An honest and naive schoolteacher gets a lesson in how the world works outside the classroom, when a rich Baron and his mistress use the teacher's name and outstanding reputation in a crooke... Read allAn honest and naive schoolteacher gets a lesson in how the world works outside the classroom, when a rich Baron and his mistress use the teacher's name and outstanding reputation in a crooked business scheme.An honest and naive schoolteacher gets a lesson in how the world works outside the classroom, when a rich Baron and his mistress use the teacher's name and outstanding reputation in a crooked business scheme.
- Awards
- 2 wins
Max Barwyn
- Count at Academic Palms Ceremony
- (uncredited)
George Bookasta
- Student
- (uncredited)
Raymond Borzage
- Undetermined Role
- (unconfirmed)
- (uncredited)
Mario Dominici
- Colonel at Academic Palms Ceremony
- (uncredited)
Fred Farrell
- School Doorman
- (uncredited)
Sydney Jarvis
- Restaurant Doorman
- (uncredited)
Jacques Lory
- Tailor
- (uncredited)
Mickey Martin
- Student
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough the movie was passed by The National Board of Review for showing in the USA in 1933, it was refused a Production Code Administation (PCA) certificate for re-release in 1936, when the Code was more strictly enforced.
- GoofsIn the taxicab, when Coco tells Dr. Topaze of her adultery, the back projection shows cars during daylight. But before she and Topaze took the cab it was clearly night.
- Quotes
Coco: But idiots are hard to find, I should think.
Baron Philippe de La Tour-La Tour: Oh no, not in the scientific world.
- ConnectionsAlternate-language version of Topaze (1933)
- SoundtracksRoses from the South, Waltz op. 388
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauss
Played as background music during restaurant scene
Featured review
A Barrymore You've Not Seen Before
Watching Topaze this morning I was amazed at how well John Barrymore was playing the title role in this film and how he seemed to be getting inspiration from Frank Morgan. Then I did some research and found out that in the American debut of Marcel Pagnol's play Frank Morgan did indeed play the lead.
The play ran for 215 performances on Broadway in 1930 and it concerns a French school teacher who's a rather old fashioned pedantic fellow who believes the simple maxims of life about honesty and decency. His reputation is such that an unscrupulous industrialist wants to use his name on a soft drink that is not manufactured with the highest of standards.
When he finds out and how he deals with it are the subject of Topaze and let's just say this mild mannered school teacher turns out to be more than capable of dealing with the cold and cruel outside world.
John Barrymore never did anything quite like Topaze or at least I've not seen it. You can best compare this performance to a couple of Frank Morgan roles. It's very much like his Professor Roth in The Mortal Storm although the results are far happier for the title character.
Myrna Loy is on hand as the mistress of Baron Reginald Mason and gives a good account of herself as does Mason as the unscrupulous industrialist. You can see why Mason's doing a little kanoodling with Loy on the side when you get a look at Jobyna Howland, the Baroness. Let's just say she's formidable.
Loy would soon follow Barrymore to MGM from where he was being loaned out for Topaze by Louis B. Mayer to his son-in-law, David O. Selznick the producer. Selznick would also opt for MGM soon. But director Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast would depart for Europe shortly unable to work within the constraints of the Hollywood studio system. He did a great job here, possibly in another era he would have had a more substantial American career.
For a John Barrymore you've not seen before I recommend Topaze.
The play ran for 215 performances on Broadway in 1930 and it concerns a French school teacher who's a rather old fashioned pedantic fellow who believes the simple maxims of life about honesty and decency. His reputation is such that an unscrupulous industrialist wants to use his name on a soft drink that is not manufactured with the highest of standards.
When he finds out and how he deals with it are the subject of Topaze and let's just say this mild mannered school teacher turns out to be more than capable of dealing with the cold and cruel outside world.
John Barrymore never did anything quite like Topaze or at least I've not seen it. You can best compare this performance to a couple of Frank Morgan roles. It's very much like his Professor Roth in The Mortal Storm although the results are far happier for the title character.
Myrna Loy is on hand as the mistress of Baron Reginald Mason and gives a good account of herself as does Mason as the unscrupulous industrialist. You can see why Mason's doing a little kanoodling with Loy on the side when you get a look at Jobyna Howland, the Baroness. Let's just say she's formidable.
Loy would soon follow Barrymore to MGM from where he was being loaned out for Topaze by Louis B. Mayer to his son-in-law, David O. Selznick the producer. Selznick would also opt for MGM soon. But director Harry d'Abbadie d'Arrast would depart for Europe shortly unable to work within the constraints of the Hollywood studio system. He did a great job here, possibly in another era he would have had a more substantial American career.
For a John Barrymore you've not seen before I recommend Topaze.
helpful•231
- bkoganbing
- Mar 8, 2008
- How long is Topaze?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 18 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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