King’s Theatre, Pahiatua

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 275, 19 November 1938, Page 2

King’s Theatre, Pahiatua

“TOPPER” TO-DAY Constance Bennett and Cary Grant, co-starred for the first time, and Roland Young as “Topper,” achieve a joint triumph in the Hal Roach-M.G.M'. feature comedy, 11 Topper, s ’ which commences to-day at 2 and 8 p.m. The screen play is sensational and refreshingly novel in its motivating theme. Adapted from the late Thorne Smith’s book, the Kerbys are filmatised as a rich, madcap couple who, after death on an automobile accident, are low piano spirits with the ability to materialise mortally and dematerialisc. The Kerbys resolve to obtain heavenly eternity through the exorcise of a “good deed.” Cosmo Topper, a staid Wall Street bank president—perfectly portrayed by the expert farceur, Roland Young—who lives a routine, suburban existence under the dignified but domineering ambitions of his wife (Billie Burke), is considered by the Kerbys as a perfect specimen of repression. How the captivating Connie and the rollicking Cary proceed to upset the normal life of the droll Roland and Miss Burke to mould it to their own hectic ways of living set audience into the spontaneous hilarity of hysterics. The astounding adventures and ribald escapades in which the gay ghosts involve Young bursts all bounds of comedy. In the end they lift Topper from his smug existence, make him a happy human being, and joyously escape themselves from their earthbound existence.

The supporting programme includes another of the popular “Crime Doesn’t Pay” series.