Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei… Read Full Bio ↴Marie Magdelene Dietrich von Losch (aka Marlene) was born in Schöneberg bei Berlin, Germany on December 27, 1901. Her father was an army officer who had served in the Franco-Prussian War. Because of his constant absences due to his army duties, Marlene and the family had to rely on themselves. After he died, while she was 11, Marlene's mother married Eduard von Losch and he adopted the Dietrich children.

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.

Too Old to Cut the Mustard
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics

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Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore

Once, I kissed a millionaire

Ran my fingers through his hair
The whole thing turned out pretty grim
'Cause none of his hair belonged to him

Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
(He's getting) too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore

Oh, you ain't gotta know where the big seat ends
Swore he was an Army Man
And he got dressed up fit to kill
In the uniform he wore at the Bunker Hill

Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
(He's getting) too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore

I entertained a necktie I know
The mood was high and the lights were low
He said "it's time to play the scene"
"But it's time to drink my Ovaltine"

Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
(He's getting) too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore

It seems that every man you meet
Wants to sweep you off his feet
Gals, before you do submit
Make him show his birth certificate

Too old
Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore
(He's getting) too old

Too old
He's too old to cut the mustard anymore

Overall Meaning

The song "Too Old to Cut the Mustard" was written in 1952 by Billy Hill and Fred Rose, and was popularized by Marlene Dietrich, a German-American actress and singer renowned for her distinctive voice and androgynous image. The song is a humorous look at the aging process and how it affects the romantic pursuits of older men. The repeated refrain of "too old to cut the mustard" emphasizes the idea that certain men have passed their prime and are no longer able to meet the expectations of the women they wish to court.

The opening lines of the song set the tone by repeating the phrase "too old" several times, setting up the pattern that will be continued throughout the song. The first verse tells the story of the singer kissing a millionaire, only to discover that the hair she ran her fingers through was not his own. This absurd situation is a metaphor for a man who is trying to hold onto his youth and virility, but is failing to do so convincingly.

The second verse continues the theme of men being too old to impress women. The singer recounts the story of a man who claims to be an army veteran, but who ends up wearing an outdated uniform from the battle of Bunker Hill. This image of a man clinging to past glories and failing to keep up with the times highlights the central joke of the song.

The third and fourth verses feature similar scenarios, with the singer encountering a man who still drinks Ovaltine and another who can't keep up with her sexually. The repeated refrain of "he's getting too old to cut the mustard" emphasizes the idea that these men are not able to live up to the expectations of modern women, and are therefore doomed to romantic failure.

Overall, "Too Old to Cut the Mustard" is a clever and amusing song that takes a lighthearted look at the aging process and the difficulties faced by men who are struggling to remain relevant in the eyes of women. Its catchy tune and playful lyrics have made it a popular choice for performers and audiences alike.

Line by Line Meaning

Too old
The man being described is too old