''Topper Takes a Trip'' is a 1938Some sources, such as

Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie-oriented pay-TV network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcasting campus in the Midtown business district of ...

, say 1939. According to the

Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...

, the film was released in New York City on 29 December 1938, and in the United States in January 1939. The exact year is contingent on the source's precise definition of a release date. film directed by

Norman Z. McLeod Norman Zenos McLeod (September 20, 1898 – January 27, 1964) was an American film director, screenwriter and cartoonist. McLeod's most acclaimed work was made in collaboration with major comic performers of the 1930s, and included such films as ...

. It is a sequel to the 1937 film '' Topper''.

Constance Bennett Constance Campbell Bennett (October 22, 1904 – July 24, 1965) was an American stage, film, radio, and television actress and producer. She was a major Hollywood star during the 1920s and 1930s; during the early 1930s, she was the highest-paid ...

, Roland Young,

Billie Burke Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke (August 7, 1884 – May 14, 1970) was an American actress who was famous on Broadway and radio, and in silent and sound films. She is best known to modern audiences as Glinda the Good Witch of the North ...

, and

Alan Mowbray Alan Mowbray (born Alfred Ernest Allen; 18 August 1896 – 25 March 1969) was an English stage and film actor who found success in Hollywood. Early life Mowbray was born in London, England. He served with distinction in the British Army in Wo ...

reprised their roles from the earlier film; only

Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English-American actor. He was known for his Mid-Atlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing. He was one of ...

was missing (other than in a few shots taken from ''Topper''). A ghost tries to reunite a couple who she had a hand in splitting up in the prior film. It was followed by another sequel, ''

Topper Returns ''Topper Returns'' is a 1941 fantasy comedy thriller directed by Roy Del Ruth and written by Jonathan Latimer. The third and final installment in the initial series of supernatural comedy films inspired by the novels of Thorne Smith, it succee ...

'' (1941).

Plot summary

To gain entry to Heaven, ghost Marion Kerby (Constance Bennett) has to do some good on earth. That means reuniting a divorcing couple, Cosmo (Roland Young) and Clara Topper (Billie Burke). To be fair, Marion played a part in their troubles: Clara mistakenly thought Marion was Cosmo's mistress. Making peace between the pair will mean accompanying Cosmo on a trip to the French Riviera and employing plenty of otherworldly tricks, with the help of a canine spirit named Mr. Atlas.

Cast

as Marion Kerby * Roland Young as Cosmo Topper *

as Clara Topper *

as Wilkins, Topper's butler *

Verree Teasdale Verree Teasdale (March 15, 1903 – February 17, 1987) was an American actress born in Spokane, Washington. Early years A second cousin of Edith Wharton, Teasdale attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn and trained as a stage actr ...

as Mrs. Nancy Parkhurst *

Franklin Pangborn Franklin Pangborn (January 23, 1889 – July 20, 1958) was an American comedic character actor famous for playing small but memorable roles with comic flair. He appeared in many Preston Sturges movies as well as the W. C. Fields films '' Interna ...

as Louis *

Alexander D'Arcy Alexander D'Arcy ( ar, ألكسندر دارسي; 10 August 1908 – 20 April 1996) was an Egyptian stage, television and film actor with an international film repertoire. Career Born Alexander Sarruf in Cairo, Egypt, D'Arcy, variously credited ...

as Baron de Rossi *

Spencer Charters Spencer Charters (March 25, 1875 – January 25, 1943) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 220 films between 1920 and 1943, mostly in small supporting roles. Biography Charters was born in Duncannon, Pennsylvania. Until ...

as Judge *

Irving Pichel Irving Pichel (June 24, 1891 – July 13, 1954) was an American actor and film director, who won acclaim both as an actor and director in his Hollywood career. Career Pichel was born to a Jewish family in Pittsburgh. He attended Pittsburgh Cent ...

as Prosecutor * Asta (billed as Skippy) as Mr. Atlas * William Austin as Roulette Player (uncredited) *

Wade Boteler Wade Boteler (October 3, 1888 – May 7, 1943) was an American film actor and writer. He appeared in more than 430 films between 1919 and 1943. Biography He was born in Santa Ana, California, and died in Hollywood, California, from a heart ...

as Police Sergeant (uncredited) File:Constance Bennett in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg, Constance Bennett File:Roland Young in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg, Roland Young File:Billie Burke in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg, Billie Burke File:Alan Mowbray in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg, Alan Mowbray File:Verree Teasdale in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg, Verree Teasdale File:Franklin Pangborn in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg, Franklin Pangborn File:Alexander Darcy in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg, Alexander D'Arcy File:Asta in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg, Asta

Awards

The film received one

Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People * Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms. * Oscar (Irish mythology) ...

nomination in 1939 for Best Special Effects for

Roy Seawright Roy Seawright born November 19, 1905 in Los Angeles, California, died April 30, 1991 in Torrance, California was a Hollywood special effects technician, principally with Hal Roach Studios. Biography Seawright's father was the chief architect of Ha ...

References

External links

* * * *
''Topper Takes a Trip'' Review
at

TV Guide TV Guide is an American digital media company that provides television program listings information as well as entertainment and television-related news. The company sold its print magazine division, TV Guide Magazine LLC, in 2008. Corporat ...

1939 films 1938 romantic comedy films 1930s screwball comedy films 1930s ghost films American black-and-white films American fantasy comedy films American ghost films American romantic comedy films American romantic fantasy films American screwball comedy films American sequel films 1930s English-language films Films directed by Norman Z. McLeod Films based on American novels Films based on fantasy novels Films based on romance novels Films scored by Hugo Friedhofer Films set in New York City United Artists films 1939 comedy films 1938 comedy films 1938 films 1930s American films {{fantasy-film-stub

Plot summary

Cast

Awards

See also

References

External links