TOPPER

Cinemavixion Review

Norman Z. McLeod's "Topper" is a spectral delight, a charming 1937 comedy that elegantly blends fantasy with sharp social satire. The film centers on the fun-loving Kerbys, Cary Grant and Constance Bennett in effervescent form, who, upon their untimely demise, return as ghosts to inject some much-needed life into the staid existence of their friend, Cosmo Topper. Roland Young delivers a masterclass in understated performance as the henpecked banker, whose world is delightfully upended by the spectral antics of his former acquaintances. The premise, where two spirits attempt to 'rehabilitate' a living soul, is executed with wit and a surprising amount of warmth. Nominated for two Academy Awards, "Topper" remains a testament to the enduring power of clever writing and stellar comedic performances, offering a timelessly entertaining glimpse into the afterlife's potential for mischief and good deeds.