Topper

Well, it might have been that I was so young, but I enjoyed this TV show enormously. My guess is that it was because it was so different from typical TV fare of then and even now.

It relied on word play and clever dialog instead of idiotic situations and slapstick for its kick which is, I suppose, why I enjoyed it as a child. I've grown up to be a writer. For a shock, check out the writing credits for these shows and you'll see a *very* familiar name. I once, a few years ago, caught a re-run as a New Year's Day festival on a local TV channel and can report that it, unlike almost all shows from any era, holds up very well. Highly enjoyable if you can find it.

One of my best childhood memories, a worthy TV incarnation of the movie classic. It's also where I first learned of Leo G. Carroll, Mr. Waverly in "The Man from Uncle"

That phrase was how the introduction described Marion Kirby, wife of George Kirby. The Kirbys', along with the ever faithful alcoholic St. Bernard dog Neil, were killed in an avalanche but returned to their home to playfully haunt the current occupants, Cosmo and Henrietta Topper.

However only Cosmo Topper could see and hear them. The ever formal Cosmo and Henrietta ( Leo G. Carroll and Lee Patrick ). Talk about contrasts.

Born in 1947, I am giving away my age of course; but I never missed an episode. In fact I cherished them. Who could not be drawn to the antics of George and Marion. What 8 year old male couldn't be totally absorbed by Marion Kirby. Knowing they were husband and wife in real life made the attraction to their characters even more pronounced.

Where are these episodes ? Probably the powers that be have long concluded that the show would be boring by today's standards. Not so says I !!

I fondly recall watching this show on our first Raytheon TV. I also recall laughing at the crazy antics of George and Marion. The special effects were what I remember, quite good for that early time. Would love to see an episode once again and hear that catchy theme music. Neil, the St Bernard was a classic, drinking gin and I recall Cosmo's always battling with his boss, the stuffy Mr Schuyler (spelling may be wrong). I was hoping that the last show would result in the ghosts becoming visible to Mrs. Topper also. Oh well, I guess that was the five year old that i was at that time always believing that everything would always have a happy ending.

Thorne Smith wrote a lot of racily humorous books, most of them justly forgotten, but now and then he hit on a worthwhile theme. The Topper books were about how after a short and frivolously wasted life, a young couple returns from the dead to implore a Thurberesque little man to live life to the fullest. Because it's a terribly serious situation that applies to us all, it's a wonderful basis for humor. Oh, and because the young female is safely dead, she can indulge in racier behavior than was often seen on 1950s television.

The TV remake with Jack Warden was less successful, largely because its Topper was at the pinnacle of the business world and thus less obviously in need of any ectoplasmic helpers.