TOPAZE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 596, 29 July 1933, Page 2

TOPAZE

STQRY WITH A SPICY PLOT AND A SAUCY DIALOGUE COMING NEXT THURSDAY. John Barrymore's newest screen stardom finds him in a famous eomedy that has made good with critical audiences in Paris and New York — a comedy that combines whimsical eharacterisation with spicy plot and saucy dialogue — John Barrymore, in other words, is the attraction in "Topaze," which opens on Thursday at the Majestic Theatre. As Monsieur Topaze in this production, Barrymore's talents find their most joyous outlet. "Topaze," a French play by Marcel Pagnol and translated into English by Benn W. Levy, shows some of its cleverness in the way it runs contrary to the usual| design. No one can be said to be a hero and no one exactly a villain, for each individual mixes a little good with a little bad, and viee

found one in the M. Topaze. It's the Baron's mistake. For the versa, and dishonesty is seen to have some amusing virtues! Professor Auguste Topaze, played by Barrymore, promises at the start to be a goodly-good, for he is seen teaching worldly wise modern boys that honesty is essential to success. This maxim gets its first jolt when his conscientiousness loses him his teaching job; and its second when he finds his honesty is enabling the unserupulous Baron de Latour-Latour to wallow most happily in ill-gotten gains. The Baron needs the services of either an idiot or a scoundrel; and he prefers an idiot, feeling that he has

modest little professor discovers his own ego and the glory of putting something over on the Baron, who put something over on him. Topaze even goes to the extent of confiscating the Baron's mistress! Myrna Loy is the intriguing .jause of heart interest, Reginald Masom is the rascally - but likable Baron, and others on the cast are Albert Conti, Luis Alberni, Jabyna Howland, Frank iReicher, Jackie Searl and Lowden Adams. Harry d'Arrast directed "Topaze," which has been given an exceptionally fine production.