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.
Miss Otis Regrets
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
She is sorry to be delayed,
but last evening down in Lover's Lane she strayed, madam,
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone, madam,
She ran to the man who had led her so far astray,
And from under her velvet gown,
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail, madam,
They strung her upon the old willow across the way,
And the moment before she died,
She lifted up her lovely head and cried, madam
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today
At first glance, Marlene Dietrich's song "Miss Otis Regrets" may appear to be a simple excuse for skipping out on a lunch date. However, upon closer inspection, the lyrics tell a much darker story. The eponymous character, Miss Otis, is unable to make her lunch appointment due to being detained in jail. The reason for her arrest is gradually revealed through the song's verses. Miss Otis had strayed to Lover's Lane with a man, only to discover that her feelings were unrequited. In a fit of despair and anger, she draws a gun from under her velvet gown and shoots her lover. The punishment for her crime is brutal - a lynch mob drags her from jail and hangs her from a nearby tree. As she dies, Miss Otis expresses her final regret at not being able to keep her lunch date.
Line by Line Meaning
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today, madam,
Miss Otis apologizes for not being able to join for lunch today, ma'am.
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
Miss Otis is sorry but she cannot come for lunch today.
She is sorry to be delayed, but last evening down in Lover's Lane she strayed, madam,
She is apologizing for being late because yesterday she went to Lover's Lane and got delayed.
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
Miss Otis apologizes again for not being able to come for lunch today.
When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone, madam,
When Miss Otis realized that her love was not true and her hopes were shattered, ma'am,
She ran to the man who had led her so far astray,
She went to see the man who had misled her.
And from under her velvet gown, she drew a gun and shot her love down, madam,
Miss Otis pulled out a gun from under her dress and shot her lover, ma'am.
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
Miss Otis reiterates her apology for not being able to come for lunch today.
When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail, madam,
When the crowd came to take her from jail, ma'am,
They strung her upon the old willow across the way,
They hung her from an old willow tree on the road.
And the moment before she died, she lifted up her lovely head and cried, madam
Before dying, Miss Otis lifted her head gracefully and cried out, ma'am.
Miss Otis regrets, she's unable to lunch today.
Miss Otis, almost as a final word, apologizes again for being unable to come for lunch today.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Streif
Thank you, Terry! What a gem!
Denis Alarie
Very beautifully performed!
june grant
A great artist.Such meaningful words.! ⭐❤️
Stan Gondzar
IF SHE NEVER did another thing ! Shes a SUPERSTAR FROM TOP OF HER HAIR TO LAST PELT ON THAT FABULOUS FUR AND THE DRESS IS AMAZING ! SHE HAD HER STANCE AND NEVER FALTERED!! THATS A SUPERSTAR!!! FLAWESS PROFORMANCE
Leon b2
thank you, Terry! it's absolutely beautiful!
Rocco Reyna
OMG this rendition is beautiful...the only version I've ever heard was that of Bette Midler which I love...but this is very special!!!
ALAN GRANVILLE
Please Rocco try Ella Fitzgeralds version which is also sublime-what a great song
Rocco Reyna
@ALAN GRANVILLE will do...thanks for the recommendation
Boraś MARLENA
Marlene mam nadzieję ,że cię niebawem spotkam. Kocham cię bardzo.
Rudi Polt
Fine Song Marlene Aloha from Hawaii