The Scarlet Empress

• 6.935 Drama
• 1934-05-09
• 104 minutes mins

During the 18th century, German noblewoman Sophia Frederica, who would later become Catherine the Great, travels to Moscow to marry the dimwitted Grand Duke Peter, the heir to the Russian throne. Their arranged marriage proves to be loveless, and Catherine takes many lovers, including the handsome Count Alexei, and bears a son. When the unstable Peter eventually ascends to the throne, Catherine plots to oust him from power.

Starring:

Marlene Dietrich (Princess Sophia Frederica / Catherine II) John Lodge (Count Alexei) Sam Jaffe (Grand Duke Peter) Louise Dresser (Empress Elizabeth Petrovna) C. Aubrey Smith (Prince August) Gavin Gordon (Capt. Gregori Orloff) Olive Tell (Princess Johanna Elizabeth) Ruthelma Stevens (Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie') Davison Clark (Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky / Arch-Episcope) Erville Alderson (Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef)

Director:

Josef von Sternberg

Writer:

Manuel Komroff Eleanor McGeary