markbeckuaf Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I'm watching both of the "Topper" flicks from yesterday on TCM--thank you for these!!! These are the first and second in the 3 film series (they showed the 3rd earlier in the month). They totally rock! Roland Young is awesome in the title role, and Constance Bennett? Wooooooooooohoooooo!!!! She is soooooo sultry, sexy and playful! I really admire her a great deal as an actress, one that is largely forgotten today save for TCM! Also Billie Burke is GREAT, as is Alan Mowbray, really love him in this role!!! Totally grooving! Link to post Share on other sites
JarrodMcDonald Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Mowbray is really good in HOLLYWOOD HOTEL and in THAT HAMILTON WOMAN from around the same time period. Link to post Share on other sites
markbeckuaf Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Mowbray is one of my favorites. Saw him recently in a "Beverly Hillbillies" episode where he posed as someone to sell Canada to the Clampetts. They often had a lot of golden age stars guest-star on their show. He was great in everything! Link to post Share on other sites
JarrodMcDonald Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I think Gloria Swanson did an episode of the Hillbillies where she spoofs the whole SUNSET BLVD thing. Link to post Share on other sites
mrroberts Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I have vague memories of seeing reruns of the Topper tv series from the 50's. My favorite "uncle", Leo G Carroll, was Topper. He later was "uncle" Alexander Waverly in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. series. Link to post Share on other sites
JarrodMcDonald Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 There was a sitcom version of THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR as well. It ran from 1968-70. Link to post Share on other sites
PrinceSaliano Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I highly endorse Thorne Smith's novel...it's saucier without that pesky production code. Link to post Share on other sites
markbeckuaf Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 > {quote:title=JarrodMcDonald wrote:}{quote} > I think Gloria Swanson did an episode of the Hillbillies where she spoofs the whole SUNSET BLVD thing. I haven't seen that one in a while. I think they all eventually end up making a silent picture to "help" her, which of course the Clampetts believe are still being made. They think she was being evicted from her home, but in reality she was donating items for auction for a charity, I believe. She didn't want to dissuade them from thinking that, so it's hilarious all the misunderstandings! Link to post Share on other sites
lulu2u Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 There was a TV show in the early 50's about the Kerby's. Robert Sterling was George, Ann Jefferies (sp) was Marian, Leo G. Carroll was Topper, and Lee Patrick was Mrs. Topper. There was also a St. Bernard named Buck, who apparently died with the Kerby's. He could disappear and if I remember correctly, he also had a drinking problem. Childhood memories are the last to go and more fun to remember. As for the movie Topper Constance Bennett and Cary Grant are the perfect couple to play George and Marian Kerby. I wished they still made movies like Topper today. Link to post Share on other sites
JarrodMcDonald Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Yes, it aired not long ago on TV Land...I had never seen it before. They make a cute little silent film together at the end. I can see why Swanson agreed to do it, aside from the money. It respectfully pays homage to her and her career. And it's a clever and fun script. Link to post Share on other sites
primosprimos Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I haven't checked, but wasn't the name of the St. Bernard Neil? I'm a sucker for ghost movies, and loved Topper the TV series long before I saw the movie. Then I not only fell in love with the movie, but with Cary Grant at his most gorgeous, the dolman-sleeved satin dress Constance wore, and the star of the movie, the drop-dead gorgeous Cord that Cary drove. I even liked the second and third Topper outings, that's how forgiving I am of poor scripts when there are ghosts. I wished they still made movies like Topper today. So do I, lulu2u, so do I. BTW, have you seen Roland Young in The Man Who Could Work Miracles? Very interesting outing for Cosmo. Link to post Share on other sites
lulu2u Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 primos, you may be right about the dog's name. I was working from memory. You are right about everything about Topper, the clothes, the car, the Cary. What's not to like about Topper. I wish I could wear some of the clothes created for the movies made in the 30's. I wish they made clothes like that now! Glamour is not what is use to be! In fact, it is no more. Oh well, one more reason to enjoy TCM. Link to post Share on other sites
audreyforever Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 > {quote:title=PrinceSaliano wrote:}{quote} > I highly endorse Thorne Smith's novel...it's saucier without that pesky production code. Thorne Smith wrote I Married a Witch, right? Link to post Share on other sites
redriver Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 What's not to like about Topper. What, indeed. Everything works in this hilarious classic. Mr. Young is so funny it hurts. The dog had a drinking problem? Cool! Link to post Share on other sites
PrinceSaliano Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 > {quote:title=audreyforever wrote:}{quote} > > {quote:title=PrinceSaliano wrote:}{quote} > > I highly endorse Thorne Smith's novel...it's saucier without that pesky production code. > > Thorne Smith wrote I Married a Witch, right? Yes he did...as well as TOPPER and NIGHT LIFE OF THE GODS. Link to post Share on other sites
audreyforever Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 All good stories... Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelDWalker Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Yes, they based I MARRIED A WITCH off of Thorne Smith's novel The PASSIONATE WITCH, a book that was actually finished by Norman Matson because Thorne Smith passed away while writing THE GLORIOUS POOL and only had an outline for THE PASSIONATE WITCH written. I wish they'd do a proper DVD release here in the U.S. of I MARRIED A WITCH. I see the Spanish & European imports pop up from time to time but I'm hoping for a U.S. release someday. Frankly, I'd love to write the liner notes and supplemental material for any Thorne Smith related DVD releases TCM were to offer! Michael Edited by: MichaelDWalker on Mar 14, 2011 5:42 PM Link to post Share on other sites
MichaelDWalker Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 Indeed, the dog's name in the Topper TV series was Neil Link to post Share on other sites
clore Posted March 14, 2011 Share Posted March 14, 2011 >>Indeed, the dog's name in the Topper TV series was Neil True, but he was credited as being played by "Buck" so both previous posters were correct. Link to post Share on other sites
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