The Rise of Catherine the Great

In 1745, a German Princess, renamed Catherine (Elisabeth Bergner), arrives to marry Grand Duke Peter of Russia (Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.), whom she initially likes. But his suspicious, unstable nature gradually estranges them, and Peter finds solace with pretty courtiers. Catherine invents her own (fictitious) lovers, temporarily improving matters. Alas, accession to the throne brings out the worst in Peter, and loyal Catherine is urged to assume power.