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.
Schlittenfahrt
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ich schmieg mich an dich
Und ich fühle dass du
Das Ziel bist am Ende der Reise!
Weisse Flocken weben den Schleier
Kalte Winde weben vom Weiher
Doch in Herzen brennt mir ein Feuer
Weil ich dich nur sehe
Und dem Tal tief in Schnee!
Du bist mir nah
Und du lächelst mir zu
Doch ich, ich weine ganze leise!
Ich halte dich nicht
Denn ich fühle dass du
Schon denkst ans Ende der Reise!
Traurig schreien im Dunkel die Raben
Lass den Schimmel langsamer traben
Lass die Illusion mich doch haben
Dass ich dich noch sehe
In dem Schlitten mit den Schellen
Und im Tal, tief im Schnee!
The lyrics of "Schlittenfahrt" by Marlene Dietrich speak about a romantic sleigh ride in the snow, where the singer feels comfort in the company of their loved one despite the cold weather. The singer knows that their journey together will come to an end, but they still hold onto the warmth of the moment. The image of the frozen creek and the snow-covered landscape add to the wintry atmosphere, but the burning fire in the singer's heart is a reminder that this is a special moment that they will cherish.
As the journey goes on, the singer becomes more emotional and conflicted. Despite feeling close to their loved one, they also feel a sense of sadness because they know the ride will soon be over. The haunting cries of the ravens in the dark add to the somber mood, but the singer tries to hold onto the illusion of still being in the sleigh with their loved one in the snow.
Overall, the lyrics of "Schlittenfahrt" convey a bittersweet moment in time, filled with warmth and love, yet tinged with the knowledge that it is fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
Der Bach singt unter dem Eise
The brook sings beneath the ice, a reminder that even in seemingly stagnant times, there is still life and beauty to be found.
Ich schmieg mich an dich
I snuggle up to you, seeking comfort and warmth in your presence.
Und ich fühle dass du Das Ziel bist am Ende der Reise!
And I feel that you are the destination at the end of this journey, making all of the difficulties and hardships worthwhile.
Weisse Flocken weben den Schleier
White flakes weave a veil, creating a serene and almost magical landscape.
Kalte Winde weben vom Weiher
Cold winds weave from the pond, a reminder that the beauty of nature can also be harsh and unforgiving.
Doch in Herzen brennt mir ein Feuer
Yet a fire burns in my heart, a passion and determination to see this journey through to the end.
Weil ich dich nur sehe
Because I only see you, the love and companionship that drives me forward.
In dem Schlitten mit den Schellen Und dem Tal tief in Schnee!
In the sled with the bells and the snow-covered valley, a perfect moment frozen in time.
Du bist mir nah Und du lächelst mir zu Doch ich, ich weine ganze leise!
You are near me and you smile at me, but I cry silently because I know our time together is fleeting.
Ich halte dich nicht Denn ich fühle dass du Schon denkst ans Ende der Reise!
I do not hold onto you because I sense that you are already thinking about the end of this journey, and I do not want to hold you back.
Traurig schreien im Dunkel die Raben
Sadness echoes from the darkness through the cries of the ravens, a sorrowful reminder that all good things must come to an end.
Lass den Schimmel langsamer traben
Let the white horse trot slower, savoring every moment of this journey before it comes to an end.
Lass die Illusion mich doch haben
Let me hold onto this illusion, this moment of happiness and joy, even if it is fleeting.
Dass ich dich noch sehe In dem Schlitten mit den Schellen Und im Tal, tief im Schnee!
So that I can still see you in the sled with the bells, in the snow-covered valley, a memory that will last a lifetime.
Contributed by Blake B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@parlophonman
Het is altijd weer verbazend hoeveel songs Marlene heeft opgenomen, en deze is werkelijk uitermate subliem,ook vanwege het begeleidende orkest ! Je hebt opnieuw je best gedaan om de passende foto's te selecteren ! Best wishes dear Irene !
@snoor28
Thanks for the upload. Such a fantastic song sung by a unforgotten legend.
@LauraSeabrook
Bliss! One of two songs I used to listen to a lot as a child.
@MarleneXtreme2
It`s indeed a lovely song !
Thank you, for your kind comment :-)
@gatabella3
Marlene looked gorgeous in furs! Love this song! Thank you, Irene! :)
@wka035
Marlene was toen echt op haar best. Zo mooi.
@bobfausz8751
I enjoyed the music. It was so neat that it was the tune from Oklahoma's song. "The Surry With The Fringe on The Top" Danka Schon!
@MarleneXtreme2
@parlophonman Ja, inderdaad, en niet te vergeten, ook mede dankzij, het uitstekende arrangement van Burt Bacharach ! Thanks for your kind comment, dear Daniel, much appreciated :-) Best wishes, to you, too ! Irene.
@MarleneXtreme2
@genia106 Thanks a lot,, dear Genia, I`m glad, you liked it that much :-) Have a wonderful weekend ! Warm Greetings, Irene.
@lolofeeful
Wunderschönes Lied.ich hatte es bisher noch nie gehört. Toll was du so alles ausfindig machst.......Danke dir, es gefällt mir sehr. VLG von Lolo