 1928 in Berlin Matrix 4231-1 Electrola 892

Piano: Oskar Karlweis

Music: Mischa Spoliansky Lyrics: Marcellus Schiffer

It was 1930 when Dietrich appeared as Lola Lola in her first sound film, 'The Blue Angel' ('Der Blaue Engel'), directed by Josef von Sternberg. This was also the first full-length talkie produced in Germany. Among other titles performed in that was 'Falling in Love Again' to see issue on HMV B 3524 and Victor 22592. 'Nimm dich in Acht vor blonden Frau'n' ('Be Careful of Blonde Women') saw release on Electrola EG-1170.

'Nimm dich in acht vor blonden Frau'n' Marlene Dietrich

('Be Careful of Blond Women') From the film 'Der Blaue Engel'

Recorded 6 Jan 1930 in Berlin

1 of 5 takes 4 issued on Electrola EG 1770 / Victor V-6088 or AM 2685

Friedrich Hollaender und seine Jazz-Symphoniker

Composition: Friedrich Hollaender

The international success of 'The Blue Angel' found Dietrich in Hollywood in 1930 to work with Sternberg at Paramount. Their first such release was 'Morocco' in 1930 with actor, Gary Cooper. In November of 1934 Dietrich recorded 'If It Isn’t Pain (It Isn't Love)' along with 'Three Sweethearts Have I' toward her last film with Sternberg, 'The Devil is a Woman'. She wasn't real happy with either song and 'If It Isn't Pain' got edited out of the movie, though later saw release on 'The Marlene Dietrich Collection 1930-62' in 2018. Marlene's first Technicolor film arrived in 1936 per 'The Garden of Allah'.

'If it Isn’t Pain (It Isn't Love)' Marlene Dietrich

For the film 'The Devil is a Woman' from which it was cut

Recorded Nov 1934 in Los Angeles w 'Three Sweethearts Have I'

'The Devil is a Woman' directed by Josef von Sternberg Released 15 March 1935

See 'The Marlene Dietrich Collection 1930-62'

Composition: Friedrich Hollaender

Dietrich became a U.S. citizen in 1939. During World War II she sold more war bonds than any other entertainer, also performing for troops with the USO. 'Symphonie' below was recorded with 'Lili Marlene' five days after the end of the war on 2 September 1945, following which Dietrich began to concentrate on nightclub acts for the next couple decades. She starred in 'A Foreign Affair' in 1948 which its soundtrack including 'Illusions', 'Black Market' and 'The Ruins of Berlin'. She recorded further versions of 'Illusions' and 'Black Market' on 21 January of 1949 toward issue on Decca 24582. Dietrich released her initial LP, 'Marlene Dietrich Overseas', in 1951.

'You Go to My Head' Marlene Dietrich Orchestra of Victor Young

Recorded 19 Dec 1939 Matrix DLA1912 A Decca 23140 (US) Brunswick 03045 (UK)

Composition: J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie

'You Do Something to Me' Marlene Dietrich Orchestra of Victor Young

Recorded 19 Dec 1939 Matrix DLA1913 A Decca 23139 (US) Brunswick 03045 (UK)

Composition: Cole Porter

'Symphonie' Marlene Dietrich Orchestra of Charles Magnante

Recorded 7 Sep 1945 Matrix 73032

Decca 23456 / BM 03609 Brunswick 82605 / 03609

See also 'The Marlene Dietrich Collection 1930-62'

Composition: Roger Bernstein / Alex Alstone / André Tabet

'Illusions' Marlene Dietrich

Recorded 1947 for the film 'A Foreign Affair' directed by Billy Wilder Released 30 June 1948

See the compilation 'On Screen, Stage and Radio' 1992

Composition: Frederick Hollaender

'Black Market' Marlene Dietrich

Recorded 1947 for the film 'A Foreign Affair' directed by Billy Wilder Released 30 June 1948

See the compilation 'On Screen, Stage and Radio' 1992

Composition: Frederick Hollaender

'The Ruins of Berlin' Marlene Dietrich

Recorded 1947 for the film 'A Foreign Affair' directed by Billy Wilder Released 30 June 1948

See the compilation 'On Screen, Stage and Radio' 1992

Composition: Frederick Hollaender

It was 1952 when Dietrich issued her best-selling title, a duet with Rosemary Clooney called 'Too Old to Cut the Mustard'. She was earning $30,000 a week at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas in 1953. Sometime in 1957 she recorded 'Kisses Sweeter Than Wine' with backing by the orchestra of Burt Bacharach toward issue on Dot 2128. Later that year she sang another live version at an unknown venue which didn't see issue until 'Universal Legends' in 2002. In 1964 she wrote the lyrics to 'Ich werde dich lieben' ('I Will Love You') with music by Bruce Welch. Further below, Dietrich was compensated $250,000 to tape her 'I Wish You Love' television concert in 1972.

'Too Old to Cut the Mustard' Duet by Marlene Dietrich w Rosemary Clooney

Recorded 18 April 1952 Matrix CO 47401 Columbia 39812 / DB 3160

Harpsichord: Stan Freeman Guitar: Mundell Lowe / Sal Salvador

Bass: Frank Carroll Drums: Terry Snyder

Composition: Bill Carlisle

'Kisses Sweeter than Wine' Live version Marlene Dietrich

Recorded sometime 1957 at unknown venue in Paris

See 'Universal Legends' MCA 112 265-2 2000

Bass: Frank Carroll Drums: Terry Snyder

Music: Joel Newman Lyrics: Paul Campbell

'Bitte Geh Nicht Fort' ('Please Don't Go') Marlene Dietrich

Recorded 6 Feb 1963 in Paris toward Ariola 40352 CU Issue halted by Dietrich

Multiple alt takes on 7 & 8 Feb toward issues on Barclay

See also 'Der Blonde Engel: Marlene 100' 2001 / 'Marlene Forever' 2002

Orchestra led by Burt Bacharach (arrangement)

Composition: Jacques Brel as 'Ne me quitte pas' 1959 Lyrics German: Max Colpet

Concert at Berns Salonger in Sweden Marlene Dietrich

Live on 19 Oct 1963 in Stockholm

See the CD 'Show im Berns Salonger' 2000

Orchestra led by Burt Bacharach (arrangement)

'Ich werde dich lieben' Marlene Dietrich

'I Will Love You' aka 'Theme for Young Lovers'

Sometime 6-8 Sep 1964 in London

See 'Der Blonde Engel: Marlene 100' 2001

Music: Bruce Welch Lyrics: Dietrich

'Where Have All the Flowers Gone' Marlene Dietrich

Sometime 1965 in London Capitol 72474 / HMV POP 1563 / HMV EA-4729

See also 'Myth and Legend' 1995

Orchestra led by Burt Bacharach (arrangement)

Composition: Bob Dylan 1962

'An Evening with Marlene Dietrich' aka 'I Wish You Love' Marlene Dietrich

Television concert taped 23-24 Nov 1972 in London Aired 1 Jan 1973

IMDb Wikipedia

On 29 September 1975 Dietrich broke a thigh bone while falling from a stage in Sydney, Australia. This effectively put an end to her career. Her husband, Rudolf Sieber, died of cancer on 24 June 1976. She made a last appearance in the David Bowie film 'Just a Gigolo' in 1978 before retiring in Paris largely confined to her bed. She rendered 'Just a Gigolo' twice for the film, having also recorded a version toward her final record release on EMI 1C 006-62 099 (A side to 'The Streets of Berlin' by the Günther Fischer Orchestra on B). As in the film in which an aging Dietrich lends counsel to young Bowie, now gone was her appetite for which she had been something famous: Said to be among her love affairs through the years were Gary Cooper, James Stewart, Erich Maria Remarque, Jean Gabin, Mercedes de Acosta, Yul Brynner, George Bernard Shaw, John F. Kennedy and John Wayne.

'Just a Gigolo' Marlene Dietrich w David Bowie

Excerpt from the film 'Just a Gigolo' directed by David Hemmings

Film released 16 Nov 1978

Music: Lionello Casucci Lyrics: Julius Brammer / Irving Caesar

'Just a Gigolo' Marlene Dietrich w David Bowie

Soundtrack from the film 'Just a Gigolo' directed by David Hemmings

Film released 16 Nov 1978

Music: Lionello Casucci Lyrics: Julius Brammer / Irving Caesar

Dietrich is found on record one last time making spoken introductions to a couple of songs on the 1987 album, 'Hermine', by German rock artist, Udi Lindenberg (Poyder 835197-2Y). She died several years later of kidney or renal failure on 6 May 1992 in Paris.

Sources & References for Marlene Dietrich:

New World Encyclopedia

Turner Classic Movies

VF History (notes)

Wikipedia

Audio of Dietrich: Internet Archive

Autobiographies / Publications by Dietrich / Chronological: