Character Catalog

The first major German sound film, directed by Josef von Sternberg, in which Dietrich plays cabaret singer Lola Lola. The role revealed her talent and unique stage presence to the world, opening the doors of Hollywood to her.

A Hollywood film by Von Sternberg in which Dietrich plays Shanghai Lily, a mysterious adventuress. The film represents the pinnacle of the glamorous aesthetic and interplay of light and shadow that defined their collaboration.

The final film of the Von Sternberg–Dietrich collaboration, considered by the director to be his visual masterpiece. It marks the end of a uniquely creative period in cinema history.

Dietrich traveled through North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany to perform for more than 500,000 Allied soldiers, often just a few miles from the front lines. This commitment earned her the U.S. Medal of Freedom.

An English-language version of the famous German song, recorded for Allied soldiers, which became one of the defining musical symbols of World War II. Dietrich reclaimed this song — born on the opposing side — and turned it into an anthem for peace.

A documentary film directed by Maximilian Schell in which Dietrich, refusing to be filmed, speaks only in voice-over. An exceptional record of her life and memories, made while she was already living in seclusion.

I never wanted to be a legend. I simply wanted to live my life on my own terms, without submitting to those who wanted to dictate to me who I should be.

I came to sing for your soldiers because it was the only thing I could do against Hitler. My voice was my weapon.

I swear allegiance to the United States of America and renounce all fidelity to any other foreign state or sovereign.

Glamour is what I sell, it's my stock in trade. But I have never confused it with life itself.

Marlene Dietrich's birth neighborhood, now marked with a golden star bearing her name on the sidewalk of Leberstrasse. It was in the vibrant Weimar-era Berlin that she cut her teeth as a cabaret singer.

It was in these legendary studios that The Blue Angel was filmed in 1929-1930, the movie that launched Dietrich's international career. The UFA studios were at that time the European equivalent of Hollywood.

Dietrich settled in Hollywood in 1930 under contract with Paramount, making seven iconic films with Josef von Sternberg. She lived there throughout the war years and built her American legend.

The famous Parisian concert hall where Marlene Dietrich triumphed on multiple occasions during the 1950s and 1960s. Bruno Coquatrix gave her a rapturous reception that cemented her status as a global music-hall star.

It was in her apartment on the Avenue Montaigne that Dietrich spent the last twelve years of her life, a recluse who refused to appear in public. She died there on May 6, 1992.

The burial place of Marlene Dietrich, in accordance with her wish to be laid to rest near her mother's grave in Berlin. Her posthumous return symbolizes a reconciliation with the city she had left to flee Nazism.