Topper (1937)

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Directed by Norman McLeod, with a screenplay co-written by Eric Hatch, this essential screwball comedy features Roland Young in the title role; the role which would earn him his only Academy Award nomination (Supporting Actor). The film's Sound Recording was also nominated.The stars of this fantasy are Constance Bennett and Cary Grant; they play an irresponsible, carefree younger couple named Marion and George Kerby that die in a car accident, only to find themselves stuck in limbo. That is because the wealthy Kerbys have never been particularly good or bad.Formerly the largest stockholders in Cosmo Topper's bank, they now appear only as ghosts, literally materializing and disappearing (to rest ... it takes a lot of energy to activate their "ecoto-plasm") at will. The film displays some pretty good special effects (two years before the Academy would recognize the category).The Kerbys decide that their good deed to be done (in order to get into Heaven) will be to help "their" bank president loosen up and enjoy life. As it happens, Topper has wanted to escape his suffocating wife's controlling ways. His wife Clara (Billie Burke), with help from their butler (Alan Mowbray), has her husband's every minute planned until the Kerbys start getting Topper in trouble.Eugene Palette plays a hotel detective; Hedda Hopper, among others (credited and uncredited), also appears. The comedy is #60 on AFI's 100 Funniest Movies list.Followed by two sequels - Topper Takes a Trip (1938) & Topper Returns (1941) - (both without Grant, the second without Bennett as well), a TV series, and a TV remake.

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.

This is a faultlessly wonderful movie. The chemistry between Grant and Bennett is captivating. But even more captivating is Roland Young as the middle-aged man trapped in a boring life and yearning to be free. It's hard not to envy the Kirbys their wonderful, carefree and madcap life, and to sympathize with Topper and his feeling of having lost his life. So, of course, you root for him - and against the wonderful Billie Burke - in his efforts to recover his freedom and LIVE. Yes, it's not unlike another great comedy, Auntie Mame, the story of the magical woman who frees young Patrick Dennis, and those who will listen, from their routine world of Babcocks.If you've never seen this movie, treat yourself. Like the Kaufman and Hart classic "You can't take it with you," you will feel better for having watched it.

Honestly, I never liked Cary Grant, but it's an old comedy with ghosts, has wacky silly potential, I expected slapstick because I don't know what screwball comedy is. If this is top of screwball comedy, than it sucks. Let's be realistic, it's not funny. The couple, they drive cars with feet, they sing when they shouldn't, they sleep in the middle of the road, the are assholes. And they find this poor Topper who's not living his life with anal prolapse, so they make him drink and molest random people. Cary Grant is uglier, less lovable and more irritating than later on when he's older. Topper's wife, one of the main reasons for his boring life, is played by Billie Burke, who played the good witch Glinda destroying singlehandedly the ending of Wizard of Oz, looking so unpleasant. But she's better here. Constance Bennett is cutely quirky. But Roland Young as Topper was great and fitting for the role. Funny intonation, funny stance, everything. I think I don't like the movie, but it might be one of those movies which need a while. And how irritating is that they can touch people and stuff, but people don't bump into them, suddenly no one can touch them even of they go through the space which they occupy. Also, she drinks chocolate soda. What's that?