A fun-loving couple, finding that they died and are now ghosts, decide to shake up the stuffy lifestyle of a friend of theirs.
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Title: Topper (1937)
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Nominated for
2
Oscars.
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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 |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
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>
Taglines:
Cary GRANT Dashing knight of the night clubs...Has been under all the best tables! See more »Parents Guide:
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See more on IMDbPro »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
16 July 1937 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Topper See more »Filming Locations:
Hill Grove Estate at 1051 Benedict Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$500,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
(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 »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Songwriter and pianist Hoagy Carmichael makes an uncredited cameo appearance, early in the film, as the piano player in the sequence where George and Marion are on the town the night before the meeting at the bank. He introduces the song "Old Man Moon", which is sung by George and Marion (It's also sung later by Three Hits and a Miss). It was Carmichael's screen debut. As the couple leave the bar, George says "(Good) night and Carmichael replies "So long, see ya next time." See more »Goofs
Shortly after the beginning of the film, George and Marion walk into the Rainbow Club. When Marion sits down at a table, she says "Thank you, Harry" to the waiter. Her comment has sometimes been mistaken for one of the restaurant patrons calling George by his real-life name, Cary. 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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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.