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.
Marie-Marie
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Marie, ich glaub fast nicht daran.
Doch mal wird all mein Leid vorbei sein,
oh, wie glücklich wär' ich dann.
Ich denke oft an unseren Garten,
mit all den Blumen vor dem Haus.
Die Mutter ist schon müd' vom warten,
Marie, Marie,
wann kommt ein Brief von dir.
Marie, Marie
Für 2104
Die Bibliothek ist für uns offen,
doch ich les' nie ein Magazin.
Die Dichter schreiben viel vom Hoffen.
Mein bester Freund ist Hölderlin.
Die Zeit läuft langsam wie im Kreise.
Wir dürfen reden nur bei Tisch.
An jedem Sonntag gibt es Speißen,
und jeden Freitag gibt es Fisch.
Marie, Marie,
wann kommt ein Brief von dir.
Maria, Marie
Für 2104
Im Frühling sagt man, werd' ich frei sein,
dann trennt mich niemand mehr von dir.
Dann wird die Einsamkeit vorbei sein
Für 2104
Marie, Marie
The song "Marie-Marie" by Marlene Dietrich is a melancholic reflection on the longing for freedom and an absent lover. The singer expresses a certain doubt that she will ever be truly free, despite the springtime promises of liberation. She then reminisces about a garden filled with flowers and the weariness of her mother, suggesting that perhaps a bouquet of flowers would lift her spirits. The song takes on a wistful tone, as the singer reflects on her inability to read for pleasure and the passing of time that seems to drag on in circles. She mentions the hope expressed in the poetry of writers, while her confidant is none other than the German poet, Hölderlin. The days are structured with meals on Sundays and fish on Fridays, and the only time the two lovers can speak is at the dinner table. The singer yearns for a letter from Marie, and hopes that in the spring she will be free, so that she can reunite with her beloved Marie.
Line by Line Meaning
Im Frühling sagt man, werd' ich frei sein,
In spring they say that I will be free,
Marie, ich glaub fast nicht daran.
Marie, I almost don't believe it.
Doch mal wird all mein Leid vorbei sein,
But someday all my pain will be over,
oh, wie glücklich wär' ich dann.
oh, how happy I would be then.
Ich denke oft an unseren Garten,
I often think of our garden,
mit all den Blumen vor dem Haus.
with all the flowers in front of the house.
Die Mutter ist schon müd' vom warten,
Mother is already tired of waiting,
bring ihr doch bitte einen Strauß.
please bring her a bouquet.
Marie, Marie,
Marie, Marie,
wann kommt ein Brief von dir.
when will I receive a letter from you.
Die Bibliothek ist für uns offen,
The library is open for us,
doch ich les' nie ein Magazin.
but I never read a magazine.
Die Dichter schreiben viel vom Hoffen.
The poets write a lot about hope.
Mein bester Freund ist Hölderlin.
My best friend is Hölderlin.
Die Zeit läuft langsam wie im Kreise.
Time runs slowly in circles.
Wir dürfen reden nur bei Tisch.
We are only allowed to talk at the table.
An jedem Sonntag gibt es Speißen,
Every Sunday there’s food,
und jeden Freitag gibt es Fisch.
and every Friday there’s fish.
Marie, Marie,
Marie, Marie,
wann kommt ein Brief von dir.
when will I receive a letter from you.
Maria, Marie
Maria, Marie
Für 2104
For 2104
Im Frühling sagt man, werd' ich frei sein,
In spring they say that I will be free,
dann trennt mich niemand mehr von dir.
then no one will separate me from you anymore.
Dann wird die Einsamkeit vorbei sein
Then the loneliness will be over
Für 2104
For 2104
Contributed by Nora J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@paulobelomarconis6116
One of the best Bacharach arrangements written for Marlene. Very ingenious, poignant and powerful.
@RobSinclaire
Had not heard this wonderful song for years; how lovely and sad too. Marlene as a great artist and I admire her very much.
@LilyMarleneDietrich
Our international and cosmopolitan Marlene! The entire world celebrates her! Thank you, Irene :-)
@vintagehaynesflute
I’m in tears because of the lyrics and also the Haunting bittersweet emotional voice of the last goddess!
@vintagehaynesflute
So sad and yet so achingly beautiful!
@MarleneXtreme2
It`s indeed a very impressive song ! Thank you, for your kind comment, I`m glad, you do :-)
@spurdeswolfes2522
Die Antikriegslieder von Ihr, sind eigentlich die schönsten, die es überhaupt gibt. Und das auf Deutsch. Sie hatte ja eigentlich keine "Singstimme", aber --------- sie singt einem direkt ins Herz hinein. Ehrlich, das bringt mich zum weinen. Jedesmal neu.
Unbedingt noch empfehlenswert: "In der Kasernen" und "Sag mir wo die Blumen sind". Und das allerschönste: "Auf der Mundharmonika"
Wer sind die besten Sänger und Musiker ? Das ist völlig unwichtig. Die besten rühren dein Herz ----- und nur alleine darum geht es. Dankeschön Marlenchen ;-((( Ick lieb Dir dafür ----- für immer.
@trickortripslao8607
Fucked copyright!! It's unbelievable how hard is find this song in German!
I have found out it in a cd. The lyrics is so captivating and her talent..
Eternal!
@dg1726
Hermosa
@marguitar1
Delightful, indeed she is! :)