The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-02-27
4 Minority
Report on
e Catherine

CATHERINE TEE GREAT, e. screen drama
made In England, story ~ Lajos Biro,
Arthur Wimpers and MeioheoF Leusyel;
directed by Paul Czune-; produced b.
Alexander Kordas presented by United Ar
lists 40 the Astor Theatre. With the TO-
lowing cast: elizabeth Bcrgner, Douglas
Fairbanks, Jr. Flora Robson, Gerald do
Maurier, and Others.
TIE bourgeois film critics shoWered
! unanimous praise on the third film
in the historical series. The praise
was mostly given to that enled Ger
man-Jewish actress, Elizabeth Berg
ner. They we're also in agreement that
this present version of the hfe Of
Catherine II Of Russia (1729-9e} was
pretty sentimentalized and far from
accurate. But. said they: It is good
entertainment!
Wen, this is going to be a dissenting
opinion and a minority report. To say
that it is far from accurate 81 that
Korda's production is distortion Of
historical fact, is TO imply that the
film has some truth. AS a matter q
fact, Catherine the Great" doesn't
come near enough TO history TO be
even called a distortion. On the other
hand, the Interpretation Is not one
solely designed for ENTERTAINMENT ~
pure and simple. This present film
and the same is true Of al historical
f1lnS-is a political document, in the
final analysis. Catherine II has a rep
Utation among the bourgeois hEsto-
rians and social scientists as an cen
lightened despot." She was great
favorite Of the rising merchant and
capitalist class Of 18th century Russis
And even her friendly biographefs
can't help telling about her debauch-
cry and schening.
However, Alexander Korda, director
Of Henry the VIII and now produ-
Ger, and Paul Czinner, the director
husband of Elizabeth Bergnerl,- 70
them one better. This film gives us.
virginia. physical and moraD young
wife Of the mad Peter II. And one
point In the film-this was before. she
/ became Empress 49, she Is informed
that the peasants reVolted in one Of
the provinces for want Of food, cloth,
ing, etc. She is asked her opinion
Should soldiers and arms be sent 10
the governor Of the province to quefl
the revolution? NO" says Catherine
revolutions that are based on. de-
mands for food cannot be put down
with arms and bloodshed. If I were
ruler and such q thing happened I
would hang the governor Of the Prov
ince." (She is supposed to have been
a disciple Of Voltaire.) AT this poins
one is tempted to ask, "Oh, yeah
=e@
EVEN a casual examination Of ms
u torical data would reveal that
Catherine was a dissolLte and erim-
inal Woman. This same peace flowing
ruler Gin the finn was responsible for
the enormous bloodshed when she
quelled (by bullets) the famous -Pugs-
chov rebellion, that threatened the
foundation Of the serf- owning society
This same enlightened despot made IL
illegal for the authorities TO consider
the complaints brought BY the serfs
against the landlords; this reader OF
Voltaire introduced serfdom ia The
| Ukrainian provinces. This loyal ruler
sold Russian military secrets to. for
eign powers. Her bloody partitioning
/ Of Poland" for Prussia and others, led
/ to the enormous hatred the Poles had
for the Russians. o---5
You won't find the above picture OF
! Catherine in the film that's at the
Astor Theater. Neither will yot find
it in the Paramount version with
Legs" Dietrich as Catherine c'The
/ Scarlet Empress'). Hollywood and
7 London (snd others are out to make
money, It is true. They are also trying
/ to cash in on the success of 'Henry
! the With" But they certainly aren't
/ going to make historical films that arc
I detrimental to their class brothers.
/ To this day there Is still Ivan the
4 Terrible" the Soviet production, as
the greatest historical film that hes
4 been produced. The reasons, Of course
/ are obvious.
As a production Catherine TIE
Great" is dull and full OF unimagins
/ tive direction. The photography Is IS
uninspired as can possibly be The
sets are so gaudy and elaborate that
there are some scenes in which il IS
difficult to tell a glittering chandelier
and an actor apart. 1t is an obvious
"quickie trying to beat Paramount
Pictures and trying to be early enough
in the season so that money may be
made. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., left
Hollywood for arts sake. After seeing
him as Peter, the insane husband OF
Catherine, you wish he'd get vie te
I himself. - !.
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18th St., New York City, names OF
/ those Won know who are not read