Her amazing career spanned six decades. Hard working and versatile, Dietrich acted in films and theatre plays; in Europe and Hollywood; in comedies and dramas. She performed in prestigious concert halls and on makeshift stages at warfronts. She also made countless music recordings, and even forayed into radio work and writing. Her personal life was just as interesting – if not more.

No wonder, then, that her story has inspired close to 200 biographies. I’ve only read a fraction of this (nine books, to be exact), but some of them do stand out. I’m really excited to share my collection with you, whether you’re a dedicated fan of Marlene, or yet to fall under her spell. 🙂

 

Marlene Dietrich’s ABC

Marlene’s first ever book. A collection of entries in alphabetical order, from as short as a sentence to elaborated musings spanning several pages. The opinionated actress shares her outlook on the world, alternating deep reflections with trivialities: human behaviour, psychology, showbusiness, fashion, favourite recipes, life advice… She’s sarcastic when discussing America and Hollywood, but reflects tenderly on some of her famous friends (Édith Piaf, Judy Garland, Burt Bacharach). She names Goethe her idol and talks with much admiration about Fred Astaire, Jean Gabin and Salvador Dalí. Though pretentious in places, and sometimes even absurd (“[smoking] keeps me healthy”), Marlene’s confessions make for a really entertaining read. Includes over 20 photos. Originally published in 1962 and re-released as an ebook on its 50th anniversary.

Ich bin, Gott sei dank, Berlinerin

In 1979, Marlene published her second book, the autobiography Nehmt nur mein Leben – Reflexionen (Take Only My Life – Reflections). An abridged version, Ich bin, Gott sei dank, Berlinerin (Thank God I’m a Berliner), was published in 1987 and subsequently translated into other languages. The one I read was the Polish edition Jestem po to, by kochać mnie (I Was Made to Be Loved), published in 1993. While ABC offers an insight into Marlene’s soul, this book can’t be described as a reliable biography. Although I never read the original edition, I heard that it’s littered with inaccuracies, like crediting films to wrong directors and even ignoring important facts and people. I didn’t notice anything like that. Perhaps such errors were corrected in later editions?

The Polish version has more than 300 pages, plus over 20 plates with photographs. Marlene describes her life fairly chronologically, from childhood, through Hollywood, war years, to musical career. She reflects a lot on her relationships with other film stars, musicians, writers and artists. You may be astonished by her criticism towards some of her own films!

 

Donald Spoto — Blue Angel: The Life of Marlene Dietrich

I stumbled upon this book over 15 years ago in a local library when browsing the cinema section. I was really getting into vintage films and Old Hollywood, and felt that I should learn more about Marlene (at the time, I knew nothing beyond superficial facts). Little did I know that it was going to spark a lifelong fascination. I have read it at least three times!

The book begins in February 1978 when Marlene was filming her scene for Just a Gigolo. It then goes back to the late 19th century, setting political and cultural background of Germany at the time of Marlene’s birth. From then on, it follows her story chronologically, detailing professional as well as personal life. Blue Angel is well researched (over 100 references), and offers more than 20 pages of black-and-white photos. Authored by a high-profile biographer, it is arguably the most reliable title on this list. If you’re yet to read a book about Marlene, this is the one I recommend! (Still available in print, and now also on Kindle.)

 

David Bret — Marlene Dietrich – My Friend. An Intimate Biography

One of only two books in my collection whose authors knew Dietrich personally, and the only one authorized by her. The sole condition was that it is published after her death. And so it was – in 1993, but this 2000 edition has an extra chapter.

David Bret’s friendship with Marlene began in autumn 1989 and lasted until her death in May 1992. During this time, he even curated one of her music compilations, also with full approval. Bret’s personal relationship with Dietrich adds depth to this biography, which really is an absorbing read throughout its almost 300 pages. There are also 16 pages of black-and-white photographs, many of them rarely seen and provided by Marlene herself. On top of that, she complements the text with her own words! Appendices include full filmography with credits, selected discography, and an extensive list of songs recorded by her. Absolutely recommended.

Eryk Hanut — I Wish You Love. Conversations with Marlene Dietrich

Dietrich spent her last two decades in a Paris apartment, running up costly phone bills by chatting to friends. Eryk Hanut was one of them. After getting a call from Marlene just days after sending her a fan letter, they strike up a telephone friendship that lasts right until her passing. Even though they never meet in person, their conversations are often very personal, if not intimate. They talk about love, sex, war, art, fashion, religion, afterlife… In fact, they rarely discuss her films or Hollywood in general. This very digestible book (only 138 pages) offers reconstructed conversations and reminiscences, plus glamorous studio photos, some of them autographed and dedicated to the author. Hanut also writes extensively about his own life, which makes it as much his biography as Dietrich’s. It is, nonetheless, fascinating, and devoted Marlene fans will love it. Long out of print, but well worth hunting a second-hand copy.

 

Paul Duncan & James Ursini — Movie Icons: Dietrich

Part of a Taschen book series dedicated to legendary actors and actresses. More a picture book than a biography as such. Consists of hundreds of black-and-white and colour images: mostly well-known studio portraits and stills from movies, but also promo posters and magazine covers. Most of them are accompanied by captions in English, German and French, and there is also a biographical essay in those three languages. At the end of the book, there is a list of highlights from Marlene’s life, and a list of films. Understandably, the book is focused on her acting work; any mentions of her musical career are kept to a minimum, and the text barely touches on personal life. A very accessible, informative book. Perfect for a novice wanting a quick introduction to Marlene’s career.

 

Renate Seydel & Bernd Meier — Marlene Dietrich: Eine Chronik ihres Lebens in Bildern und Dokumenten

With over 600 photos spread across its 300 pages, this book is essentially a photo biography, as the title suggests (A Chronicle of Her Life in Pictures and Documents). Reproduced are not only photos of Marlene, but also of people she knew and places she lived, plus scans of promotional material and other documents. These are captioned with excerpts from Nehmt nur mein Leben and ABC, quotations from other people, and reviews. The book describes Dietrich’s career as well as personal life, although not much her final years (it was released in 1984). Included at the end is a filmography and a list of stage plays with credits. Impressive hardcover in large format.

Alexander Walker — Dietrich

Another sleek coffee table book. Over 200 pages and 185 photos, some of them rare. The content is structured into three parts: Berlin, Hollywood, World Stage, each focusing on a different phase of Marlene’s career. It’s well written and supported with over 50 references, just as you would expect from a biographer of this calibre. His focus is on Dietrich’s professional life, leaving out many juicy details that you find in other biographies. The book includes a list of Marlene’s films and stage plays, which unfortunately is incomplete, as it came out just before her eponymous 1984 documentary. That aside, it is still a really comprehensive introduction to Dietrich. (Out of print, but second-hand copies widely available online.)

 

Maria Riva — Marlene Dietrich by Her Daughter

Written by the person who may have known Marlene best, it’s a promise of an accurate and intimate account. First-hand information and candid anecdotes make this book an enthralling read. Rich in quotes from letters, diaries and even personal conversations, it’s on a par with the best researched biographies. On the other hand, Riva’s portrayal of Dietrich as a narcissistic, self-absorbed movie star, controlling person, and – worst of all – bad mother, hasn’t gone down well with many of her loyal fans. Frankly, some of these anecdotes tarnish Marlene’s immaculate image and are a bitter pill to swallow. Often referred to as Maria’s own Mommie Dearest, it’s the most controversial and polarizing Dietrich biography. And the longest. At over 800 pages, this mammoth book may be too overwhelming for Dietrich first-timers, but hardcore fans will devour it with passion.