A zany, glittering comedy, Topper is supernatural without a hint of suspense or horror. When the hard-drinking, fast-living, glamorous Kirbys (Constance Bennett and Cary Grant) crash their fancy car and kill themselves, there's not a hint of blood or distress. But because they have never done a good deed -- or any really bad ones, they're stuck on Earth until they do.
So they get the idea of livening up the life of their staid banker friend Cosmo Topper. Cosmo is a quiet, hen-pecked man living a quiet, respectful life. In a few days, he's visiting speakeasies, downing Pink Ladies, getting into fights and getting arrested. And he's having the time of his life.
Bennett and Grant provide the glamour and loads of charm. Roland Young, as Topper, steals the movie with some wonderful physical comedy as he's being dragged around and manipulated by the invisible ghosts. Billie Burke is great as Topper's controlling, yet loving and confused wife. And wonderful special effects (for the time) mean that the story doesn't have to suffer for the visuals.
Add a fabulous big-band soundtrack (with an appearance by Hoagy Carmichael) and Topper is non-stop fun.
One of the best of the 1930s comedies, and an absolute must-see.
1 comment:
I think the mansion you see in Topper is now the Playboy mansion. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks.
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