109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

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Werewolf by Night

Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#251 Post by Werewolf by Night » Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:29 pm

I added my thoughts on the TV interview above. Good stuff. Dietrich’s warmth reminded me of an anecdote about her from Rosemary Clooney’s autobiography. The two were good friends (and recorded a couple songs together). When Clooney was divorcing José Ferrer and fell into a deep depression, Dietrich would come over to make dinner and clean Clooney’s house for her. She particularly enjoyed scrubbing the floors, which she found relaxing. I had sort of a hard time believing that when reading it in print, but Dietrich absolutely comes across in this interview as someone who would do that for a good friend.

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zedz
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#252 Post by zedz » Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:36 pm

Werewolf by Night wrote:
Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:29 pm
I added my thoughts on the TV interview above. Good stuff. Dietrich’s warmth reminded me of an anecdote about her from Rosemary Clooney’s autobiography. The two were good friends (and recorded a couple songs together). When Clooney was divorcing José Ferrer and fell into a deep depression, Dietrich would come over to make dinner and clean Clooney’s house for her. She particularly enjoyed scrubbing the floors, which she found relaxing. I had sort of a hard time believing that when reading it in print, but Dietrich absolutely comes across in this interview as someone who would do that for a good friend.
I hadn't heard that anecdote, but I had heard a similar one (was it from Orson Welles?) that Dietrich was happiest when she was just being a down-to-earth Hausfrau, cooking dinner for friends or doing housework.

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movielocke
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#253 Post by movielocke » Wed Aug 22, 2018 2:06 am

I also loved the homay king extra, highlight of the set. The Janet Bernstein interview on Morocco I fell asleep after about twenty minutes, so I only missed about twenty minutes!

The television interview is also excellent.

Having finally watched blonde Venus and devil is a woman and rewatched Scarlett empress I was surprised my opinion of the latter has remained unchanged (i’ll sum it up as “meh”).

The other two are set highlights, excellent films I wish I watched them fifteen years ago instead of giving up after back to back Morocco and empress.

So that makes the three new to me films in the set all ones that I more or less really liked and outright enjoyed. I was pleasantly surprised over all.

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kcota17
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#254 Post by kcota17 » Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:34 am

I haven’t watched all of the extras yet so I don’t know if this is ever talked about but I can’t find an answer anywhere: does anyone know if there was anything between Dietrich and Von Sternberg or anything that contributed to them not working again ever?

It’s obvious that he was in love with her, but what caused their collaborations to end? Was it as simple as The Devil is a Woman just not doing well? Did they have a falling out? Was Dietrich not fond of his affection? Did the studios not want to work anymore?

It just seems like such a blunt end to such a long string of tight collaborations that seems so unanswered.

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knives
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#255 Post by knives » Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:12 am

If memory serves von Sternberg had burnt a lot of bridges by that point plus his films made no money. If you check his CV you'll see his career fell dormant not too long after their last collab.

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Drucker
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#256 Post by Drucker » Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:02 am

Yes, I got the impression (from the extras?) that Scarlett Empress and Devil Is A Woman both were money-losers, and then his contract was up?

Werewolf by Night

Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#257 Post by Werewolf by Night » Wed Aug 22, 2018 2:02 pm

david hare wrote:
Wed Aug 22, 2018 12:40 am
For me the value is in the transfers which are wonderful to have.
Same here, and I'm sure that's where most of the budget went.

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Lowry_Sam
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#258 Post by Lowry_Sam » Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:39 pm

kcota17 wrote:
Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:34 am
does anyone know if there was anything between Dietrich and Von Sternberg or anything that contributed to them not working again ever?
Can't recall which documentary or book presents the definitive take on their relationship, but I thought it was pretty well known that von Sternberg's obsession w/ Marlene was one way, as she had very little interest in him.....or any man, but only assumed the role to further her career...and The Devil Is A Woman basically sums up their relationship.

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domino harvey
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#259 Post by domino harvey » Wed Aug 22, 2018 11:12 pm

If one goes by the incredible and incredibly libelous softcore porn film adaptation of Hollywood Babylon from the 70s, they both were gay and brought home men and women for each other. This is not a reliable primary, secondary, or tertiary source though

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NABOB OF NOWHERE
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#260 Post by NABOB OF NOWHERE » Thu Aug 23, 2018 3:47 am

domino harvey wrote:
Wed Aug 22, 2018 11:12 pm
If one goes by the incredible and incredibly libelous softcore porn film adaptation of Hollywood Babylon from the 70s, they both were gay and brought home men and women for each other. This is not a reliable primary, secondary, or tertiary source though
Whilst most likely salacious gossip like the rest of the source material, albeit rather beguiling. I was wondering how might that work in practice?
Like you're a guy hit on by Marlene Dietrich no less but when you get back to the den there's Von Sternberg in his bathrobe waiting for you. What do you do? .... make the best of a bad job?

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whaleallright
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#261 Post by whaleallright » Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:28 pm

who wouldn't?

Image

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zedz
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#262 Post by zedz » Thu Aug 23, 2018 6:03 pm

whaleallright wrote:
Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:28 pm
who wouldn't?

Image
"Uh, Joe, do you mind if we turn the creepy clown picture towards the wall?"

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domino harvey
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#263 Post by domino harvey » Thu Aug 23, 2018 6:17 pm

Pretty sure that was taken in Kristen Bell's house on the Good Place

Image

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NABOB OF NOWHERE
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#264 Post by NABOB OF NOWHERE » Fri Aug 24, 2018 3:21 am

Well now that you mention it...

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Michael Kerpan
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#265 Post by Michael Kerpan » Fri Aug 24, 2018 9:58 am

Why do I think ... Svengali....

Peter McM
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#266 Post by Peter McM » Fri Aug 24, 2018 10:17 pm

Lowry_Sam wrote:
Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:39 pm
kcota17 wrote:
Wed Aug 22, 2018 3:34 am
does anyone know if there was anything between Dietrich and Von Sternberg or anything that contributed to them not working again ever?
Can't recall which documentary or book presents the definitive take on their relationship, but I thought it was pretty well known that von Sternberg's obsession w/ Marlene was one way, as she had very little interest in him.....or any man, but only assumed the role to further her career...and The Devil Is A Woman basically sums up their relationship.
The biography Von Sternberg, written by John Baxter, pub. 2010. Excellent book, very authoritative.

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HypnoHelioStaticStasis
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Re: 109, 930-935 Dietrich & von Sternberg in Hollywood

#267 Post by HypnoHelioStaticStasis » Mon Sep 19, 2022 8:16 am

No idea where else to post this (mods, please feel free to move if you think of a better spot), but this is pretty cool:

"Shanghai Express" star Anna May Wong is getting her own commemorative quarter

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