After her arrival in Hollywood, Marlene was dealt as the “New Garbo”, the “Answer to Garbo”, etc. comparisons were held very quickly. People do still compare them for different reasons. Some of them are very simple, regarding their looks, others are comparing their life style, etc.
American photographer Edward Steichen made this famous photomontage in 1934.
A rumor was that Garbo was upset about the “second Garbo” hullabaloo surrounding Marlene Dietrich's recent Hollywood debut in Morocco (USA 1930). MGM Film producer Harry Edington laughed off the idea that she was upset. Edington said Garbo admired Dietrich, though he denied the reports that she played Dietrich's records over and over. That story was started, he said, “after I brought a couple of records of the German girl's songs and played them for Garbo on the set” .
Marlene also said something about their similar look: “She must think that I am trying to imitate her, but there is nobody like Garbo.”
 Both women were from Europe, and therefore exotic next all the US American actresses.
MD as GG, both created their own legend.
Both wore men's trousers, and they became fashion icons for doing so.
Garbo, like Marlene Dietrich, harboured homosexual inclinations.
They shared friends, and maybe lovers to.
In 1937 both were named “Box Office Poison”.
Garbo had Stiller, Marlene had von Sternberg |
Austrian-American film director Josef von Sternberg, was known for "discovering Marlene". Sternberg (1894 – 1969) is one of the earliest examples of auteur filmmakers, and performed many other duties on his films besides directing, including cinematographer, writer, and editor. Sternberg's style has had a vast influence on later directors, particularly during the film noir movement. His mastery of mise-en-scene, lighting and soft lense is unrivaled, and his collaboration with Marlene is internationally celebrated.
Marlene and Sternberg
Von Sternberg tested various illuminations with Dietrich, to find the best way to make her look mystical, and unqiue. The northern light variation did fit the best with her. Below you see a shot with this typical illumination, and a photography shot by C.S. Bull of Garbo using the same sheme.
 
Who is who?
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