Topper Returns (1941)
In the third of producer Hal Roach's Topper comedy films, most of the action takes place in an old, dark mansion, complete with trap doors and secret passageways. Roland Young returns as banker Cosmo Topper, and along with his chauffeur Eddie, offers support to pretty hitchhikers Gail Richards and Ann Carrington, played by Joan Blondell and Carole Landis. Naturally, Cosmo's good deed does not go unnoticed. Mrs. Topper and her maid catch a glimpse of the family car whisking past, with Gail sitting in Topper's lap! The girls are on their way to the spooky Carrington estate, which is to be inherited by Ann the following day when she turns 21. When Gail falls in love with Ann's opulent bedroom quarters, Ann insists on switching rooms for the night. Unaware of the arrangement, a mysterious, caped assailant murders Gail instead of his intended target, Ann. Gail's ghost arises from her body and glides to the house next door, where Mr. and Mrs. Topper are preparing to retire for the evening (in separate bedrooms, no less!) Meanwhile, Gail feels chilly, and crawls into Topper's warm bed. Initially, Topper wants nothing to do with Gail's spirit, but she persuades him to find her killer and rescue Ann from a similar fate. Eddie "Rochester" Anderson steals the show as the perennially frightened chauffeur. Cast members who reside at the Carrington estate include H. B. Warner as Ann's father Henry Carrington, George Zucco as the creepy Dr. Jeris, Rafaela Ottiano as Lillian the housekeeper, and Trevor Bardette as Rama, the butler. Billie Burke returns as Mrs. Clara Topper, and Patsy Kelly is delightful as her maid, Emily. Though Topper Returns is more contrived than the earlier films, it still provides plenty of laughs.
Topper Returns
Courtesy of Wikipedia
Billie Burke as Clara Topper
Topper Returns is the third and final entry in the film series inspired by the novels of Thorne Smith. As in the prior movies, Roland Young and Billie Burke play the Toppers, while Joan Blondell portrays a murder victim and ghost who tries to save her friend, played by Carole Landis, and unmask her killer with the help of a reluctant Cosmo Topper.
It was nominated for the Academy Award for Special Effects (Roy Seawright and Elmer Raguse) and Best Sound, Recording (Elmer Raguse).
Clara Topper: Trying to make these policemen understand something is harder than doing it yourself.
Topper Returns Facts & Trivia
Hal Roach Studios, Inc.
A Ghostly Joan Blondell with Roland Young
- Producer: Hal Roach (Uncredited)
- Director: Roy Del Ruth
- Writers: Thorne Smith (Characters), Jonathan Latimer & Gordon Douglas (Original Screenplay), Paul Girard Smith (Additional Dialogue)
- Release Date: March 21, 1941 (USA)
- Genres: Fantasy - Mystery - Romance - Comedy
- Oscar Nomination for Best Effects, Special Effects:
Roy Seawright (Photographic) and Elmer Raguse (Sound) - Oscar Nomination for Best Sound, Recording: Elmer Raguse (Hal Roach SSD)
- In the movie, Eddie, the chauffeur says he's "going back to Mr. Benny," an inside joke referring to his popular role as Rochester, the valet, on Jack Benny's radio program and TV show.
The Chauffeur: Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
Eddie, the Chauffeur: Doors opening by themselves. People talkin' to nuthin' and gettin' answers. I'm going back.
Clara Topper: Back where?
Eddie: To Mr. Benny. Ain't nuthin' like this ever happened there.
Topper Returns
Available on VHS
Topper Returns
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
The final entry in the "Topper" movie series doesn't disappoint. A fabulous cast and the perfect blend of humor and mystery bring Thorne Smith's illustrious characters to life. This VHS features the original black & white film version; run time: 87 minutes.
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Vote For Your Favorite Topper Returns Cast Members
Links Point to the Internet Movie Database
Roland Young as Cosmo Topper
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Joan Blondell as Gail Richards
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Roland Young as Cosmo Topper
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Billie Burke as Mrs. Clara Topper
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Carole Landis as Ann Carrington
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H. B. Warner as Mr. Henry Carrington
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Dennis O'Keefe as Bob
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Patsy Kelly as Emily the Maid
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George Zucco as Dr. Jeris
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Cosmo Topper Finds a Beautiful Ghost in His Bed
What's a Banker To Do?
Topper Returns Movie Poster
The Special Effects are Tops!
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byTopper Returns Cast Biographies
Courtesy of Wikipedia
Joan Blondell, Roland Young, Carole Landis, and Billie Burke
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Eddie Anderson
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Joan Blondell
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Roland Young
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H. B. Warner
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Patsy Kelly
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Trevor Bardette
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Billie Burke
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Carole Landis
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George Zucco
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Dennis O'Keefe
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Donald MacBride
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Topper/Topper Returns
Available on DVD
Topper/Topper Returns
Amazon Price: (as of 07/25/2008)
This DVD includes two movies: the original "Topper" and the second sequel, "Topper Returns." I own this DVD and am quite impressed with the quality of both films. I've watched the colorized version of "Topper Returns" on VHS and the movie is plagued with audio and video dropouts. These films are presented in their original black & white versions; run time: 184 minutes.
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Eddie, the Chauffeur: Pardon me, boss, but could I sort of inquire what we're going to the Carrington place for?
Cosmo Topper: To look for a body.
Eddie: Better look for one for me, too, 'cause the one I'm using now is numb.
The Topper Movie Series
Topper on Squidoo
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The Jovial Ghosts: The Misadventures of Topper
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Thorne Smith was one of the most successful authors of American humor in the late 1920s, whose works brought joy to those living in the largely joyless Depression era. He is most famous for Topper, which was immortalized on the silver screen by film...
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Topper: In Development
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Comedian Steve Martin is scheduled to reteam with Bringing Down the House director Adam Shankman for a remake of the supernatural comedy Topper, based on Thorne Smith's novel. The original 1937 film starred Roland Young as Cosmo Topper, a stuffy, hen...
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Topper Takes a Trip
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In the first of two sequels to the original film, wealthy banker Cosmo Topper's life is once again complicated by ghosts. Topper Takes a Trip opens in divorce court, where Clara Topper has accused her husband of infidelity. Topper attempts to explain...
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Topper
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In 1937, film producer Hal Roach was in search of a screwball comedy, and chose to adapt Thorne Smith's racy novel Topper. The resulting film was a huge success with audiences worldwide. Cary Grant and Constance Bennett were cast as George and Marion...
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The Topper TV Series
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Thorne Smith's lively characters enjoyed an international audience through a trio of popular Topper movies, and gained new fame when CBS Television produced the episodic comedy series, Topper, in 1953. Veteran character actor Leo G. Carroll was cast...
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