Topper Takes a Trip is a 1938[2] supernatural film directed by Norman Z. McLeod. It is a sequel to the 1937 film Topper. Constance Bennett, Roland Young, Billie Burke, and Alan Mowbray reprised their roles from the earlier film; only Cary Grant 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 (1941). The movie is in the public domain.
Plot
To gain entry to Heaven, ghost Marion Kerby has to do some good on Earth. That means reuniting a divorcing couple, Cosmo and Clara Topper. 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
- Constance Bennett as Marion Kerby
- Roland Young as Cosmo Topper
- Billie Burke as Clara Topper
- Alan Mowbray as Wilkins, Topper's butler
- Verree Teasdale as Mrs. Nancy Parkhurst
- Franklin Pangborn as Louis
- Alexander D'Arcy as Baron de Rossi
- Spencer Charters as Judge
- Irving Pichel as Prosecutor
- Asta (billed as Skippy) as Mr. Atlas
- William Austin as Roulette Player (uncredited)
- Wade Boteler as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
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Constance Bennett -
Roland Young -
Billie Burke -
Alan Mowbray -
Verree Teasdale -
Franklin Pangborn -
Alexander D'Arcy -
Asta
Awards
The film received one Oscar nomination in 1939 for Best Special Effects for Roy Seawright.[3]
Preservation
Topper Takes a Trip was preserved and restored by the UCLA Film & Television Archive from the 35mm nitrate original picture negative and a 35mm nitrate master positive. Restoration funding was provided by The Packard Humanities Institute. The restoration had its world premiere at the 2024 UCLA Festival of Preservation.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Ward, Richard Lewis (2005). A history of the Hal Roach Studios. Southern Illinois University Press. p. 213. ISBN 978-0-8093-2637-2. - figures are producer's share from US/Canada
- ^ Some sources, such as Turner Classic Movies, say 1939. According to the Internet Movie Database, 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.
- ^ "The 12th Academy Awards (1940) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
- ^ "Topper Takes a Trip | UCLA Film & Television Archive". cinema.ucla.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-12.