 Marlene Dietrich (qv) (Lola Lola) was, contrary to common belief,  not the "star" of the film. She was not even a known actress. She  was one of several students at an acting academy who were auditioned  by director Josef von Sternberg (qv) for the role. Each of the  girls was told to bring with them "a naughty song" which they would  perform. Dietrich was so nervous and so sure that she would not get  the role that she showed up without a song.