See the full list of the scarlet empress cast and crew including actors, directors, producers and more. The scarlet empress, based on the diaries of catherine the great, is sternbergs version of 18th century russia, much like his reconstructions of other far away exotic locations morocco, shanghai, the japanese island anatahan, macao. Unfortunately, it turns out that peter is a goggleeyed, grinning lunatic, far more interested in playing. Marlene dietrichs stare inthe scarlet empress 1934 by matteo colombo. When epstein screened the scarlet empress in an original nitrate print from the brandnew ucla film archive, we saw photographic artistry that made modern movies look crude. Most audiences today find the scarlet empress hugely entertaining, but the film was so poorly received in 1934 that it became the first sternbergmarlene dietrich film to lose money. Als 1934 the scarlet empress deutscher alternativtitel. The insanity of the scarlett empress marlene dietrich. When the unstable peter eventually ascends to the throne. The scarlet empress 1934 tt0025746 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. Marlene dietrich plays the germanborn catherine, who is required to marry russias mad grand duke peter sam jaffe, decked out in a harpo marx wig.
Sophia doesnt like her husband, but she likes russia, and is very fond of russian soldiers. The scarlet empress 1934 movie posters cinematerial. The scarlet empress 1934 marlene dietrich by kira field. Dvd issued 2001 of this classic precode movie from early 1934, i was hesitant to buy. Sent to russia to marry the grand duke peter, she is horrified to discover that her betrothed is a halfwit and her new home a macabre palace where depravity rules. The ahistorical fever dream of the scarlet empress. Scarlet empress the 1934 the reigning beauty of the screen.
The scarlet empress is brilliantly photographed with similar striking chiaroscuro imagery as shanghai express. The scarlet empress is fulltobursting with foreground filigree and monstrous gargoyle carvings, so overstuffed with indulgent, idiosyncratic performances using every accent from budapest to brooklyn, the film is like a flower so strange and so beautiful it could only have germinated in the hothouse environment of a major hollywood studio. The scarlet empress 1934 during the 18th century, german noblewoman sophia frederica marlene dietrich, who would later become catherine the great, travels to moscow to marry the dimwitted. Marlene dietrich, john lodge, sam jaffe, louise dresser have ever a screen persona and a historical personage found such a handinglovefit as did dietrich and empress catherine the great of russia. As if her joke of a marriage isnt torment enough, catherine must endure the excesses of her new. We also saw an erotic story brimming with tongueincheek wit that proved that 1934 was an age far racier than jeanette macdonald and shirley temple movies. Rent the scarlet empress 1934 on dvd and bluray dvd. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. The scarlet empress arrived in 1934, just as the repressive hays code was established to censor hollywood films. In the snow arena, the spider and the duchess the two least human of the party fall in love and merge into a symbiotic entity which fights off a. Hints that this is no ordinary history come early in a startling montage of tsarist russia. Their next film, the devil is a woman 1935, failed even more disastrously, and sternbergs partnership with paramount and dietrich was at an end.
Thus, there is actual fullfrontal nudity visible early in the movie, and a degree of undisguised frankness about sexuality and promiscuity. The worlds have been separated by the scarlet empress, who has set a giant spider to guard the gateway, but the doctor convinces the spider to join their expedition and fight the cruel empress. The reigning beauty of the screen young princess sophia of germany is taken to russia to marry the halfwit grand duke peter, son of the empress. Gallery of 22 movie poster and cover images for the scarlet empress 1934.
A highly fictionalized biopic of the germanborn russian empress catherine. With marlene dietrich, john lodge, sam jaffe, louise dresser. The scarlet empress is a largely fictional account of the life of catherine the great, but that doesnt stop it from being one of the best and most adult biopics of the 1930s. On the ancient planet of hyspero, a world where magic still. Marlene dietrich young princess sophia of germany is taken to russia to marry the halfwit grand duke peter, son of the empress. The scarlet empress 1934 trailer video dailymotion. According to modern sources, the reason why paramount held up its release was that the studio wanted to avoid box office competition from the alexander korda production catherine the great, starring elisabeth bergner, which was released in the united state on march 16, 1934. Rent the scarlet empress 1934 starring marlene dietrich and john lodge on dvd and bluray. The scarlett empress 1934 drama, history, romance video. Their arranged marriage proves to be loveless, and catherine takes many lovers, including the handsome count alexei, and bears a son. Dietrich plays a german princess, sophia, who is sent to russia to marry grand duke peter, heir to the throne. Passed 1h 44min drama, history, romance 7 september 1934 usa young princess sophia of germany, is taken to russia, to marry the halfwit grand. The scarlet empress is an original novel written by paul magrs and based on the longrunning british science fiction television series doctor who. 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.
The domineering empress hopes to improve the royal blood line. Watch the scarlet empress 1934 trailer film gorillas on dailymotion. The scarlet empress is a 1934 american historical drama film made by paramount pictures about the life of catherine the great. The scarlet empress provides an experience few other movies even dream of attempting. The scarlet empress 1934 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. A german noblewoman enters into a loveless marriage with the dimwitted, unstable heir to the russian throne, then plots to oust him from power. The greatest trouble with scarlet empress is, at the same time, its greatest weakness.
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