Topper (1937)

My Review

“Topper” is a madcap comedy about a stuffy bank president whose life is turned upside down when he is haunted by the ghosts of a partying socialite couple. Trapped in limbo, the couple must perform a good deed to enter heaven, which in this case is reforming their friend by teaching him how to enjoy life. Director Norman Z. McLeod (“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” 1947) put together an entertaining movie featuring good production values, quality special effects, and good writing. The script by Jack Jevne, Eric Hatch, and Eddie Moran was adapted from the 1926 novel “Topper” by Thorne Smith.

The outstanding cast includes Cary Grant and Constance Bennett as the ghostly George and Marion Kerby, Roland Young as Cosmo Topper, Billie Burke as Mrs. Topper, Alan Mowbray as the butler, Eugene Pallette as the hotel detective, Arthur Lake as the bell & elevator boy, Hedda Hopper as Mrs. Topper’s snobbish friend, and Ward Bond as a cab driver. The watchable “Topper” was good escapist programming at the Depression Era box office for producer Hal Roach and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

“Topper” received two Oscar nods – Best Supporting Actor (Young) and Best Sound Recording. It was followed by sequels “Topper Takes a Trip” (1938) and “Topper Returns” (1941). A television series “Topper” ran on CBS (1953-1955) starring Leo G. Carroll, Robert Sterling, and Ann Jeffreys.