Battle of the Blondes: Marlene Dietrich VS Ursula Andress.

Marlene Dietrich (27 December 1901 – 6 May 1992,) remained popular throughout her amazing career by continually re-inventing herself, as an actress. Her performance as Lola-Lola in The Blue Angel, brought her international fame and provided her a contract with Paramount Pictures in the film Shanghai Express, showcasing her glamour and exotic looks.

The Blue Angel (1930). Directed by Josef von Sternberg in 1930, based on Heinrich Mann's novel Professor Unrat. The film is considered to be the first major German sound film and it brought world fame to actress Marlene Dietrich. It also introduced her signature song, Friedrich Hollaender's "Falling in Love Again ".

Shanghai Express(1932). The pre-Code film stars Marlene Dietrich, Clive Brook, Anna May Wong, and Warner Oland. It was written by Jules Furthman, based on a story by Harry Hervey. It was the fourth of seven teaming of Sternberg and Dietrich.

Ursula Andress (born 19 March 1936) is a Swiss actress and a sex symbol of the 1960s. She is known for her roles as Bond girl Honey Ryder in, Dr. No, for which she won a Golden Globe, and as Vesper Lynd in the 1967 James Bond parody Casino Royale. Ursula Andress first sought out film work while on a holiday to Rome. After a string of films, Andress was brought to the U.S. as the New Dietrich, although the only things she actually had in common with Marlene Dietrich were German heritage and a magnificent legs. She became an international sensation through her bikini-clad appearance as Honey Rider in the first James Bond movie Dr. No (1962). Within a year, Andress was sharing billings with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in Four for Texas, and Elvis Presley in Fun in Acapulco (both 1963). After this her burst of super-celebrity, Andress settled into a series of films. During the making of 1981's Clash of the Titans, she linked up with the film's much younger leading man Harry Hamlin, who became the father of her child. Although Andress continued to make movies in the 1980s and '90s.

She(1965). Is based on the novel by H. Rider Haggard. It was directed by Robert Day and stars Sandahl Bergman, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

After, receiving honorable discharges from the British Army, Professor Holly, Leo Vincey and their servant Job, go on expedition to north-east Africa.



They find themselves in the lost city of Kuma, ruled by Ayesha, the immortal queen and former high priestess, who sees Leo as the reincarnation of her former lover, the priest Kallikrat.

Ayesha, tries to convince Leo, to walk into a bonfire after it has turned blue, which happens during special astronomical conditions. By entering the fire, Leo will become immortal.

Ayesha's army is attacked by Amahagger tribesmen, because Ayesha had the beautiful, Ustane executed. A young woman, who had fallen in love with Leo. Ustane's father Haumeid, had also befriended Leo, Holly and Job.

Leo, battles Bilali, Ayesha's priest, who wants immortality for himself. After battling Leo and giving him up for dead, Bilali enters the blue flames when he is killed by Ayesha.

Ayesha takes Leo's hand and leads him into the fire. The same fire destroys Ayesha's immortality, and she dies as the centuries catch up with her and she ages in a few seconds.

Andress gives one of her best acting performance in this film. The settings look amazing and the score by composer James Barnard, creates wonderful music which enhances the action and romance in this film.

Fun Fact:

For the final stage of Ayesha's disintegration, makeup was not applied to Ursula Andress, but to an uncredited elderly actress who doubled for the star.

Clash of the Titans (1981). Fantasy/adventure film involving the Greek hero Perseus.

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