Description

Amazon.com

This is the third movie in the Topper series but without the charm of Cary Grant. Sexy, wise-cracking Gail Richards (Joan Blondell) accompanies her best friend Ann Carrington (Carole Landis) to see Ann's ailing father at his mansion. During her stay at the creepy mansion, she is found murdered after trading her bedroom with Ann, who was the intended target of the killer. In the tradition of Topper movies, Gail's ghost comes back and she persuades the sweet and caring Cosmo Topper (Roland Young) who had given the ladies a lift earlier, to help identify the masked killer. The madcap adventure begins with one after another, following up leads to her murderer. The real hoot is that Eddie the chauffeur (Eddie Anderson) see's "strange things" for which there are no clear explanations; doors opening and closing by themselves, people talking to nothing and getting answers, extra sets of footprints in freshly fallen snow he can't figure out. The house is crowded with other members of the household. Besides Ann, her father Henry Carrington (H.B. Warner), Clara Topper (Billie Burke), Emily, the Topper maid (Patsy Kelly), Dr. Jeris (George Zucco), a dumb cop (flustered Donald MacBride), and housekeeper Lillian (Rafaela Ottiano) provide a good deal of "creepy" feeling to lighten of your Halloween experience. It is all in good fun and no serious scary moment of course. Finally the identity of the killer is revealed. It is worth watching the movie to find out the identity of the masked killer!

My favorite scenes are: When Topper gives the two ladies (and their suitcases) ride in his small car, while Gail sits comfortably on his lap, and Clara Topper watching from her window who gets real furious. Another moment is when Eddie, the chauffeur keeps falling repeatedly through a hole in the ground to the riverbed beneath the house, and then being persistently kept from re-emerging by a playful seal!

This is one of Joan Blondell's best movies, but she did not get many opportunities to make "big successful" movies like Billie Burke and other famous actresses, but she had the opportunity to be immortalized at the Grumman Chinese theater in Hollywood with her feet and handprints (1937).

1. Topper / Topper Returns (Enhanced) 1941
2. TV Classics: The Adventures of Topper
3. Topper (TV Series)
4. Nightmare Alley (Fox Film Noir)
5. Dinner at Eight

I bought this two-movie dvd a year ago for $5-$10 at Suncoast video in their used dvd section. Both movies are completely charming. Most of what I could say about the wonderful casts has already been said, so there's no need to repeat it. As to the controversy over the quality of the transfer, I think it's as simple as this: the movies were made many, many years ago. Maybe it's unrealistic to think the prints would be as crystal clear as what we're used to with more modern movies. I will say that while watching these movies multiple times, I have never felt distracted by any problems with the picture or sound.

These movies are terrific, and anyone who loves classic, old movies will enjoy them. I, for one, found the film-making very interesting in regards to shooting the scenes where things moved about by themselves and impressions were made in a couch where an invisible person was supposed to be sitting or how clothes worn by an invisible person were filled out, then the person appeared wearing them. Not bad in the special effects department, considering that this was the 40s!

As for the price, these movies are charming and cute but not worth more than $15 and available for less. So, if you can't find them for a decent price, keep looking around, especially in used dvd shops. Suncoast is a good place to look because they buy back used dvds and resell them.

***By the way, does anyone know the name of the jazz song that plays on the main menu screen?? Thanks!

The Artisan release is a fine set of two of the topper films. While they may not look as good as some of the more costly restorations, they are more than acceptable. Besides, it's the only DVD release of the original "Topper" available.

2 out of 2 found the following review helpful.

I agree with most reviewers.....I loved both of them but what the hell is going on here with these people selling these at these ridiculous prices...both these movies are in Public Domain...I agree Hallmark & Artisan have done a great job on these movies...but $55, don't think so.....I just downed the Public Domain copies and made my own DVD.....FREE

What can I say, my wife and I love these types of old movies. Its great to get out of the every day stress and have a few laughs.