Marlene Dietrich: Photographs and Memories

by Peter Riva (Editor), Jean-Jacques Naudet (Editor)

Overview

Marlene Dietrich never threw anything away. She kept her good-luck rag doll (it appeared with her in The Blue Angel and followed her to dressing tables on every movie set). She kept the letters she received from, friends, colleagues, lovers, and her husband of fifty-three years. She kept every article of clothing made for her by the great French couturiers and many from legendary Hollywood costume designers. She kept everything.

After Dietrich's death, all of the memorabilia were cataloged—25,000 objects and 18,000 images. Marlene Dietrich: Photographs and Memories brings together her treasures as depicted in 289 photographs from her own collection and features extended captions by her daughter and sole biographer, Maria Riva. We see Dietrich across the years and roles of her life: a child, a young actress in Berlin, a newlywed, a devoted American, a mother, and of course, a glamorous Hollywood legend.

An intimate look into the life of an unforgettable star, this collection offers fans more than just photos and memorabilia—it shares perspective from Marlene herself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813195452
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	07/26/2022
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Peter Riva is the global managing director of the Marlene Dietrich companies and collections as well as Marlene's grandson. Jean-Jacques Naudet is a French journalist and iconographer, a lead historian on photography world-wide, and publication director of l'Œil de la Photographie (The Eye of Photography), an online journal dedicated to photography.

Table of Contents

1. Memories of Dietrich
2. Portraits
3. Beads, Furs, and Feathers
4. Snapshots
5. Possessions
6. At Work
Filmography
Theatography and Concertography
Discography
Collection Inventory and Exhibitions
Acknowledgements
Index

Editorial Reviews

A gorgeous tribute to (Dietrich's) aesthetic, which was a unique combination of the elegantly feminine and dapper masculine. An introduction provides context for the images to follow, and captions by Maria Riva lend a richness to the images, which consist of a healthy helping of classic Dietrich photos and color pics of several of her dresses and accessories. The garments are a marvel of style and construction and a visual treat for any fan of fashion.

Kendahl Cruver

Dietrich fans, sit up and take notice. Marlene Dietrich: Photographs and Memories, compiled by Jean-Jacques Naudet and captioned by Maria Riva, offers hundreds of photographs of the pack rat's possessions (her dog tags, her cigarette case, her clothing and letters to and from lovers), and, of course, snapshots and publicity stills of the incomparable Dietrich herself (in her 'Eisenhower battle jacket' and in her gowns and jewels). Touching reminiscences from Josef von Sternberg and Jean Cocteau, among others, round out this valuable addition to the wealth of books dedicated to the German actress who became one of America's greatest icons.

Publishers Weekly

Simply put, this gorgeous book is like having a Marlene Dietrich museum at your beck and call. One that's never closed, you have entirely to yourself, and doesn't mind in the least if you browse through the collection in your pajamas with coffee in hand.

hollywoodyesterday.com - Joi T. Sigers

For the neophyte, the book offers a thorough Dietrich filmography, plus complete histories of her theatrical appearances. And for anybody, it's a wonderful tribute to a remarkable woman.

CNN

Introduced by brief recollections from director Josef von Sternberg, Orson Welles (who worked with her in Touch of Evil), Ernest Hemingway, and others. The Film Museum of Berlin contains 25,000 objects and 18,000 images related to Dietrich, and this book is like a museum exhibition held expressly for Dietrich lovers. It is divided into sections such as 'Portraits,' 'Beads, Furs, and Feathers,' and 'Possessions' and displays her dresses and accessories in pristine condition, alongside excerpts from letters and diaries. Daughter Maria Riva provides extended captions to the many photographs of the actress and her belongings. Also included are a filmography, theatography, concertography, discography, and collection inventory with exhibitions. Recommended for film collections.

Library Journal

This beautiful coffee table book celebrates the enigmatic beauty of the legendary actress and performer Marlene Dietrich. Nearly 300 photographs from Dietrich's personal collection highlight Dietrich's brooding beauty and famous costumes -- from her fabulous jewelry to the custom-made men's suits that caused such a stir. Featuring extensive notes written by Dietrich's daughter, Marlene Dietrich is a rich compilation of photography and commentary that reveals Dietrich's true personality.

bn.com

IN Photographs and Memories, the portraits (many of the most luminous by Josef von Sternberg) would make a gorgeous volume on their own, but they are accompanied by a great deal more. The book expands on Dietrich's ravishing presence with written observations (from contemporaries as diverse as Hedda Hopper and Jean Cocteau), biographical data and a catalog of costumes, gender-bending and divaesque. Even amorous letters to Dietrich are included ("My arms have been empty since they held you, and sometimes they ache most pitifully," wrote one of her many love-struck co-stars, Brian Aherne). This book's grasp of its subject is wonderfully full.

Los Angeles Times