The Scarlet Empress (1934)

Marlene Dietrich: Princess Sophia Frederica, Catherine II

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Quotes 

• Princess Sophia Frederica : Did you bring me a portrait of the grand duke?

  Count Alexei : I'm sorry, I did not. Would you like him to be handsome?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Isn't he?

  Count Alexei : Would you like him to be better-looking than all other men, and tall, and gracious?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Yes, I think I would.

  Count Alexei : Well, he is all that and more. He's the handsomest man in the Russian court, tall and formed like a Greek god, a model in fashion and deportment which all of us strive to follow. Are you eager to see him?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Yes.

  Count Alexei : His eyes are like the blue sky, his hair the color of ebony. He is stronger than a team of oxen, and sleepless because of his desire to receive you in his arms. And he can also read and write.

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : So can my daughter. She can also cook and sew and make her own bed if she has to. Can't you, Sophia?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : But I don't like to make my own bed, Mother.

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : Don't speak unless you're questioned.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : You did question me, Mother.

• Count Alexei : Be careful with that knife. You'll cut your beautiful hand. Your hand is beautiful, isn't it?

  [He kisses her] 

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Why did you do that?

  Count Alexei : Because I've fallen in love with you. And now you may punish me for my effrontery.

  [He hands her a whip] 

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I deserve punishment far more than you do. We must never do this again. It's disloyal to my future husband.

  Count Alexei : Disloyal? It's treason, and I must be careful in the future, But you must help me by not exciting me with your beautiful eyes.

  [She stares at him] 

  Count Alexei : I told you not to look at me.

  [He kisses her] 

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : What are you two doing down there? Don't answer me. I don't want to know. Sophia, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

  [Sophia hands back the whip] 

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : You will instantly follow me to our rooms. Incidentally, our rooms are beneath all contempt, Your Excellency. I want you to know that the stables are probably better than the quarters that you've assigned to us.

  Count Alexei : I'm sorry, Your Highness. The horses are tired. But if you prefer the stables, I'm certain that I can arrange to have the horses quartered in your bedroom.

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : Barbarian!

  [Leading Sophia away] 

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : You're going to sleep in my room tonight.

• Grand Duke Peter : [Catherine is surrounded by Hessians. Grand Duke Peter points his sword at Catherine's heart]  Right here, gentlemen. What a lovely target. You're looking quite well, Catherine, since you provided me with an unexpected addition to the family.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Thank you, Peter. It's nice to see you again.

• Sophia's Aunt : Grand duchess of Russia. Not bad for this family.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I wonder what he looks like.

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : That unimportant detail can be settled when the Russian ambassador gets here.

• Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : So this is little Sophie. Sophia Frederica. Hardly a name for a future empress. You don't like your name, do you?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I do, Your Imperial Majesty.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : You will be called Catherine Alexina, a good Russian name.

• Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : Her Majesty is very ill, and her days are numbered. Soon, she will be no more, poor soul, and another maniac will become our emperor. It will be a bad day for Russia, and for me if I live that long.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Why are you telling this to me?

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : I suppose you know that the grand duke isn't exactly pleased with the present state of affairs.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : State of affairs? What affairs? I haven't had an affair for some time.

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : I know that the grand duke plans to remove you from court... or worse, as soon as he is in power.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : You need have no fear for me. Now that I've learned how Russia expects me to behave, I like it here. And I intend to stay, grand duke or no grand duke.

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : We all hope you will stay, and I, for one, at the risk of my neck, would like to help you.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : How could you be of help?

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : I control enough of the political machine to carry some weight in a crisis.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I have no wish to share in any petty conspiracy. Should it become unavoidable, I think I have weapons that are far more powerful than any political machine.

  Archimandrite Simeon Todorsky : I'm afraid you don't know Russians, my child.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : That's possible, Father, but I'm taking lessons as fast as I can.

• Count Alexei : At last, Your Majesty, I've achieved the enviable privilege of entering these rooms.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I seem to have a faint recollection that you had that privilege before.

  Count Alexei : Not since the days of Her Late Majesty, whom I often visited in the capacity of a trusted admirer.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Tell the others I've retired. Send them away. And come back in here.

  Count Alexei : [to the people waiting outside Catherine's rooms]  Her Majesty wishes to be alone. You may retire.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Tell me, Alexei, are you still fond of me?

  Count Alexei : Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. I love you. But I'm completely bewildered by your attitude towards me. However, I've become accustomed to regard you as one of those extraordinary women who create their own laws and logic. And now I'm concerned only with your safety.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Is it my safety that concerns you, or the safety of an empress?

  Count Alexei : I would give my life, Your Imperial Majesty, if the woman I adore were not so far removed from me in station.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : The woman you adore is quite close to you, isn't she?

  Count Alexei : Catherine, I love you, worship you.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I asked you here tonight because I want you to do something for me. I can trust you, can't I? We'll always be friends, won't we?

  Count Alexei : Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. What is it you require?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Blow out the candles. Behind the mirror, as you know, there's a flight of stairs. Down below, someone is waiting to come up. Will His Excellency be kind enough to open the door for him carefully so that he can sneak in?

  Count Alexei : [Count Alexei finds Captain Orloff at the foot of the stairs]  Her Imperial Majesty is waiting for you, Captain.

  Capt. Gregori Orloff : Yes sir. Thank you, sir.

  Count Alexei : Will you deliver a message for me, Captain?

  Capt. Gregori Orloff : I would be very glad to, sir.

  Count Alexei : Tell Her Imperial Majesty that I quite understand now. No, never mind. Don't tell her anything. She'll know.

  Capt. Gregori Orloff : Yes, sir.

• Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : This is the Order of Saint Catherine. May you both wear it in good health, and be careful it doesn't scratch you.

  [to Count Alexei] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Don't stand around here doing nothing. Pin this on Catherine.

  [to Princess Johanna] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Get up.

  [to the Chancellor] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : What do you think of Catherine?

  Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef : I can only admire your judgment, Your Imperial Majesty.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : That's the chancellor. Steals more money from me in a week than I can collect in taxes in a year. Doctor, come here! What do you think of my taste in women, Doctor? Looks healthy, doesn't she? Just what we need to breed sons for Russia.

  Count Lestoq : With your permission, Your Highness.

  [He raises Catherine's arms and puts his ear to her chest] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : How was the journey, comfortable?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Yes, Your Majesty.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Are you happy to be here?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Yes, Your Majesty.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Are you going to love your new country?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Yes, Your Majesty.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Do you promise to be a loyal subject?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Yes, Your Majesty.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : And don't make too many new friends, and no intrigue and gossip. I have my hands full now.

  Count Lestoq : [He emerges from beneath Catherine's cape without his wig]  Perfect, Your Imperial Majesty. She will give us no trouble.

  [Catherine hands him his wig] 

  Count Lestoq : Your Highness.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Someday I'll have every doctor thrown out of the country. And now, Catherine, before you go to your rooms, is there any wish I can grant you?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I would like to see the grand duke.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : [Grand Duke Peter enters with his entourage]  That's a fine way to receive your bride. I suppose you had more important things to do. I told you to be here on time. Now go on! Kiss each other!

  [He kisses Catherine] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Now remember, Catherine, the first child must be a boy. That's why we had you brought here - to provide Russia with an heir to the throne. A fine, bouncing, healthy heir. You understand me, Catherine?

• Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : We must make you very beautiful, Catherine, very, very beautiful so that my nephew will fall in love with you. I expect you two to behave like lovebirds so that Russia will have an heir to the throne. And remember, Catherine, I want a boy, not a girl. Nothing less than a boy will do. We don't want any more women on the throne.

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : But, Your Imperial Majesty, what would we have done if you had been born a boy?

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : I would have had much less trouble in Russia if I'd been born a man instead of a woman. We women are too much creatures of the heart. Aren't we, Catherine?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Yes, Your Majesty.

• Count Alexei : May I inquire how Her Imperial Highness deigns to feel this morning?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Her Highness feels as well as can be expected... after her romantic marriage. And how is His Excellency?

  Count Alexei : His Excellency is very distressed because you've been avoiding him for an eternity.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I haven't been avoiding you.

  Count Alexei : You have. I've tried again and again to see you alone and you've made it impossible.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : If you must know, I haven't had enough time to quite recover from the shock of finding my husband a trifle different than you described him.

  Count Alexei : I had a duty to my country and a loyalty to my sovereign. Had I described the grand duke... correctly, you might not have come here.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I would have obeyed my mother even if you had told the truth.

  Count Alexei : How could I have known of such a degree of filial respect? And anyway, I would have taken no chances, because from the moment I saw you, I wanted you to come to Russia.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Please, be careful. My husband will be told.

  Count Alexei : Your husband doesn't mean a thing to you.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : He does! I'll always be faithful to him.

  Count Alexei : Don't be absurd. Those ideas are old fashioned. This is the eighteenth century.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : But I'm not a Russian. I'm going now.

  Count Alexei : I told you I wanted to see you alone, and I won't wait any longer. I'll be at the stables tomorrow morning when you go for your ride.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Maybe I won't care to ride anymore.

  Count Alexei : In any event, I'll be there, and you'd better be there too.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I will not! And furthermore, I'm going to tell my mother all about you.

  Count Alexei : One moment more, Your Imperial Highness. On the reverse side of this miniature is a diamond. Don't lose the diamond.

• Marie Tshoglokof : Your Highness is so happy this morning. You can't be going to see your husband.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Dear me, my husband. I'd forgotten I have a husband. No, I'm not going to see my husband.

  Marie Tshoglokof : If Your Imperial Highness were not so new to our court, I'd suspect you were going to see your lover.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Lover? And what may a lover be?

  Marie Tshoglokof : A lover is a man, not a husband, who loves you with all his heart and whom you love in return.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : But, Marie, that's wicked! Don't tell me that you have a lover.

  Marie Tshoglokof : I wish I had. Here, everyone has a lover. Everyone but me.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Oh, Marie, not everyone. Her Exalted Majesty can't possibly have a lover.

  Marie Tshoglokof : Oh, hasn't she. What about the young man who's always with Her Majesty? Why do you suppose she leans on him so heavily? Because she's weak in the knees?

• Count Alexei : [Catherine and Alexei meet in the stables]  Looking for someone?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Oh, you frightened me. I've only a minute. I ran away. I came down to tell you not to wait. I must go now.

  Count Alexei : Is that all you came to tell me?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : What else is there to tell?

  [She falls backward into the hay. He sits beside her, plucking straws out of her hair and mouth] 

  Princess Sophia Frederica : If you come closer, I'll scream.

  Count Alexei : It will be easier for you to scream without a straw in your mouth.

  [They kiss] 

• Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : What the devil do you mean, poking holes in my bedroom?

  Grand Duke Peter : I... I wanted to watch my wife.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : [She slaps him]  Watching your wife won't give you an heir to the throne. The next time I catch you providing my rooms with needless ventilation, I'll have you flogged. I'll catch my death of a draft someday! Now go back to your rooms and wait for your wife! Go on!

  [to Catherine] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : This is all your fault. I had hoped by bringing you to Russia to make a man of that half-wit!

  Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie' : I'm sorry to intrude, Your Imperial Majesty, but I think the grand duke dropped one of his soldiers in here.

  [Catherine hands her a toy soldier] 

  Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie' : Thank you. Good night.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Wait a minute. Come here. How long have you been at this court, picking up soldiers?

  Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie' : Two years and a half, Your Imperial Majesty.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : I fail to recall your exact duties here, Countess Elizabeth.

  Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie' : I'm in charge of the entertainment for His Imperial Highness, the grand duke.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : And exactly how far is it to your home, Lizzie?

  Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie' : My ancestral home is in the province of Astrakhan, about two weeks' journey from Moscow.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Not as far as I had hoped. I think His Imperial Highness has been entertained long enough. Do you understand me? I don't want to see you around here again. Now get out.

  [Countess Elizabeth exits] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : She won't snoop around here anymore. I should have thrown her out before I had you brought here. Come here, Catherine. Sit down. Haven't you given me trouble enough? Are you going to behave like an obedient wife, or must I continue to treat you like a stubborn child?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I don't care what you do with me.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : You might change your mind about that. You're in love with His Excellency, Count Alexei, aren't you?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : No, Your Majesty, I'm not. I'm not.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : It's a good thing you're not. I wouldn't advise you to become my rival.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Rival? What does Your Majesty mean?

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : You'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, you can blow out the candles. Before you retire, you can be of one more service. Behind my mirror, a concealed passage will lead you down a flight of stairs to another door. Behind that door you will find someone waiting to come up. I don't want him to see you, so be careful.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Good night, Your Majesty.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Good night, Catherine. And you don't need to report for duty until late tomorrow.

• Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : What's this, Alexei? Sending notes to the grand duchess? Do you want me to send you into exile? Or shall I tell the grand duchess that you're a notorious heartbreaker, and have broken every woman's heart in this court, including mine?

  Count Alexei : You're very flattering tonight, Your Imperial Majesty, but the note contains nothing of importance.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Then suppose you read it.

  Count Alexei : We are all very much disturbed by your conduct and wish you would change your behavior so that Her Gracious Majesty might forgive you.

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Who else can read here? You read it, Catherine. I know you can read because my reports say you foolishly spend your time in bed reading books!

  Princess Sophia Frederica : "We are all very much upset at, uh... at... and hope you will behave better, so that you may be forgiven by the empress."

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Send for the chancellor.

  [In an adjoining room, Grand Duke Peter, assisted by Countess Elizabeth Varonsoff, starts to drill a hole in the wall] 

  Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef : Your Imperial Majesty?

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Read this for me.

  Chancelor Alexei Bestuchef : "You must help me to see you alone again. You are being watched so closely that all my efforts to meet you for a few precious seconds are in vain."

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : So, you're up to your old tricks again. And right under my nose too. Well, forget about her. She's reserved for my nephew and being taught how to earn his love first before wasting her favors on others.

  [to the chancellor] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Go on back to your dinner, it's the first time you've been of use to me in a year.

  [to Catherine] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : And as for you, look after my friends and see that they're fed well. Did you hear what I said?

  [the men at the table stand] 

  Empress Elizabeth Petrovna : Sit down, you fools, or I'll send you to Siberia. She may be a grand duchess to the rest of the world, but in here she's being taught how to be a Russian wife!

  [Grand Duke Peter and Countess Elizabeth Varonsoff watch through the hole as Catherine doles out soup] 

• Princess Sophia Frederica : Take your hands off me, you insolent fool! I'm Catherine, Grand Duchess of Russia!

  Lt. Dmitri : Come now, don't take advantage of me. This is my first night on duty. The grand duchess isn't permitted out at night. Tell me who you are.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I told you who I am.

  Lt. Dmitri : Oh, come now, stop joking. If you're the grand duchess, then I am the grand duke.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I wish you were!

  Lt. Dmitri : If I were the grand duke and you were the grand duchess, I wouldn't let you prowl through the night like this, like a pretty little kitten.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Suppose I didn't want to tell you who I really am. What would happen?

  Lt. Dmitri : On a night like this, anything might happen, if I'm fortunate.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Well, Lieutenant, you are fortunate. Very... fortunate.

• Grand Duke Peter : [Grand Duke Peter cuts off the head of a fair-haired doll]  What do you think of this decapitation?

  Princess Sophia Frederica : It would be more amusing if it were real. Where's your visitor?

  [Countess Elizabeth enters] 

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Oh, it's Lizzie. Is she in charge of your entertainment again? What will Her Majesty say?

  Grand Duke Peter : Her Majesty doesn't know anything about it, and I wouldn't advise you to tell her.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I wouldn't dream of telling the empress anything. She has her own system of spies. Besides, not for the world would I interfere with your pleasures, as long as you don't interfere with mine. How is Astrakhan, Lizzie? Or was it Afghanistan?

  Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie' : If you're wise you'll find out for yourself before it's too late. There's some very comfortable convents along the way, and all you have to do to gain admission is shave your head. It's good for the scalp anyway.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Entirely too many men love my hair. And I have no intention of changing my residence. Anyway, this country will soon need a new empress.

  Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie' : You may as well know that Peter's going to marry me when the old bat dies and as soon as he gets rid of his present wife!

• Princess Sophia Frederica : Who is this officer?

  Count Alexei : Orloff, Your Majesty. Captain in charge of the barracks.

  Capt. Gregori Orloff : Your Majesty, your visit here is the greatest honor in my life.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I've heard a good deal about you, Captain... from the ladies.

  [She walks through the barracks, pulls straw from a mattress, and toys with a stalk while regarding Count Alexei] 

  Princess Sophia Frederica : I didn't expect to see you here, Your Excellency.

  Count Alexei : Why not, Your Majesty? This is my pet regiment. You look ravishing.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Now there's another good-looking soldier. Come here, Lieutenant. What's your name?

  Lt. Dmitri : Dmitri, Your Majesty.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : And your duties, Dmitri?

  Lt. Dmitri : In charge of the night watch, Your Majesty.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : It must be cold at night... sometimes.

  Lt. Dmitri : Sometimes, Your Majesty.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Anyway, I'm certain you're very efficient, Lieutenant. Is he, Captain? Tell me something about him.

  Capt. Gregori Orloff : He's very efficient, Your Majesty. He came to join our regiment about a year ago from the Swedish front, where he fought bravely for about two years. He's also distinguished himself by exemplary bravery on the Turkish border.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : This should have been brought to our attention before. I can't understand why such a brave man hasn't been decorated. His Excellency doesn't mind?

  Count Alexei : [Catherine starts to remove one of Count Alexei's medals]  Not if Her Majesty will tell me why she continues to avoid me.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : Her Majesty will tell you tonight, if you will call on her.

  Count Alexei : With pleasure, Your Majesty.

  Princess Sophia Frederica : [She pins the medal on Lt. Dmitri]  For bravery... in action. See that you do justice to it in future emergencies. And now, Captain, tell me about yourself.

  Capt. Gregori Orloff : Your Majesty, I'm distressed at my neglect at not having rewarded Lieutenant Dmitri before. With your permission, Your Majesty.

  [He pulls out a handful of diamonds and gives one to Dmitri] 

  Princess Sophia Frederica : [Catherine leans in to examine the jewels and picks one up]  Rich too, hmm?