MAJESTIC THEATRE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 601, 4 August 1933, Page 3

MAJESTIC THEATRE

TO-NIGHT. The new John Barrymore picture, "TopaZ'e," which opened last night at the Majestic Theatre, rests upon a novel plot that is as French' as cognac and just as easy to take! John Barrymore has the title role, that of Auguste Topaze, a. French •schoolmaster. Incredibly honest and laltogether lacking any mood for adventure, even " mentally, he is constantly> hewildered hy the .sophistication about him. Then chance takes him very suddenly from the schoolroom to the position of consulting chemist and head of the Latour Chemical Works, with a mineral' water of his own formula named after him — "Sparkling Topaze." •You laugh with a tear in your eye as you see him in the midst of gold and crystal cafes and spunglass boudoirs. His innocence is evident when, after seeing his first movie — a. picture called "Women of Passion" — he ob•serves that he never imagined people comported themselves in that manner, and he didn't quite understand how the title fitted. But poor Topaze. He also finds he is -a principal actor in a great fraud being practised on the public. "Sparkling Topaze" is alive with germs, but the profits are enormous. His honesty is up in arms! He also discovers that the enchanting and beautiful Coco, whom he admired, respected and thought no evil of, is the mistress* of Baron de Latour-Latour, the arch conspirator. Then his chivalry is assaulted! If a worm can turn, it-can also discover that the creed of "honesty is the best policy' 'can be reversed. It isn't long before Topaze is a more impudent scoundrel than his teachers and has even stolen the Baron's mistress. Myrna Loy is delightful as the siren who is almost as naive as Topaze, for she really believes the Baron intends to marry her. That rascal, the Baron, is engaging as portrayed by Reginald Manson. Others in excellent eharacterisations are Luis Alherni, Albert Conti, Johyna Howland, Frank Reicher, Lowden Adams and Jackie Searl. The original isparkling flavour has been, kept in the screen version, and Harry d'Arrast's sensitive touch has properly accented the direction. Beautifully mounted, "Topaze" is a treat to eye, ear and one's love for really clever comedy, drama, something too seldom found in entertainment these