Marlene was known in school for her "bedroom eyes" and her first affairs were at this stage in her life - a professor at the school was terminated.
Marlene enjoyed music and attended concerts. She was adept at playing the violin and piano. By the time she was in her mid-teens, Marlene had discovered the stage. Acting was to be her vocation. In 1921, Marlene applied for an acting school run by Max Reinhardt. She was accepted. She appeared in several stage productions, but never had more than a couple of spoken lines. In short, she wasn't setting the stage world on fire.
She attempted films for the first time in 1922 Her first film was So sind die Männer (The Little Napoleon) (1923) which was followed by Tragödie der Liebe (Love Tragedy) (1923). On this last project, she met Rudolf Sieber and married him in 1924. The union lasted until his death in 1976 although they didn't live together the whole time.
The remainder of her early film career was generally filled with bit roles. After being seen in the German production of Der blaue Engel (The Blue Angel) (1930) in 1930, Marlene was given a crack at Hollywood. Her first US film was Morocco (1930) with Gary Cooper, which was followed by Dishonored (1931). This latter movie had her cast as a street walker who is appointed a spy. The film was rather boring but was a success because of Marlene's presence. In 1932, Marlene filmed Shanghai Express (1932) which proved to be immensely popular, grossing $3 million. Once again, she was cast as a prostitute. The next film was Blonde Venus (1932) which turned out to be a horrible production. Her co-star was Cary Grant and once again she was cast as a prostitute.
During this period Dietrich had been typecast as a woman of low morals and she wanted different parts. Her chance came in 1939 in Destry Rides Again (1939) when she was cast as "Frenchy", a Western saloon hostess. This began a new direction for Marlene since it shed the previous typecasting. All through the 1940s, she appeared in well-produced, well-directed films such as Manpower (1942), The Spoilers (1942), The Lady Is Willing (1942) and Pittsburgh (1942).
Afterwards the roles came less frequently, perhaps one to two films every year. In 1945, Marlene didn't appear in any. She only made seven productions in the 1950's. Her last role of any substance was Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). Despite the lack of theatrical roles, Marlene still made appearances on the stage. However, by 1979, she was a shell of her former self. After breaking her leg in one performance, she never made a go of it in show business again.
Spending the last 12 years of her life bed-ridden, Marlene died on May 6, 1992 in Paris, France of kidney failure at the age of 90.
02 You're The Cream In My Coffee
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're the salt in my stew
You will always be my necessity
I'd be lost without you
You're the starch in my collar
You're the lace in my shoe
You will always be my necessity
Most men tell love tails
And each phrase dovetails
You've heard each known way
This way is my own way
You're the sail of my love boat
You're the captain and crew
You will always be my necessity
I'd be lost without you
You give life savor
Bring out its flavor
So this is clear, dear
You're my Worcestershire, dear
You're the sail of my love boat
You're the captain and crew;
You will always be my necessity
I'd be lost without you
In Marlene Dietrich's song "You're The Cream In My Coffee," the singer is expressing her deep love and appreciation for her significant other. The lyrics use various metaphors to convey the importance of their relationship. The first line likens the partner to cream in coffee, suggesting that they are an essential and complementary element that completes and enhances the singer's life. The second line compares the partner to salt in stew, suggesting that they are necessary for the entirety of the singer's existence, not just for the good times.
As the song continues, the lyrics describe the partner as the starch in a collar and lace in a shoe, two objects that are often overlooked but necessary for their function. The metaphors imply that the singer's life won't be complete without their partner, as the starch in the collar makes it crisp and the lace in the shoe keeps it tied. The song also mentions that the partner is the sail, captain, and crew of a love boat, emphasizing their importance in steering the relationship and making it work.
The lyrics continue to express how much the partner adds flavor and savor to the singer's life, which reinforces the idea that their presence is necessary for the singer's well-being. Finally, the lyric, "So this is clear, dear, you're my Worcestershire, dear" reinforces the idea that the partner is a crucial element of the singer's life, and compared them to a seasoning that adds depth and richness to the singer's life.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the cream in my coffee
You bring sweetness and pleasure to my life.
You're the salt in my stew
You add depth and flavor to my existence.
You will always be my necessity
You are essential to my happiness and well-being.
I'd be lost without you
Without you, I would feel incomplete and aimless.
You're the starch in my collar
You give me structure and stability.
You're the lace in my shoe
You add elegance and grace to my life.
Most men tell love tales
Many people speak of love and its importance.
And each phrase dovetails
But my words are unique and perfect for us.
You've heard each known way
You have listened to lots of expressions of love.
This way is my own way
But my particular way of expressing love is different.
You're the sail of my love boat
You are the driving force and direction of my love.
You're the captain and crew
You guide and accompany me on this journey.
You give life savor
You make life more enjoyable and interesting.
Bring out its flavor
You enhance the richness and uniqueness of life.
So this is clear, dear
I want it to be known and understood what you mean to me.
You're my Worcestershire, dear
You are the special ingredient that makes everything taste better.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEW BROWN, B. G. DE SYLVA, RAY HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind