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.
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.