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| Click photo to visit Library of Congress site for more information |
About the LC photo, unless the "Recently Processed Collections" page hasn't been updated in a while, it appears that the Rouben Mamoulian Papers have become the freshest crop of Dietrich-related resources available to researchers. Browse the finding aid to learn more about this collection, which includes correspondences between Mamoulian and Dietrich throughout the '30s, '40s, and even 1960, materials related to the production of The Song of Songs (e.g., correspondences, memoranda, photos, and a script), and a jeweled cigarette case that Dietrich gave to Mamoulian.
And now for the blind item!
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| Miriam, was it you? |
My guess is Miriam Hopkins (a name Bette Davis never forgot), who would have been filming Paramount's The Story of Temple Drake around that time, but I'm not sure. As far as I can tell, Hopkins had only one adopted kid (Michael Hopkins), and I wouldn't be surprised if Dietrich made at least one disparaging comment about her looks in Maria's book.
Think it was another actress? Let me know!
To read my guesses about Maria Riva's other blind items, click here!
I don't recall Maria writing MD's opinion on Hopkins in her book. I bet it's her. BTW Happy New Year Joseph!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Just saw a nice article about Marlene that I thought you might like:
ReplyDeletehttp://lalalandhistory.blogspot.com/2012/01/star-of-month-marlene-dietrich.html
Rob
Happy New Year, you two! Rob, that article is well-written, but there are some factual errors. The English version of The Blue Angel was released in the U.S. after Morocco had already premiered (see the filmography in Steven Bach's bio, or check IMDB). Also, one of Dietrich's silent films (Three Loves, a.k.a. Die Frau, nach der man sich sehnt) was released in the States before any of her sound films, and elicited Garbo comparisons in a New York Times review. One more thing--Sternberg went to London and Vienna (before the Anschluss) after splitting up with Dietrich, definitely not Nazi Germany.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, friend Joseph! one more year with you and with Marlene.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Miguel! I read your other blog and saw you listen to lots of R&B, disco, house, and soul. So do I! In fact, I've been listening to this song a lot lately--Jomanda's "Got A Love For You.". I also have a current fondness for Sharon Redd, a hot mess who made Whitney Houston look clean but still sang beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIt is true, I love black music, soul, funk, house, disco ... Jomanda reminds me another singer, Adeva, do you know? She is very special too. Sharon Redd has an incredible voice, always I remember the song: "Can you handle it". But who constantly hear, in addition to Marlene ...is Grace Jones. She is a singer I've always admired and I always accompany their songs. She is very special to me, like Marlene Detrich, true passion I feel for these two great women. Listen to Grace Jones, you'll like, but you've probably already heard. Keep in touch friend. Regards
ReplyDeleteLove these blind items!
ReplyDeletemissladiva
Miguel, I'll have to listen to Adeva--I've never heard of her. In fact, when I first saw your comment, I misread that name as the cosmetics brand, Aveda. As for Grace Jones, a writer named Dmetri Kakmi has blogged about her and Dietrich, making valid comparisons that I've never considered. I've always liked Grace's music and voice but haven't yet delved into her career.
ReplyDeleteMissladiva, I'll do more, then! Maria has plenty for us to guess.
Thank you very much for the recommendation. I try reading the article ... (my English is not so good to understand it all)
ReplyDeleteSo I've been re-reading Maria's book to write another blind item, and I don't think this was Miriam, whom Maria noted was a pet hate of Dietrich's and quoted Dietrich as calling Hopkins ugly.
ReplyDeleteit was Joan Crawford!
DeleteThe description brings Joan to mind, but it wasn't her because Joan was at another studio (MGM) and hadn't yet adopted her brood.
DeleteJoseph, I think it was Hopkins for sure; a couple of news items from the era both mention Marlene and Hopkins during the quake. Dietrich was apparently at her desk in her dressing room, busy signing an autograph for Travis Banton (she dubbed her quivering scrawl "the only earthquake autograph").
ReplyDeleteBoth accounts have Hopkins in her nearby dressing-room. According to one account, Hopkins ran for the door, which was flung open by the quake, hitting her: the first thing that came to her mind was to call, "Billy (her hairdresser) I want my hair fixed!".
The other version has Dietrich remaining dead calm, and Hopkins still clutching that door. When Banton offered Dietrich help, she suggested the one who really needed "rescuing" was Hopkins, across the hall.
(Even by Maria's account, she herself wasn't there at all!)
Perhaps it was Maria who forgot Hopkins' name! There must have been no safety training during the Golden Age of Hollywood because--in both accounts--Miss Hopkins reacted in a foolhardy manner; however, if the door happened to have hit her in the face, her looks may have become more to Marlene's liking.
Delete