Marlene Dietrich! and How Make-Up Went Mainstream - Jstor

In part due to its adoption by early stage and film stars, Make-Up Went Mainstream as ladies were assured by advertisers and manufacturers that cosmetics didn't make them look 'bad' or inauthentic. With foundation, one assumes that 'evening out skin tone' was often a goal, then as now, with the result that actors' faces didn't fade under bright spotlights and their good features could be emphasized. And even then, perhaps the haggard look of a night out and subsequent hang-over benefited as well though for some big drinkers it may have taken more than one layer and a shovel before they reported for acting duties!

Now you may be interested in a cool article on how to apply cosmetics so you can Look Like a Silent Film Star!

And here's Marlene Dietrich as a cabaret star in Blonde Venus seen in full, professionally applied make-up and looking the epitome of glamour!

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Do you perhaps have a moment or two for a trailer with a favorite actor of mine Cary Grant starring with Marlene in 1932's "stylish melodrama" Blonde Venus?

And so, in spite of the dubious chemicals in make-up (then as now!), film stars of any era wouldn't appear nearly as glamorous without their 'painted faces' and make-up tricks of the trade! And naturally, Neptune, planet of glamour, veils, masks, disguises, and film approves and was a driving force behind the early use of make-up on stage and in movies with the help of ravishing Venus, planet of beauty, art, decor, and romance, plus, a lift here and there from film-making's special effects!

Natal Astrology Reveals

Check out An Astro-Portrait of Cary Grant and the natal horoscope of Marlene Dietrich nee Marie Magdalena von Losch Dietrich (RR: AA) with Sun in early Capricorn, Moon in early Leo (sign of the entertainer), Ascendant in Virgo (the virgin and youthful looking when rising), and Midheaven ('MC' = The Goal Point) in the third decan of Venus-ruled Taurus, the builder.

Marlene as Ice Goddess

As for Dietrich's natal planets and asteroids, her Venus in cool Aquarius partially accounts for her ice goddess image and facial expressions while seductress asteroid Lilith is quite happy in sexy Scorpio. (See Venus through the Signs) for more details. Now Jupiter expands or increases whatever he touches in a chart, and hers conjoins asteroid Astraea, so often depicted as a starry goddess. Both planet and asteroid fall upon a critical degree (20 Capricorn). Astrological Astraea suggests many themes, justice among them, plus, the study of Astrology. But in relationships she may denote one who stays in relationships too long until the bitter end! Here are a few biographical details about her life including the fact that she and her husband lived together for only five years yet remained married until death did they part.

As you can imagine, her natal Moon (reigning need) in Leo, sign of the entertainer, craved applause, attention, and approval while her planetary line-up in Saturn-ruled Capricorn denotes quite a shrewd businesswoman--from her Mercury (2:17), Sun (5:25), Chiron (7:03), Saturn (her chart's final dispositor @17:12--in its own sign), Jupiter (20:25), and exalted-in-Capricorn Mars (25:57)--all posited in her 5th house of Creativity. (See Planet of Desire: Mars through the Signs for details.) Plus, Capricorn is a musical sign as her sultry singing voice can attest. Yet Dietrich's Moon squared her Scorpio Nodal Axis of public contacts (lunar nodes), so I'll guess that in her day she may have been more popular with men than with the ladies, as Cary Grant's character in the above clip apparently agrees. Brooding Scorpio also denotes the plutonian quality of some of her film roles, plus, Mars in Saturn-ruled Capricorn hints at her masculine tuxedo outfits and demeanor.

Astrological Neptune Prominent

Glamorous Neptune at the critical 29th degree of versatile Gemini in 10th house of Career and Public Status (and conjoining a Cardinal World Point of Fame and Fortune: 00Cancer) opposes both her Sun (personality, essence) and Mercury (thinking, communication, speaking, planning) suggesting early issues of confused identity and emotional insecurity especially in regard to authority figures, authenticity, and an inner sense of authority which had to be developed as she grew to adulthood. A father complex is suggested.

Actually, natal Sun-Neptune contacts are not unusual for thespians and her Mercury-Neptune aspect is prone to fantasies and daydreams--helpful for a career in acting which is one of the more positive ways to express these deceptive energies. Yet paranoia, suspicion, defiance, and fear of competition may have resulted as well due to Neptune's nebulous, undermining, and weakening influences although a fabulous and creative imaginary quality can still be seen exuding from Marlene's appearances on elusive Neptune's Silver Screen with Neptunian deception made to serve her showy Leo Moon on stage and in film.