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Topper Returns

Play trailer Poster for Topper Returns Released Mar 21, 1941 1h 28m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Gail (Joan Blondell) and Ann (Carole Landis) are making their way to Ann's family estate and are forced by circumstance to hitch a ride with Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), a dithering banker, and his wife, Clara (Billie Burke). Gail finds the mansion plenty spooky but is even more dismayed when she is killed by a frightening costumed figure. Her ghost reaches out to Topper, who is inexplicably sensitive to the spirit world, and they bumble along together to solve her murder.
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Topper Returns

Critics Reviews

View All (9) Critics Reviews
Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: 3/5 Jun 26, 2003 Full Review John Kinloch California Eagle Whatever lift the new Topper offers is found in the superb capering of Eddie (Rochester) Anderson. For the most part, however, this picture can't decide whether it's high comedy, mystery melodrama or burlesque. Oct 31, 2019 Full Review Don Q. Cine-Mundial The movie is very interesting and fun, with the enthusiasm of truculent mysteries that are always very appealing to the public. [Full review in Spanish] Sep 18, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com The third and last of the Topper series, which began in 1937 with Cary Grant, combines mystery, comedy, and special effects. Rated: B Feb 27, 2013 Full Review Tony Medley tonymedley.com Roland Young is funny Rated: 4/5 Jul 9, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Jun 29, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Michael E Taking into consideration when this movie was made, this was waaaay ahead of its time. A female character takes charge, solves a murder mystery, exposes a conspiracy, beats up men, and ultimately gets the arch villain before he gets away! Also, the enlightened morality in the film is top-notch, in my opinion. It's extremely funny, too--timelessly! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Wow! I thought the last film was bad but this is on a whole other level of ridiculousness. The problem with Topper Returns is that it does not justify it's existence whatsoever. Topper has very little connection with these characters and the film's missing person mystery could have been solved by the ghost revealing herself and saying she was killed. For some reason after she is killed she goes to visit a man, Topper, who gave her a lift in his car instead of her best friend. There is absolutely no justification for Topper to be in this film except for naming the film "Topper Returns". It's odd that Topper doesn't bother to explain the spooky things that happen in front of his chauffeur's eyes. The chauffeur makes silly expressions each time which gets tired very quickly. Most of the humour in this film is incredibly tired and forced. The chauffeur's antics, Topper's wife's marital worries and the ghost's antics. None of it is inventive and has been done already (and better) in the previous two films. The twist at the end of the film was unexpected but pretty odd that no one close to the family noticed the change. The only thing that has been consistent in the three films are the impressive special effects. Other than that, it is an unfunny and nonsensical film. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Kids today might not appreciate this film "TOPPER RETURNS", THE Special Effects might not be up to their modern standards, but if they can realize the difference in Era. It's such a funny movie the cast are all Professionals, meaning you believe them ... Have Fun watching Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review s r A cute and entertaining comedy. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member As far as sequels go, this is the anomaly... I actually enjoyed it more than the original Topper. Eddie "Rochester" Anderson adds that extra touch of comedic fun. This is one ghost film the entire family will enjoy! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member liked it first time I saw it way back in the early 60's Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Topper Returns

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Gail (Joan Blondell) and Ann (Carole Landis) are making their way to Ann's family estate and are forced by circumstance to hitch a ride with Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), a dithering banker, and his wife, Clara (Billie Burke). Gail finds the mansion plenty spooky but is even more dismayed when she is killed by a frightening costumed figure. Her ghost reaches out to Topper, who is inexplicably sensitive to the spirit world, and they bumble along together to solve her murder.
Director
Roy Del Ruth
Screenwriter
Jonathan Latimer
Distributor
United Artists
Production Co
Hal Roach Studios Inc.
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 21, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 30, 2016
Runtime
1h 28m
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