Made after but released in the US before The Blue Angel, Dishonored is Marlene Dietrich's introduction to America as well as her Svengali creator, Josef Von Sternberg. Excellently lensed by Lee Garmes the story lags in favor of promoting Dietrich's mystique.
Set in Austria in 1915, War widow Marie Kolivor (Dietrich) is forced to work the streets where the head of the Secret Service posing as a "john" feels she might make the perfect spy for outing traitors. She pulls off her first assignment with aplomb before aiming higher with another traitor Colonel Kranau (Victor McLaglen).
Von Sternberg's obsession with Dietrich is evident from start to finish as scenes lag in order to promote her confident erotic strong points. Garmes captures the elegant bedroom eyed Marlene perfectly in a variety of elaborate costume, but it works against the flow of the story as Von Sternberg continuously pauses to be in awe of his Trilby.
Dated, but still a good looker and a must for Dietrich fans.
Set in Austria in 1915, War widow Marie Kolivor (Dietrich) is forced to work the streets where the head of the Secret Service posing as a "john" feels she might make the perfect spy for outing traitors. She pulls off her first assignment with aplomb before aiming higher with another traitor Colonel Kranau (Victor McLaglen).
Von Sternberg's obsession with Dietrich is evident from start to finish as scenes lag in order to promote her confident erotic strong points. Garmes captures the elegant bedroom eyed Marlene perfectly in a variety of elaborate costume, but it works against the flow of the story as Von Sternberg continuously pauses to be in awe of his Trilby.
Dated, but still a good looker and a must for Dietrich fans.