Product Details

• Actors: Joan Blondell, Roland Young, Carole Landis, Billie Burke, Dennis O'Keefe
• Directors: Roy Del Ruth
• Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: August 22, 2000
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305944377
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #270,863 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Topper Returns" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A classic screwball comedy with a supernatural twist, Topper stars the incomparable Cary Grant and sparkling Constance Bennett as George and Marion Kirby, a fun-loving couple who cap an evening of jazz and champagne by running their car into a tree. They return as ghosts with a mandate to liven up the straight-laced hen-pecked life of bank president Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), who's hungry for just such a shake-up. Before long he's boozing, dancing, and getting into fights, all of which gives him a rakish reputation--much to the consternation of his wife (Billie Burke, best known as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz). The sequel replaces Grant and Bennett with Joan Blondell, who can't quite compare, but she's charming in her own way. Topper Returns is a rambunctious murder mystery with some gorgeous sets and elegant cinematography--the sequence of Blondell's death and ghostly rise is dazzling. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

The third and final entry in Hal Roach's famed "Topper" trilogy may very well be the best of the lot. Returning for their third portrayal of Mr. and Mrs. Cosmo Topper, Roland Young and Billie Burke are consistently upstaged by a sparkling new addition to the "Topper" troupe, Jack Benny's famed manservant, the loveable and irascible Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. This time around there is a "new" ghostly presence in the shapely form of Joan Blondell, who is unceremoniously dispatched by a cloaked knife murderer in a case of mistaken identity. Naturally, Joan floats over to the Topper's quiet abode and nags Cosmo into investigating her death. Back they come to the spooky scene of the crime, where Topper is accused of the murder by a houseful of creeps headed by ghoulmeister George Zucco. And who else should be the lead detective on the case, but the uproarious Donald McBride of "Room Service" fame, thoroughly bungling everything in sight!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

179 of 184 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Both films look perfectly gorgeous on this DVD., July 29, 2003

By 

Stuart Gardner (Interzone, Alphaville) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Topper/Topper Returns (DVD)

I couldn't be more pleased with the image quality of both TOPPER and TOPPER RETURNS on this DVD from Hallmark & Artisan, and I'm a demanding viewer. Both prints are top-notch and the transfers are outstanding, offering extremely clean, clear presentations. I'm so pleased with this DVD that I was compelled to write this (my first note on Amazon) just to assure fellow fans of these great comedies that you should by all means order this disc with confidence.

94 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Response to, "Disgusted Hal Roach Fan", August 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Topper/Topper Returns (DVD)

The "Disgusted Hal Roach Fan" seems to be in his own tormented little world! I read his review prior to buying the Topper/Topper Returns video because I love this movie and had not seen it in a very long time. I thought, oh well, even if it is as bad as the "DHRF" said it was, at least I would get to see this movie again.

My only explanation for the "DHRF" is that his sight isn't very good, he needs a new DVD player, or he just has an ax to grind against Artisan Video. The Topper video is crystal clear and the sound is great. If you like Cary Grant and want to see one of his earlier screwball comedies, this is a great DVD.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny 1937 Original w/1941 sequel now on remastered DVD!!, July 31, 2003

By 

forrie (Nashua, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Topper/Topper Returns (DVD)

ARTISAN Home Entertainment brings us a remastered DVD of Hal Roach Studios (who brought us Laurel & Hardy and the Little Rascals in 1920's through the 1930's on the side experimented with full length feature films,greater than 65 minutes in length) original 1937 Topper. In 1937 Hal Roach used trick photography, camera magic and ground breaking FX technology for the amazing ghost creations.

"Topper" with a Star studded cast Cary Grant as Millionaire George Kirby (at his comedic best), Constance Bennett as his wife Marion (a beautifully devine actress), Roland Young as their Banker Cosmo Topper (nominated for Best Supporting Actor as "Topper") and Billie Burke as Mrs. Topper (best known as Glenda the "Good Witch" from the 1939 "The Wizard of OZ"). Included is a very young song writer/singer Hoagy Carmichael.

This wonderfully remastered Black / White Standard Feature DVD is delightful. Worth the price of admission alone but the 1941 sequel "Topper Returns" is also included. Note: a very weak sequel but still a cute storyline featuring Roland & Burke in reprise. A double feature DVD with no extras.

Summary: The jet setting, ever partying Millionaire Kirby's die in an automobile accident on a late night country road. They enter a state of limbo (earthbound ghosts) until they perform a good deed. So they go about trying to free their banker "Topper" from his dull routine high collar lifestyle and make him a jet setting man of high society. This is a great story with ghosts, floating objects and Topper talking to himself. Mrs Topper has the hardest time trying to figure out whats happening to her timid obedient husband. Lots of laughs here. Enjoy.