Really loved the first 'Topper' and found it a much needed sheer delight. Nearly everything worked, aside from the occasionally draggy pace but the production values, script and performance enlivened the proceedings significantly. It was succeeded by two sequels 'Topper Takes a Trip' and 'Topper Returns', hearing about them left me with mixed emotions. Either they could have been just as good and gone well with the original or they could have been completely pointless.
Both of them in my view are worth watching and while neither are as good or in the same league as the first 'Topper' they are nearly as good. The first of them 'Topper Takes a Trip' has almost everything that made the original such a delight, it may lack Cary Grant (excepting a not particularly necessary and shoehorned in flashback to the original) but Constance Bennett, Roland Young and Norman Z McLeod in the director's chair all return and have not lost what made them work so well in the first.
There are a couple of other things that stop 'Topper Takes a Trip' from being even better than it turned out to be. The beginning does go on for too long and felt very contrived.
Also found that Billie Burke overdid it in her part here and came over as irritating.
However, Bennett once again is a joy. She is very elegant and again has a lot of fun in her role while not over-egging. Young also looks like he was enjoying himself, he copes with the physical comedy with aplomb and grace and he is both amusing and likeable. The supporting cast standout is a riotous Franklin Pangborn with Verree Teasdale close behind, neither straining for laughs and looking completely natural. McLeod again does a spirited job with the directing without letting things get too manic.
Once again, the production values are great. 'Topper Takes a Trip' is beautifully shot with opulent art direction. The special effects hold up well. The music matches the whimsy of the film's tone more than fittingly and the sophistication and wit in the dialogue remains still. The story is silly but never loses its spirit and charm, it's always fun too.
In summary, lovely first sequel if not quite as good. Stick with it if put off by the start, it's worth it. 8/10
Both of them in my view are worth watching and while neither are as good or in the same league as the first 'Topper' they are nearly as good. The first of them 'Topper Takes a Trip' has almost everything that made the original such a delight, it may lack Cary Grant (excepting a not particularly necessary and shoehorned in flashback to the original) but Constance Bennett, Roland Young and Norman Z McLeod in the director's chair all return and have not lost what made them work so well in the first.
There are a couple of other things that stop 'Topper Takes a Trip' from being even better than it turned out to be. The beginning does go on for too long and felt very contrived.
Also found that Billie Burke overdid it in her part here and came over as irritating.
However, Bennett once again is a joy. She is very elegant and again has a lot of fun in her role while not over-egging. Young also looks like he was enjoying himself, he copes with the physical comedy with aplomb and grace and he is both amusing and likeable. The supporting cast standout is a riotous Franklin Pangborn with Verree Teasdale close behind, neither straining for laughs and looking completely natural. McLeod again does a spirited job with the directing without letting things get too manic.
Once again, the production values are great. 'Topper Takes a Trip' is beautifully shot with opulent art direction. The special effects hold up well. The music matches the whimsy of the film's tone more than fittingly and the sophistication and wit in the dialogue remains still. The story is silly but never loses its spirit and charm, it's always fun too.
In summary, lovely first sequel if not quite as good. Stick with it if put off by the start, it's worth it. 8/10