# Clara Bow or Marlene Dietrich? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 16, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304 "2018-05-16T19:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/1 "2018-05-16T19:56:30Z")
Do you prefer perky, or sultry? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/2 "2018-05-16T20:11:27Z")
Clara Bow Marlene Dietrich seems kinda mean and sinister to me. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/3 "2018-05-16T20:17:54Z")
Dietrich is a better actress, IMO. Sinister is cool! ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/4 "2018-05-16T20:19:31Z")
Are you calling Dietrich slutty, or Bow? Let us never forget that Clara Bow was alleged (although it’s probably not true) that she once entertained the entire USC football team (including a young Marion Morrison). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/5 "2018-05-16T20:26:32Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Are you calling Dietrich slutty, or Bow? Let us never forget that Clara Bow was alleged (although it’s probably not true) that she once entertained the entire USC football team (including a young Marion Morrison). Please re-read the OP. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/6 "2018-05-16T20:35:26Z")
Reducing these two iconic actresses to a one-note personality description does both - and informed cinema-goers - a disservice. There is a simpler, more respectful and better way to compare them: Did Bow ever look this good in an ape suit? The answer is a resounding no. I see no point in discussing the matter further. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/7 "2018-05-16T20:37:13Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Please re-read the OP. 😃 Uh, I did. The question still stands. Which one is supposed to be sultry and which one is supposed to be perky? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/8 "2018-05-16T20:41:42Z")
Perky Clara all the way! :o ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/9 "2018-05-16T20:43:05Z")
Mawween, fowevew. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/10 "2018-05-16T20:43:42Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Uh, I did. The question still stands. Which one is supposed to be sultry and which one is supposed to be perky? Actually, the term you used was “slutty”. I realize that both actresses displayed a wide range of acting styles, but rather than write a couple pages on each actress I decided to keep the descriptions short and sweet. You may ignore those brief descriptions or substitute your own. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/11 "2018-05-16T21:09:56Z")
In the late 1930s the Nazis approached Dietrich about coming back to Germany and collaborating with them. She responded by becoming an American citizen, spent World War II entertaining Allied troops and was honored for humanitarian efforts. Plus, how many people - male or female - can really pull off a top hat and tails? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/12 "2018-05-16T21:13:54Z")
Other. I could probably come up with several if I put my mind to it. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/13 "2018-05-16T21:24:51Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Clara Bow was alleged (although it’s probably not true) that she once entertained the entire USC football team (including a young Marion Morrison). Hey, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/14 "2018-05-16T21:33:04Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Plus, how many people - male or female - can really pull off a top hat and tails? Barbara Bain? :dubious: (Okay; in this clip, it's a camisole, but hopefully you get my point.) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/15 "2018-05-16T21:34:46Z")
While I am amazed by the visuals and such of _The Blue Angel_, I falter on Lola Lola/Marlene Dietrich. She doesn’t seem like the kind of woman in terms of looks/talent/whatever that could ruin Rath (and the other clown guy in the background). And Dietrich’s acting is too wooden. Her appearance in _Touch of Evil_ is definitely not worth writing home about. Cutting out her scenes would noticeably improve the movie. Etc. Bow wins by default. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/16 "2018-05-16T21:46:17Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Plus, how many people - male or female - can really pull off a top hat and tails? [quote=“terentii, post:14, topic:814304”] Barbara Bain? :dubious: [/QUOTE] Marilu Henner. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xONaQE66oac) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/17 "2018-05-16T22:18:24Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > In the late 1930s the Nazis approached Dietrich about coming back to Germany and collaborating with them. She responded by becoming an American citizen, spent World War II entertaining Allied troops and was honored for humanitarian efforts. Sure, but Clara Bow had that snappy Nazi hat! I know, I know… Anyway, Dietrich doesn’t strike me as particularly attractive and I know little about their personal selves so I’ll cater to my base desires and pick Ms. Bow, Nazi hat and all. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/18 "2018-05-16T22:59:20Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Marilu Henner. > > [https://youtu.be/xONaQE66oac](https://youtu.be/xONaQE66oac) Marilu Henner, mmmmmmmmmmmm! :o ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/19 "2018-05-16T23:34:26Z")
I voted for MD because Tuesday Weld doesn’t qualify. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304/20 "2018-05-16T23:50:26Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I voted for MD because Tuesday Weld doesn’t qualify. I’d take Joey Heatherton over Tuesday Weld. :o [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clara-bow-or-marlene-dietrich/814304.md?page=2)