Rasputin and the Empress
| Rasputin and the Empress | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Richard Boleslawski Charles Brabin (uncredited) |
| Written by | Charles MacArthur |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | William H. Daniels |
| Edited by | Tom Held |
| Music by | Herbert Stothart |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Loew's Inc. |
Release date |
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Running time | 121 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,022,000[1] |
| Box office | $1,379,000[1] |
Rasputin and the Empress is a 1932 American
The film's inaccurate portrayal of
Plot
The highly fictionalized story takes place in the
With the influence he now wields over the relieved parents, Rasputin begins replacing those loyal to them with his own men. He is greatly aided when the head of the secret police, fearful of losing his job over his failure to prevent the assassination of a nobleman close to the Czar, turns to him for help. With police dossiers at his disposal, Rasputin is able to use blackmail to increase his power even further.
Prince Paul fears that Rasputin's actions will bring about the downfall of the empire. However, even Natasha believes in Rasputin. She warns him that Paul is going to try to kill him. Paul shoots him, but Rasputin is unharmed: he has taken the precaution of wearing a hidden metal breastplate. Nicholas forces Paul to resign his position when he admits he tried to assassinate the man.
When Germany issues an ultimatum demanding that Russia cease mobilizing its army over the crisis between
Finally, Rasputin begins to make subtle advances on
At a big party where Rasputin is guest of honor, he recognizes the servant who has been bringing him his favorite traditional Tobolsk cakes all night; he used to work for Paul. Immediately suspicious, Rasputin has the house searched. They find Paul and Dr. Remezov. Rasputin is eager to dispatch his most implacable enemy himself; he takes Paul into the cellar at gunpoint. Once they are alone, Paul taunts Rasputin, telling him the cakes were filled with poison. He then leaps at Rasputin and beats him into unconsciousness. However, Rasputin refuses to die. Covered with blood, he rises and walks toward Paul, shouting that if he dies, Russia will die. Paul finally drags him out into the snow and throws him into the river to drown.
Immediately, Alexei is freed from his hypnotic trance and hugs his mother. Nicholas is forced to exile Paul, as Rasputin's minions are still in power. However, the old charlatan's last prophecy comes true, as the Czar is overthrown and
Cast
- John Barrymore as Prince Paul Chegodieff
- Ethel Barrymore as Czarina Alexandra
- Lionel Barrymore as Grigori Rasputin
- Czar Nicholas II
- Diana Wynyard as Princess Natasha
- Tad Alexander as Czarevitch Alexis 'Alyosha'
- C. Henry Gordon as Grand Duke Igor
- Edward Arnold as Dr A. Remezov
- Henry Armetta as Photographer (uncredited)
- Nigel De Brulier as Priest (uncredited)
- Henry Kolker as Chief of Secret Police (uncredited)
- Frank Reicher as German-Language Teacher (uncredited)
Background
The impetus for making the film was
That is the only film which features all three Barrymore siblings - John, Ethel and Lionel - together; although all had starring roles, there are only a few short scenes where all three are on the screen at the same time.
"I gradually learned that this was an unusually disorganized company, and it was a miracle that the film ever got finished-- no script except for one day ahead; the three Barrymores, who were tough enough to take individually, together they spelled disaster," wrote
Box office
The film grossed a total (domestic and foreign) of $1,379,000: $677,000 from the US and Canada and $702,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $185,000.
This film was nominated for Best Story at the 6th Academy Awards.[1]
Lawsuit
The model for Princess Natasha was
The all persons fictitious disclaimer in the credits of most Hollywood films is a result of the lawsuit. The offending scene was removed, which renders Wynyard's character somewhat incomprehensible unless the audience is aware of the edit: in the first half of the film, Princess Natasha is a supporter of Rasputin, and in the second half, she is terrified of him for no given reason. The LaserDisc release includes the original theatrical trailer, which contains a portion of this deleted scene.
Cartoon caricature
The Barrymores are all caricatured in the
See also
- List of films about the Romanovs
- Lionel Barrymore filmography
References
- ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- ^ The American Film Institute Catalog Features Films: 1931-40 published by The American Film Institute, c. 1993
- ^ The AFI Catalog of Feature Films: Rasputin & the Empress
- ^ Mark A. Vieira Irving Thalberg: Boy Wonder to Producer Prince -2009 Page 192 "Thalberg rooted around the studio's properties and discovered that he owned Alfred Klabund's 1927 novel Rasputin. In mid-June, MGM announced that the three Barrymores would star in Rasputin — Ethel as the Czarina, Lionel as Rasputin, ..."
- ^ Barondess MacLean, Barbara. One Life is Not Enough. Hippocrene Books, New York: 1986.
External links
