[Dietrich, Marlene (1901–1992)]
The Threatened Kidnapping of Maria Dietrich - Photographic Archive
A small archive from the collection of the family of Marlene Dietrich of items used by Beverly Hills Police Department in 1932 during the investigation into the threatened kidnapping of Marlene Dietrich's daughter Maria. The archive consists of 16 photographs of the letters and envelopes sent to Dietrich by the perpetrator(s), each with a Beverly Hills Police ink received stamp. The striking letters are put together as collages of words clipped out of newspapers and bear menacing, if sometimes confusing, messages such as "Mad hopes to take Maria away from home. We will quickly find her. Ha ha ha. L B meaning what?" The original envelope used to store the letters is included, with an autograph note presumably in Dietrich's hand reading "Kidnapper Briefe" ("kidnapper letters"). Complete contents listed below. Photographs stamped May 16, 1932. Sized 3 x 2 to 7 x 8 inches; some with mirroring in dark areas, few with staples at edges. Overall in very good condition.Photographed documents:
"You can decide for yourself. Your girl or death notice. What about it? Lindbergh Business."
"Ah, police, we laugh at them and how. Isn't that too bad? The suffering is up to you, Marlene. We're not through with you. And why not keep all between ourselves."
"Believe you us, we just will hang on."
"Kidnappers. We want $10,000 11:00 pm Monday May 16. Keep silent. Have you car in front of your home. Just put money package about six inches from street side on rear bumper. Don't call police. Don't be crazy. We urge quick action. Keep silent. Wanted only $5 and $10 bills. Quick service. Lindbergh business."
" 'Mad hopes' to take Maria away from home. We will quickly find her. Ha ha ha. L B meaning what?"
"Mama listen. Don't be a fool. Keep this secret. Others paid all and so will you. Will Harry Muller lose his Mama." (2 copies.)
"Secretly between you and me, watch for new information. We want the rest $483 due us or your boy. If you have been under the impression that the police kept us away that's certainly the bunk. Lindbergh business." (2 copies.)
Autograph postcard postmarked May 17, 1932: "P.M. Ross. Come up from L.A. on 9:00 pm mail. Mahoney." (2 copies.)
Envelopes addressed with newspaper clippings to Marlene Dietrich, postmarked May 15, May 17, May 25 (2 copies), and May 30, 1932.
In May of 1932, soon after the widely publicized kidnapping and murder of the infant son of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Dietrich began receiving letters dropping the Lindbergh name and threatening that her daughter would be kidnapped unless a payment of $10,000 (later $20,000) were made. Although frightening, the extortionists proved to be incompetent: threatening letters meant for Dietrich and another woman, Mrs. Egon Muller, were switched. Dietrich was confused to receive a letter meant for Muller which asked for the remaining $483 (Mrs. Muller had left $17 for the criminals, rather than the $500 they had demanded); meanwhile, Mrs. Muller received a letter meant for Dietrich. "District Attorney Buron Fitts and Chief of Detectives Blaney Matthews revealed nothing when they ceremoniously called a press conference: 'The people clipping and sending these letters are just a bunch of cheap chiselers. They are probably inexperienced, too, and the threats are more or less idle.' And so they were. The Sieber and Muller children were never threatened again, the clumsy extortionists were not apprehended, and by midsummer (although Dietrich kept her bodyguards on full-time alert for several months) the matter was no longer a prime concern to anyone." (Donald Spoto, Blue Angel: The Life of Marlene Dietrich, p. 98). (15208)
Unsigned Photograph Archive Film