Museum of Resistance and Resilience

Marlene Dietrich and the Weimar Republic’s Influence:

Marlene Dietrich was German, consequently bringing the values of the Weimar Republic with her to Hollywood. The Weimar Republic was relatively nonrestrictive and tolerant, allowing women to live rather liberal lifestyles, opening the male world to females after WWI, and permitting open marriages for both partners to explore their sexual freedom, among other values. So, she came to America unapologetically flaunting her trousers and embracing her androgyny both onscreen and offscreen. However, due to the restrictive nature of the Hays Office and the potential backlash that her nonconforming attitude could trigger, her studio, Paramount, on several occasions attempted to dissuade her or prevent her from dressing in a masculine way. But, Dietrich firmly stood her ground and refused to play "the movie game", asserting that she liked wearing trousers and that she was not going to change her habits for anyone, not even for the people who could end her career. Eventually, Paramount surrendered and began to use her unique style to market her as “The Woman Even Women Can Adore” (Földessy, 2017).

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