joel h
I didn't know anything about Topper before watching it, so parts of it were quite surprising to me. To be honest, I was kind of annoyed by Cary Grant's and Constance Bennett's characters at first. I also didn't understand why Topper was the main focus. However, by the end, this film had just enough charm to win me over. I still don't get how this movie spawned multiple sequels, though.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Some great sight gags made this a big hit in its day, enough that two sequels were made (although not nearly as good.)
Cary Grant and Constance Bennett certainly are a handsome leading couple but it's Roland Young, as "Cosmo Topper," who steals the show. He's a stiff old man who quickly loosens up and the transformation is fun to watch.
Bennett was a legitimate 1930s glamor girl who looks just great in here and pairs off well with the handsome Grant. The two of them also exhibit a good comedic touch. They had a lot to offer besides good looks. Even more handsome than those two was the automobile - wow, what a great-looking sports car! I''m glad to see other reviewers comment on it. It was awesome.
By the way, I know Hollywood liked to preach in some of these classic films that everyone gets into heaven, but this was "topped" them all. In here, the theology was that "all it takes is ONE good deed" during your lifetime.
Ohhhhh-kay.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A pretty funny film with great performances from Young, Grant and Bennett. The film sees Topper get into a lot of funny altercations with the ghosts of Mr and Mrs Kerby. The special effects are very impressive in the film and helped sell the comedic scenes. There is one scene where Topper is being carried out by the two ghosts which was particularly funny. The interactions between Topper and his wife are also pretty funny and well-acted. Young was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and, in my opinion, was better than the other nominees I have seen (Bellamy & Mitchell). There were some problems with the film such as the ghosts bringing attention to themselves when it wasn't needed. For example, Mrs Kerry being invisible just to cause shenanigans when it wasn't needed. Another odd aspect of the film was when Topper went to jail and, as a result, his wife made new friends because they thought they were cool now. Overall, a fun film that is well-acted and has some great gags.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/11/23
Full Review
steve d
It has not aged well.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
03/30/23
Full Review
Audience Member
I was a bit surprised by the concept of Topper, because I never would have expected Cary Grant and Constance Bennett to die since it seemed the whole movie was going to be about their story. I think I was led astray more by the fact that they both get top billing over Roland Young, when in reality the top three credits should be in reverse order. That was one of the things I didn’t love so much about Topper. I get such a kick out of Cary Grant in any comedy, and yet he’s not in several large chunks of this movie. I don’t know what was going on, but if this happened in a modern movie with a big-name celebrity, I’d probably assume the studio could only get him for a few days of filming, so they just worked him in where they could and filled out the rest with Constance Bennett. Even the excuses they wrote for why he’s not there made no sense to me, and I kept wondering what we were meant to think he was doing during those times he was gone. The humor is what saves Topper for me. It is one of those wacky stories where one person is aware there are ghosts around, but everyone else is stymied by the mystical craziness that is happening. It felt like the crew had a good time coming up with ways of moving things without someone visibly touching them, and Roland Young’s physical humor was gold. There was one scene in particular where he is supposedly being carried by the two ghosts and his movements were simply genius. Topper is one of those movies where you can’t ask too many questions, though. The strange logic of how the ghosts work makes no sense, and honestly it seems like they are basically just humans but with the added benefit of being able to disappear. You’d think there would be some limits, like not being able to change clothes, or not being able to eat and drink, but they can do it all. I mean they can even appear in full form to everyone in a crowded restaurant. The whole plot, or at least the primary motivation for these two characters is their journey to do a good deed. This might be where Topper is most fundamentally flawed. First of all, it never feels like they have any idea what they are doing. They have a general plan of helping out the title character, but helping him do what exactly? Then their execution of that good deed is utter nonsense. They don’t even seem to know where they are going at any given moment, let alone how they will turn these random meandering into something good for Topper. And, without going too philosophical or theological, their idea always seems selfishly motivated to get themselves into Heaven, rather than selfless because they desire to help for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do. So, if you’re doing something for your own benefit, is it really a good deed at all? I know, I’m over-analyzing a silly comedy, and this isn’t the first time I’ve fallen into that trap. None of this ruined Topper for me, but it held the movie back from being one I loved, and made it more like mindless fun.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
06/18/20
Full Review
Audience Member
'Topper' is a fun and playful movie which has several things going for it, starting with Cary Grant and Constance Bennett, who play a sophisticated married couple who enjoy staying out all night carousing. They are both delightful. Grant gets a little too reckless behind the wheel of his expensive sports car, and they end up ghosts, but there's no sadness here, and the only difference seems to be that they can now become invisible. They still have appetites (e.g. for alcohol) and can make physical contact with things. Does that make sense? I don't know, but who cares. The film works as a romantic comedy and relationship film, as Grant and Bennett are contrasted by a wealthy banker (Roland Young) who is stifled by his prim wife (Billie Burke), who has him on a tight leash and schedule. She needs to loosen up, and he needs to assert himself, and Grant and Bennett help that along in their own odd ways.
There are solid performances all around, and you'll recognize Burke from her role as Glinda the Good Witch in 'The Wizard of Oz'. The special effects are nice, including seeing Grant and Bennett fade in and out, and float various objects in the air (the tire changing scene is brilliant). It's also nice to see Hoagy Carmichael perform a catchy song, 'Old Man Moon'. Don't overthink it, and you'll enjoy this one.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/13/23
Full Review
Read all reviews
Continue with Google
>
