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.
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.