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.
Der Trommelmann (The Little Dr
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
"Der Trommelmann" is a German version of the popular Christmas song, "The Little Drummer Boy." The song is about the story of the Three Wise Men, who bring gifts to the newborn King. The singer, a poor boy, has no gift to give, so he offers to play his drum for the baby Jesus. Mary nods in agreement, and the animals in the manger, the ox and the lamb, keep time to the beat of the drum. The boy plays his best for Jesus, and in return, Jesus smiles at him. The song is about the idea that even the humblest gift can be special if it is given with love and sincerity.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
I received word to come and see
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To see the newly born King
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To offer them to the King
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The sound of the drums
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To show our respect for him
When we come
On our arrival
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
Little baby lying in the manger
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I too am a poor boy with nothing of value to give
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing to offer the King
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
That is worthy of giving to the King
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
May I play my drum for you?
on my drum?
Using my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary gave her approval
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals kept beat with the sound of the drums
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for the King
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I played my best for the King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The sound of the drums
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Then the King smiled at me
Me and my drum
Just me and my drum
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind