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.
Shir Hatan
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
kali ini untuk apa
Adakah hanya
menambahkan lagi sengsara
Luka yang lama
belum dapat aku sembuh
Masih berdarah
mengeruhkan warna hidupku
Namun jika kau datang ini
Untuk mengilapkan cermin kasih
Pastiku sambutmu dengan mesra
Mungkin jua akukan terlupa
Peristiwa pahit mencengkam jiwa
Tak ingin aku ke sana
Bersama kasih kita leburkan rantai
Yang membebankan hidup kita selama ini
Katakanlah rindumu
Aku sentiasa menunggu
Di pintu gerbang mahligai syahdu
These lyrics are from the Indonesian song "Kita Bertemu" which translates to "We Meet Again". The lyrics express hesitation and mistrust in meeting someone again, potentially an ex-lover. The singer questions the purpose of the meeting and if it will only add to their pain. They reference an old wound that hasn't fully healed and is still affecting their life. They wonder if this person is trying to fix things or just add to their hurt.
However, the singer leaves the possibility open that if the person is coming to "polish the mirror of love" and renew their affection, they will warmly receive them. They acknowledge the potential for forgiveness and the dissolution of the pain that has held them captive. They long to break the chains and burdens on their lives and say that they are always waiting for the person's return.
Overall, the lyrics suggest conflicting emotions and a desire to move forward, but also a fear of being hurt again. The possibility of forgiveness and renewal is there, but it lies in the hands of the other person.
Line by Line Meaning
Kita bertemu
We meet again
kali ini untuk apa
What is the reason for this meeting?
Adakah hanya
Is it just
menambahkan lagi sengsara
to add more misery?
Luka yang lama
The old wounds
belum dapat aku sembuh
I am not yet healed
Masih berdarah
They still bleed
mengeruhkan warna hidupku
clouding the colors of my life
Namun jika kau datang ini
But if you come here
Untuk mengilapkan cermin kasih
to polish the mirror of love
Pastiku sambutmu dengan mesra
I will surely greet you warmly
Mungkin jua akukan terlupa
I might even forget
Peristiwa pahit mencengkam jiwa
the bitter past that haunts my soul
Tak ingin aku ke sana
I don't want to go back there
Bersama kasih kita leburkan rantai
Together with love, let's break the chains
Yang membebankan hidup kita selama ini
that have burdened us for so long
Katakanlah rindumu
Say that you miss me
Aku sentiasa menunggu
I'm always waiting
Di pintu gerbang mahligai syahdu
At the gates of the serene palace
Writer(s): Z. Sahar
Contributed by Blake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@maysachar
Shir Hatan / Song of the Jackal
Lyrics - Moshe Sachar, composer- Yochanan Zarai
A beautiful lyric, Freely translated by me just for understanding
Ho ho...
What are the voices
In the night?
Ho
A jackal howling
Ho Ho
Why does the jackal
Howl in the night?
Because he is hungry
Ho Ho
What are the voices
In the night?
Ho
A child crying
Ho ho
Why does the child
Cry in the night?
Because he is hungry
@perspectives2024
Gorgeous Lady, Precious Soul. All in one. Marlene for ever... 🌹
@semsemeini7905
My grandmother adored her. Die Marlene she used to say. She admired her for being against the Nazis. Beautiful song. I went to one of her concerts in the 1960s.
@GoddesII
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
@MarleneXtreme2
Very emotional song, perfectly interpreted ! Marlene Forever !! I wish you love :-) Irene.
@leyahfredericks5565
Thank you, Itai for bringing this to my attention thru Facebook. Shalom.
@user-yw4et2wk5t
או הוווייייי לא ידעתי שדיטריך שרה בעברית....... מצדיעה לך ומצדיעה לביצוע הכל כך משכנע שלך גברת דיטריך..... יהי זכרך ברוך....
@meirwise1107
Berlin born Marlene Dietrich fought Nazism and performed in Israel as much as anywhere to rapturous receptions. One of the great ladies of the 20th century.
@MrTeddySPb
One of the greatest perfomances of the XXth century
@Poldark3
I love Marlene and I really like this song,my favourite.I also admire her for being against the Nazis,very brave and sincere lady.
@kimmylovesvintage3931
This woman is amazing! I love marlene!