Topper Takes a Trip, the 1938 sequel to the hugely popular Topper in 1937, does not have Cary Grant, and his charismatic presence is very much missed.
Even so, Grant’s reliable co-stars, Constance Bennett, Roland Young, Billie Burke and Alan Mobray are all back in the second segment of what would become a trilogy.
New tale centers on the banker Cosmo Topper (Roland Young) who is now being sued for divorce by his wife Clara (Billie Burke), due to his strange behavior while in the company of the mischievous ghosts George and Marion Kirby (Grant and Bennett, respectively).
George Kirby was allowed to ascend to the Choir Invisible, but for some reasons, the spirit of Marion was left behind. Marion thinks that the only way she’ll be allowed entrance is to reunite Mr. and Mrs. Topper.
To accomplish her goal, she follows Clara to Paris and Monte Carlo, joined by Skippy, a pooch that appears and disappears.
Roy Seawright’s special effects are impressive by standards of the time.
The second of producer Hal Roach’s series, Topper Takes a Trip was followed in 1941 by a third chapter, Topper Returns.
My Oscar Book:
Oscar Nominations:
Special Effects: Roy Seawright
Oscar Context:
The winner of the Special Effects Oscar was The Rains Came.
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
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Constance Bennett
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Roland Young -
Billie Burke -
Alan Mowbray -
Verree Teasdale -
Franklin Pangborn -
Alexander D’Arcy -
Asta
Awards
Credits
Running time: 85 Minutes.
Directed by Norman Z. McLeod
