Marlene Dietrich: Life and Legend

by Steven Bach

From the stages of Berlin to anti-Nazi efforts and silver-screen stardom, Steven Bach reveals the fascinating woman behind the myth surrounding Marlene Dietrich in a biography that will stand as the ultimate authority on a singular star. Based on six years of research and hundreds of interviews—including conversations with Dietrich—this is the life story of one of the century’s greatest movie actresses and performers, an icon who embodied glamour and sophistication for audiences around the globe.

Genres: Biography, Film, Nonfiction, Media Tie In, History, Germany, Biography Memoir

640 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 1993

About the author

Steven Bach was senior vice-president and head of worldwide productions for United Artists studios. In Final Cut: Dreams And Disaster in the Making of Heaven's Gate (1985), Bach chronicles his involvement in the troubled production of Heaven's Gate (1980), a film widely considered to have been the decisive reason for the financial bankruptcy of United Artists.

Bach is the author of The Life and Legend of Marlene Dietrich and Dazzler: The Life and Times of Moss Hart. He taught film studies at Columbia University and Bennington College.

His biography of the Nazi-associated filmmaker Leni: The Life and Work of Leni Riefenstahl (2007) overturns many of the claims Riefenstahl put forward in her self-defence regarding her contact with Hitler's regime, and was named by the New York Times as one of the most notable books of 2007.

Bach died of cancer in March of 2009. He is survived by his companion, Werner Röhr.

Reviews

[Wayne Hepler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Critics rave about this book--and for detail and a sense of the times, Bach is hard to beat. He presents a great feel for Germany between the wars and how Dietrich became the immoral (amoral?) queen she did. Excellent. His writing is also fairly dense. This gives you both clever and obtuse prose ("Why didn't he just say 'X'?"). As knowledgeable as Bach clearly is--and his pedigree and research are top shelf--he still passes on the myth of Fritz Lang ditching the Nazis overnight upon first threat (far more likely that Lang dallied with Goebbels, considering his options and his fortune). And while I prefer an author with an opinion I can gauge, Bach's love of Dietrich does present occasional over-the-top critiques ("...perhaps the greatest characterization ever on celluloid").

In the end, if you're ready for a deep read that does the subject justice, this is a rewarding bio I've thoroughly enjoyed that presents all kinds of good and bad objectively with a sense that nothing was left unsaid--a considerable achievement, especially considering who we're talking about. Thanks for noting if this was helpful. I hope so.

[Dave Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting story about a fascinating woman. The author tells a pretty straightforward story, without a lot of opinion or judgment. This was a talent that left her mark on the world. She hated the Nazis and supported the Allies, even at the cost of alienating her countrymen.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, the best biography on Dietrich. A must read for any fan of Marlene and good writing in general!

[Catalin Mihalcea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many details regarding the plot of the movies Marlene played in ,wich makes the book quite voluminous and somehow boaring ,but also very emotional and interesting especially regarding the last decades of Marlene's life.

Still ,I won't read it again.

[Bradley Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most exciting and engrossing biography I've ever read. I felt so sad when it ended!

[Valheriann Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one to read if you want an actual Marlene Dietrich biography. I adore this book very much.

[John L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, spectacular, brilliant and deeply moving, this is not only, BY FAR the best biography I've read (and I have read many!), but a strong contender for the best book I have read, and I have read thousands.
Sheer perfection! Thank you, Steven Bach!

[Jil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just not holding me. Mostly interested about her USO and anti-Nazi work. Too much Hollywood to slog through for me.

[Tom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book was more about the movies she made and them than the star herself.

[Alison Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a pretty quick read, Maria Riva’s weight is mentioned a ton. A quick gloss over Dietrich’s life

[Jill McNish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long on chronological events, short on any real insight or quotes as to Dietrich’s personality, desires, challenges. Furthermore, many “ facts” as stated in the book were false. If you want to read an interesting, complete, revealing, and more factual biography of Dietrich, read her daughter Maria Riva’s biography.

[Christopher Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bach provides an exhaustive, detailed account of Marlene's Dietrich. He cuts through the myths swirling around Dietrich's life and career, downplaying her scandalous private life. Emerging is an immensely talented artist, intelligent and driven, but deeply flawed. Dietrich pursued fame (and myriad affairs) in Hollywood, leaving her husband and daughter in Europe. Bach's account of Dietrich's Trilby-Svengali relationship with Josef von Sternberg doesn't flatter either party. Yet he clearly admires Dietrich's talent and energy, her heroic World War II service and unlikely late career comeback. Bach provides an engaging tone, alternately witty and probing, similar to Jon Heilpern. Sets the standard for showbiz biographies.

[Graceann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Please see my detailed review at Amazon Graceann's "Marlene Dietrich" Review"

Please click that the review was helpful to you at Amazon so that my rating continues to climb!

The research, as far as I could tell, was beyond reproach, and the endnotes are exhaustive, but Steven Bach would have benefited from some self-editing. Repetition is not a good trait, especially in telling the story of a life as rich and full as Marlene Dietrich's. She needed no filler or padding - she was her own great story. Bach is a good writer, but he could be great if he engaged in some restraint.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of information in here and you are presented with a well-rounded view of her - good and bad. My only issue was with how desperately the author wanted to show you how clever he is. I started rolling my eyes at some of his puns and dramatic phrases but the book is well worth it. He also was almost too subtle sometimes about implying who she had personal affairs with - at time it wasn't clear until he was more straightforward later referring to someone a second or third time as a former lover.
She lived quite a life and seemed like quite the generous spirit. I definitely have a new appreciation for her.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very close look at the stars life, very good