Topaze

1933

1h 18m

Comedy

List

Tomatometer

4 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Professor Auguste A. Topaze (John Barrymore) is a simple, naïve schoolteacher with a good name and an impeccable reputation. When the wealthy and corrupt Baron Philippe de La Tour-La Tour (Reginald Mason) and his mistress, Coco (Myrna Loy), take advantage of the professor's good nature in a fraudulent business scheme, Topaze learns a harsh lesson on the consequences that exist outside the world of academia. He soon finds his sense of ethics and honesty being pushed to the limit.

Pare Lorentz

Vanity Fair

It was not an easy play to make into a movie because the action centers about a gentle schoolmaster, but [director Harry] D'Arrast made a good job of it by getting a fine performance from John Barrymore.

Jun 5, 2019

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Topaze is something of a pre-code comedy, but there is so much thought and sophistication crammed into its 78 minutes that it seems a shame to describe it in such vulgar terms.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 10, 2018

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It might have grandly worked back in the day, but its comedy is inert and its presentation is stagy for modern tastes.

Rated: C+

Feb 3, 2015

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B+

Mar 6, 2013

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Audience Member

An excellent pre-code comedy with the great John Barrymore and the lovely Myrna Loy! There's marital infidelity, fornication, fraudulent schemes, and ill-gotten gains. This is a great example of the pre-censorship American films of the late 20s and early 30s. Delightful. It could never have been made a year later!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Audience Member

One of my favorite Barrymore roles. Loy is a delight

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

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Audience Member

A strong performance by John Barrymore.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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ashley h

Topaze is an excellent film. It is about an honest and naive schoolteacher gets a lesson in how the world works outside the classroom. John Barrymore and Myrna Loy give fantastic performances. The screenplay is well written. Harry D'Abbadie D'Arrast did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama and humor. Topaze is a must see.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

good pre-code vehicle for Barrymore made the same year he did 'counselor at law' 4 universal also MGM's 'diner at 8"

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Slow drug out movie that besides John Barrymore excellent job is hard to watch.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Harry D'Abbadie D'Arrast

Director

John Barrymore

Professor Auguste A. Topaze

Myrna Loy

Coco

Albert Conti

Henri de Fairville

Luis Alberni

Dr. Bomb

Jobyna Howland

Baroness Hortense de La Tour-La Tour

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Synopsis

Professor Auguste A. Topaze (John Barrymore) is a simple, naïve schoolteacher with a good name and an impeccable reputation. When the wealthy and corrupt Baron Philippe de La Tour-La Tour (Reginald Mason) and his mistress, Coco (Myrna Loy), take advantage of the professor's good nature in a fraudulent business scheme, Topaze learns a harsh lesson on the consequences that exist outside the world of academia. He soon finds his sense of ethics and honesty being pushed to the limit.

Director: Harry D'Abbadie D'Arrast
Producer: David O. Selznick
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 18m