The Scarlet Empress (1934)

Ruthelma Stevens: Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie'

Photos 

Quotes 

• Count Alexei : Perhaps I shouldn't have lied to you. Forgive me, won't you?

  [He leans toward Catherine] 

  Countess Elizabeth 'Lizzie' : His Imperial Highness sent me for his soldiers. I hope I haven't disturbed you.

  Count Alexei : That's Countess Varonsoff. She's always picking up the grand duke's soldiers, which I'm beginning to suspect he leaves intentionally.

• 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.

• 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!