Topper

Thorne Smith’s hilarious and ribald comedy about boring and staid bank manager Cosmo Topper who decides to buy a flashy car only to discover it is haunted by its previous owners, George and Marion Kerby.  George’s and Marion’s  mischievous spirits (and a few other ghostly friends and an irresistible dog) make it their mission to lead the respectable Topper astray and give him a fresh outlook on life. Liquor flows, pranks are common, and although not always willing, George becomes a new man. He realizes life is what you make of it, and there are so many possibilities.

 Laugh out loud when  Marion scares away the clientele and staff of a boutique or when George challenges Topper to a duel with clam shells.  Thorne Smith’s ghosts, their wit and repartee, are bound to entertain. Topper is the perfect beach read.

As captivating today as when it was first written in 1926, Topper set the standard for a host of other ghost stories and was made into a movie starring Cary Grant (1936) and adapted for a TV series (1953).  A remake of the movie is scheduled starring comedian Steve Martin as Topper, but no production start date has been set.  

“[Thorne Smith] created the modern American ghost.  A ghost with style and wit. A ghost that haunts us still.”

--New York Times