Topaze (1966 film)

Topaze is a 1966 Australian TV play based on the 1928 play by the French writer Marcel Pagnol.[4]

"Topaze"
Wednesday Theatre episode
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 13
Directed byChristopher Muir
Teleplay byJohn Warwick
Based onplay Topaze by Marcel Pagnol
English version
Anthony Rossi
Original air date6 April 1966 (Sydney)[1]
30 March 1966 (Melbourne)[2]
Running time60 mins[3]

Plot

Topaze is a school master fired for being too honest who falls in with thieves.

Cast
  • Mark Albiston as Topaze
  • Fernande Glyn as Suzy
  • Allan Trevor as Castel-Benac
  • Patricia Kennedy as Baroness
  • Fay Kelton as Ernestine, daughter of the headmaster
  • Terry Norris as Tamise
  • Edward Howell as Journalist
  • Jack Allan as Muche
  • Robert Bogden as Roger
  • Peter Drake as Butler
  • Diana Wilson as Typist
  • Christie Clayton as Typist
  • Ron Hoenig as Pupil

Production

This was director Christopher Muir's first production back in Australia after six months abroad.[5] It was the first locally produced edition of Wedneday Theatre for 1966. The production was given an Edwardian setting designed by Cass van Pufelen.[2]

Reception

The Sydney Morning Herald said "Topaze is a fine French satire and the Melbourne production was impeccable... Nobody could complain about how it was done. But to the Australian people... of 1966 it could only look and sound like a fussy little piece about some French types who may have lived 40 years ago...The A.B.C. has no right to spend money, time and effort on a little show. In fact, the executives who selected Pagnol's play could take a cue from one line spoken by Fernunde Glyn: "I think you might go out and meet people"."[6]

References
  1. "TV Guide". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 April 1966. p. 19.
  2. "Beauty in Business". The Age. 24 March 1966. p. 15.
  3. "TV Guide". The Age. 24 March 1966. p. 35.
  4. "TODAY'S TV". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 6 April 1966. p. 23. Retrieved 11 February 2020 – via Trove.
  5. "Producer who has returned to television an optimist". The Age. 13 January 1966. p. 12.
  6. Robinson, Harry (April 8, 1966). "Gleason's Formula for Success". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 8.
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