Sexy, wise-cracking Joan Blondell, who has accompanied her best friend back to her stately home to meet her father after many, many years, mysteriously is knifed after having traded rooms with Carole Landis - the intended victim. In true Topper fashion, her ghost finds the next-door neighbor who had given them both a lift earlier, one Cosmo Topper. He sees dead people all the time, way before it became quite so fashionable in The Sixth Sense. Topper Returns is the third and last of the Topper series, all of which starred Roland Young as the lead and Billie Burke as his annoying wife. Young plays the role to perfection again and Burke is equally up to the challenge. Lots of support in this one for Young and Burke as the old, spooky haunted house genre serves as primary backdrop when Topper goes to the scene of the crime and then we get mixed identities, hidden panels, scores of red herrings pointing out everyone's guilt except for the killer but generously dosed with lots of amusing quips from Young, wise-cracking one-liners from Blondell in ghostly form, by-play between Burke and her maid, the underrated Patsy Kelly, and chauffeur/fraidy cat Eddie "Rochester" Anderson basically playing himself and hamming it up as only he can. Anderson is easily the brightest spot in the film for me, even at one point making reference to former employer Jack Benny! But the cast also has the eerie likes of George Zucco, H. B. Warner, Donald MacBryde, and Rafaela Ottiano playing one creepy housekeeper. While definitely not as polished a production as the original Topper, Topper Returns is a whole lot more fun in Hal Roach fashion. It is my favourite of the three Topper films as it mixes comedy with horror rather well for its time.

The Topper series could have been better. Although the films were charming and fun, the cast wasn't constant when it came to the ghosts. In the first film, Cary Grant and Constance Bennett play them. In the sequel, Grant is inexplicably missing--perhaps his price was just too high to return. Foolishly, the studio made the film anyway...minus one of the ghosts. Here in the final Topper film, Bennett isn't here either and there's an all new ghost played by Joan Blondell. Fortunately, the filmmakers decided to have Blondell play an all new character...yet another ghost who inexplicably comes to Cosmo Topper for help.

When the film begins, Topper stops to help a couple ladies who are stranded and in need of a ride (Carol Landis and Joan Blondell). When the ladies arrive at Ann's home, Ann's father is a real weirdo. Additionally, Ann is nearly killed in a supposed accident. However, that night someone kills Ann...or thinks they have. Instead, they kill her friend, Gail (Blondell). Soon, Gail appears to Topper and enlists his help trying to find her killer.

One of the many familiar faces in this installment of Topper is George Zucco...and Zucco ALWAYS played evil guys. So, determining who did the murder seems pretty easy to predict. Or is it?! See the film and see if Zucco is up to form or if someone else is behind the murder.

This is a very enjoyable film--mostly because the ghost is NOT a retread from a previous installment. The new back story works fine. Plus, the film has a VERY impressive supporting cast with the likes of Billie Burke, Dennis O'Keefe, Patsy Kelly, H.B. Warner and Eddie Anderson in addition to the leads! Additionally, I really, really LOVED the final scene! Overall, a worthy installment in the series...and DEFINITELY the final Topper movie for Roland Young!

The first 'Topper' was great in almost every way and a really pleasant surprise. The first of its two sequels 'Topper Takes a Trip' isn't quite as good and has a false start, but is a lot of fun and a worthy follow up. Both were much needed relief during such a depressing time. So there was definitely interest in seeing the other sequel 'Topper Returns' to see whether again it would be as good or be needless, sequels have always gone either way.

Like 'Topper Takes a Trip', 'Topper Returns' is a worthy second sequel and goes with the other two films really well. It does feel like a different film though. Star Roland Young returns as does Billie Burke in support, but lead actress in 'Topper Returns' is the wonderful Joan Blondell and Roy Del Ruth replaces Norman Z McLeod as director. Tonally it's different, instead of a mix of supernatural and screwball comedy like the first two films this is a mix of supernatural and murder mystery with some comedy played tongue-in-cheek. Not that that can be complained about as it all works very well. Personally prefer the first 'Topper', but consider this the slightly better of the two sequels.

It's not perfect. Personally did feel that some of the supporting cast could have had a lot more to do, especially lovely Carole Landis (who does her best and is charming still but her role is underwritten) and HB Warner.

Also felt that the ending was under-developed (the motive especially) and somewhat convoluted from trying to stuff too much in and seeming like it was written in a hurry.

Having said that, 'Topper Returns' is perhaps the best looking of the three films. Absolutely loved the house, not only containing so much attention to detail in the interiors and the house layout but it was like its own ominous character. It is a very atmospherically shot film and the special effects are again mighty impressive. The music score is both jaunty and haunting and Del Ruth's directing is far from routine or ill at ease, handling the atmosphere beautifully.

Script here is more tongue in cheek than the sophisticated style of humour in the previous outings, but the wit in wise-cracking style is sharp and very amusing. Some great jokes here. Although the ending could have been better, the mystery is diverting enough and has a genuine creepy spookiness and some nice suspense. The cast do very well on the whole, while having reservations with how her role was written Landis is very charming. Young and Burke are amusing in their recurring roles and Donald McBride also seemed to be having fun. Best of all are Blondell playing to her wise-cracking strengths and an often hilarious Eddie Anderson.

Bottom line, very enjoyable. 8/10