Topper Takes a Trip

Topper Takes a Trip is a 1938^[2] 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 whom 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.

Topper Takes a Trip
Leon Belasco in Topper Takes a Trip
Directed by	Norman Z. McLeod
Written by	Jack Jevne Eddie Moran Corey Ford
Based on	Topper Takes a Trip 1932 novel by Thorne Smith
Produced by	Milton H. Bren Hal Roach (uncredited)
Starring	Constance Bennett Roland Young Billie Burke
Cinematography	Norbert Brodine
Edited by	William Terhune
Music by	Hugo Friedhofer Edward Powell
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	December 29, 1938 (1938-12-29)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$565,687[1]

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)

• 
  Constance Bennett
• 
  Roland Young
• 
  Billie Burke
• 
  Alan Mowbray
• 
  Verree Teasdale
• 
  Franklin Pangborn
• 
  Alexander D'Arcy
• 
  Asta

Awards

The film received one Oscar nomination in 1939 for Best Special Effects for Roy Seawright.^[3]

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.^[4]

See also

• List of ghost films