The Rise of Catherine the Great 1934 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