The Scarlet Empress (1934)

Maria Riva: Sophia as a Child

Photos 

Quotes 

• Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse : "A nice harness." What is he, a horse doctor?

  Herr Wagner : You flatter him. Our learned medico is going to perform one of his operations with an ax. He's the public hangman.

  Sophia as a Child : Hangman? What's a hangman? Can I become a hangman someday?

  Herr Wagner : Your Highness, a hangman is an executioner, the man who takes heads off skillfully. Sometimes that curious profession becomes the sport of tyrants. As a matter of fact, I was about to read to you of Peter the Great and Ivan the Terrible, and other Russian tsars and tsarinas who were hangmen.

• Princess Johanna Elizabeth : How often do I have to tell you that Sophia Frederica is no longer to play with toys? She's almost seven now. Don't smoke in here. The child's sick. I work and I scheme day and night to arrange a advantageous marriage someday, and you undo everything. How am I to make it clear to you that Sophia might one day become a queen?

  Sophia as a Child : I don't want to be a queen, Mother. I want to be a toe dancer.

  Princess Johanna Elizabeth : Be quiet, Sophia. You're going to marry a king if I have anything to do with it.