Topper

US (1937): Comedy

One of the greatest delights of '30s cinema. Happy-go-lucky married couple Cary Grant and Constance Bennett fritter away their time and considerable wealth with parties, driving fast cars, and annoying stuffy banker Roland Young with their inattention to important matters such as boring board meetings. When they run their roadster into a tree, their consternation at being only halfway to heaven turns to a conviction that they must liven up Young's life. So the spectres instigate parties, purchases of roadsters, and holidays at the shore. Young's wife (Billie Burke) is outraged at his newfound zest until she starts to have fun too. Young could not be better as he reacts to his invisible visitors (the scene in which the ghosts help the drunken Young down hotel steps and through the lobby is priceless physical comedy). A treasure directed by Norman Z. McLeod. Followed by two sequels -- Topper Takes a Trip (1939) and Topper Returns (1941) -- and a TV series.

Topper has the dubious distinction of being the first feature film to be colorized. Turner Entertainment, owner of the film library of MGM (which produced Topper), aggressively pursued an early colorization process. (amctv.com)

 Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for Topper on TCM.com.

2 nominations