Dietrich breaks thigh

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33962, 1 October 1975, Page 6

Dietrich breaks thigh

(N.Z. Pms Assn—Copyright) SYDNEY, September 30. The veteran actress, Marlene Dietrich, was rushed to hospital today with a fractured thigh-bone. The 73-year-old Miss Dietrich, reputed to have the most expensive legs in show business, suffered the injury when she fell heavily as she was about to begin her show at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Sydney last night. Her promoter, Mr Cyril Smith, said in a statement that the remainder of the Sydney season would be cancelled. It was not yet known how long Miss Dietrich will remain in hospital, he said.

It was the second serious injury suffered by Miss Dietrich in a fall on stage. Two years ago, she broke her hip, and newspaper critics had remarked earlier in

the Sydney season that Miss I Dietrich seemed to have difficulty walking around the| stage. Last night's accident occured with only five of hfer 12-show season remaining. Miss Dietrich, singing the songs she made famous in the 19305, had had a mixed reception on the Sydney section of her Australian tour which had cost promoters $250,000. A shocked audience at the theatre saw Miss Dietrich clutch a curtain, take one step, and crash to the stage. The main curtain was lowered hurriedly as Miss Dietrich lay motionless. After her fall, she was carried from the stage to her dressing room. News photographers later pictured her lying on the back seat of a private car and shielded by a companion as she was driven to her hotel. An ambulance was called

Ito the hotel this morning to take Miss Dietrich to hospi|tal, said Mr Smith.