I Don’t Get Marlene Dietrich As a Singer (1 Viewer)

[Johnny Angell]

Yes, she’s a good actress, but not one of my favorites. She is in two of my favorite movies, No Highway in the Sky, and Witness for the Prosecution. I have never understood the appeal that her singing apparently has for many. I do thank her for inspiring Madeline Kahn’s portrayal of Lili Von Shtupp in Blazing Saddles.

This is not new for me. Growing up in the 50’s I thought, people pay to hear this? It leaves me cold. What’s wrong with me?

BTW, I thought the appropriate place for this was in Movies, but apparently if you aren’t attaching the thread to a specific movie, you can’t.

 

[Malcolm R]

There's nothing wrong with you, she's just not your personal taste. There are a lot of famous/popular singers past and present whose appeal baffles me, while people I think are amazing largely toil in obscurity.

 

[Bob Cashill]

It wasn't just her voice, but her whole persona, that she put into her songs. That I find captivating.

 

[Bert Greene]

Her singing doesn't quite click with me either, but there's a fair amount of torch-type recordings in that same vein that I've always liked, such as Greta Keller's "Blues in My Heart" (1931-?) or Belle Baker's "That's How I Feel About You" (1928). Those remind me a bit of Dietrich's style, but somehow work better for me.

 

[TJPC]

Dietrich was really more of a stylist than a singer. She is interesting to watch, but I can’t imagine just listening to her.

 

[Johnny Angell]

Well, I feel a little less wierd.

 

[DaveF]

Uhmmm.... ok...?

Who...?

 

[Malcolm R]

Uhmmm.... ok...?

Who...?

If you're asking "who is Marlene Dietrich" on HTF, we may have to revoke your membership.

 

[DaveF]

Nope. Don’t know her. Apparently she did something for Fight Club, which might be familiar if I rewatched. But I’m not really into 1930s - 1950s movies, which seems to be her era.

 

[Robin9]

Nope. Don’t know her. Apparently she did something for Fight Club, which might be familiar if I rewatched. But I’m not really into 1930s - 1950s movies, which seems to be her era.

I assume you're one of our younger moderators?

 

[Robert Crawford]

Nope. Don’t know her. Apparently she did something for Fight Club, which might be familiar if I rewatched. But I’m not really into 1930s - 1950s movies, which seems to be her era.

She had her moments.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I assume you're one of our younger moderators?

Probably the youngest.

 

[Johnny Angell]

I feel so old.

 

[DaveF]

Glad to know someone still thinks I’m young!

 

[Rodney]

Dietrich was really more of a stylist than a singer. She is interesting to watch, but I can’t imagine just listening to her.

I don't think I can agree with that sentiment:

 

[TJPC]

Nope. Don’t know her. Apparently she did something for Fight Club, which might be familiar if I rewatched. But I’m not really into 1930s - 1950s movies, which seems to be her era.

Except for Marvel and Star Wars movies 1930-1950 is almost my exclusive era of movie watching!

Try a Hitchcock movie with her in it if you prefer. She is one of the stars of his Stage Fright.

 

[Johnny Angell]

I don't think I can agree with that sentiment:

I like that more than anything else I’ve heard her sing, I think for two reasons: 1) It’s a familiar song (Where Have All the Flowers Gone) and she packs it with emotion; and 2) She usually has a lot of, is the word tremulo, in her singing. Not so here.

 

[Mark-P]

Well Johnny, I suspect perhaps it's not Dietrich you don't get, but rather the art of cabaret singing. Cabaret wasn't about vocal ability but allure and style. I just watched Morocco and was mesmerized by her. Can't wait to get to the other titles in the Dietrich/Von Sternberg box.

 

[MatthewA]

As for Madeline Kahn, that Lily Von Shtupp voice was just a put-on. This was her real singing voice:

 

[MielR]

My mom loved Marlene, and played a live album of hers often (the one with Burt Bacharach, I think).
I still have not seen the movie she did with David Bowie (her last role, albeit a small one):