Topper Returns

 

 

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This DVD was in excellent condition. It was shipped immediately upon my order and was delivered quickly. Woody's Books also followed up both during and after the purchase to ensure I was completely satisfied. This was an excellent shopping experience.

You can tell your life is REALLY pathetic when ghosts have to show you how to live.

But that is what happens to Cosmo Topper, in the charming "Topper" and its equally charming sequel "Topper Returns." It's basically your typical screwball comedy (complete with Cary Grant), but with an injection of supernatural pranking and murder mystery. In other words, it's loads of fun.

George and Marion Kirby (Cary Grant, Constance Bennett) love fun, partying until clubs kick them out, and generally not taking life seriously. So it's a shock to them when they die in a car accident, and linger on as ghosts. Apparently they have not done any good deeds to go to the Great Beyond.

So when George's boss, Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), crashes his new car in the same spot, the Kirbys take him under their wing. Poor Cosmo is stodgy and timid, with a domineering wife who schedules his day down to the minute. So it's up to the Kirbys to show the poor man how to live life and have fun, but their good deed rapidly gets away from them...

And most sequels stink, but goofy murder mystery "Topper Returns" is just as funny as the first movie. Instead of a ghostly screwball, this time it's a spoof of "haunted house" stories, with a nod to Hitchcock's "Rebecca."

Ann Carrington (Carole Landis) is returning to her ancestral home and inheritance, with cheeky pal Gail (Joan Blondell) in tow. But after the girls switch bedrooms, someone murders Gail. Confused, she drifts over to the house of Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), whose car she hijacked earlier in the day.

Gail blackmails Topper into helping her discover who murdered her, and who is trying to kill Ann. Now the unfortunate Topper must somehow solve the mystery, despite a small army of creepy servants, a house full of secret passages and vicious seals, and his upset wife searching high and low for him...

Based on Thorne Smith's novels, "Topper" and "Topper Returns" even had a spinoff TV series, which was nowhere near as good as the movies. And those movies are charming and still fresh, especially if you like to see a twist on the usual ghost stories.

But it's the little touches that make this movie hilarious; for example, there's George laughing on a chandelier, and Gail chugging champagne when she discovers her own dead body. Not to mention that vicious seal. The comedy becomes more obvious and spoofy in the second film, but no less entertaining.

But at the same time, these movies are graced by tender moments between George and Marion, and a truly exquisite scene where Gail's ghost wanders out the window into the sky. And I'm still not sure how that invisible-person-under-the-covers shot was done, especially with the primitive special effects of the 1940s.

Roland Young is the star of the piece -- his Topper is timid, halting, and has his day scheduled down to the minute. Not a single spark of sponteneity. Grant comes across like a trickster god, and has wonderful chemistry with Bennett. And Blondell is simply charming as a resourcefully cheeky ghost girl.

"Topper" and "Topper Returns" are decades old, but are perfect examples of Hollywood classics. Charming, chipper and hilarious.

And his wife caught him. Besides revisiting your favorite characters, there is a pretty good murder mystery going. There is an old dark house with secret passages and secret people. In the middle of this is Topper. And on top of Toper's lap there is a ghost.

Ann Carrington (Carole Landis) is returning to her old family estate. Traveling there with her friend Gail Richards (Joan Blondell), we see the front end of a rifle and soon the cab they are traveling in gets a flat tier at the most incontinent location. This sets the tone as later Gail gets ghostafied.

So who did it and why? Gail is determined to find out with the help of the only person who can see her Cosmo Topper (Roland Young).

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5.0 out of 5 stars Each movie is stand alone enjoyment
"Topper"

Never seen so much cigarette smoke

This is a must have for this that lived thought the era. However I was surprised to see so much smoking. Read more

Published on Jan 16 2006 by bernie

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the price
Although I don't think Topper with Cary Grant is as good as some of his other B&W comedies, "Bringing up Baby", "The Bachelor and Bobby Soxer" or even "Monkey Business", it is a... Read more

Published on July 11 2004

3.0 out of 5 stars THIS TWOSOME TOPS OUT IN HILARITY!
"Topper" is the supernatural screwball comedy about a pair of fun-loving ghosts who wreak havoc on the life of henpecked banker, Cosmo Topper (Roland Young). Read more

Published on Jun 10 2004 by Nix Pix

5.0 out of 5 stars clear DVD from Artisan
This is a good transfer indeed. I know Artisan is hit and miss. This DVD title is clear. The 1st Topper is always my favorite. Why? Cary Grant and Constance Bennett are in it. Read more

Published on May 7 2004 by Raechel Reiter

5.0 out of 5 stars Topper is a classic!
I was so happy when I saw that this classic film was finally on DVD. Topper is a masterpiece, especially considering when the film was made! Read more

Published on April 29 2004 by Anya

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
I love this movie! I hadn't seen it in years, but remembered loving it, so today I watched it. I love it. It's funny, mysterious, and dramatic. Read more

Published on Jan 29 2004 by Anne Bam

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and utterly charming!
As a screwball comedy, Topper has it all: high spirits and hijinks, wonderful acting all around, sharp dialogue, deft physical comedy, and a theme lots of people can relate to. Read more

Published on Nov 26 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars In Response to, "Disgusted Hal Roach Fan"
The "Disgusted Hal Roach Fan" seems to be in his own tormented little world! I read his review prior to buying the Topper/Topper Returns video because I love this movie... Read more

Published on Aug 2 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars A great old movie
Topper Returns is an example of how old Hollywood could do classic work, with a movie that isn't great, but exceedingly good, and at times downright hilarious. Read more

Published on Aug 1 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny 1937 Original w/1941 sequel now on remastered DVD!!
ARTISAN Home Entertainment brings us a remastered DVD of Hal Roach Studios (who brought us Laurel & Hardy and the Little Rascals in 1920's through the 1930's on the side... Read more

Published on July 31 2003 by forrie

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