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| Note |
THE FLAME OF NEW ORLEANS
Marlene Dietrich:
It was his [Pasternak's] idea that I should make a film with
Rene Clair. At first I resisted the idea. But finally out
of loyalty to my old principle, that doing your duty was all
that mattered, I yielded. So, in my date book, I wrote: THE
FLAME OF NEW ORLEANS, under the direction of Rene Clair,
with Bruce Cabot.
Cabot was an awfully stupid actor, unable to remember his
lines or cues. Nor could Rene Clair, who didn't speak a word
of English, lend him a helping hand. Besides, Bruce Cabot,
in contrast to John Wayne, was very conceited. He wouldn't
accept any help. I finally resigned myself to paying for his
lessons, so that he would at least know his lines during shooting.
The team loathed Rene Clair (surely because of the language
barrier) to such an extent that the technicians almost pushed
me off the set the moment they heard the order: Pack up your
things.' THE
FLAME OF NEW ORLEANS was a flop. I played
a double role (two sisters) and, as always, wore lavish costumes,
but that wasn't enough.
I didn't particularly like Rene Clair, but I didn't hate him
as much as the rest of the team did.
Excerpt from
Marlene Dietrich: My Life.© 1987 by Marlene Dietrich.
Reprinted by permission of M. Dietrich, Inc.
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