#marlene dietrich my crush my wife

[transjudas]

Morocco (1930) The story goes that the iconic lesbian kiss in this film was, if not directly Marlene Dietrich's idea, vehemently defended by her. It is said that she suggested that having her take the flower from the young woman she kissed and then giving it to the soldier would make it so that the kiss could not be cut to appease censors without making the appearance of the flower make no sense. I haven't found any source that this is fact, but either way, having a lesbian kiss on screen in 1930 was unusual. As was seeing women in more masculine suits.

[arcadianambivalence]

Babylon Berlin, S3E5

This episode has some of my favorite scenes and one of my least favorite scenes of this show.  Let’s take the plunge and do the least-favorite part first.

A mutually distrusting Gereon and Bohm arrive at Tristan Rot’s manor to investigate a lead in the film case.  Charlotte is rocking the classic movie eyeliner, and as the three enter the manor, it looks like a silent movie.  Danger sepia is back!

What follows can only be described as…a séance orgy led by Dr. Schmidt...

Thankfully, Bohm has had enough and interrupts the charade, but Gereon is off chasing Schmidt...who quickly hypnotizes him.  

*deep breath* 

There are some sentences I never thought I’d write, but here we are…and all before the opening credits.

I promise the rest of the episode makes more sense.

After that bizarre late-night investigation, Gereon meets Katelbach at the Romanische Cafe.  Samuel is less than thrilled to see the man who (like Greta) lied in court, but Gereon hopes evidence from Benda’s file will bring him back into Samuel’s good graces.

There’s a funny moment where Samuel teases that Gereon just missed all the great minds of the time—Thomas Mann, Albert Einstein, even Marlene Dietrich.  

I won’t say all is forgiven, but Katelbach and Rath are one step closer to working together again.

Charlotte is riding the high of last night’s success until she realizes the entire department is laughing at her for how she went undercover as a prostitute dancer.  Bohm tries to hand her menial work again, but Charlotte pushes for assignments equal to her status.  It does not go well.  Henning and Czerwinski do not stand up for her or try to talk to her afterward, despite being right there. 

Charlotte and Gereon engage in some playful ribbing about his unkempt appearance in the world’s longest elevator ride.  He tells her his “family” is away (still keeping up the married pretense), and Charlotte, having seen Helga at the hotel last episode, does not question him.  For now.

But who cares about a romantic subplot when there’s a gangster meeting? 

All right, which one of youse wise guys is stepping on our turf?

After four episodes of economic uncertainty, Edgar calls all the crime lords together to get someone to confess.  Walter loudly supports him, which leads Edgar to suspect Walter is behind his financial woes.

(Give it a few weeks, and something else will be behind his financial woes…)

Meanwhile, everyone’s least favorite couple is spending time in the world’s pinkest hotel room.  (It’s pink because red would be too obvious.)

Nyssen is laying on the charm with Helga, but she has some doubts.  

“Why do I risk losing everything?” she asks.  

“You want to get to know the unknown.  The unknown within you,” he replies, then gives a big speech about reaching your potential that could be inspirational...if it didn’t sound like a pitch for a cult.

But this talk of risk does make me think of Gennat’s lecture on crime and the 7 sins.  Why do people gamble or try the stock market?  Why would Edgar’s unknown enemy risk angering such a dangerous guy?  Why take risks with money or with relationships?  Greed for a higher return?  Lust for excitement?  Buffing up your ego against your wounded pride?

Speaking of wounded pride, Tristan is released from questioning after the police find nothing of use during questioning their lead suspect.  He mugs for the cameras, a nice contrast to Nyssen’s arrest in season one.  Gereon can’t help but laugh at the sight.

The case may be at a dead end, but at least the killer has a nickname in the press: The Phantom of Babelsberg.

Phantom?  So the allusions DO pay off!

While the true identity of the Phantom is still unknown, Lotte uncovers Otto’s real name, Horst Kessler.  

(*checks notes*  Horst.  Fitting.)  

Horst has his own subplot now, too.  He has a crush on a prostitute, Erna.  He hopes his friends in high places can give her a better life.  Like Nyssen, he gives a speech to the lady he hopes to woo, and when he turns to face the woman he’s white knighting over...she’s asleep.

That’s not...quite the line.

But someone did accept his offer, Greta, and it is the day of her sentencing.  In the middle of the episode, we suddenly get a time stamp: the 16th of September, 1929.  

And, as you’d imagine when the rules of the episode are broken, we get the verdict: guilty.  Greta refuses any chance of appeal.  Only then can she raise her eyes to Irmgard’s.

Charlotte is at a loss for any last-minute scheme to save Greta.  Only Hindenburg could call off the execution...or a brilliant lawyer, like Hans Litten.  But there’s a rub: he’s a lawyer for Red Aid and a rumored communist supporter.  

(The writers have cleverly name dropped this actual person in nearly every episode to build up his significance before his official introduction to the plot).

Even with the faintest of hopes that Greta could get an appeal, Gereon counters Lotte against hoping for too much.

I mentioned earlier that this episode has some of my favorite scenes from this show.  The first scene was between Katelbach and Rath in the cafe.  This next exchange is the second one.

CHARLOTTE: “But Greta was used.  She’s no murderer.”

GEREON: “Yes, she is.”

It is perhaps the most important exchange in this series.

...

And...honestly, I could end the review here for the rest of the episode—for the  rest of the show.  This is the main theme of Babylon Berlin spoken between the two leads.  It’s one of the few times where the dialogue in this show seems to be written expressly for the viewers.

Yes, Greta was used.  Yes, Greta was tricked.  Yes, Greta bitterly regrets the choices she made.  But she still made them.

(This case is the years to come in microcosm.  Premeditated murder of a Jewish man and his child set into action by someone who knew better, egged on by people who most definitely wanted him dead because he represented something different from their view of the world?  It checks out.)

But Greta’s guilt is too much for Charlotte to accept, so she turns on Gereon and brings up his “wife,” who is not away on holiday at all.  It’s a petty response, but it hurts Gereon like Charlotte intends.

Gereon tracks down the hotel where Helga is staying and casually breaks into the suite and goes through her personal effects.  He startles Moritz, too.  

(Gereon, at this rate, you would make a terrible father).

At the Beneke house, Elisabeth notices that Katelbach is not his usual sarcastic self.  She tries to get him to share his burden, they have the old “I can’t endanger you” back-and-forth, and at last he relents.

With Elisabeth and Katelbach back to their old routine and Gereon visiting one of his old haunts, it’s starting to feel like season one again.  The tap girl from the first season is still there, too.  She solemnly tries to imitate his cigarette trick from season one.  

(I’m dreading the final appearance of this nameless recurring character, to be honest.  I know it’s going to hurt.)

But so much has happened already, and everyone has changed so much.  It rings hollow.  Dark circles are starting to form under this girl’s eyes, too.

That night, Volcker enters Greta’s cell and sits down with a solemn, almost mournful expression.  “I’m your new cell mate.”

Notes:

The Romanische Cafe was a hot spot for the great minds of post-war Berlin (and those hoping to join them).  The distinction between “swimmers” and “non-swimmers” was true, too.

Thomas Mann would have won the Nobel Prize for Literature the same year this episode occurs.

Marlene Dietrich would become a household name the following year with The Blue Angel.

[milkchu]

❝anyway the wind blows❞ nine.

Summary: (Y/N) Mercury’s journey of love, fame, and pain, alongside what would become one of the most legendary bands ever, Queen.

Pairing: Borhap!Queen x Reader, eventual Brian May x Reader

A/N: ngl this chapter really hurts. it’s also kinda short btw. happy (or sad) reading! 💓

Warnings: swearing, ANGST.

{previous chapter} {next chapter}

London, 1980

“What do you think?” You asked Brian, grinning widely after turning back from your huge framed picture of Marlene Dietrich.

Brian seemed to study your face a little bit, a small smile on his face as he looked at your now newly cut hair that he thought fit you perfectly.

“Beautiful,” He breathed, making your heart flutter, but you let out a ‘tsk’ before saying, “Not this darling,” You pointed to your face, before gesturing to the new mansion you just bought, “The house!”

“Isn’t it amazing?” You smiled as you walked around, decoration plans already coming to mind, Brian following you.

“Matthew’s already moved in next door, so he can visit the cats and me.”

“Uh-huh,” Brian said, looking up at the high-ceiling, wondering how the hell this huge mansion can only be occupied by you, and the cats, of course.

“Each cat will have his own room!” You bubbled, Brian letting out a soft chuckle at your excitement.

“Delilah’s by the kitchen, Miko’s next door....”

“Tiffany, Oscar, and Romeo, all upstairs!”

“Lilly’s room is even larger than this one! Spoilt thing.”

“Well, I’m not sure the echo is quite pronounced enough,” Brian joked, walking back towards you in the living room with a chandelier on top.

You chuckled, before singing out, “Ay-oh!”, Brian letting out a soft laugh at you.

“Oh, I knew you’d appreciate it,” You smiled, placing your hand on his shoulder, before continuing, “Stay for dinner! Anything you fancy.”

Brian sighed, before saying, “I can’t. Wife, kids, you know.”

Your smile immediately fell. You swore you felt your heart ache a little, but nodded at him, a forced smile forming at your lips, “Of course.”

But, you still insisted. “Oh, come on! We’ll eat off the floor, it’s clean enough!” You jested.

Brian grinned but then sighed, patting your shoulder, “Another time, (Y/N/N).”

Yup, your heart definitely ached even more.

But, your lonely thoughts were soon gone when you felt long arms wrap around you, pulling you into an embrace. You closed your eyes at the contact, wanting so desperately to stay like this forever. But, he pulled away.

As soon as Brian left, you immediately felt so alone, even with the company of your cats. Alone. That’s what you were. So, you decided to call a certain someone that night.

Dialing in Matthew’s number on your phone, you waited anxiously, heart beating fast before he answered, “Hello?”

“Matthew?”

“Hi,” Matthew answered. You immediately noticed he was panting a little bit.

“Hello, my love,” You smiled to yourself.

Matthew chuckled, “Hi,” before you heard a muffled giggle in the background. A female one. That’s not you.

“Did I catch you at a bad time?” You chuckled.

“Uh-no, no, no, you didn’t!” He stuttered before he let out a soft giggle, then making a ‘shhh’ sound, probably at his female companion.

“Do you need something, (Y/N)?” He asked.

You wanted to talk to him. Just to hear his voice again.

“Oh, uh, no. Just wanted to see how you’re doing.” You said, feeling tears forming in your eyes.

“Are you okay?” He asked with sudden concern.

You let out a sniffle, before rapidly wiping your tears away, “Yeah, I am. I’m okay.”

“(Y/N)...”

“Well, I hope you enjoy your night, Matthew! Goodbye.”

“(Y/N)-” But you hung up. He didn’t need you. Right?

Letting out a sigh, you rid of your tears again, before sitting down on the piano bench, dialing another number. Someone who doesn’t make you feel alone for once.

“Paul?”

“(Y/N)?”

“Sweetheart, I want to throw a party.”

“Okay, who do you want to invite?”

You scoffed, “People!”

“I want you to shake the freak tree and invite anyone who plops to the ground.”

Paul laughed in response, before you continued, “Dwarfs and giants, magicians, Zulu tribesmen, contortionists, fire eaters,”

“And priests,” You smirked.

“We’re going to need to confess.”

Striding down you staircase, with your royal crown and ermine robe on, the crowd erupted with laughs and cheers.

Walking over to Paul and Reid, Paul went behind you and undid your robe, revealing your short dress that was a two-piece with a tube top and some jewel embellishments on it.

“Fill me up, will you, Trixie?” You joked to Paul.

“Marvelous, (Y/N)! You’ve outdone yourself!” Reid said to you, patting your shoulder.

You grinned, walking over to the dwarf in the other room, “Thank you, John. I’m so glad you love it!” Before you took the two small boxes from Tiffany’s from him.

“They say money can’t buy happiness, darlings!” You exclaimed, throwing one in the air. “But it does allow you to give it away!” You gave the other one to a random woman.

“I see you and Paul are getting along quite well,” Reid said to your ear.

“He’s Trixie now! ‘Cause he’s always up to something,” You grabbed a glass of champagne from a waiter.

You walked through the crowd, trying to find your way to the living room, until you went up to a man you’ve met before, whispering some things into his ear, then walked away.

Finally reaching the living room, you found your three mates, along with their wives, sitting on the couches in the middle.

“Well, well, well!” You put your arms up, twirling around before Brian greeted you, chuckling at your ensemble with the crown, “Ah, your majesty!”

“No, I’m not her majesty! We’re her majesty, darling!” You exclaimed, before jumping down on the free seat, your champagne spilling out a little bit, making everybody laugh.

“Cheers!” You held your glass up, before everybody said the same, clinking your glasses together.

“Where’s Matthew?” You looked around, before Brian responded, sighing, “It’s not exactly his scene, is it, (Y/N)?”

Your smile fell a little bit, as you took your crown off, placing it near by Deacy’s seat, before breaking into a smile again, “Fabulous, isn’t it?”

Brian nodded, “If you say so.”

Paul then came in, refilling your glass without saying anything.

“You two are close now, huh?” Brian said, gesturing to your and Paul.

“What’s wrong with that, Brian?” Paul smirked.

“You’re supposed to be with Queen, (Y/N). Not the Village People,” Brian joked.

You laughed in response, “You might want to think about cutting your hair one day!” Grinning at him.

“Never. I was born like this,” He smiled, pointing to himself, everybody laughing in response.

Hearing Super Freak by Rick James suddenly come on, you stood up, “Come on!”

“Let’s dance!”

Brian squinted his eyes, shaking his head, “I don’t dance, (Y/N).”

“I need a few more of these for that,” Deacy joked, holding his drink up.

“It’s my party, and I demand you dance!” You exclaimed to them, “By royal decree!” before you noticed Roger and Dominique stand up and walk towards you, “We’re gonna go, actually.”

You frowned at the blond, “Oh, God! You’re dull. If you were any more dull, you’d be Deacy.”

“What are you complaining about?” Roger said, in a serious tone, “You’ve got your little pet,” He glared over at Paul.

You followed his gaze and decided to fire back at him, “I have, and he’s loyal,” You stared at Roger, “Loyalty’s so important. Don’t you think, Dominique?” You looked over to her.

“Careful, (Y/N/N),” Roger warned as you casually sipped on your drink, before he said to his Dominique, “Let’s go.” Brian and Chrissie standing up to leave as well.

They both brushed past you, leaving the room. “Where are you going?” You whined, “Just a joke!”

Brian and Chrissie walked up to you before Brian said something that completely crushed your heart, his hand on your shoulder, 

“(Y/N), sometimes you’re a total bitch.”

Then leaving. Chrissie looking at you sadly but greeting you goodnight. Deacy and Veronica following.

You felt your chest ache as all of them left. Looking at the floor with tears threatening to come out of your eyes.

Paul then interrupted your thoughts, “Forget them. Come on! Your guests are waiting!”

“They all want a little Mercury in their cup.”

You both smirked, before Paul pushed, “Come on!”

Walking over to the couch, you stood up on it, “All right!”

You raised your glass up, “My darlings…”

“The time has finally come…”

“To get absolutely...shit-faced!”

The entire house erupted with cheers, but little did you know, a certain curly-haired friend of yours heard your little announcement.

Shaking his head as he felt nothing but pity for you at that moment.

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