I bought this DVD, because I had a vague recollection that I had loved this television series as a child. I also have always had a great liking for the actor Leo G. Carroll. Moreover, the price of the DVD seemed to be a bargain.
Based upon the characters created by Thorne Smith in his best selling book of the same name, this television series followed on the heels of the success of the Topper films that were made for the silver screen. The television series was also a hit and ran for several years during the nineteen fifties. I am not surprised at its success, given the quality of some of the writing. A number of the episodes were written by Stephen Sondheim, who later went on to greater fame and fortune. Mr. Sondheim's involvement in the television series was something of which I was unaware, until I received the DVD.
The thrust of the story is that the dapper and elegant Cosmo Topper (Leo G. Carroll) is vice-president of a bank. He is married to the sweet but dim Henrietta (Lee Patrick). They live in a house that they bought from the estate of an unfortunate young couple, George and Marion Kirby (Robert Sterling and Anne Jeffreys), who died in a skiing accident after being swept away by an avalanche. Their St. Bernard, Neil, who was unable to rescue them, also died with them. To Cosmo's surprise, his house is haunted by their ghosts and that of their alcohol imbibing St. Bernard. The problem is that only he can see or hear them. This allows for a lot of funny episodes, as the Kirby's tend to complicate Cosmo's life. As soon as I heard the theme song for the series, I was transported back in time.
There are four episodes on the DVD. Everyone one of them is guaranteed to bring a smile to the viewer's face. The role of Topper was perfectly cast, as Leo G. Carroll makes a delightful Topper. Lee Patrick is darling as his well-meaning, sweet and silly wife. Anne Jeffreys is terrific as the beautiful Marion Kirby, and Robert Sterling is great as her freewheeling husband. Of course, our cocktail loving St. Bernard is wonderfully portrayed by Buck. Moreover, the sponsor for the series is Jello and several of the episodes include some of the original commercials, which certainly takes the viewer on a trip down memory lane and provides its own share of laughs.
In terms of the quality of the DVD, well, one gets what one pays for, as the quality of the DVD itself is dreadful. This DVD seems to have been made from an old, dirty print and not remastered or cleaned up in any way, shape, or form. At times, there is some very distracting background noise, as well as visuals that are somewhat grainy, at best. Still, notwithstanding that, I would buy this DVD again, simply because I love this series. While the quality of the DVD rates a two, at best, the content of the DVD rates a high five. I only wish that some television honcho would consider a remake of this wonderful television series.
Having viewed the first volume of Topper, the television series, I looked forward to viewing volume two. This was a television series of which I am quite fond. It followed on the heels of the success of the Topper films that were made for the silver screen. The television series was also a hit and ran for several years during the nineteen fifties. I am not surprised at its success, given the quality of some of the writing. A number of the episodes were written by Stephen Sondheim, who later went on to greater fame and fortune. Mr. Sondheim's involvement in the television series was something of which I was previously unaware until I viewed the first volume of Topper, the television series.
While the television series is based upon the characters in Thorne Smith's best... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Leo G. Carroll DVD Release Date: Released the 22 February 2005 Usually ships in 6 to 8 days
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A classic screwball comedy with a supernatural twist, Topper stars the incomparable Cary Grant and sparkling Constance Bennett as George and Marion Kirby, a fun-loving couple who cap an evening of jazz and champagne by running their car into a tree. They return as ghosts with a mandate to liven up the straight-laced hen-pecked life of bank president Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), who's hungry for just such a shake-up. Before long he's boozing, dancing, and getting into fights, all of which gives him a rakish reputation--much to the consternation of his wife (Billie Burke, best known as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz). The sequel replaces Grant and Bennett with Joan Blondell, who can't quite compare, but she's charming in her own way. Topper Returns... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Constance Bennett - Cary Grant - Roland Young Director(s): Norman Z. McLeod DVD Release Date: Released the 17 June 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Really enjoyed these DVD's, they reminded me of when I was a youngster. Thanks for the memories. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Hal Yates - Nate Watt DVD Release Date: Released the 20 February 2001 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Beware the video with no image to view. I purchased this video expecting the movie and received the TV series instead. I enjoyed the series and you will too. More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Leo G. Carroll DVD Release Date: Released the 23 March 2004 Usually ships within 24 hours
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Usually you look back at old programs like the Lone Ranger and think how hokey they were. Then you realize that you, being a kid at the time could enjoy them as they were.
Then there is "Topper" the TV show. It was one big smoking commercial.
Well I sort of counted on this happening with "My Little Margie" (Gale Storm.) Boy was I surprised. The plots are complex for the small period of time they have to execute in. Hokey or not they had me laughing. And Price per pound, you get so many episodes. I am working my way through them all and find some how they are comforting like an old friend. It is fun t spot the different actors in movies and say I saw that person on "My Little Margie."
After viewing, I will put them on the shelf and they look... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Hal Yates - Nate Watt DVD Release Date: Released the 19 December 2000 Usually ships in 24 hours
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