A Royal Scandal (1945)

In the heart of 18th-century Russia, the path of an earnest and starry-eyed Lieutenant, Alexei Chernoff, takes a fateful turn when he abandons his regiment to rush headlong into the grandeur of the Imperial Palace. Driven by a foreboding of impending threats, Chernoff is determined to caution the formidable Empress Catherine the Great herself. His betrothed, the elegant Countess Anna, who serves as a lady-in-waiting, is taken aback to find him in the palace's opulent halls. The cunning Chancellor Nicolai Iiyitch intercepts Chernoff, offering to deliver the warning on his behalf. Yet, Chernoff's steadfast spirit yearns for a personal audience with the Empress. His unanticipated arrival sparks intrigue, not just within the palace, but also within Catherine herself. As their paths collide, Catherine is captivated by his unyielding loyalty, his authentic sincerity, and his gallant willingness to lay down his life for her. She is equally beguiled by his handsome countenance. Swept up in a whirlwind romance, Catherine elevates Chernoff from a mere toy-boy to her personal protector, much to Anna's dismay. In a dizzying display of favor, he ascends rapidly through the ranks, his promotions as unpredictable and whimsical as the Empress's romantic moods. From a humble lieutenant to the Chief of the Imperial Guard, his titles shift like the winds, reflecting the tempestuous affair that sets the palace aflame with scandal.

A Royal Scandal is a comedy movie featuring Vincent Price and directed by Otto Preminger.

A Royal Scandal is currently streaming on DIRECTV.