Expert: Jim Kason - 3/23/2009

Question
Years ago my sister had an old movie.  I thought it's name was topper but I cannot find this movie.  The movie is about a young woman that gets killed and her ghost gets this old man refered to as (toppy) in trouble because she wants him to help her find her killer.    I think the move had to be in the 1920's, 30's, or 40's would be the latest.

Answer
Hi Angela,

Yes, I know exactly the film you're looking for !  And you were right:...the main character's name was Topper.  In fact a famous comedy novel of the 1930's was turned into a movie called "Topper" in 1937.

It starred Roland Young as "Topper",.....and also Cary Grant and Constance Bennett as wealthy socialites who are killed in a car crash;.... but, since this was a comedy,...they hang around to haunt Topper until they can finally leave this world.

BUT,...this is not the film you want.    "Topper" was such a success, that several years later, in 1941, a sequel was made, called "Topper Returns".  It also starred Roland Young,...but this time, Joan Blondell and Carole Landis played two young friends who stayed overnite in a very mysterious house.  Joan is accidentally murdered, mistaken for her friend, Carole,..
and she helps Topper solve the crime.  You can read the complete synopsis, with lots of information,...at:     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029682
( It'll say: "Brief Synopsis", but click on: "[+] Read Full Synopsis", right underneath.

For more info on the 1st "Topper" film, go to:     http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029682

You can find both films at Amazon.com,   and I believe there's even a "double feature" DVD

with both films for about $13.

Sincerely,

Jim Kason