The Film (4/5)

Naïve and honest schoolteacher, Auguste Topaze (John Barrymore), loses his job at school, for being too honest about a bratty kid's behavior. The mother, turns out to be a popular Baroness. But in a strange of events, Topaze is then hired by The Baron La Tour- La Tour (Reginald Mason) to help form a new sparkling water drink. To help seal the deal, The Baron agrees to call the new drink "Sparkling Topaze". But little does he know That he is only being used for his name to pawn off the same old drink. But this doesn't affect Topaze too harshly, as he soon finds himself head over heels for the Baron's mistress, Coco (Myrna Loy).

TOPAZE (1933) is a bizarre satire that came out of the pre-code era. This was a special time, where censorship was in place, but not well enforced. So taboo subject matter could run wild. Unlike the mainstream point of view that Old Hollywood was a squeaky-clean area of moral righteousness, Pre-code movies could be more realistic. Vice, sin, and emotions could run wild. As well as morally questionable outcomes and downbeat endings.

Produced by David O. Selznick (GONE WITH THE WIND, REBECCA), TOPAZE was one of many adaptations of a 1928 play by Marcel Pagnol. In this Hollywood version, the screenplay went with a more capitalist point of view. The central moral issue, being an honest man sailing out. Because a "honest" man can't be bought. Topaze becomes taken in by the very things he was against. The element of marketing a new beverage, is ahead of its time and bold. Basically, boiling down to a consumer nightmare.

The faulty beverage is placed into mainstream usage. Ironically enough seltzer water, like Perrier, is very popular in France. Afterwards we get a nightmare montage of Topaze facing his guilt with all the signs for the drink morphing into "Topaze is a thief". Aside from this script detail, it is filled with double entendres and suggestive language. Since it's a Selznick production, the money is on the screen with some handsome art deco sets. Something that made 30's cinema so eye catching.

Audio/Video (4/5)

The movie comes with an English 2.0 DTS-HD Master audio track. The sound levels are smooth and there is no hiss or pops. Movies of this vintage usually have some dusty audio issues, but I'm happy to report that TOPAZE is not one of those. English subtitles are included.

The 1080p HD transfer is not perfect, but still impressive for a title of this vintage. There is some minor motion blur in some of the scenes. And a visual delay in a few close ups, like the speed of the camera was reset. But this may be from print damage. There is some natural film grain. The Black levels are smooth, and the focus is mostly sharp. Some of the greys are too over lit.

Extras (3.5/5)

The main extra is an audio commentary with Film Historian Kat Ellinger. The track is packed to the gills with info. It covers a wide range of topics from the pre-code era, Barrymore's career, and the funny tropes that came when Joseph Breene toke over the Hayes Code. Miss Ellinger makes the track a blast to listen to and has quickly jumped on my list of essential commentators, along with Tim Lucas and Tom Weaver. Rounding out the disc is a trailer gallery featuring YOUNG IN HEART, INTERMEZZO, SINCE YOU WENT AWAY, and I'LL BE SEEING YOU.

Overall (4/5)

TOPAZE is a surprising Pre-code charmer. With layer after layer of subtext and two central performers from Barrymore and Loy.  The transfer and wonderful commentary from Miss Ellinger makes this an essential purchase for Pre-code fans. Highly Recommended.