Topper (TV series)
8.2 /10 1 Votes
7.8/10 TV Country of origin United States | 8.4/10 IMDb First episode date 9 October 1953 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Written by Thorne Smith (original novel)Robert Riley CrutcherStanley DavisDonn MullallyGeorge OppenheimerElon PackardNorman PaulJoel RappStephen SondheimRobert Thomsen Directed by Richard L. BareLeslie GoodwinsJames V. KernLew LandersPaul LandresLeslie H. MartinsonPhilip Rapp Starring Leo G. CarrollLee PatrickRobert SterlingAnne Jeffreys Theme music composer Roy IngrahamCharles KoffEdward Paul Cast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Topper is an American fantasy sitcom based on the 1937 film Topper, which was based on two novels Topper and Topper Takes a Trip by Thorne Smith. The series was broadcast on CBS from October 9, 1953 to July 15, 1955, and stars Leo G. Carroll in the title role. It finished at #24 in the Nielsen ratings for the 1954-1955 season. Topper also earned an Emmy nomination for Best Situation Comedy in 1954.
Contents
Synopsis
Sophisticated but stuffy Cosmo Topper (Carroll) is the vice president of City Bank, married to sweet (but rather clueless) Henrietta (Lee Patrick). They live in a Los Angeles house they bought from the estate of a young couple, George and Marion Kerby (real life husband and wife Robert Sterling and Anne Jeffreys), who died after being swept away by an avalanche. A St. Bernard, Neil, who attempted to rescue them also died with them. Topper discovers his new home is haunted by the former occupants as well as Neil. Strangely, he is the only one able to see or hear them. Neil, the St. Bernard, loves martinis and a running gag is the invisible dog lapping up the drink.
The Kerbys try to bring some excitement and joy into the life of stodgy and conservative Topper. The ghosts cause strange (but humorous) events to happen, which an embarrassed Cosmo has to try to explain to others baffled—and even frightened—by them.
Cast
Syndication and DVD release
Topper would long be popular in syndication, with the Camel commercials and references removed, but with the characters still seen smoking.
While collections of those episodes that have passed into the public domain have been released, the series has yet to see a full DVD release.