Dishonored

Mysterious Lady
To be honest, the only reason I got this film was for its star, Marlene Dietrich. I knew it was only her second american film, and her third for Josef Von Sternberg. To see her early in her career, before Hollywood really worked with her, is interesting.
As for story, there really isn't much to it, as it is basically a retelling of the Mata Hari story, Dietrich-style.
She begins as a 'lady of the evening', discovered by a member of the Austrian Secret Police during World War one. Plucked from the streets and turned into a secret agent, she completes a mission or two, then goes after a top spy for the Russians, whom Austria is fighting. He eludes her, but falls under her spell.
Later, they meet again, only he has the upper hand this time. She slips him some sleeping powder and vanishes with some vital enemy info, after a night of passion.
Due to the success of the information she stole, the Austrians win a big victory, and the Russian spy is captured. Seeing him in...

a must-see for all Dietrich-fans
The third movie of the classic Dietrich-Sternberg pairing has everything for the fan. Rousing adventure,mystery and the legendary combination of sex and decadent elegance of miss Dietrich herself. Don't take the plot too seriously,it is rather silly but the cinematography is excellent

the magnificent Marlene
Dietrich is a fascinating and riveting actress to watch. The way she moves, her voice, her sultry cat-like quality...and in this film her constant companion is a black cat, said to be "for luck".
The character is loosely based on Mata Hari, and she's asked to be a spy because they need "a woman who can deal with men", and she gets them all under her spell.

She also plays the piano. The music, and the way it's interpreted, is an essential part of the plot.
One of my favorite songs, "Anniversary Waltz", is the main theme, but "Moonlight Sonata" is also played, as well as a more modern piece that's a "code".
They wanted Gary Cooper to play the part of the Russian colonel (and how wonderful he would have been), but after "Morocco", he had no desire to work with von Sternberg again, so Victor McLaglen got to be her adversary and love interest.

Though there are moments of dumb plot and script, it's...

Click to Editorial Reviews