Marlene Dietrich’s War Efforts

The cool allure Marlene Dietrich brought to the screen will be on display in abundance during Turner Classic Movies’ 19-film festival airing Thursdays through January. But for a revealing glimpse behind the image, “Marlene Dietrich: Her Own Song” offers a haunting counterpoint (TCM, 5 and 8:30 p.m.).

Unlike the scores of documentaries on the late actress that have focused on her film credits or cabaret work, this special puts the late icon’s medal-winning record of entertaining U.S. troops front and center. Grandson and co-producer J. David Riva and interviews with family members, including her only child, daughter Maria Riva, provide unusual insight into the psychological underpinnings of that military commitment, as well as her show-business path.

The program points to the early deaths of Dietrich’s father and then stepfather, as well as the estrangement from her native Germany that resulted from her move to the U.S. to pursue a film career, as defining issues. And her subsequent stardom here, followed by her support tours for the World War II Allies--while her mother and family members were still living in Germany--filled her with pride while racking her with guilt.

In what would have been the year of her 100th birthday, Marlene Dietrich still fascinates.