Topper (1937)

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:

Norman Z. McLeod

Writers:

Jack Jevne (screen play), Eric Hatch (screen play)

Stars:

Cary Grant, Constance Bennett, Roland Young

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Constance Bennett	...	Marion Kerby
Cary Grant	...	George Kerby
Roland Young	...	Mr. Cosmo Topper
Billie Burke	...	Mrs. Clara Topper
Alan Mowbray	...	Wilkins
Eugene Pallette	...	Casey
Arthur Lake	...	Elevator Boy
Hedda Hopper	...	Mrs. Grace Stuyvesant
Virginia Sale	...	Miss Johnson
Theodore von Eltz	...	Hotel Manager
J. Farrell MacDonald	...	Policeman (as J. Farrell McDonald)
Elaine Shepard	...	Secretary
Doodles Weaver	...	Rustic
Si Jenks	...	Rustic
Three Hits and a Miss	...	Three Hits and a Miss

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?

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | accident | screwball comedy | car crash | afterlife | 

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Taglines:

SEE an invisible beauty take a bath...Connie step out of an evening gown...into invisibility, a man kidnapped by phantoms...and scores of other didoes! (original print ad)

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Goofs

When Topper is driving the Kerby's car; you can plainly see that a stunt man is doing the precision driving. At one point when Topper drives off the road to avoid hitting a bus; you could see the the driver has a full set of hair whereas Topper is half bald with a receding hairline.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in Have You Got Any Castles? (1938)

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Soundtracks

The Old Oaken Bucket
(1818) (uncredited)
Music traditional
Lyrics by Samuel Woodworth (1818)
Sung a cappella by Cary Grant

User Reviews

"Why don't you stop being a mummy for a few minutes and come to life?"

A carefree couple (Cary Grant, Constance Bennett) are killed in a car crash. They come back as ghosts to help their bank manager friend, Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), break out of his stuffy little rut and find happiness. I first saw this years ago and I remember being disappointed that Cary Grant isn't really the star of it, Roland Young is. This is probably the role Young is best remembered for, although it's very similar to some of his other roles. Namely that of a meek little man who mumbles and has funny deadpan reactions to things. He's likable and easy to root for. For their parts, Grant and Bennett are a lot of fun. They sing "Old Man Moon" with Hoagy Carmichael in one delightful scene. The supporting cast includes Billie Burke, Alan Mowbray, and a very funny Eugene Palette. The film was a success and led to two sequels and a TV series. It's a light screwball comedy with enjoyable performances and a good script. People expecting it to be a vehicle for Cary Grant might be disappointed but hopefully they'll give it a shot anyway.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Topper

Filming Locations:

Hill Grove Estate at 1051 Benedict Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1