Marlene Dietrich
German-American actress who played Christine Vole in *Witness for the Prosecution* (1957).
Marlene Dietrich played Christine Vole in the 1957 film *Witness for the Prosecution*, directed by Billy Wilder. According to Wilder, when the producers approached Dietrich about the part, she accepted on the condition that Wilder direct. Wilder said that Dietrich liked "to play a murderess" but was "a little bit embarrassed when playing the love scenes." In a flashback showing how Leonard and Christine first meet in a German nightclub, she is wearing her trademark trousers, made famous by Dietrich in director Josef von Sternberg's film *Morocco* (1930). A rowdy customer rips them down one side, revealing one of Dietrich's renowned legs and starting a brawl. The secrecy surrounding the film's ending reportedly cost Marlene Dietrich an Academy Award nomination, as United Artists did not want to call attention to the fact that Dietrich was practically unrecognizable as the Cockney woman who hands over the incriminating letters to the defense.
- field
- Actress, singer
- nationality
- German and American
- known_for
- The Blue Angel (1930), Hollywood films with Josef von Sternberg, wartime enterta
Lore & Background
Marlene Dietrich starred as Christine Vole in Billy Wilder's 1957 film *Witness for the Prosecution*. Wilder said that Dietrich liked "to play a murderess" but was "a little bit embarrassed when playing the love scenes." In a flashback showing how Leonard and Christine first meet in a German nightclub, she is wearing her trademark trousers, made famous by Dietrich in director Josef von Sternberg's film *Morocco* (1930). A rowdy customer rips them down one side, revealing one of Dietrich's renowned legs and starting a brawl. The scene required 145 extras and 38 stuntmen, and cost $90,000. The bar is called *Die blaue Laterne* (English: *The Blue Lantern*), which is a reference to Dietrich's 1930 film *The Blue Angel*. The secrecy surrounding the film's ending reportedly cost Marlene Dietrich an Academy Award nomination, as United Artists did not want to call attention to the fact that Dietrich was practically unrecognizable as the Cockney woman who hands over the incriminating letters to the defense.
Reader's Guide
In *Witness for the Prosecution*, Marlene Dietrich plays Christine Vole, the German wife of a man accused of murder. Her character provides an alibi for her husband but is later called as a prosecution witness. The film features a flashback scene set in a German nightclub where Dietrich wears her trademark trousers, first made famous in *Morocco* (1930). The scene required 145 extras and 38 stuntmen, and cost $90,000. The bar is called *Die blaue Laterne*, referencing Dietrich's 1930 film *The Blue Angel*. The secrecy around the film's ending reportedly cost Dietrich an Academy Award nomination, as United Artists did not want to draw attention to her unrecognizable role as the Cockney woman who delivers the incriminating letters.
Did You Know?
- Marlene Dietrich accepted the role of Christine Vole in *Witness for the Prosecution* on the condition that Billy Wilder direct.
- Billy Wilder said Dietrich liked 'to play a murderess' but was 'a little bit embarrassed when playing the love scenes.'
- In a flashback scene, Dietrich wears her trademark trousers, first made famous in Josef von Sternberg's *Morocco* (1930).
- The nightclub scene required 145 extras and 38 stuntmen, and cost $90,000.
- The secrecy around the film's ending reportedly cost Dietrich an Academy Award nomination, as United Artists did not want to draw attention to her unrecognizable role as the Cockney woman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Marlene Dietrich?
Marlene Dietrich was a German-born actress and singer who became one of the most recognizable entertainers of the 20th century. She held both German and American citizenship and worked across stage, screen, and live performance for nearly seventy years.
What made Marlene Dietrich famous?
Her breakout role as the cabaret singer Lola Lola in Josef von Sternberg's 1930 film The Blue Angel catapulted her to international stardom. That performance secured her a major Hollywood contract with Paramount and launched a string of iconic screen roles.
What did Marlene Dietrich do during World War II?
She became a prominent morale-boosting entertainer in the United States, performing for troops stationed overseas. Her high-profile wartime appearances made her one of the most visible Allied supporters on the American home front.
How did Marlene Dietrich's career change after her Hollywood years?
Beginning in the 1950s, she shifted her focus from film to a global live-performance career that carried her through the 1970s. Her concert tours brought her singing and monologue shows to audiences around the world, cementing her status as a stage icon.
Why is Marlene Dietrich considered important in film and theater history?
She bridged European art-house cinema and mainstream Hollywood, helping to define the glamorous, androgynous leading-lady archetype of the classic era. Her nearly seven-decade career spanning acting, singing, and live performance made her a rare figure of sustained cross-medium influence.
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