"Topper Returns" is a parody of whodunits and reminds one of other pseudo-scary comedies, like "Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein." The story revolves around the ghost of a murdered woman (Joan Blondell) who seeks to discover who murdered her. She recruits the help of a neighbor, Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), who reluctantly assists.The real focus of the film are the special effects (by Roy Seawright), which create the illusion of the invisible ghost interacting with people and props. In fact, the filmmakers concentrate so much on injecting these effects that the film eventually becomes a mere vehicle for their display. This sometimes happens with 3-D films, also.Some of the actors who are at home in silly films like this one are Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, who plays Topper's chauffeur, Donald MacBride, who plays the long-suffering police sergeant, and Billie Burke, the wife of Topper, who is as flighty as Gracie Allen. All three portray similar roles in other films.The film is filled with ridiculous happenings, but that is par for parodies. It's best to just enjoy the effects, which are remarkable for their day, and acknowledge the multiple references to other films in the comedy and horror genres.

Now I'm sorry I haven't watched this picture sooner. It's entertaining on a number of different levels, but I particularly got a kick out of Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson proclaiming that he's going back to Jack Benny! And this, in 1941! Along the same lines, taxi driver Bob (Dennis O'Keefe) makes reference to an Orson Welles radio broadcast, and later brings up the name of Charlie Chan. All the name dropping is very cool if you like these old flicks from the Forties, allowing you, the viewer, to be on the inside of all the clever references.Before the picture got under way, I was surprised to see Joan Blondell's name above the title character in the credits. You would think Roland Young as Topper would be top billed, but you get to see why once the story unfolds. Blondell's Gail Richards is murdered in a case of mistaken identity in the story, and returns as a ghost seeking out Topper's help to solve the crime. I probably shouldn't have been so incredulous that Cosmo recognized Gail as a ghost following her death, since this wasn't the first picture in the series. But I haven't seen the others, and I wondered how he could be so nonchalant about it.The picture is backed up with a fine cast of supporting players, with Carole Landis as the heir to the Carrington estate, Billie Burke as Mrs. Topper, Patsy Kelly her maid, and George Zucco in a bit of a red herring role as the creepy Dr. Jeris. Close your eyes when Clara Topper speaks and you'll swear she's channeling one of the munchkins from Oz, which wouldn't be too far off considering she was the Good Witch from that earlier classic. Even the animals get into the act, with a comical magpie landing on Rochester's shoulder at one point, and a sea lion pushing him back into the water after each fall from the rigged chair. That actually got a little annoying after a while, but Rochester seemed up to the challenge.But, and this is a big but - what's with the huge disconnect at the end of the story with the Henry Carrington impersonator (H.B. Warner)? He killed Gail Richards, and attempted to kill Ann Carrington, but after he died in the car crash and became a ghost himself, his character pooh-poohed his role in the story as if nothing happened? I just didn't get that, and neither I think, will you.NOTE*** After seeing this picture last night, I watched a Roy Rogers Western this morning whose plot went like this - A young woman about to turn twenty one the next day arrives to collect her inheritance. Her father died in a mine cave-in twenty years earlier, and the dead man's partner then faked his identity to take control of the estate. The picture, from 1948, is "Night Time in Nevada". The young woman even has a girl friend who accompanies her on the trip. She doesn't die, but is suddenly dropped from the story without mention. You have to love this stuff.

Most of the film takes place in a spooky mansion with secret doors, hidden passageways and a creepy knife-wielding killer lurking in the shadows.Roland Young reprises his role as Cosmo Topper, the straight-laced, bespectacled banker. In the original, Cary Grant and Constance Bennet were the ghosts who only Topper could see. This time it's Joan Blondell who is accidentally murdered.Billie Burke is the hysterical and somewhat dotty Mrs. Topper. Donald MacBride is a flustered police sergeant straight out of keystone cops.Check out Joan Blondell's friend, Carole Landis, as the rich girl who was the intended murder victim. Landis was in her early 20's and committed suicide at 29. She was an absolutely gorgeous woman who, unfortunately, is not remembered.The actor who steals the film is Eddie "Rochester" Anderson as the chauffeur. He played Jack Benny's sidekick Rochester on radio and TV. He has the movie's best lines and was an extremely talented comedian.This was the final film in the series after TOPPER (1937) and TOPPER TAKES A TRIP (1939). If you want to see one of the original haunted house mysteries with lots of darkness, sound effects and screams this is it.

I must I admit that the other two installments are very funny screwball comedies, but this one tops them all.The mainstays of Roland Young and Billie Burke are back as the tentative couple who are always one-part bumbler and the other-part clueless. Their scenes are always funny as Young tries so hard not to let on to his clueless wife what is really going on! But the star who carries this one is none other than that bombshell comedienne herself, JOAN BLONDELL. Just when you think she is only going to be a sidekick, she turns into THE kick. Her comic flair and range serve her well. As do the talents of the Donald MacBride as the Police Captain. (It's amazing how many defenders of the law he actually played during his long career - which by the way goes all the way back to the silents.) [1914]. The other star in his own right is Eddie "Rochester" Anderson. He shines numerous times in this outing as the Topper driver. Every comedy needs a great last scene or last line. And this time, it belongs to Rochester. Many people do not know that he became a wealthy man and lived in the "Hills" alongside many of the film star greats of the time. No mean feat for a "man of color" in those days. What a great talent he was! All in all, so many others also bring this ensemble work to work...notably the always underused Patsy Kelley, whose frumpish comedic gifts rounded out this wonderfully funny movie.Sit back and enjoy this ghostly screwball gem!