Topper Returns

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.