The plot of this film derives from historical fact, but is predominantly an absurd fiction. Far from falling in love with (and later rescuing) the Princess Elisabeth Tarakhanova, Count Orloff ruthlessly seduced her and then arranged for her to be kidnapped from Livorno in Italy and taken back to Russia, where she died in prison only months later. It is highly likely that her claim to the throne of Russia was a false one, as Catherine the Great always claimed. Also, "Tarakhanova" was a nickname bestowed on her after her death; it was never used as a name in her lifetime.
Binnie Barnes as Catherine of Russia was a last minute replacement for the reportedly ailing Margot Grahame .