Topper Returns

Released Mar 21, 1941

1h 28m

Comedy

List

89%

Tomatometer

9 Reviews

81%

Audience Score

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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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

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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

Tom M

Entertaining twist on the 2 prior Topper movies with the addition of a murder mystery. Blondell and Young are great and ditsy Billie Burke nevers dissappoints.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/20

Full Review

dave j

Third topper movie starring Roland Young as banker Cosmo Topper, aiding and helping ghost Gail Richards (Joan Blondell) solving her own murder.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

s r

A cute and entertaining comedy.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Roy Del Ruth

Director

Roland Young

Cosmo Topper

Joan Blondell

Gail Richards

Carole Landis

Ann Carrington

Billie Burke

Mrs. Clara Topper

Dennis O'Keefe

Bob

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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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