7.4/10
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50 user 21 critic

Topper (1937)

Passed | | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance | 16 July 1937 (USA)
Topper Poster
A fun-loving couple, finding that they died and are now ghosts, decide to shake up the stuffy lifestyle of a friend of theirs.

Director:

Writers:

(screen play), (screen play) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Nominated for 2 Oscars. See more awards »

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This series was about a somewhat grumpy and uptight banker, Cosmo Topper, and the ghosts which only he could see or hear, George and Marion Kerby. The Kerbys would often try to get Cosmo to... See full summary »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
... Marion Kerby
... George Kerby
... Mr. Cosmo Topper
... Mrs. Clara Topper
... Wilkins
... Casey
... Elevator Boy
... Mrs. Grace Stuyvesant
... Miss Johnson
... Hotel Manager
... Policeman (as J. Farrell McDonald)
... Secretary
... Rustic
... Rustic
Three Hits and a Miss ... Three Hits and a Miss
See full cast »
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Storyline

The funloving Kerbys, stockholders in the bank of which henpecked, stuffy Cosmo Topper is president, drive recklessly once too often and become ghosts. In limbo because they've never done either good or bad deeds, they decide to try a good one now: rehabilitating Topper. Lovely, flirtatious Marion takes a keen personal interest in the job. Will Topper survive the wrath of jealous ghost George? Will Mrs. Topper find that a scandalous husband isn't all bad? Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

ghost | bank | accident | anger | 1930s | See All (56) »

Taglines:

The wound him up and let him run...Riot! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Certificate:

Passed | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

16 July 1937 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Das blonde Gespenst  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Arthur Lake, the elevator boy/bellhop, went on to star as Dagwood Bumstead in the "Blondie" movies and TV series. See more »

Goofs

When George and Marion walk into the club as they are sitting down someone already seated at the table calls George "Cary". See more »

Quotes

[George and Marion watch a drunk Topper laying on the floor, passed out]
Marion Kerby: I don't think he's ever had a drink in his life.
George Kerby: Poor Topper.
Marion Kerby: Poor Topper.
Cosmo Topper: [mutters] Poor Topper.
George Kerby: You keep out of this.
See more »

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Colorizing: Hollywood's New Vandalism (1986) See more »

Soundtracks

Old Man Moon
(1937)
Music & Lyrics by Hoagy Carmichael
Sung by Hoagy Carmichael (uncredited), Constance Bennett (uncredited) and Cary Grant (uncredited)
Played as dance music by nightclub orchestra and
Sung by Three Hits and a Miss (uncredited)
See more »

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User Reviews

Solid Fantasy Feature With A Fine Cast & Some Good Camera Tricks
16 June 2005 | by – See all my reviews

With a fine cast and some good and occasionally impressive special effect camera tricks, this is a decent fantasy feature. It makes its main gimmick work well, while also telling a light but interesting story about the main characters. The idea of ghosts returning to interact with the living is a simple and familiar idea, but in this movie it works pretty well.

Cary Grant is always entertaining in this kind of role, and Roland Young fit right into the role of "Topper" and made it his own, in this and the sequels. Constance Bennett gives a very lively and engaging performance that also drives much of the action. Billie Burke is well-cast as Topper's wife, and Eugene Palette makes very good use of his scenes as a grouchy hotel detective.

The 'ghost' effects are very good technically for their time, and they are used effectively in the story. There is a lot of variety in the various visual effects, and they show some clever ideas and careful planning. Only a couple of times do the seams show.

The story is kept very simple, probably by design, allowing the cast and the camera effects to carry the load. Although things move a little slowly at times, most of it is entertaining, and as light entertainment it works well.
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