White House hanky-panky

San Francisco Chronicle writer Martin Rubin reviewed Cari Beauchamp's new Kennedy bio, Joseph P. Kennedy Presents: His Hollywood Years, which name-drops Dietrich for her "White House romp" with JFK. I remember reading about this bizarre love triangle in Maria Riva's bio, but I never realized these shenanigans had taken place in the presidential residence. I suppose Jackie O. was too busy thumbing through color swatches for the Red Room to notice.

While I look forward to reading this book, I wonder whether Beauchamp gave us all she had to offer in her sneak-peek Vanity Fair article. A tour of the West Sitting Hall and 3-6 minutes of awkward lust in an unnamed bedroom. I suspect it was the Queen's Bedroom, which presidents have used to "reward" friends and allies. At least Dietrich had the panty perfume to show (smell?) for it.

Love letter to the Vampire in museum exhibit

At the Rosenbach Museum & Library in Philadelphia, a Dietrich love letter to Mercedes de Acosta will be on a Valentine's Day-themed exhibit. On February 11, 13, 20 and March 25, education coordinator Farrar Fitzgerald will lead tour groups of up to 6 visitors age 8 and up through epistolary schmaltz such as "I wanted to heal all your wounds and instead, because I see that I can't heal them, I give you new ones. I wanted so much to give you happiness." The tour is free with museum admission ($10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students and children over 5).

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Marlene plays her Musical Saw