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Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich

Actor · Died May 6, 1992, aged 90 · Berlin, Germany

Marlene Dietrich (1901–1992) was a German-American actress and singer, widely regarded as one of the most iconic figures of classic Hollywood. She rose to fame in the 1930s with films like The Blue Angel, Shanghai Express, and Destry Rides Again, captivating audiences with her sultry voice, striking beauty, and androgynous style. Known for her ability to reinvent herself, Dietrich transitioned from film star to a celebrated cabaret performer, touring internationally for decades. Beyond her career, Dietrich was known for her progressive views and unconventional lifestyle. She openly defied gender norms, often wearing men's clothing both on and off-screen, which contributed to her enigmatic persona. Her personal life has long been the subject of speculation, particularly regarding her sexuality. While she was married to Rudolf Sieber, she was rumored to have had relationships with both men and women, including actresses Claudette Colbert and Mercedes de Acosta. Some sources suggest she was part of Hollywood’s so-called “sewing circle,” a network of women engaged in same-sex relationships. However, Dietrich never publicly confirmed these rumors, maintaining an air of mystery that only added to her legendary status. Her legacy continues to inspire discussions on gender, sexuality, and Hollywood’s golden age.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 27, 1901
Died
May 6, 1992 (aged 90)
From
Berlin, Germany
Works as
Actor
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 69 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 18% in 30 days

What are Marlene Dietrich's films like?

Across their 28 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
34%
Morality
33%
Self
15%
Power
7%
Society
6%
Survival
3%
Ideas
1%
Romantic love17 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 28 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 13 · Serious 7 · Dark 8

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 8 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 9

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 7 · Charged 16 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 15 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 17 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 14 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

27 analyzed roles

Usually the Shapeshifter: 10 of 27 analyzed roles.

Shapeshifter
10 of 27
Hero
9 of 27
Shadow
2 of 27
Trickster
2 of 27
Ally
2 of 27
Mentor
1 of 27
Herald
1 of 27
Show the 27 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Romantic
16
Tense
15
Melancholic
11
Joyful
6
Thrilling
6
Other
20

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Marlene Dietrich's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Marlene Dietrich's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

69 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page; 31 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Marilyn Monroe: The Rise of an Icon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as archive footage

  • 1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mythos Côte d'Azur - Liebe, Luxus, Leidenschaft (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Normandie ne partira pas ce soir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Bodies and Spaces, Fabric and Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as (archive footage)

  • Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff(2010)

    as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Great Yiddish Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as (archive footage)

  • No Angel: A Life of Marlene Dietrich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • The Casting Couch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • That's Entertainment! III(1994)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Meeting of Two Queens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as (archive footage)

  • Nylon Blues: A History of the Nylon Stocking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as (archive footage)

  • Just a Gigolo(1978)

    as Baroness von Semering

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Ettan gästar: Marlene Dietrich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Interviewee, herself

  • Paris When It Sizzles(1964)

    as Marlene Dietrich (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Where Have All the Flowers Gone? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Black Fox: The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Judgment at Nuremberg(1961)

    as Mrs. Bertholt

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Touch of Evil(1958)

    as Tana

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Witness for the Prosecution(1957)

    as Christine

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Montecarlo Story(1956)

    as Maria de Crevecoeur

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Around the World in 80 Days(1956)

    as Saloon Hostess

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Rancho Notorious(1952)

    as Altar Keane

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • No Highway in the Sky(1951)

    as Monica Teasdale

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Stage Fright(1950)

    as Charlotte Inwood

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Jigsaw(1949)

    as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • A Foreign Affair(1948)

    as Erika Von Schlüetow

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Golden Earrings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Lydia

  • Martin Roumagnac (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Blanche Ferrand

  • Kismet(1944)

    as Jamilla

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Follow the Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Marlene Dietrich

  • Pittsburgh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Josie 'Hunky' Winters

  • The Spoilers(1942)

    as Cherry Malotte

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Lady Is Willing(1942)

    as Elizabeth Madden

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Manpower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Fay Duval

  • The Flame of New Orleans(1941)

    as Countess Claire Ledoux, aka Lili

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Seven Sinners(1940)

    as Bijou

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Destry Rides Again(1939)

    as Frenchy

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Angel(1937)

    as Lady Maria Barker, aka Angel

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Knight Without Armor(1937)

    as Countess Alexandra Vladinoff

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Garden of Allah(1936)

    as Domini Enfilden

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Desire(1936)

    as Madeleine de Beaupré

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Devil Is a Woman(1935)

    as Concha Perez

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Scarlet Empress(1934)

    as Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Song of Songs(1933)

    as Lily Czepanek

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Film Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Blonde Venus(1932)

    as Helen Faraday, aka Helen Jones

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Shanghai Express(1932)

    as Shanghai Lily

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Dishonored(1931)

    as Magda / X27

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Marlene Dietrich, “The Blue Angel” Screen Test (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Actor

  • Morocco(1930)

    as Mademoiselle Amy Jolly

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Blue Angel(1930)

    as Lola Lola

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Dangers of the Engagement Period (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    as Evelyne

  • The Ship of Lost Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Ethel Marley

  • The Woman One Longs For (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Stascha

  • I Kiss Your Hand, Madame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Laurence Gerard / Lucille

  • Art of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Chichotte de Gastoné

  • Cafe Electric (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Erni Göttlinger - ein flatterhaftes Mädchen

  • His Greatest Bluff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Yvette

  • Heads Up, Charley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Edmée Marchand

  • The Imaginary Baron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Sophie

  • A Modern Dubarry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Kokotte

  • Manon Lescaut (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Micheline

  • Her Dancing Partner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Dancer (Extra)

  • Leap Into Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Mädchen

  • The Countess of Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Lucie

  • The Tragedy of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Lucy

  • Man by the Roadside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Krämerstochter

  • Im Schatten des Glücks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as (unconfirmed)

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 69 titles from 1919 to 2026; peak year 1977.

Biggest box office

Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

$42M worldwide

Highest rated

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

19192026

Peak 1977 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 17 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting69 of 69: 69 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score79th

By decade

1910s1 · acting1920s15 · acting1930s16 · acting1940s12 · acting1950s7 · acting1960s4 · acting1970s2 · acting1990s5 · acting2000s1 · acting2010s2 · acting2020s4 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 48% of 27 roles
30354055

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Marlene Dietrich's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 79th percentile, the median of all 32; across their 28 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 76th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Approval · how many liked their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

None of their 32 titles divides audiences: 21 are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed2

Most loved · actor

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Marlene Dietrich's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 5 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 33 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles11–31 · median 25 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 8 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Marlene Dietrich work with?

People who share at least 2 of Marlene Dietrich's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Josef von Sternberg shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers