Dietrich in costume for the famous/infamous "Hot Voodoo" number from her fourth American film, 1932's "Blonde Venus", directed by von Sternberg. Her character in the film, Helen Faraday, is working in a nightclub and first appears in the scene in a gorilla costume, surrounded by "savage" chorines. After slowly - and in very gorilla-like posture - traversing the room, she makes her way back to the stage and proceeds to dismantle herself, removing her gorilla hands, gorilla head and, after the addition of a large, arrow-pierced white frightwig, reveals herself to be some sort of very blonde savage, herself.
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| In this publicity shot the bodice of her costume is different than that used in the film; was it felt that this version was just too suggestive? |
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The following year, Shirley Temple got in on the act when she spoofed the great German diva in the Baby Burlesk short, “Kid N Hollywood.”
Apparently, there were no hard feelings.
