Marlene Dietrich Ringmaster New York - Glamorous grandmother of the screen - Marlene Dietrich , in unusual attire for the International Society Ball . The seemingly ageless beauty , played ringwaster at the ball , which was rigged up in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel as a circus , with the Big Top as the ballroom . The nine hour party glittered with celebrities , including the Duchess of Windsor , who helped organise the affair , profits of which go to France - American Charities . 11th April 1959