Topper Takes a Trip
{{short description|1938 film by Norman Z. McLeod}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Topper Takes a Trip
| image = Leon Belasco in Topper Takes a Trip.jpg
| caption = Leon Belasco in Topper Takes a Trip
| director = Norman Z. McLeod
| producer = Milton H. Bren
Hal Roach (uncredited)
| writer = Jack Jevne
Eddie Moran
Corey Ford
| based_on = {{based on|Topper Takes a Trip
1932 novel|Thorne Smith}}
| starring = Constance Bennett
Roland Young
Billie Burke
| music = Hugo Friedhofer
Edward Powell
| cinematography = Norbert Brodine
| editing = William Terhune
| distributor = United Artists
| released = {{Film date|1938|12|29}}
| runtime = 80 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget =
}}
Topper Takes a Trip is a 1938Some 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. 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)
File:Constance Bennett in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg|Constance Bennett
File:Roland Young in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg|Roland Young
File:Billie Burke in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg|Billie Burke
File:Alan Mowbray in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg|Alan Mowbray
File:Verree Teasdale in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg|Verree Teasdale
File:Franklin Pangborn in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg|Franklin Pangborn
File:Alexander Darcy in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg|Alexander D'Arcy
File:Asta in Topper Takes a Trip trailer.jpg|Asta
Awards
The film received one Oscar nomination in 1939 for Best Special Effects for Roy Seawright.{{Cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1940 |title=The 12th Academy Awards (1940) Nominees and Winners |accessdate=2013-06-16 |work=oscars.org}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Topper Takes a Trip {{!}} UCLA Film & Television Archive |url=https://cinema.ucla.edu/events/2024/04/07/topper-takes-a-trip |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=cinema.ucla.edu}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Topper Takes a Trip (film)}}
- {{IMDb title|0032043}}
- {{TCMDb title|614615}}
- {{AFI film|id=4336|title=Topper Takes a Trip}}
- [https://www.tvguide.com/movies/topper-takes-a-trip/review/2030119878 Topper Takes a Trip Review] at TV Guide
{{Norman Z. McLeod}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Topper Takes A Trip}}
Category:1938 romantic comedy films
Category:1930s screwball comedy films
Category:American black-and-white films
Category:American fantasy comedy films
Category:American romantic comedy films
Category:American romantic fantasy films
Category:American screwball comedy films
Category:American sequel films
Category:1930s English-language films
Category:Films directed by Norman Z. McLeod
Category:Films based on American novels
Category:Films based on fantasy novels
Category:Films based on romance novels
Category:Films scored by Hugo Friedhofer