PARTNERING TWO GHOSTS

Evening Star, Issue 22973, 2 June 1938, Page 6

PARTNERING TWO GHOSTS

ROLAND YOUNG'S TRYING ROLE The astounding adventures of Mr Cosmo Topper, sedate Wall Street bank president, who was destined to take part in hilarious escapades with madcap gentry of another world, is transcribed from Thorne Smith’s sensational novel to the screen in the new Hal Roach feature-length comedy, ‘ Topper,’ which comc.s to the Empire to-morrow in what promises to be a really popular season. Constance ißennett and Cary Grant are co-starred as the young married couple who, upon meeting a violent death, find themselves imprisoned in spiritual spaco and who can only advance to a higher plane (presumably heaven) by achiev-

ing one good deed. Their idea of a good deed is reconstructing the staidly normal life of Cosmo Topper. Roland Young as “ Topper ” finds the ethereal couple a source of constant embarrassment in their material and invisible efforts on his behalf. _ They upset his “ hen-pecked ” life with his domineering wife, played by Billie Burke. How they flit in and about astounded natives, how they pursue an incredible series of adventures across a bewildered countryside, lifts “ Topper ” from tbe rut of his smug existence and makes of him a disreputable but happy human being. Thorne Smith, the author, dedicated one of his “ Topper ” books, ‘ Topper Takes a Trip,’ to Roland Young, which corroborates the studio’s idea of casting Young for bis role in the new picture. A supporting oast of well-known players is beaded by Alan Mowbray and Eugene Pallctto. and also includes Arthur Lake. Hedda Hopper. Virginia Sale, Theodore von Eltz. J. Farrell M'Donald. Elaine Shepherd. Doodles, Si Jinks, and the “Three Hits and a Miss.”