Marlene Dietrich's Beverly Hills Mansion: Then and Now

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[Update: Thanks to Joseph's research  we've been able to identify Marlene's address in 1935 as 913 North Bedford Drive in Beverly Hills. See the comments section, below,  for more info.]

Let the tour begin ! 

(Click on any of the images to enlarge.)

Marlene lounges in the Sun Room, with its two-tone lacquered floors, a jungle mural by Charles Baskerville and moderne furnishings (including a mirrored backgammon table, white leather seating and animal print rugs).

Is Dietrich Through? (2/2)

In their January 1933 edition the fan magazine, Photoplay, published an exclusive interview with Marlene by Ruth Biery. Dietrich's "startling statements" promised to answer the questions that "kept the public and studios agog". (We presented Part One of the interview on Monday.)

PART TWO: AN UNDERSTANDING HUSBAND

Her American life has not been happy. Her first year -- Mrs Von Sternberg's suit for alienation of affections. The suit was understandable from an wholly American viewpoint -- it was completely a puzzle from Marlene's European one. She had a husband. He understood. Why should not Mr Von Sternberg's wife do the same? she reasoned. Incidentally, I have known both Marlene and Von Sternberg since she first came and I have always said both in print and in person that Marlene's devotion has always been as she now explains it.


A mental and, to her, common sense one. Then -- the fight on "Blonde Venus". Von Sternberg did not want to direct it. The studio wished to make the story saccharine. He bolted. Richard Wallace was assigned as director. She bolted. You now know why. Von Sternberg really went back and directed that picture for the sake of Marlene. He hated it then -- he hates it now. And no man can do a truly great picture with a story which he hates.

And then -- the kidnapping threats for her baby. Any description of her suffering would sound like an exaggeration. That Marlene Dietrich has a mother complex, no American would question. To her, the extend of her love is is only as natural as her refusal to be directed by any man other than the one who bridged the screen chasm for her. The letters she received were made up of words clipped from newspapers to avoid trace of handwriting. People said it was a joke.

They continued for six weeks. Each new letter showed a new knowledge of her movements. Why had she hired detectives? Why had she taken her child to such and such a place the day before? Marlene Dietrich was close to a mad woman. Neither she nor her child even now stir in the open today without armed guards.

The bars on the windows of her home are inches thick.

Is Dietrich Through? (1/2)

In their January 1933 edition the fan magazine, Photoplay, published an exclusive interview with Marlene by Ruth Biery. Dietrich's "startling statements" promised to answer the questions that "kept the public and studios agog".

PART ONE: "PLEASE MAKE MR VON STERNBERG DO IT"

HOLLYWOOD is eagerly discussing Marlene Dietrich and her problems.


Her contract with Paramount is finished in February. Will she re-sign? Will she make pictures with other directors than Von Sternberg? Will she remain in this country or return to Europe as has been rumoured? That Maurice Chevalier gossip? What was behind the seeming unfriendliness between herself and Von Sternberg?

What was ll that fuss about the kidnapping of her daughter? Was this just another publicity racket?

Literally hundreds of curious, anxious questions.

Marlene has not granted an interview for seven months.

She has remained isolated behind her forbidden guard of nine detectives. Yes, I said NINE. Neither Marlene nor her daughter has moved without the protection of armed guards for many, many weeks. She had added what threatened to be an indefinite silence to her well-managed defense.

But now she has broken that silence. "It is right that the American people who have been kind enough to see my pictures should know and understand. It is right that I, myself, should tell them."

Banton. Dietrich. Angel.

The MDCB reported in their latest newsletter about the sale (by Christie's) of a collection of Travis Banton costume designs for Marlene.

The sketch for Marlene's famous "million grains of golden caviar" dress from Angel fetched $ 10 000. The other sketches offered in the auction included Banton's design for the "Hot Voodoo" number from Blonde Venus.


In 2011 we reported about an earlier sale, which included Banton's designs for The Scarlet Empress. One of these is now housed in the AMPAS' Margaret Herrick Library Production Art collection.


At their website, they have an interesting interview with Adele Balkan, from their Oral History Program. Balkan worked as sketch artist for Paramount in the 30s; it was she who designed the beading pattern for Marlene's Angel gown.


The Academy is currently presenting an exhibition (which will run until 5 February) celebrating Paramount Pictures' centenary . Further information is available at their website.

Marlene Dietrich memorabilia at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills

Courtesy Juliens Auctions Beverly Hills

Julien's Auctions will feature Marlene Dietrich memorabilia from her late husband Rudolf Sieber's estate in their upcoming Hollywood Legends 2011 Auction event. According to the press release, the Dietrich-related trove will include personal and family photographs as well as correspondences between Dietrich and Sieber about Tami, their finances, the FBI, and Dietrich's romances.

For those interested in getting a peek at the auction's offerings, see the following information on the Free Public Exhibition:


Julien’s Auctions
9665 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 150
Beverly Hills, California 90210
Monday, April 18th through Saturday, May 7th
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Daily
Closed Sundays

Roddy McDowell signed photo
Courtesy Juliens Auctions Beverly Hills

For those interested in the Live Auction itself, that info is:

9665 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 150
Beverly Hills, California 90210
Saturday, May 7th, 2011










Again, read the press release or see the Hollywood Legends 2011 Auction page for more details.