Now that I've seen "Topper Takes a Trip", I have seen the three original Topper films. They are all mildly amusing, at best, but the shtick gets a little old after a while.In the original film, Cosmo Topper (Roland Young) is visited by two ghosts (Cary Grant and Constance Bennett). The film surprised the filmmakers, as it was a hit and folks were clamoring for more...but for some reason Cary Grant didn't agree to do the sequel. I can only assume he had better film projects and in hindsight I think he was probably wise to avoid this one. Instead, believe it or not, they replaced him with a ghost dog!! Uggh!This installment finds Cosmo fighting to stay married as Mrs. Topper (Billie Burke) is seeking a divorce. This really makes no sense, as she loved Topper...and her suddenly listening to bad friends who want to separate them is pretty awful and far from funny. Well, apparently American divorces take too long so she heads to Paris...and Cosmo goes there to try to stop her from doing this and marrying some Baron. Whatever. The bottom line is that this film seems to scream out "there is NO reason for this film"....and I would definitely agree. Not a terrible film...but not a good one. Oddly, the third film (starring Young, Burke and Joan Blondell as the ghost) is probably the best of the three movies.

This is not as good as the first movie, simply called "Topper," mainly because of the absence of Cary Grant. He helped make the first movie a big success, and without him this movie simply wasn't as good. Grant granted permission to re-run of scene of his from the first film to help set up viewers who hadn't seen the original.Roland Young as "Topper" keeps this film alive and makes it an acceptable sequel. He is very funny at times and without him, the film would have bombed big-time. Young provides most of the entertainment. Constance Bennett is still the slinky, attractive and well-meaning "Marion Kirby" while Billie Burke, as Topper's wife, is stupid, extremely affected and annoying.I saw a colorized VHS version of this and it was weak. I'm sure the black-and-white DVD version looks better.

"Topper Takes a Trip" is a nice follow-up to "Topper," and has the same cast but no Cary Grant as George. He's shown in the beginning as the film goes over how George and Marion got to be ghosts in the first place. Alas, Grant's ghostly presence hangs over the entire film and puts a big hole in this movie.Constance Bennett is her usual gorgeous self as Marion. She is compelled to come back without George and soon realizes that she's there to help Cosmo once again - though the Kerby's idea of helping Topper leaves much to be desired. This time, though, she discovers a dog, Atlas, in spirit also and brings him along. Mrs. Topper (Billie Burke) learning that Cosmo was with a woman in a hotel has sued for divorce. At the trial, Cosmo claims the woman was the late Marion and begs to tell his story.The judge understandably gets too confused and throws the case out. Mrs. T sails for France and Cosmo, Marion, and Atlas follow. One of the best scenes takes place in a casino where Cosmo just can't help winning, thanks the ball landing on one number and then mysteriously jumping to another thanks to guess who.Very cute, with another fine performance by Roland Young as Cosmo. The special effects are still marvelous

Cosmo TOPPER TAKES A TRIP--with ghostly Marion Kerby and dead dog Atlas--to the French Riviera in hopes of winning back the estranged Mrs. Topper.Hal Roach Studios presents more of the adventures of Topper in this follow-up to their previous comedy success. Many of the comic situations are highly reminiscent of the first film, but they are still funny and enough new material has been added to engage and hold the viewer's attention.Roland Young & Billie Burke return as the Toppers and they are still a delight--Mr. Young owlish & serious in the silliest of situations and Miss Burke forever sweetly vague and befuddled. Gorgeous Constance Bennett, as ghostess Marion, remains free-spirited in her (unwelcome) attempts to help Cosmo out of his latest pickle. Somber Alan Mowbray is also back--and in top form--as the Toppers' devout butler.Some new costars are on hand to help liven things up: Verree Teasdale plays Mrs. Topper's catty friend; Franklin Pangborn is the oleaginous manager of the Hotel St. Pierre; and suave Alexander D'Arcy provides some laughs as a gigolo baron intent on acquiring Miss Burke's money.Movie mavens will recognize George Davis as a temperamental porter and Paul Porcasi as a suspicious casino manager, both uncredited. Atlas is played by that remarkable canine thespian, Asta. Cary Grant appears only in footage lifted from the first film.A couple of scenes in particular are worth waiting for--the first when Topper, with invisible ghostly help, breaks the bank at the French casino's roulette wheel; the second comes when D'Arcy is subjected to humiliating indignities on the beach, courtesy of Miss Bennett and Asta.This was the second of a 3-film series, coming after TOPPER (1937) and followed by TOPPER RETURNS (1941).