Directed: Josef von Sternberg

Year: 1930

Nominated: Best Director – Josef von Sternberg, Best Actress – Marlene Dietrich

Plot in 25 Words: A cabaret singer falls for a soldier in the foreign legion. She agrees to marry a rich diplomat before following her soldier into the desert.

In My Opinion: I was quite excited to watch this. I’ve heard of Marlene Dietrich and I seem to think she’s a strong, independent woman. And she might well have been nut that side of her isn’t represented in this role.

I really didn’t enjoy it at all. It was dull and so very similar to a dozen films I’ve seen before it. The end scene was fairly impressive and obviously a famous shot as she walks off into the desert in skirt and heels, but it was the only memorable scene for me.

A bit of adultery, bit of a whipped, under-the-thumb fiancee but the rest just seemed a bit formulaic.

The sets and costumes were incredible. It certainly looked like Morocco and not the car park of the MGM studios which is where I assume they filmed!

Star Performer: Adolphe Menjou as Kennington La Bessiere. His sad monologue how he can drive his fiancee to see her ex-lover she still loves was just heartbreaking.

Overall: Marlene Dietrich kissed a woman – the scandal!