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Topper Takes a Trip

  • 19381938
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Constance Bennett and Roland Young in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
To gain entry to Heaven, a ghost attempts to reunite a divorcing couple as a good deed.
Play trailer2:59
1 Video
36 Photos
ComedyFantasyRomance

To gain entry to Heaven, a ghost attempts to reunite a divorcing couple as a good deed.To gain entry to Heaven, a ghost attempts to reunite a divorcing couple as a good deed.To gain entry to Heaven, a ghost attempts to reunite a divorcing couple as a good deed.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Norman Z. McLeod
  • Writers
    • Jack Jevne(screen play)
    • Eddie Moran(screen play)
    • Corey Ford(screen play)
  • Stars
    • Constance Bennett
    • Roland Young
    • Billie Burke
Top credits
  • Director
    • Norman Z. McLeod
  • Writers
    • Jack Jevne(screen play)
    • Eddie Moran(screen play)
    • Corey Ford(screen play)
  • Stars
    • Constance Bennett
    • Roland Young
    • Billie Burke
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 26User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Blu-ray Trailer
    Trailer 2:59
    Blu-ray Trailer

    Photos36

    Eddie Conrad and Roland Young in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Paul Everton and Roland Young in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Constance Bennett and Asta in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Constance Bennett, Roland Young, and Asta in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Billie Burke, Franklin Pangborn, and Verree Teasdale in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Constance Bennett, Billie Burke, and Alexander D'Arcy in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    George Davis, Franklin Pangborn, and Roland Young in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Billie Burke, Alexander D'Arcy, Verree Teasdale, and Roland Young in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Constance Bennett and Roland Young in Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
    Topper Takes a Trip (1938)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Constance Bennett
    Constance Bennett
    • Marion Kerbyas Marion Kerby
    Roland Young
    Roland Young
    • Mr. Topperas Mr. Topper
    Billie Burke
    Billie Burke
    • Mrs. Topperas Mrs. Topper
    Alan Mowbray
    Alan Mowbray
    • Wilkinsas Wilkins
    Verree Teasdale
    Verree Teasdale
    • Mrs. Parkhurstas Mrs. Parkhurst
    Franklin Pangborn
    Franklin Pangborn
    • Hotel Manageras Hotel Manager
    Alexander D'Arcy
    Alexander D'Arcy
    • Baronas Baron
    Paul Hurst
    Paul Hurst
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Armand Kaliz
    Armand Kaliz
    • Hotel Clerkas Hotel Clerk
    Eddie Conrad
    Eddie Conrad
    • Jaileras Jailer
    Spencer Charters
    Spencer Charters
    • Judgeas Judge
    Irving Pichel
    Irving Pichel
    • Prosecutoras Prosecutor
    Leon Belasco
    Leon Belasco
    • Bellboyas Bellboy
    Georges Renavent
    Georges Renavent
    • Magistrateas Magistrate
    Asta
    Asta
    • 'Mr. Atlas' - Dogas 'Mr. Atlas' - Dog
    • (as Skippy)
    William Austin
    William Austin
    • Seated Roulette Playeras Seated Roulette Player
    • (uncredited)
    Bobby Barber
    Bobby Barber
    • Hotel Staffer Moving Bedas Hotel Staffer Moving Bed
    • (uncredited)
    Nanette Bordeaux
    • French Girlas French Girl
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Norman Z. McLeod
    • Writers
      • Jack Jevne(screen play)
      • Eddie Moran(screen play)
      • Corey Ford(screen play)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    Mrs. Topper's friend Mrs. Parkhurst has convinced Mrs. Topper to file for a divorce from Cosmo, due to the strange circumstances of his trip with ghost Marion Kirby. Marion comes back from heaven's door to help Cosmo again, this time only with dog Mr. Atlas. Due to the strange behavior of Cosmo, the judge refuses to divorce them, so Mrs. Parkhurst takes Mrs. Topper on a trip to France, where she tries to arrange the final reasons for the divorce, with the help of a gold-digging French baron. Marion takes Cosmo to the same hotel, to bring them back together and to get her own final ticket to heaven, but the whole thing turns out to be not so easy... —Stephan Eichenberg <eichenbe@fak-cbg.tu-muenchen.de>
    screwball comedydivorceghostfrench rivierafortune hunter32 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A Merry Romance Packed With Fun!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Fantasy
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Approved
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is the second of three films that Hal Roach adapted from a Thorne Smith novel.
    • Goofs
      When Topper loses control while driving the sports car, we see him in closeup, then in long shot careening up a hill, between trees. It is obvious that it is not Roland Young because he is bald and the stunt driver has dark hair.
    • Quotes

      Wilkins: Mr. Topper's in jail, Madam.

      Mrs. Topper: In jail? What for?

      Wilkins: Disturbing the peace, malicious destruction and common drunkenness, Madam.

      Mrs. Topper: And they put him in jail for that?

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits are displayed as Luggage Labels for cast and crew.
    • Alternate versions
      The film was colorized in the late 1980s.
    • Connections
      Edited from Topper (1937)

    User reviews26

    Review
    Top review
    Wistful, fragile, souffle of a fantasy comedy!
    "Topper Takes A Trip" is a charming, airy, lyrical fantasy comedy. No one ever made a fantasy comedy like this. The playing of all actors and the set design mix screwball comedy with fantasy elements, making an appealing, sexy, subtly witty comedy that was the best sophisticated comedy feature ever to come out of the Hal Roach Studios.

    The cast is a dream. Although all three actors' characters do not appear to each other, the chemistry between Roland Young, Constance Bennett, and Billie Burke is a joy to watch. The musical score by Marvin Hatley not only complements the film beautifully, it features pieces that sound more from the 1960's than 1939. A remarkable score that deserves major recognition by film scholars, students, and buffs.

    Roland Young and Billie Burke made several films together for different studios however it was in this film and in Selznick's "The Young In Heart" that showed them at their absolute best as a team. They also deserver greater critical recognition for their work.

    The camerawork and set design evoke a polish and sheen common to '30's romantic comedies. A handsome look that stimulates suspending disbelief for a fantasy film. "Topper Takes A Trip" is, undeniably, the best of the three Topper films produced by Hal Roach.
    helpful•17
    4
    • caribeno
    • Jul 7, 2002

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 12, 1939 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Topper geht auf Reisen
    • Filming locations
      • Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Hal Roach Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    Several of Grant's Best Films Tonight on TCM
    Dec 9Alt Film Guide
    Constance Bennett on TCM: What Price Hollywood?, Topper
    Oct 21Alt Film Guide

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