Mr. Topaze

Mr. Topaze, a principled schoolteacher in a quaint French village, faces dismissal for refusing to pass a privileged student's poor performance. Castel Benac, a corrupt official, recruits Topaze to serve as a facade for his shady financial dealings, spurred by his lover Suzy, a musical actress. As Topaze becomes increasingly ruthless in his pursuit of wealth, he ultimately dismisses Benac and takes Suzy for himself. An old colleague, Tamise, confronts him, lamenting that his transformation signals the demise of integrity in their world.