When film star Marlene Dietrich swept the floor of the Wolverhampton Grand

Now, 48 years after the Hollywood legend graced the boards of the Grand, theatre staff are hoping people who remember her performance will come forward with their memories.

Bosses are particularly keen to speak to anybody who worked at the city theatre when Dietrich appeared in December, 1966.

For many years, Dietrich's signed picture has been hanging in the theatre's foyer, as part of a display chronicling the venue's past. But marketing officer Vicky Price said little was known about her time at the Grand.

"We think she was there for about a week, and she was very well received, as you would have expected such a famous film star to be," said Miss Price.

"Legend has it that Dietrich's costume was partly made up of a pure white fur coat, one that she was so eager to keep clean that she actually swept the stage herself each evening to keep it immaculately clean."

Miss Price believes that at least one member of staff from that time was still living in the Wolverhampton area, and was keen for anybody who could come forward to confirm the story.

"We would also be interested if anyone remembers coming to see the production and have any memories they would like to share," she said.

The theatre is trying to find more information about the show as part of its 120th anniversary celebrations.

The German-born actress, who died in 1992 aged 91, was named the American Film Institute's ninth-greatest female star of all time.

She is remembered for her appearances in films including Shanghai Express and Desire, but she spent most of the 1950s to the 1970s touring the world as a successful show performer. She was a vocal opponent of the Nazis, and became an American citizen in 1939.

Anybody with any memories of Dietrich's run at the Grand is asked to contact Scott Bird on 01902 573311 or email scottb@grandtheatre.co.uk