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.

You've Got That Look
Marlene Dietrich Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All I do, is dine with'm
And split a pint of wine with'm
Respectable as can be
Yet here's what they say to me

You've got that look
That look that leaves me weak
You with your eyes across the table technique

You've got that look
That look between the lines
You with your let's get more than friendly designs

I should be brave and say, "Let's have no more of it"!
But oh what's the use when you know, I love it!

You'll only kill my will before I speak
So turn on that low left hook that look that leaves me weak

You've got that look
That look that leaves me weak
You with your eyes across the table technique

You got that look
That look between the lines
You with your let's get more than friendly designs

I should be brave and say, "Let's have no more of it"!
But oh what's the use when you know, I love it!

You'll only kill my will before I speak
So turn on that low left hook that look that leaves me weak!

Overall Meaning

In the song "You've Got That Look," Marlene Dietrich croons about feeling weak and helpless under the spell of a charming but potentially dangerous lover. She begins by describing a seemingly innocent relationship, in which she simply eats and drinks with her companion. But despite their respectable appearances, others warn her that there is something more seductive happening between them. Dietrich then explains in detail the way this person looks at her, with a technique that communicates more than words can say. She acknowledges that she should be strong enough to resist this person's advances, but she cannot bring herself to do so. Instead, she invites the object of her affections to use their power over her, even though it will ultimately break down her will. The lyrics suggest that Dietrich is aware of the problematic nature of this relationship, but she is helpless to resist it due to the powerful effect this person has on her.

Line by Line Meaning

All I do, is dine with'm
I spend time with this person only over dinner

And split a pint of wine with'm
And we drink wine together as we dine

Respectable as can be
Although I try to maintain a respectable image

Yet here's what they say to me
People still make comments about my behavior

You've got that look
You have an enticing appearance

That look that leaves me weak
That appearance weakens my resolve

You with your eyes across the table technique
You use eye contact to captivate me from across the table

That look between the lines
That suggestive gaze that is not explicitly stated

You with your let's get more than friendly designs
You have ulterior motives and seek more than friendship

I should be brave and say, "Let's have no more of it"!
I should stand up to you and say that our relationship should end

But oh what's the use when you know, I love it!
But what's the point when you know that I enjoy it

You'll only kill my will before I speak
You will weaken my resolve before I even say anything

So turn on that low left hook that look that leaves me weak
So use that seductive gaze that weakens me

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FRANK LOESSER, FREDERICK HOLLANDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

cincotti

14y↑1

Great vid - wonderful pics, wonderful song ! Lovely Marlene forever !

Мартин Филчев

I am not Italian

gatabella3

14y↑5

Marlene had amazing, magnetic eyes. Lovely song, beautiful video! Merci, Fabrice!

Мартин Филчев

TheLadyMalfoy

14y↑2

Excellent video. :-)) You always find the most wonderful pictures and music. Marlene is always so intense and commanding, yet so feminine and sensuous. Well said gatabella3--MD's incredible eyes draw you in completely. I love her pencil thin eyebrows. I've been shaping my own like hers for some time now.