Topaze (I) (1933) User Reviews

A Barrymore You've Not Seen Before

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 9 March 2008]

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.

A forgotten gem of satirical comedy

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 14 November 2009]

I can't believe that this delightful little movie is completely unmentioned among the works of John Barrymore and Myrna Loy and largely forgotten. It is a sophisticated and cynical take on modern industrial society and how vice is often rewarded and virtue punished. Barrymore plays Prof. Auguste A. Topaze, and at first it looks like his character is nothing more than a take off on Emil Jannings' Immanuel Rath of The Blue Angel. They are both the stern idealistic schoolmasters of a class of young boys. However, that is where the similarity ends. Both Rath and Topaze find themselves dismissed from their jobs, but where Rath lost his job because of his own moral failings, Topaze has lost his because he refuses to compromise his principles. However, Topaze is not unemployed for long. A twist of fate finds him the titular head of a corporate chemistry lab and the namesake of a bogus curative product. Of course, Topaze thinks the product is completely legitimate as he labors away on what he thinks is actually being bottled with his good name on it.

When Topaze discovers the truth about his situation and his employer, his first reaction is in keeping with his lifelong principles - he wants to turn himself in and confess all. However, when he discovers that many important people in science, industry, and the government are knowing partners in this enterprise, he has a sudden change of philosophy - If you can't beat them then join them, then beat them even worse. Barrymore's speech to his former pupils at their graduation ceremony, where he had been unjustly fired and is now lauded as a leader of the scientific community, is brilliant as he delivers to his pupils the lessons he has learned in his brief journey into the real world and also manages to take jabs at those who have wronged him. The final scene shows a more worldly Topaze stopping off with Coco (Myrna Loy), his boss' mistress, at a theatre where a movie entitled Man, Woman and Sin is playing. As Coco takes Topaze's arm and they step out of the cab and into the theatre, we can only imagine that Topaze has designs on yet another prize that doesn't belong to him.

This film has a tight script, very good casting, and fine performances all around, including the supporting players. This is a most unusual role for John Barrymore, and he plays it so well and with such sincerity that I kept asking myself - Is this really THAT John Barrymore? Myrna Loy is perfect as the level-headed mistress of the wily industrialist that employs Topaze. Displaying both glamor and intelligence, she doesn't play the archetype of kept woman as it was usually portrayed in the days of the early talkies. Also, her friendship with Topaze comes across as very genuine, and you can easily see it growing into something more on both their parts. It's a shame and a mystery that this film isn't on DVD.

Froty, fun, Barrymore vehicle

[d_nuttle · 8/10 · 12 March 2007]

Pointy-bearded milquetoast schoolmaster is fired for his integrity and becomes an accidental titan of industry.

This is an adaptation of a French play (a pretty loose adaptation, I think) and the staginess shows. In my opinion, that can be either good or bad, and I think it works to the movie's advantage in this case. It feels like I'm watching a play, instead of watching a bungled attempt to push a play onto film. In spite of the staginess, however, the sets are very good. An extended shot of the schoolmaster in the classroom, with snow falling outside, is so effectively done that it's hard for me to stay focused on the characters, because I just want to watch the beautiful snow through the windows.

Even so, it must be admitted that the plot is rather thin here. Not a lot happens. This is strictly a John Barrymore vehicle. Even Myrna Loy isn't give a lot to do except be sweet and sympathetic. Any hint of romance between her and Barrymore is only that, the barest of hints. Albert Conti is mere bluster and a fake mole. Nevertheless, Barrymore shines and successfully carries the entire movie by himself. His flawless mastery of stage business--as a single small example, the way he removes his pince-nez--ensures that.

The ending is wickedly cynical, as indeed is the entire movie. But it seems like the movie will close on a villains-get-theirs, good-always-wins-in-the-end note. It's refreshing that this doesn't happen.

The movie clocks in at just under 90 minutes, which makes it just the right length for what is, after all, a fairly lightweight storyline.

A Well-Acted Film With Many Messages

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 25 October 2015]

John Barrymore plays the part of Auguste A. Topaze, a soft-spoken, naïve professor who moralizes to his students in the classroom, but has never been exposed to what he calls "the outside world." He teaches his students about what he considers the primary virtues--honesty and kindness--and promises, with his ivory tower moralism, that success and capitalism are best served by following these moral principles.

This tells us something about the world's views on capitalism and success in the 30s (The film was adapted from a play written by a Frenchman and was performed successfully in the U.S.)--before the concept of capitalism was confused and bastardized by the crony capitalism that followed later in the 20th century.

But the professor becomes unknowingly entangled in the fraudulent business activities of Baron Phillippe de La Tour-La Tour in promoting a health drink. Patent medicines existed long before the 30s and would continue long after (note the testimonies by doctors regarding the health benefits of cigarettes).

When he realizes his mistake, he is despondent, but then the professor--in an act of moral resignation--blackmails the Baron into making him a partner. He indulges in the excesses of his new standing. At this point, I contend, the film loses most claims to the moral high ground in the third act.

The third act has the professor returning to his earlier in honor. There, he regains his honesty and reclaims his moral compass, refusing to present an award to an undeserving student.

The film does a good job of harpooning the dishonesty of some advertisements, then and today. But it could have been much stronger in its moral messages by presenting a character who was steadfast throughout. That said, Barrymore gives an excellent portrayal. He affects the educator's soft-spoken manners very effectively.

Myra Loy, the Baron's mistress, plays a small part, but she is very watchable. Reginald Mason, as the Baron, gives a strong performance, even if he is given lines that make him too caricatured. And Jobyna Howard, as the Baroness, gives the perfect portrayal of the self-indulgent and melodramatic rich wife.

"Topaze" is very watchable, despite its story flaws. The perceptive viewer can find many messages within, while enjoying its stars' strong performances.

Advertised As One Thing, But Is Another

[tedg · 25 May 2005]

At this period in the history of film, there was a huge battle among modes to determine which would remain as the mode we accept at "normal" movies. One losing mode was the filmed play, complete with theatrical conventions of acting. This is one of the best of the waning days when such a thing could be presented as a legitimate movie.

The story is simple enough, just enough to establish a simple contrast of good and evil, here cast as capitalism. (This would incidentally and anachronistically be cited by government anticommunist witch-hunters in the 50s.) It allows a world for Doctor Topaze to inhabit, which is the only purpose of the project. Inspired actor and drunk Barrymore does very well in conveying both the manner of the character and the manner of theatrical acting involved; much of his screen time is involved with him performing in from of an audience.

The meat of the story is that a product is being advertised as one thing which it resembles but it is in fact another. In the story's case it is bottled water. In the case of the film, it is a play being advertised as a movie, which it resembles. In both cases Barrymore or his character are enlisted to lend legitimacy. In both cases, experts aligned with the industry celebrate the and endorse the deception. In both cases, Barrymore/Topaze is able to turn it to his benefit.

Myrna Loy is a "kept woman" and quite happy with that state, something that annoyed the censors. She's pretty, which is the point.

This was on my "to watch" list because of the self-referential story. But I was surprised to see another layer. What happens at the end is that Topaze is about to steal the rich industrialist's mistress. He does so by exiting the play and entering — with her — a movie aptly entitled "Man, Woman and Sin."

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

A mild-mannered professor comes up against the real world

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 31 December 2007]

John Barrymore is "Topaze" in this 1933 film based on a French play. The film also stars a young and beautiful Myrna Loy. Professor Topaze is a very morally grounded teacher who is always honest, and when a student does bad work, he's marked down for it. Unfortunately for Professor Topaze, the mother of one of the students manages to have him fired. Bloody but unbowed, Topaze has been recommended for a tutoring job and goes to an apartment to see about it. Little does he know, the father of the boy, Baron Philippe de la Tour, is the one who had him recommended and now no longer wants him. de la Tour is at the home of Coco, his mistress (Loy) which Topaze doesn't pick up on until much later. de la Tour is selling bottled water - except it's from a tap - and his main endorser has just walked out. Who can he get to endorse his water? In walks Professor Topaze, who has a background in science. Without realizing what's going on, Topaze throws himself into the work of developing a fabulous water.

The only thing about this film that's of any interest, to me anyway, is the performance of John Barrymore as a bearded, badly put together, innocent professor who lives in another world. In one scene, he's given some liquor; not being a drinker (now that's real acting) he downs it in one swallow. To watch the liquor take its effect is very funny, as Topaze makes a joke and then laughs, his voice cracking. He crosses his legs. He starts staring at Myrna Loy.

Loy is lovely, but she has what is strictly an ingénue role and not much to do. Jobyna Howland is the Baronness de la Tour, and she's a scream.

Definitely worth seeing for the performances.

Carry On Teacher

[sol- · 6/10 · 10 November 2017]

Not to be confused with Hitchcock's similarly titled Cuban thriller, this earlier drama focuses on John Barrymore as a primary school teacher who gets mixed up with a shady crowd after losing his job. Barrymore is solid as always, but his character is a little hard to nut out. On one hand, he is presented as a wise and capable teacher with a good handle on his students; on the other hand, he is shown as an easily duped fool, conned with incredible ease to backing a medicinal drink that turns out to be little more than tap water. Furthermore, he almost faints from shock upon discovering that the man and woman behind the drink are having an affair - as if he never knew that extramarital affairs were possible! The film does get a little bit more interesting towards the end as he wises up and manages to get his own back at the man who tricked him and those responsible for his unfair dismissal from school. There is additionally a very cool montage of nightmarish neon signs and the way the camera ever so gradually pulls back as he addresses his class for the last time is excellent. One does, however, need to contend with the movie's assumption that such a competent schoolteacher could also be so naive.

A cross between 'The Blue Angel' and 'Mr. Chips'

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 26 August 2023]

John Barrymore's performance will nearly break your heart in Topaze. He doesn't play a ladies' man or anyone with confidence. A cross between Goodbye, Mr. Chips and The Blue Angel, he plays a science teacher with too much integrity for his own good. He's honest, passionate about education, and takes people at their word. The latter proves to be his downfall, since nefarious characters trick him into participating in criminal activity.

Myrna Loy, in her scandalous, pre-Nora Charles roles, plays the head villain's girlfriend. She laughs at Jack at first, thinking he's just easy to manipulate and stupid. When her boyfriend orders her to "be nice" to Jack, it ends up being a mistake. The more time she spends with the soft-spoken professor, the more she realizes what a decent man he is. Will she cross her boyfriend and help Jack learn the truth, or will breaking his heart and faith in human nature be too great a task for her? You'll have to find out by watching this well acted oldie. It's ninety years old, so cut it some slack when it feels dated. It is! But it is pretty good, if you like obscure flicks.

Witty satire with a sparkling Barrymore performance

[RJV · 9/10 · 18 February 2001]

(POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD) TOPAZE is a minor masterpiece. Although the film was released in 1933, the humor remains timely. John Barrymore carries the movie with a beautifully restrained and shaded performance.

He plays Auguste Topaze, an honest and naive schoolteacher. His honesty causes him to lose his job when he fails a student (Jackie Searl) who comes from an influential, blue-blooded family. His naivete causes him to become the unwitting dupe in a fraudulent advertising campaign. The student's father, Baron Philippe De La Tour (Reginald Mason), exploits Topaze's impeccable reputation by using his name to market a spurious curative water, "Sparkling Topaze." Because corporations still promote their products with celebrities' endorsements, modern audiences can appreciate TOPAZE's satire on advertising.

What makes the film remarkable is Barrymore's acting. His portrayal of Topaze has none of the traits of Barrymore's other roles- no seducing, no carousing, and no emoting (though not to imply that his emoting wasn't fascinating). Barrymore credibly conveys the character of a mild-mannered, guileless naif who sincerely believes the tired platitudes he preaches in his class. He demonstrates his innocence with a look of astonishment in his eyes and with a soft, serene cadence in his voice. One believes Barrymore's Topaze an easy target for La Tour's scheme.

In the film's climax, Topaze's character undergoes a swift transformation. However, it is thoroughly believable thanks to director Harry D'Arrast's deft handling of the plot twist and Barrymore's nuanced performance. The film's resolution is richly satisfying, avoiding sentimental cliches to wryly bring everything full circle. TOPAZE represents a high point in John Barrymore's career.

Mr Chips and Mr Hyde

[1930s_Time_Machine · 5/10 · 17 September 2023]

I wasn't sure what I was watching to begin with. At first I thought it was a trite, moralistic drama until I realised it was a bitingly cynical comedy....but a bit too cynical to be funny.

Scripted by Ben Hecht in the early thirties, I should have known that this wasn't going to be a sweet fairy tale. I didn't however expect this to quite as cynical as it became. John Barrymore has an almost Disneyesque integrity, a naïve innocence and a commitment to honesty that's almost impossibly sincere. His incapacity to believe that wealthy and successful people can be manipulative and deceitful is cynically exploited by wealthy and successful people making him a pawn in a massive business scam.

You will spend the next hour or so wondering just what clever plan this eccentric absent minded professor, the most honest man in the world has up his sleeve to put an end to this web of lies, put everything right, get these criminals behind bars and make the world a happier and better place. But you will be wondering longer than you might think!

The message it eventually conveys does not paint humanity in a good light. In fact the conclusion is that society is corrupt and if you want to be successful in it you've got to be just as corrupt yourself. That's black humour at the blackest. It's kind of funny but you're not sure whether you should be enjoying this or feeling indignant. Someone like Cagney could get away with being a con man because when his cheeky chappie character is running a scam, it's clearly just fiction. John Barrymore's character, although utterly unrealistic but very well acted is so unusual that it's difficult to reconcile it simply as fiction. When he joins the dark side it seems more real and is quite disturbing. It's neither the ending you're expecting or want. It feels wrong.

Class Movie and Great Performance by John Barrymore

[gerrythree · 10/10 · 11 October 2005]

"Topaze" is another of those quality movies from the early 1930s that showed in theaters once, and then vanished for decades. There was a laser disc release of this movie on the CBS label 60 years after "Topaze" original release in 1933, but nothing in between. TCM probably showed the movie, but I never spotted it on that cable channel's schedule. John Barrymore was at the peak of his Hollywood career when he made this movie, playing Professor Topaze, who learns the hard way that nice guys finish last. "Topaze" was just another movie on the studio production schedule, but try and find now a movie with the quality and entertainment value of "Topaze," along with commentary thrown in on the world of business.

Ben Hecht wrote that he only spent a few weeks writing the screenplay for "Topaze," considering the work just another job for hire, fast money. That attitude, take the money and run, probably applied to John Barrymore, who worked for the studio that agreed to pay his $25,000 a week salary. David O. Selznick, the movie's producer, knew that RKO Studios was in financial trouble, heading for bankruptcy, but Barrymore was one of the biggest Hollywood stars in the early 30s, worth the money. "Topaze," the end result of the work of the talent RKO brought to the screen, is part cynical take on business, part romantic comedy and all original for Hollywood. Henri d'Abbadie d'Arrast, the movie's director, does a great job of pacing this story of a school teacher thrown in the big world as a pitchman for a company selling tainted bottled water. D'Abbadie d'Arrast had no career in Hollywood after this movie flopped.

In one scene in the movie, the backers of the bottled water, thinking over who they can get to promote the water, think about hiring a famous general as their shill. Instead, they decide on a teacher named Dr. Topaze, a teacher at the school one backer's child goes to, and name their product Topaze water. Over 70 years later, advertisers still use researchers and scientists in their commercials to push their products.

Maybe D'Abbadie d'Arrast career went south after going over budget on the movie by not doing everything possible to film all of Barrymore's scenes within two weeks, as William Wyler did making a later Barrymore picture, "Counsellor at Law." Hollywood lost a top craftsman when D'Abbadie d'Arrast stopped directing movies. In "Topaze," Barrymore is great as Dr.Topaze, Myrna Loy looks great and the audience even learns something about the Punic Wars. What a class picture.

FYI: At the 42 minute mark of Topaze, John Barrymore and Myrna Loy are in a cab driving down a main thoroughfare in Paris during a rainstorm. The rear window of the cab shows the traffic behind them and, once or twice, a pedestrian behind them crossing the street in the rear projection shot. At 44 minutes, the image dissolves for a fraction of a second, whiting out, and the special effects technician replays some of the one and one half minutes of stock footage previously rear-projected. Someone at RKO made a copy of the stock footage and spliced some of this copy footage to the end of original footage to end up with the two or so minutes of rear projection footage needed for the cab scene. Clever, huh, and you would never notice it if not for that momentary glitch as the rear image whites out. All routine for Vernon Walker's RKO special effects unit. But, as usual, very well done.

Well, At Least It Helped Serve A Purpose

[ccthemovieman-1 · 2/10 · 14 June 2007]

Here is another example of why an ethics code was established in 1934 in Hollywood films. In the opening scene of this 1933 film, a man is seen talking in the bedroom with a woman presumed to be his wife, each calling each other "darling" a million times. It turns out one of these characters is married; the other is single. And, it was all played for laughs. You have to remember, too, that for many years, adultery was considered one of the worst things you could do. In the last 40 years, the Liberal media just shrugs it off as "one of those things." Yeah, until it's their spouse cheating. In the early '30s, the public was not ready to shrug off adultery as something trivial, something Hollywood was attempting to do.

This whole movie was supposed to be a comedy-drama but I didn't find much, if any, comedy in it, to be honest. The characters were more annoying than funny. Also, adapted from a French play, this movie is too stagy.

John Barrymore is fine, as usual, even appealing as the professor, but Myrna Loy was very disappointing and offered little.

Marvelous Undiscovered Classic

[Enrique-Sanchez-56 · 10/10 · 17 June 2004]

Yes, indeed. Barrymore at his best. Charming story about a French schoolmaster who is unwittingly embroiled in a controversy that forces him to face truth, honesty and integrity outside of his classroom walls.

Barrymore and a fresh-faced Myrna Loy are the stand-outs in this engrossing part melodrama, part comedy. And I mean comedy in the most strictest, serious forms. Full of pathos and irony.

The final scenes of comeuppance and the balancing of justice have been done over and over in many movies since and probably before, but never so deliciously biting as in this simple but strong story.

Recommended without reservations.

Weird Film

[Michael_Elliott · 28 February 2008]

Topaze (1933)

** (out of 4)

Extremely weird film about a nice and honest school teacher (John Barrymore) who gets fired from his job after failing a 12-year-old boy but soon gets a job but unknowingly starts ripping off the public with fake sparkling water. The majority of the film deals with the nice guy Barrymore being taken advantage of by bad people and being forced to do bad things without knowing it. That's all good and fine but I'm not sure if this was suppose to make me laugh or not. It's listed as a comedy in every guide book but not once did it make me laugh so on that level the film certainly didn't work for me. The movie kept me entertained from start to finish but all of that is due to Barrymore who delivers a terrific performance. I'm slowly going through Barrymore's filmography and I've mainly watched his wacky, over the top film but here he actually stays within the mild mannered character and doesn't resort to any of that weirdness. He is totally believable as his character and delivers something very fresh. Myrna Loy is his assistant but doesn't get much to do.

a French morality play

[mukava991 · 5/10 · 17 February 2008]

This pleasant, if somewhat sluggish, adaptation of Marcel Pagnol's hit 1928 play gives us a lesson in what might be called "French morality." We have an honest, gentle and socially awkward professor played by a very toned-down John Barrymore with goatee, messy uncombed hair, spectacles and an ill-fitting suit who loses his job in a boys' school for giving failing marks to a student who happens to be the spoiled son of a wealthy baron.

Through the course of the rather complicated plot involving the innocent entanglement of the professor in a business scheme by the baron to bottle and distribute ordinary water as an amazing microbe-free health tonic, the professor manages to turn the tables on the corrupt and dishonest people who have kicked him out of academia. The first half hour plods with an extended classroom sequence in which the flustered Barrymore struggles to keep order as his students cause all kinds of mayhem. Just when you think the scene has played itself out and made its point, another heavy-handed round of teacher v students begins.

A lighter and more entertaining tone is established by Myrna Loy as the baron's beautiful young mistress who is lavishly maintained in a Van Nest Polglase art deco apartment, and by Jobyna Howland as the baron's amusingly undesirable harridan of a wife who dotes on their spoiled son.

The "French morality" lesson is that corruption for the sake of making millions is bad, but a little adultery doesn't hurt. Interestingly, the play upon which this film is based was also filmed in France around the same time as this RKO version, and revived often in the 1940's and 1950's, including on American television. It is hard to see in this film what enduring qualities the original might have possessed.

Bravo Barrymore

[Ron Oliver · 10/10 · 27 May 2005]

Hapless schoolmaster Auguste TOPAZE becomes the dupe of a duplicitous baron attempting to sell worthless tonic water.

John Barrymore is wonderfully cast against type as the gently pedantic professor in this sadly obscure comedy from RKO. For much of the picture he dithers delightfully, well aware that often less is more in the game of cinematic scene stealing. Living his life by the simple maxims of honesty & decency, Barrymore's character is stunned when his good name is threatened by his powerful new employer. But he has a scheme...

Lovely Myrna Loy, as cool & untroubled as an icy glacier, does well by her role as the baron's levelheaded mistress. Refreshingly, the story allows only an innocent platonic friendship between herself & Barrymore. It is enough.

Aristocratic Reginald Mason gives an enjoyable performance as the crooked baron, while the massive Jobyna Howland revels in her small role as his unspeakable wife. Young Jackie Searl scores as their repellent little son.

Good assist is given by Albert Conti as a corrupt politician, Luis Alberni as an outraged chemist, and, in the same year he'd captain the steamer to Kong's Skull Island, Frank Reicher takes the role of the stern headmaster of the boy's school which employed Topaze.

Ben Hecht's script for the film was based on the original play by Marcel Pagnol.

Barrymore is charismatic...the script is not

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 6 June 2007]

Film-version of Marcel Pagnol's play about a naive professor, teaching at an academy for boys, getting the ax from the administration and becoming a chemist for a beverage company headed up by a businessman who turns out to be dishonest. Tale of morals and mores is sluggishly-paced and could use a little extra comedic relief, though it does have John Barrymore in the lead and he's very charming. One may say the script is dated and dim, however Barrymore creates an appealing character in Professor Topaze, and his gentle performance nearly makes up for the unimaginative handling and the disappointing supporting turns by Myrna Loy, Albert Conti and Reginald Mason. Remade in 1962 with Peter Sellers as "I Like Money". ** from ****

a wonderful little John Barrymore film

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 11 June 2005]

This film proves that just because a film is old doesn't mean it isn't worth seeing! This simple film captivated me with the cleaver plot and the acting of John Barrymore as he lights up each scene! The story is about a company that is looking for a stooge to be the figurehead for their bottled water company. They want some obscure scientist to state that the liquid has health-inducing properties even though it's nothing special. They happen upon Barrymore--an apparently simple-minded old professor who is a paragon of virtue. They use his good name to hoodwink the public and the good professor who appears to have no idea what is going on around him,...or does he? Watch the movie through to the end, as it really grabs you when the eventual show-down occurs!

By the way, this film was from a story by the wonderful French writer, Marcel Pagnol. Try to find the original French language version if you get the chance or any of his other wonderful films, such as THE BUTCHER'S WIFE or the FANNY trilogy.

Barrymore at his best

[funkyfry · 9/10 · 6 November 2002]

***SPOILERS ALERT****

What begins as a silly "adult fairy story" of Doctor Topaze (Barrymore), a straight-as-an-arrow schoolteacher who's fired for failing the son of a baroness, ends up as a very adult satire on political society. Topaze is drafted into the baron's scheme to sell special vitamin-rich water to the masses using his name and "prestige." The drink is a fake, and when Topaze discovers this and the truth about his pretty assistant (Loy, charming but seeming to react to the other actors only in closeups.... hmmmm) and the baron he is crushed by the weight of sudden disillusionment. He reacts by the old credo "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em and then beat 'em".

A brilliant script, and Barrymore was excellent, possibly even better than his landmark performance in "The 20th Century". How can it be that more people don't know about this movie? I would recommend it to almost anyone.

Sophisticated, Sharp, Subtle and Sparkling Topaze

[arieliondotcom · 10/10 · 9 March 2008]

An idealistic professor is taught the hard way that politics makes the world a very unidealistic place. He's tossed from the teaching job he loves where he (somewhat tyranically) molds young minds) into the crass world of commercialism where he is molded into what those who would take advantage of him would have him to be and to which he reluctantly succumbs. Will he snap back to the ideals he taught the boys in his academy? That is the impetus of the film.

The only unfortunate thing about this film is the name which could easily be confused with the wrong movie (Topaz). But this movie is wonderful. Every line of dialogue is a beautifully crafted gem. In a world where we are accustomed to so many throw away lines, that's a problem because so much will be missed. But if you can, rent it (or buy it) and watch it carefully with captions and you'll see what I mean.

You'll also come to realize why John Barrymore is a legend as an actor, especially if you compare this role to others. He delivers his satirical lines with such smoothness you don't realize their sting until, like a papercut, they've already made their mark.

A classic that should be bought and watched by schoolteachers and shown in classrooms across the world for Ethics classes and more. Like a sweet and sour candy to be savored, like a jewel to be admired for its many facets, Topaze is a delight.

The ways of Topaze

[ramawv · 10/10 · 2 May 2013]

John Barrymore offers a brilliant performance as a French school teacher who is honest but soon learns the crooked ways from the business world and then uses them to his advantage. This movie is based on Marcel Pagnol's play about a mousy French school teacher and the last RKO studio's triumph with producer David Selznick.

The Broadway show was a very successful and ran 215 showings in 1930. The story is about a French school teacher who's a rather old fashioned simpleton. His reputation is high enough for wealthy industrialist to use his good name on a soft drink of lesser quality. Selznick was not too keen on the satirical content of the book but thought John Barrymore would be the best man to play the lead role of the movie. With the assistance of screen writer Ben Hecht and a superb team of supporting stars that includes; Myrna Loy, Reginald Mason, Jackie Searl and Jobyna Howland, the story was turned into a delightful parody on the screen.

One of the controversial plots of the movie is that Myrna Loy plays the part of Coco, a kept woman of married man Baron Philippe De La Tour (Reginald Mason). This movie was released in the pre-code era of 1933 without a hitch, but when the studio re-released in 1936, it was rejected by the industry censor because the promiscuous relationship in the movie, "without compensating moral values," said the censor board. Surprisingly this movie is also considered as the best American movie of 1933 by the National Board of Review. In spite of all these controversies, the movie is outstanding and the story is absolutely offbeat. I am sure everyone will enjoy this classic.

Sparkling Topaze!!!

[kidboots · 9/10 · 14 April 2013]

"Topaze" was a feather in the cap of the two principal actors. Myrna Loy had just made "The Animal Kingdom" for Radio where she really made the critics sit up and take notice and the studio liked her so much that they kept her around for "Topaze" where her career received some prestige by having her appear opposite acting royalty, John Barrymore. While the former movie had her as the venal wife, "Topaze" cast her as Coco, the warm hearted mistress. And Barrymore was given one of his finest roles as the timid school teacher who is transformed when he realises that crime does pay. In addition he won over the few critics who, till then, had not been admirers of his.

Jackie Searl adds another character to his "rogue's gallery" and, once again, proves that movie brats had more fun with his snivelling Charlemagne La Tour La Tour, son of a Baron who made his millions through bribery and corruption. He is the despair of his teacher, Professor Topaze who endeavours to teach his pupils the virtues of honesty and kindness. Charlemagne has everyone hoodwinked except Topaze who is sacked because he has dared to give him a zero for conduct!!

Meanwhile La Tour Snr. is looking for an "idiot" to endorse the firms curative water and after meeting Topaze he thinks he has found one. He wants to use Topaze as a consulting chemist and to put his name as endorsement to his dodgy drink "Sparkling Topaze". Coco, the Baron's mistress, becomes his assistant and he is completely in the dark about the couple's relationship. In reality, the Baron, while equipping Topaze with a state of the arts laboratory and making him believe his experiments are producing great improvements, is still fraudulently bottling plain tap water. Topaze speedily loses his illusions then tries a little trickery of his own after receiving a coveted award for being nothing more than a dupe.

Next scene his beard and eccentric dress, along with his humble manner are gone and he asks La Tour for a partnership, if not he will expose La Tour's relationship with Coco to his "formidable" wife (Jobyna Howland who made a lot of early talkies but here had a pretty thankless role as a not very nice character). Coco doesn't care because she has now learned to care more for absent minded Topaze than her very conventional and weak lover. The ending is terrific as bratty Charlemagne is shown up in front of his school fellows as the sham he is - he is all set to be awarded the Dux of the school until a few basic questions from Topaze expose the duplicity of the award.

Highly, Highly Recommended.

The Honorable Schoolmaster

[lugonian · 9/10 · 1 September 2019]

TOPAZE (RKO Radio, 1933), directed by Harry D'Abbadie D'Arrast, from the adaptation by Benn W. Levy, and play by Marcel Pagnol, stars John Barrymore in one of his finest film roles. Notable for his versatile performances on both stage and screen, ranging from Shakespearean tragedy to madcap comedies, Barrymore also excelled in playing character types such as this. In the title role, Barrymore plays a naive French teacher (with no French accent) sporting pointy beard and glasses who is taken for a fool. Myrna Loy, who assumed smaller parts in earlier Barrymore/Warner Brothers productions as DON JUAN (1926), WHEN A MAN LOVES (1927), and separate performances in the all-star musical revue, THE SHOW OF SHOWS (1929), and NIGHT FLIGHT (MGM, 1933), gets her chance in a major role opposite the "great profile" to best advantage, especially under a French director, D'Arrast, with the comedic style of wit in the manner of Paramount's own Ernst Lubitsch.

Set in France, the story opens with a snow fall with camera tracking inside the apartment building window on a couple, Baron Philippe De Latour Latour (Reginald Mason) and Coco (Myrna Loy) seated in front of a fireplace enjoying each other's company. At the stroke of 11 p.m., however, Philippe leaves Coco to return home to his wife. In his mansion, Philippe enters, awaking Hortense (Jobyna Howland), and their dog, Max. Philippe finds his wife more upset over the report card grades of their mischievous son, Charlemagne (Jackie Searl), containing zeros in every subject except general knowledge, by his schoolmaster, Topaze, whom Charlemagne calls a Communist. The following morning, Professor Auguste Topaze (John Barrymore) arrives at his place of employment, Stegg Academy, where he resumes his trying day to conduct his lessons to his students while Charlemagne disrupts the class. The lessons are interrupted when Topaze is called to the office of Doctor Stegg (Frank Reicher), minister of education, to meet with him and Charlemagne's concerned mother as to why the son of powerful and richest Baron has failing grades. Regardless of the truth, the dedicated and idealistic teacher, by orders of Mrs. LaTour, is immediately dismissed. Arriving at Coco's apartment to tutor her nephew, Alphonse, Topaze also makes the acquaintance of Philippe, Charlemagne's father and businessman. He intends on making amends of Topaze losing his teaching position by offering him a job as "consultive chemist" for his worthless tonic he intends to make a fortune, calling it "Sparkling Topaze." Unaware that Topaze is being played a fool by endorsing Latour's "soft drink" to make consumers "high," Topaze, working closely with Coco, learns the truth from Doctor Bomg (Luis Alberni) after being called a thief, followed by other unforeseen circumstances.

A well-rounded 79 minute story enacted by fine cast, TOPAZE (title not to be confused with Alfred Hitchcock's 1969 thriller, TOPAZ). relies more on John Barrymore's skills in straight comedy than anything else. Being the whole show here certainly merited him an Actor Academy Award nomination as Best Actor, which didn't happen. Myrna Loy (on loan from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer), makes an enduring mistress of a notable statesman who, at one point, gets introduced as Mrs. Topaze by her lover when met face to face by his wife. Though the early ten minute classroom session is lengthy, Barrymore's teachings and coping with Searl's antics sure make this one of the film's highlights. No wonder Searl earned his reputation as a "movie brat."

Seldom shown on commercial television, TOPAZE did earn rediscovery in later years with video cassette in 1990 through CBS Fox tribute to David O. Selznick (who produced the movie), followed by DVD release. Cable television showings include American Movie Classics (1995-1999) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: October 7, 2002) with original RKO Radio logo opening as opposed to Selznick International Pictures logo used in earlier broadcasts and video distributions. Recommended viewing. (***)

For the love of a good, clean glass of water.

[mkilmer · 9/10 · 7 September 2008]

TOPAZE (1933) is a funny movie. It is also a dramatic tale of how corrupt the writers (Ben Hecht/Benn Levy) find the capitalists to be. The capitalist in question is the Baron Philippe de La Tour (Reginald Mason) who is carrying on an affair with a girl called Coco (Myrna Loy). There is no compunction involved, and they carry on as if married. Only they're not.

The Baron La Tour wants to sell bottled water but his "scientific backing" bails on him because the water is not what is advertised. With the help of his paramour Coco, Baron Le Tour finds another scientist in the form of his son's recently fired schoolmaster, Professor Auguste A. Topaze. Unwitting and somewhat naïve, Topaze lends his name to the water which henceforth bears his name, Sparkling Topaze.

Dr. Topaze eventually discovers that, by gosh, he's being used. What he does is the perfect answer to capitalism, because it is done like a true capitalist.

The "evil capitalist" argument has never died, in this era when corporations and oil companies and big pharmaceuticals, etc., are blamed for the sundry world ills, so the story is not really dated. Barrymore is brilliant, owning the role, and Myrna Loy is dazzling. Mason is quite good as the Baron, Jobyna Howland delightful as his wife, and Jackie Searl is a joy as their son, Charlemagne de La Tour, who is something of the nemesis of Dr. Topaze.

This movie is a gem.

Myrna Wins Again

[David_Brown · 10/10 · 11 June 2011]

This is essentially a flawless film with a very restrained John Barrymore, who is at his best (He dominates every scene he is in, and is always the best in every film he was in). Myrna Loy, is really what I want to discuss in this film.

Basically I used to love most non-musical classic films. Now it is just gangster films, westerns, and select stars like Barrymore & Loy (Who is better than Powell (The more I saw of Powell without Loy, the more I knew he needed Loy)).

As for Loy, I found "Coco" to be a very interesting character, and one I believe was not going to be a kept woman for long (She is both hot to look at and sophisticated, and she will get the best of Barrymore in the end (As we have seen with Powell, Gable & Tracy (Who gave up an FBI career for Myrna in "Whipsaw")). I have seen Myrna offer up different variations of "Coco" in a number of films (A person who gets what she wants in the end, and sacrifices little (If anything doing it)). One in particular is Eleanor Packer in "Manhattan Melodrama" where she was a kept woman for "Blackie" Gallagher (Gable), and moves on to Jim Wade (William Powell), who would have been President if it was not for being tied to Eleanor. A must see film for Loy fans, and those unfamiliar with her without Powell or Gable.