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IMDbPro

The Scarlet Empress

  • 19341934
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
The Scarlet Empress (1934)
  • Drama
  • History
  • Romance
A German noblewoman enters into a loveless marriage with the dim-witted, unstable heir to the Russian throne, then plots to oust him from power.A German noblewoman enters into a loveless marriage with the dim-witted, unstable heir to the Russian throne, then plots to oust him from power.A German noblewoman enters into a loveless marriage with the dim-witted, unstable heir to the Russian throne, then plots to oust him from power.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Josef von Sternberg
  • Writers
    • Manuel Komroff(story- based on the diary of Catherine the Great)
    • Eleanor McGeary(contributor to screenplay construction)
  • Stars
    • Marlene Dietrich
    • John Lodge
    • Sam Jaffe
Top credits
  • Director
    • Josef von Sternberg
  • Writers
    • Manuel Komroff(story- based on the diary of Catherine the Great)
    • Eleanor McGeary(contributor to screenplay construction)
  • Stars
    • Marlene Dietrich
    • John Lodge
    • Sam Jaffe
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 55User reviews
    • 47Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos48

    Marlene Dietrich in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich and John Lodge in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich and John Lodge in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich and John Lodge in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich and Sam Jaffe in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich, C. Aubrey Smith, Ruthelma Stevens, Olive Tell, and Marie Wells in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    Marlene Dietrich in The Scarlet Empress (1934)
    "Scarlet Empress, The" Marlene Dietrich, John Lodge 1934/Paramount

    Top cast

    Edit
    Marlene Dietrich
    Marlene Dietrich
    • Princess Sophia Fredericaas Princess Sophia Frederica…
    John Lodge
    John Lodge
    • Count Alexeias Count Alexei
    Sam Jaffe
    Sam Jaffe
    • Grand Duke Peteras Grand Duke Peter
    Louise Dresser
    Louise Dresser
    • Empress Elizabeth Petrovnaas Empress Elizabeth Petrovna
    C. Aubrey Smith
    C. Aubrey Smith
    • Prince Augustas Prince August
    Gavin Gordon
    Gavin Gordon
    • Capt. Gregori Orloffas Capt. Gregori Orloff
    Olive Tell
    Olive Tell
    • Princess Johanna Elizabethas Princess Johanna Elizabeth
    Ruthelma Stevens
    Ruthelma Stevens
    • Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'as Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'
    Davison Clark
    • Archimandrite Simeon Todorskyas Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky…
    Erville Alderson
    Erville Alderson
    • Chancelor Alexei Bestuchefas Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef
    Philip Sleeman
    Philip Sleeman
    • Count Lestoqas Count Lestoq
    • (as Phillip Sleeman)
    Marie Wells
    Marie Wells
    • Marie Tshoglokofas Marie Tshoglokof
    Hans Heinrich von Twardowski
    Hans Heinrich von Twardowski
    • Ivan Shuvolovas Ivan Shuvolov
    • (as Hans von Twardowski)
    Gerald Fielding
    • Lt. Dmitrias Lt. Dmitri
    Maria Riva
    Maria Riva
    • Sophia as a Childas Sophia as a Child
    • (as Maria)
    Eric Alden
    Eric Alden
    • Lackey #5as Lackey #5
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Alexander
    Richard Alexander
    • Count von Breummeras Count von Breummer
    • (uncredited)
    Nadine Beresford
    • Sophia's Auntas Sophia's Aunt
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Josef von Sternberg
    • Writers
      • Manuel Komroff(story- based on the diary of Catherine the Great)
      • Eleanor McGeary(contributor to screenplay construction) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Marlene Dietrich's own daughter Maria Riva portrayed young Sophia at the beginning of the film and it was her debut in movies.
    • Goofs
      After Catherine stamps with her foot on the gold locket containing the portrait of Count Alexei, smashing it, she then flings it out of the window. The camera follows it as it falls slowly, glistening in the moonlight, through the branches of the tree outside her window, but it is completely undamaged.
    • Quotes

      Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky: Something for the poor, You Majesty?

      [Catherine removes several bracelets and places them in the collection plate]

      Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky: For the poor, Captain?

      [Capt. Orloff drops a handful of diamonds in the plate]

      Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky: Excellency?

      Count Alexei: [Count Alexei tosses a bag of what sounds like coins] Quite a haul tonight, Father.

      Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky: Chancellor?

      [the chancellor gives him a single coin]

      Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky: Elizabeth?

      [Countess Elizabeth flings the food she'd been eating onto the collection plate. The archimandrite places the morsel on the table]

      Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky: Your Imperial Majesty, something for the poor?

      [Peter slaps him]

      Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky: That was for me. Now what have you got for the poor?

      Grand Duke Peter: There are no poor in Russia! Get out!

    • Connections
      Edited from The Patriot (1928)
    • Soundtracks
      Symphony No.4 in F Minor, Op.36
      Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

      Excerpts played during the opening credits and incorporated into the score often

    User reviews55

    Review
    Top review
    Empress Dietrich
    This biopic about the rise of the German Princess Sofia to Empress Catherine of Russia, from naive and deferential innocent to rapacious predator, is accurate only in the broadest outlines. Even the opening credits indicate a loose approach to fact: "Based on a diary of Catherine," "arranged by Manuel Komroff."

    In the first half Marlene Dietrich in the title role overplays breathless awe so emphatically that one can only wonder if she was strictly directed to do so; after her sexual awakening after months of resisting the stirring of her passions by a rakish courtier (John Lodge) and crazed with frustration by her unconsummated marriage to the repellent Tsar-to-be Peter (Sam Jaffe), she melts into the arms of a palace guard during a sudden moonlit encounter.

    It's hard to believe this film passed the 1934 censors, given its open suggestions of out-of-wedlock sex (and subsequent pregnancy); Dietrich's posturings call to mind pre-Code Mae West (who was a friendly acquaintance of Dietrich's on the Paramount lot where they were working at the same time). Perhaps the keepers of the Code were too distracted by the shimmering vision of the blonde icon as lit by Josef von Sternberg. And make no mistake about it, this movie is a paean to Dietrich as a work of art. The "Catherine the Great" plot, scenic design and supporting players are the scaffolding and trappings supporting and surrounding the living goddess.

    These trappings are highly stylized and elaborate as, for example, the Lubitsch-like ritual of Princess Sophia (the future Empress Catherine) kissing the hands of all adults present whenever she enters or exits a room; when she isn't engaged in strictly supervised activities she is kept locked in her bedroom several flights above the main floor of her house; her mother is such a disciplinarian that she scolds the child even when the child obeys. Empress Elizabeth of Russia (Louise Dresser) is introduced on a grand throne in forbidding surroundings decorated with huge grimacing gargoyles festooned with dripping candles and attended by over-dressed lackeys, only to open her mouth and jabber like a bilious small-minded housewife. And the future Tsar Peter whom Sophia is sent to Russia to marry is an imbecile and described as such repeatedly in intertitles in case we miss the point.

    In fact the flow of exaggerations and extremes is more or less constant so that the viewer is alternately hypnotized and amused. If Dietrich is not your cup of tea, the movie will repel you, because it's all about her.
    helpful•5
    0
    • mukava991
    • Jun 17, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 7, 1934 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Catherine the Great
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $900,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,353
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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