Topper Takes a Trip (1938)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Norman Z. McLeod

Writers:

Thorne Smith (novel)
Jack Jevne (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

12 January 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Plot:

Mrs Topper's friend Mrs Parkhurst has convinced Mrs topper, to file for a divorce from Cosmo, due to...

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Hotel | Ghost | Judge | Dog

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Constance Bennett	...	Marion Kerby
Roland Young	...	Cosmo Topper
Billie Burke	...	Mrs. Clara Topper
Alan Mowbray	...	Wilkins - Topper's Butler
Verree Teasdale	...	Mrs. Nancy Parkhurst
Franklin Pangborn	...	Louis - Hotel Manager
Alexander D'Arcy	...	Baron de Rossi
Paul Hurst	...	Charlie - the Bartender
Armand Kaliz	...	Hotel Clerk
Eddie Conrad	...	Jailer
Spencer Charters	...	Judge Wilson
Irving Pichel	...	Prosecutor
Leon Belasco	...	Bellboy
Georges Renavent	...	Magistrate
Asta	...	Mr. Atlas - the Dog (as Skippy)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
William Austin	...	Seated Roulette Player (uncredited)
Bobby Barber	...	Hotel Staffer Moving Bed (uncredited)
Wade Boteler	...	Police Sergeant in Bank (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks	...	Dance Extra (uncredited)
Jack Chefe	...	Sidewalk / Dance Extra (uncredited)
André Cheron	...	Hotel Porter (uncredited)
George Davis	...	French Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Paul Everton	...	Defender (uncredited)
Bess Flowers	...	Roulette Spectator (uncredited)
George Humbert	...	Hotel Maitre d' (uncredited)
Alphonse Martell	...	Hotel Wine Steward (uncredited)
Torben Meyer	...	Hotel Doorman (uncredited)
James C. Morton	...	First Bailiff (uncredited)
Paul Porcasi	...	Casino Owner (uncredited)
Rolfe Sedan	...	Roulette Croupier (uncredited)
Ben Taggart	...	Policeman in Bank (uncredited)
Jacques Vanaire	...	Casino Doorman (uncredited)
Duke York	...	Second Bailiff (uncredited)

Directed by
Norman Z. McLeod

Writing credits
Thorne Smith		(novel "Topper Takes a Trip")
Jack Jevne		(screenplay) &
Eddie Moran		(screenplay) and
Corey Ford		(screenplay)

Produced by
Milton H. Bren	....	producer
Hal Roach	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Hugo Friedhofer
Marvin Hatley		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Norbert Brodine		(photographed by)

Film Editing by
William H. Terhune		(as William Terhune)

Art Direction by
Charles D. Hall

Set Decoration by
William Stevens		(as W.L. Stevens)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Earl Rettig	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Warren B. Delaplain	....	sound (as W.B. Delaplain)
William Randall	....	sound

Visual Effects by
Roy Seawright	....	photographic effects

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Irene	....	gowns: Constance Bennett
Omar Kiam	....	gowns: Billie Burke
Ernest Schrapps	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Ernest Schraps)

Music Department
Marvin Hatley	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Hal Roach	....	presenter

Thanks
Cary Grant	....	grateful acknowledgment: "Topper" scenes consent (as Mr. Cary Grant)

Production Companies

• Hal Roach Studios

Distributors

• United Artists (1938) (USA) (theatrical)
• Favorite Films (1946) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (1987) (USA) (VHS)
• Teakwood Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Teakwood Video (2004) (USA) (VHS)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #4773) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:S

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Movie Connections:

Edited from Topper (1937)

Wistful, fragile, souffle of a fantasy comedy!

"Topper Takes A Trip" is a charming, airy, lyrical fantasy comedy. No one ever made a fantasy comedy like this. The playing of all actors and the set design mix screwball comedy with fantasy elements, making an appealing, sexy, subtly witty comedy that was the best sophisticated comedy feature ever to come out of the Hal Roach Studios.

The cast is a dream. Although all three actors' characters do not appear to each other, the chemistry between Roland Young, Constance Bennett, and Billie Burke is a joy to watch. The musical score by Marvin Hatley not only complements the film beautifully, it features pieces that sound more from the 1960's than 1939. A remarkable score that deserves major recognition by film scholars, students, and buffs.

Roland Young and Billie Burke made several films together for different studios however it was in this film and in Selznick's "The Young In Heart" that showed them at their absolute best as a team. They also deserver greater critical recognition for their work.

The camerawork and set design evoke a polish and sheen common to '30's romantic comedies. A handsome look that stimulates suspending disbelief for a fantasy film. "Topper Takes A Trip" is, undeniably, the best of the three Topper films produced by Hal Roach.