The story of movie icon Marlene Dietrich through the eyes of her daughter, Maria Riva. Marlene Dietrich burst onto the scene in Germany and then moved on to conquer Hollywood. Her private life was messy to say the least.
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This book tells Dietrich's story through the jaundiced eye of her daughter Maria. They had a love-hate relationship to say the least. Marlene's story could have also been called: D is For Diva. Maria had a front row seat for Dietrich's string of lovers both famous (Hemingway and Gary Cooper) and obscure.
Dietrich's career had its ups and downs. By the late 1930's, she was in trouble until she made Destry Rides Again with Jimmy Stewart. It was a smash hit and revived her career. She later made many more films and toured with a cabaret act that was a smash hit.
Dietrich was a passionately anti-Nazi German emigre and spent much of World War II entertaining the troops and supporting the allied cause.
This is a fascinating look at the real life of a cinematic icon. Neither Marlene nor Maria come off as paragons but there was never a dull moment in that family.
Best part of story, including ending:
I love the look into classic Hollywood.
Best scene in story:
The story of Dietrich's role in World War II.
Opinion about the main character:
She was vain, arrogant but still somehow likable.
