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.
Laziest Gal in Town
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not 'cause I shouldn't
And you know that it's not 'cause I couldn't
It's simply because I'm the laziest gal in town
My poor heart is achin'
To bring home some bacon
And if I find myself alone and forsaken
It's simply because I'm the laziest gal in town
How these gals get money to burn
Every little proposition I turn down
Way down
It's not 'cause I wouldn't
It's not 'cause I shouldn't
And you know that it's not 'cause I couldn't
It's simply because I'm the laziest gal in town
The song "Laziest Gal in Town" by Marlene Dietrich is a cheerful ode to laziness. It opens with a series of excuses as to why the singer has not accomplished anything so far, despite acknowledging that she is capable of doing so. She then goes on to admit that her inclination towards a life of leisure is simply a result of her being the "laziest gal in town." The second verse alludes to her desire for financial independence, but she finds herself turning down every opportunity that comes her way.
The song may seem like a trivial celebration of idleness, but it actually speaks to a deeper cultural phenomenon. In the 1950s, when the song was written, women were gradually entering the workforce in large numbers. However, society was still grappling with the notion of a woman pursuing a career outside of the home. "Laziest Gal in Town" can be seen as a sly nod to this cultural tension, as it presents a woman who could be successful if she wanted to, but chooses not to. It is a playful rejection of societal expectations, a reminder that women are entitled to make their own choices.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not 'cause I wouldn't
I am not refusing because I don't want to.
It's not 'cause I shouldn't
I am not refusing because I am not allowed to.
And you know that it's not 'cause I couldn't
It is not because I don't have the ability to do it.
It's simply because I'm the laziest gal in town
I am just incredibly lazy.
My poor heart is achin'
My heart hurts because I need money.
To bring home some bacon
To earn some money for myself and my needs.
And if I find myself alone and forsaken
If I find myself without anyone to help me.
It's simply because I'm the laziest gal in town
It is because of my extreme laziness.
Thought I'm more than willing to learn
Even though I am willing to learn.
How these gals get money to burn
How these women have so much money.
Every little proposition I turn down
I refuse every opportunity.
Way down
Deep inside.
It's not 'cause I wouldn't
I am not refusing because I don't want to.
It's not 'cause I shouldn't
I am not refusing because I am not allowed to.
And you know that it's not 'cause I couldn't
It is not because I don't have the ability to do it.
It's simply because I'm the laziest gal in town
I am just incredibly lazy.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Manno
Brilliant song in an excellent Hitchcock film, ironically and wittily explaining why she didn't kill the guy herself! (You have to see the film). The acting is excellent all round and this scene with Marlene in that fabulous negligee is the cherry on top!
Vogelfrau 242
Can you tell us the name of the movie ?
John Manno
@Vogelfrau 242 It's "Stage Fright"
Vogelfrau 242
Thank you
Victoria Abigail Kennedy Lawrence
I can totally sympathize with her in this song 😅
John Manno
@Victoria Abigail Kennedy Lawrence ME TOO!!
Michael Mangold
Something tells me she’s not quite as lazy as she claims.
Frank Kafka
She was a military Daughter, she speaks about this order, everytime to be an General! So she did. 🐣
princessjoots
Oh how wonderful, I'd always loved hearing this song in her concerts but I had no idea she had performed it in a film!
John Brady
Dietrich is amazing. Cole Porter wrote it, but Dietrich made it hers.