The Ultimate Marlene Dietrich Souvenir & Memorabilia Blog

Lili Marleen

2012-02-01T01:46:00.000-08:00

We recently completed an album of sheet music covers from all over the world for the song "Lili Marleen" (sometimes "Lilli Marlene" or "Lilly Marlen" or suchlike), spanning the song's nearly 100 year history. The song is associated with Marlene Dietrich (appearing in most collections of her standards), although it was first recorded by German singer Lale Andersen in the 1930s. Dietrich sang the song across Europe and in North Africa while touring to entertain Allied soldiers during World War II.

Below are four early covers, all based upon the artwork done for the original German edition (top). Note one subtle but startling difference between the German and Italian cover artwork: the Italian Lili is grasping three red roses, but is otherwise very similar to her German namesake.

Marlene on the Wall, Again

2011-12-31T21:21:00.000-08:00

We've at last obtained an original British edition of the sheet music for the song "Marlene on the Wall," by Suzanne Vega, from 1985.

Marlene on the Wall . . .

2011-09-21T03:50:00.000-07:00

Or at least on a garage door on Hollywood Boulevard. (Special thanks to Nathalie.)

"Madonna auf der Heide" . . .

2011-09-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

Also known as "Go 'Way from My Window" in English, with a brief interview in French at the start:

"Der alte Ober vom Cafe Bazar" . . .

2011-09-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

From the late 1930s before the war, a song composed by Hans Lang--who dedicated it to Dietrich--with lyrics by Peter Herz, and sung here by Franz Schier:

Dietrich Singing "Lili Marlene" for the U.S.O. in the 1940s . . .

2011-09-06T02:20:00.000-07:00

Dietrich Live on Musical Saw

2011-08-19T02:36:00.000-07:00

In a radio broadcast from Munich, towards the end of the Second World War, performing for the U.S.O. (In addition to singing, Dietrich was also a skilled violinist.)

Der blaue engel (1930)

2011-08-09T01:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a complete reproduction of a 1930 special extra-long (sixteen pages as opposed to the usual eight) souvenir edition of the German (Berlin) Illustrieter Film-Kurier (No. 1381), with a page of musical notation for the song "Falling in Love Again," as well as stills, plot information, and et cetera.

Also the cover of the regular edition (also with the number 1381), which has Dietrich as Lola as well as Jannings as the Professor (where the special edition has only Jannings).

(These images, by the way, are all very nicely reproduced in the book available from Lulu.com.)

Still Iconic

2011-08-09T00:10:00.000-07:00

Proof that Marlene Dietrich remains an enduring popular icon--a friend in France sent us an image of this painting by an unknown artist, which turned up recently in a Paris art market:

(Thanks to Remi.)

Allure Magazine, August, 1937

2011-07-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

Published!

2011-06-09T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Marlene Dietrich Souvenir & Memorabilia Book is published!

HERE!

Dinah Shore introduces Marlene Dietrich singing "Lili Marleen" . . .

2011-06-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Marlene Dietrich Souvenir & Memorabilia Book will be published today . . .
meanwhile, here's something to keep you busy:

The Ultimate Marlene Dietrich Souvenir & Memorabilia Book . . .

2011-04-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

This blog is the internet companion and extension of the forthcoming Ultimate Marlene Dietrich Souvenir & Memorabilia Book, compiled and edited by Rudolf Polt, which will be available shortly from Lulu.com.