Topper

"Perhaps you can explain the red on this cigarette."

"Yes, I... cut my tongue when I was shaving this morning."

George (Grant) and Marion (Bennett) Kerby are a wealthy, carefree couple.  Their partying ways are cut short by a fatal car crash that kills both.  However, since they have never been responsible enough to be too good or bad, they begin to fad away.  They decide that they need to do a good deed to get into heaven.

Meanwhile, their friend Cosmo Topper (Young) is tired of having his wife (Burke) plan his life.  He impulsively purchases the Kerby's car and gets a flat tire.  George and Marion decide to make helping Topper their good deed.  Can the Kerby's help Topper enjoy life, or will they just ruin his life and marriage?


Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors and have yet to dislike one of his films.  This month, TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is showing his films on Monday nights, and I can't pass up the chance to check out some of his films.  Topper is one that I heard of, or saw listed in his filmography, but had never gotten around to seeing.


This film was a major success and helped the careers of all of the leads.  Constance Bennett is a treat.  She and Cary Grant have charm to spare and are an entertaining pair, but the real star of the film is Roland Young as Topper.  Young was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.  Young, who worked with Grant again in The Philadelphia Story, is a talented physical comedian, which is put to use here as he interacts with the ghosts.  His wife is played by Billie Burke, who went on to play Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, who is fine in her role.  Alan Mowbray is entertaining as their butler with an attitude.  There are other small roles that are memorable, including Arthur Lake as the confused bellhop, Eugen Pallette as the detective, and Ward Bond as one of the cab drivers.

Check out this classic screwball comedy!

Topper (1937) 97 minutes
Director: Norman McLeod
Starring: Constance Bennett as Marion Kerby
Cary Grant as George Kerby
Roland Young as Cosmo Topper
Billie Burke as Mrs. Topper
Alan Mowbray as Wilkins