Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei… Read Full Bio ↴Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei Berlin, Germany on December 27, 1901. Her father was an army officer who had served in the Franco-Prussian War. Because of his constant absences due to his army duties, Marlene and the family had to rely on themselves. After he died, while she was 11, Marlene's mother married Eduard von Losch and he adopted the Dietrich children.

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.

Das War Sein Milljöh
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aus'm Hinterhaus
Schauen Kinder raus,
Blass und ungekämmt
Mit und ohne Hemd.
Unten auf'm Hof
Ist ein Riesenschwoof
Und ich denk mir so beim Geh'n
Wo hast Du das schon geseh'n?

Das war sein Milljöh
Das war sein Milljöh.
Jede Kneipe und Destille
Kennt den guten Vater Zille.
Jedes Droschkenpferd
Hat von ihm gehört.
Von N.O. bis J.W.D. -
Das war sein Milljöh.

Dieses kleine Lied,
Das wir still Dir weih'n,
Will nicht, wie man sieht,
Literarisch sein.
Gleichfalls strebt es nicht
Nach des Reichtums Gunst.

Wenn es nur zum Herzen spricht,
Dieses Strassenkind der Kunst.

Dieses kleine Lied,
Das wir still Dir weih'n,
Will nicht, wie man sieht,
Literarisch sein.
Gleichfalls strebt es nicht
Nach des Reichtums Gunst.
Wenn es nur zum Herzen spricht,
Dieses Strassenkind der Kunst.

Das war sein Milljöh
Das war sein Milljöh.
Wie die Welt durch seine Brille
Ihm erschienen, Vater Zille.
Ruht im letzten Haus
Nun vom Leben aus.
Und der Menschen Lust und Weh -

Das war sein Milljöh!

Und der Menschen Lust und Weh -
Das war sein Milljöh.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Marlene Dietrich's song Das War Sein Milljöh paint a vivid picture of the singer's observation of children looking out of their dilapidated apartment building onto a lively party happening down below. The children appear unkempt and pale, but still seem to be enjoying themselves. The singer asks themselves where else they have seen this type of environment and lifestyle before. The answer lies in the next verse, where the singer describes the late Father Zille's "Milljöh" or environment. They describe how every bar and distillery in the area knew Father Zille, and even the horses pulling the carriages had heard of him. This was his world, his stomping grounds, and the place where he seemed most at home.

The last verse changes tone slightly, describing the "little song" that the singer is dedicating to Father Zille. They explain that it is not meant to be literary or to seek wealth or fame, but rather to speak to the heart. It is a tribute to the man who lived and breathed the area that the children live in, and who understood the joys and sorrows of its inhabitants. The final lines repeat the idea that "the joys and sorrows of humanity" were Father Zille's "Milljöh", and that even in death, he left an indelible mark on the area.

Line by Line Meaning

Aus'm Hinterhaus
From the back alley

Schauen Kinder raus,
Children are looking out,

Blass und ungekämmt
Pale and unkempt

Mit und ohne Hemd.
With and without a shirt.

Unten auf'm Hof
Down in the courtyard

Ist ein Riesenschwoof
There's a big party

Und ich denk mir so beim Geh'n
And I'm thinking to myself as I'm walking

Wo hast Du das schon geseh'n?
Where have you seen this before?

Das war sein Milljöh
That was his environment

Das war sein Milljöh.
That was his environment.

Jede Kneipe und Destille
Every pub and distillery