BRILLIANT COMEDY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 88, 14 April 1938, Page 3

BRILLIANT COMEDY

“TOPPER” AT MAJESTIC

ROLLICKING TRIUMPH

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, “Topper,” which commences at the Majestic Theatre on Saturday.

; Miss Bennett, light and gay in the high comedy of “Topper,” is more delightful and alluring than in any role she has portrayed in her illustrious career. The screen play is sensational and refreshingly novel in its motivating theme. Adapted from Thorne Smith's book, the Kerbys are shown as a rich, madcap couple who, after death in a motor-car accident, are low plane spirits with the ability to mortally materialise and dematerialise. The Kerbys resolve to obtain heavenly eternity through the exercise of a “good deed.” Cosmo Topper, a staid Wall Street bank president—perfectly portrayed by Roland Young —wno 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 cause spontaneous laughter. 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, ana joyously escape themselves from their earthbound existence. Among those who contribute much to the scores of featured roles are Alan Mowbray and Eugene Pallette. Hoagey Carmichael’s new song hit, “Old Man Moon,” adds to this outstanding production.