Raetsonwe Redundant and unnecessary.

Lumsdal Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Hayden Kane There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Lachlan Coulson This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

mark.waltz Champagne swilling Constance Bennett has been out all night partying with her husband (Cary Grant), and when he stops into the bank (but doesn't come back to their limousine right away), Bennett saunters right into the office of Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), with one of the clerks saying my above comment to a co-worker to hilarious delight. Marian and George Kirby are a fun-loving Nick and Nora type who probably couldn't hold down day jobs, but in spite of their free-for-all lifestyle, you can't help but love them. Tragedy occurs one day when the speeding George ends up crashing their car, killing them instantly. Having lead a frivolous life, they find that they are "left behind" and must perform some good deeds to move onto the after life. They are definitely not bad people, so it is obvious where they are going, but their mission on earth has not been completed, hence their remaining around in limbo.One day, naive Cosmo Topper crashes through the newly replaced fence which George and Marian had previously crashed through. "Would you take your hand off my wife's leg?", Grant's voice bellows to Young, sitting on a log, as he reappears so only Young can see him, soon afterwards followed by his wife. It comes their duty to help reconcile Cosmo and his suspicious, jealous wife (Billie Burke), and that's what occurs in the next 90 minutes as Grant and Bennett do their best to perform one good deed to move on. Special effects had been used in science fiction or fantasy movies before, but this was perhaps the first comedy to utilize it so wonderfully. Ironically, the very same year, Young had his own dramatic fantasy with "The Man Who Could Work Miracles", but his light-hearted character here is obviously having much more fun even though he's extremely perplexed by being befriended by two ghosts.The first of three "Topper" movies (and one of half a dozen pairings of Billie Burke and Roland Young as flibberty-gibbit spouses) is one of the classic screwball comedy's of all time. Grant and Bennett appear to be having a perfectly marvelous time as they seem more alive as ghosts than some live people do on a normal basis. However, it is Young's performance, reacting to everything around him, that wins attention here, with Burke a close second. She's not the bird-like stereotype that she would be in the last film or her many other roles (just see her in "Dinner at Eight" to see her being truly dramatic as a downright ridiculous woman), and for those who know her only from "The Wizard of Oz" will be delighted to see her out of her good witches' uniform and in some wonderful gowns. She has a great chemistry with droll Alan Mowbray who would play her butler and companion in the first two films. The screenplay is practically perfect, the art deco sets fantastic to look at, and the pace delightfully speedy.

SmileysWorld This is the film that got the ball rolling for Cary Grant in all of those screwball comedies we loved him for throughout the late 30's and into the 40's.There is typical Cary Grant charm throughout,though the show is nearly stolen from him by Roland Young,who,despite the fact that he plays the title character,is listed as a supporting player rather than star.This story of a recklessly irresponsible rich couple meeting their fate in an auto accident and trying to earn their way to the pearly gates by adding flair to the dull life of another is a charmer worth revisiting again and again.A must see for fans of Cary Grant and the comedy genre.

PudgyPandaMan I thought this film was a riot. Parts of it did drag a touch, but overall, I was amused the majority of the time.I think the special effects were amazing considering it was the 30's. It's incredible what they were able to do - before computers were even imagined yet! Some of the better effects were the shower scene where the water "bends" around invisible Marion. I also thought the smoking was well done, where the invisible Marion makes a puff of smoke seem to appear out of nothing.Cary Grant's role almost seems trivial compared to the others. I guess he hadn't yet risen to SUPERSTAR status. Constance Bennett did a fine job. But I think Roland Young completely stole the show as the stuffy banker Cosmo Topper. To watch his evolution from boring Bank President to fun-loving playboy was a stitch. He was quite capable of physical comedy - which seemed to belie his exterior. He was great as a drunk, being "propped-up" and made to walk by his invisible friends. Also, his dancing was hilarious - especially in the chair!Notable supporting cast included Billie Burke as Mrs. Topper. I find her little girl voice so distracting and annoying. She would become infamous 2 years later as the good witch Glinda in WIZARD OF OZ. She fit that role to a T and her voice was appropriate as an efferial, fairy-like creature. But here it just sounded dumb. Speaking of voices, I loved the hotel detective's voice which had a very gravely, baritone quality to it.It's interesting to note that the Great Depression was partly responsible for the success that screwball comedies had in the 30's. People wanted to laugh to help forget their troubles. I wonder, given the current economic crisis, if we will see a similar rise in popularity of the comedy genre.

bkoganbing Roland Young's portrayal of stuffy banker Cosmo Topper was so well received that it spawned two sequel films and a television series during the Fifties. It's a great example of that genre that was done best in the Thirties, the screwball comedy.Cary Grant and Constance Bennett are George and Marion Kerby, a pair of rich dizzy socialites for who life is a non-stop party. Every now and then we have to tend to business, such as Cary showing up for Board of Directors meeting of the bank where Roland Young is president.One find day while driving at a high speed Cary totals his car and he and Constance wind up ectoplasm. Stuck between this world and the next Connie concludes that a good deed must be done if they're to gain entrance through the pearly gates. Who to bestow this good deed on, but Roland Young.Though this is now classified as a Cary Grant film, Cary has a lot less to do here than either Bennett or Young. He has his moments, but it's really their show. Though physical consummation is impossible, Bennett and Young run off to a resort hotel for a wild fling. That sets the stage for a lot of physical type comedy which Bennett does well and Young is properly maintaining dignity at all costs.Billie Burke plays Young's wife who doesn't quite know what to make of her husband's rebellion against their well ordered life. Butler Alan Mowbray is equally nonplussed. However the best performances here among the supporting cast are Eugene Palette as the house detective and Arthur Lake as a bellboy at that resort.Topper is one of those films that probably could do with a remake. I can see Julia Roberts in Connie Bennett's part and possibly Tom Hanks in the Cary Grant role.But they'd have to go some to beat this one.