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.
Wenn du einmal eine Braut hast
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Der du immer sehr vertraut hast,
und Du triffst sie mit 'nem andern;
Lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern.
Wenn Du einmal eine Braut hast,
Der du immer sehr vertraut hast,
und Du triffst sie mit 'nem andern;
Lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern.
Was war man für ein Dummer
macht man sich Kummer,
raubt sich den Schlummer
Um so'ne Nummer.
Die Zeit heilt alle Wunden.
Man wird gesunden
In ein paar Stunden.
Keine Kleine bleibt alleine.
Wenn Dich 'ne andere anlacht,
dein Feuer anfacht,
In Dir der Mann lacht,
der sich gleich 'ranmacht.
Ja, ja in Liebesdingen
Muss man sich oft bezwingen
und denkt nur lächelnd dann:
Wenn Du einmal eine Braut hast,
Der du immer sehr vertraut hast,
und Du triffst sie mit 'nem andern;
Lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern.
Wenn Du einmal eine Braut hast,
Der du immer sehr vertraut hast,
und Du triffst sie mit 'nem andern;
Lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern!
The song "Wenn Du einmal eine Braut hast" by Marlene Dietrich reflects on the unpredictable nature of love and relationships. The lyrics talk about the possible scenario of a man being left by a woman he trusted and loved the most and the importance of letting her go. The first verse advises the man to leave the woman who cheated on him with another man, even though he trusted her. The following verses suggest that it is not worth the pain and suffering to hold onto a relationship that is not meant to be.
The song's chorus, "Lass sie wandern," which translates to "Let her wander," is a plea for men to let go of women who have moved on to other relationships. The tone of the song is melancholic yet empowering, urging men not to let their heartbreak define them and moving on from the woman who caused them sadness.
Overall, the song's message is a reminder that sometimes holding on to something that is not meant to be only causes more pain and suffering. It is better to let go and move on to better things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Wenn Du einmal eine Braut hast,
If you ever have a bride,
Der du immer sehr vertraut hast,
Whom you trust very much,
und Du triffst sie mit 'nem andern;
And you meet her with another;
Lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern.
Let her go, let her go.
Was war man für ein Dummer
What a fool one was
macht man sich Kummer,
Making oneself miserable,
raubt sich den Schlummer
Stealing one's sleep
Um so'ne Nummer.
Over such a thing.
Die Zeit heilt alle Wunden.
Time heals all wounds.
Man wird gesunden
One will recover,
In ein paar Stunden.
In a few hours.
Keine Kleine bleibt alleine.
No small girl remains alone.
Wenn Dich 'ne andere anlacht,
If another one smiles at you,
dein Feuer anfacht,
Stoking your fire,
In Dir der Mann lacht,
The man inside you laughs,
der sich gleich 'ranmacht.
Who goes for it right away.
Ja, ja in Liebesdingen
Yes, yes, in matters of love,
Muss man sich oft bezwingen
One must often restrain oneself,
und denkt nur lächelnd dann:
And then only thinks with a smile:
Wenn Du einmal eine Braut hast,
If you ever have a bride,
Der du immer sehr vertraut hast,
Whom you trust very much,
und Du triffst sie mit 'nem andern;
And you meet her with another;
Lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern.
Let her go, let her go.
Wenn Du einmal eine Braut hast,
If you ever have a bride,
Der du immer sehr vertraut hast,
Whom you trust very much,
und Du triffst sie mit 'nem andern;
And you meet her with another;
Lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern, lass sie wandern!
Let her go, let her go, let her go, let her go!
Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
marcello6878x
Sublime Marlene, sa beauté et son aura sont éternels.merci Beaucoup pour ces photos et cette superbe chanson.*****
Don Won
Two new songs I hadn't heard her sing there! A lot of pre-Blue Angel pics which I love also! Jesse
Antônio Augusto Mariante Furtado
A document! Great! I love it! Thanks for sharing. AA
Phil Voyance
Hummm super je connaissais pas ce morceau
merceplanella
@merceplanella thanks Irene for this amazing "misse en scene"! it´a very enchanting job! thanks again, merce
MarleneXtreme2
@marcello6878x Thanks for your kind comment, much appreciated ! Merci beaucoup, Marcello :-) Irene.
MarleneXtreme2
@GoldenMoonraker007 Yeah, I expected, you would, LOL !! The English translation, of the German title is: "If you ever have a bride" ;-) Thanks for your kind comment, dear Alan, much appreciated, as always :-) Have a great evening ! Irene.
MarleneXtreme2
@genia106 Thanks so much, dear Genia, very kind of you :-) Warm Greetings ! Irene.
MarleneXtreme2
@claire260957 Thanks very much, dear Claire, much appreciated :-) Irene.
MarleneXtreme2
@Oliveira062 Thanks for your kind comment, my friend, much appreciated :-) Irene.