Ever been curious to see Maria Riva, the daughter of Marlene Dietrich, act? Watch her below in a 1952 episode of Suspense entitled "Death Drum" (NOTE: Maria appears starting at about 6:00):
Thoughts? Aside from finding her beautiful--dark wig (?) and all--I admire Maria's cool disdain--a counterbalance to Herbert Berghof & Co., most of whom are hams. Not that I would want them to act in any other way. Their histrionics are exactly what I would expect and enjoy with such a foreboding organ soundtrack. My favorite moment is in clip two at around 2:20, when Berghof's character is cornered by a ghost from his past, a gunman, and a harrowing maraca player.
Truthfully, I'm interested in locating DVDs of '50s T.V. programs that feature Maria, so please share your wisdom in the comments section.
Thoughts? Aside from finding her beautiful--dark wig (?) and all--I admire Maria's cool disdain--a counterbalance to Herbert Berghof & Co., most of whom are hams. Not that I would want them to act in any other way. Their histrionics are exactly what I would expect and enjoy with such a foreboding organ soundtrack. My favorite moment is in clip two at around 2:20, when Berghof's character is cornered by a ghost from his past, a gunman, and a harrowing maraca player.
Truthfully, I'm interested in locating DVDs of '50s T.V. programs that feature Maria, so please share your wisdom in the comments section.
Speechless. Oh well, let's get out the maracas!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-HNZLg6ntI
missladiva
Tonight, I'll have to arm myself with a guiro to ward off any maraca players that may haunt me in my nightmares!
DeleteThank you, I discover Maria as an actress. She's totally unknown in France, is she remembered or forgotten in the USA ?
ReplyDeleteShe is forgotten in the U.S., although T.V. history buffs would likely be familiar with her. I'm sure you've come across the interview that Maria gave to the Archive of American Television, and she describes the ephemeral nature of the live T.V. shows she did, which could explain why she isn't remembered. I would imagine that some of her work is on kinescope (and recall that she mentions this format in this lengthy interview), which is cropping up online on YouTube, Internet Archive, and Amazon. In fact, I ought to search Internet Archive for specific episodes in which Maria appeared.
DeleteI forgot to ask: has anyone seen Maria in Scrooged? I haven't seen that movie in at least a decade and don't remember her role.
ReplyDeleteYes,I saw it over Christmas,virtually a non speaking part in a couple of scenes,she looked great.Paul
ReplyDeleteA French song about Marlene, by Lescop (2012) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYqatMELV6Q
ReplyDeleteOther French songs : a good one
Noir Désir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zzc6K8QpUwI
An kitsch one
Hervé Vilard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBRQYhA26wI&noredirect=1
Fabrice, Noir Désir appeals to me greatly (like the music and also the reference to "In den kasernen"). I will listen to a lot more of their songs.
DeleteNice video, great to see Maria. I do recognise some Marlene in her.
ReplyDeleteHi Joseph, love the tumblr blog and your new picture!
ReplyDeletebest
Ernie
Thanks, Ernie! I hope all is well. What do you think of Maria in these clips?
Delete--Joseph
I thinks she's good but you can tell 'Mutti' wasn't around; never would she would have allowed another actor's shadow to fall across 'the Child's' face!
DeleteAmen! I was thinking the same, but I understand that this was broadcast live, so no time for retakes!
DeleteAll, here's another episode of Suspense, this time with Maria as the first-billed star.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete