| Genre: | Fantasy sitcom |
| Director: | Richard L. Bare Leslie Goodwins James V. Kern Lew Landers Paul Landres Leslie H. Martinson Philip Rapp |
| Starring: | Anne Jeffreys Robert Sterling Leo G. Carroll Lee Patrick |
| Theme Music Composer: | Roy Ingraham Charles Koff Edward Paul |
| Location: | Hal Roach Studios, Culver City, Calif. |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Num Seasons: | 2 |
| Num Episodes: | 78 |
| Producer: | John W. Loveton Bernard L. Schubert |
| Editor: | Nick DeMaggio Chuck Gladden |
| Cinematography: | Gert Andersen Kenneth Peach William P. Whitley |
| Runtime: | 24 minutes |
| Channel: | CBS |
Topper is an American fantasy sitcom television series 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.[1] Topper also earned an Emmy nomination for Best Situation Comedy in 1954.[2]
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). The Kerbys died while skiing when they were buried by an avalanche. A St. Bernard dog, Neil, who attempted to rescue them also died with them. Topper discovers his new home is haunted by the ghosts of 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 baffledand even frightenedby them.
The Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim wrote eleven episodes for Toppers first season with George Oppenheimer. The show's producer was John W. Loveton, with his agent, Bernard L. Schubert, credited as co-producer.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco's Camel cigarettes was the show's sponsor; the Kerbys were seen smoking in every episode, as required by Reynolds; the actors, along with Carroll, also appeared in integrated commercials promoting the product at the end of the show, as well as announcing where free cartons of Camels were being sent to various military bases and veterans hospitals each week. ABC aired repeats of these episodes in 1956.[3]
There were at least three forms of the opening announcement:"CamelAmerica's first choice among cigarettespresents Topper. Starringas Marion Kerby, the loveliest ghost in townAnne Jeffreys. As George Kerby, the liveliest ghost in townRobert Sterling. And Leo G. Carroll as Topper [a dog bark is heard]. Oh, yes, and ahh... the deadliest ghost, Neil".
In another opening, the announcer adds, "And there are only three people in the world who can see or hear themyou and I... and Cosmo Topper". When Topper was shown in repeats, Anne Jeffreys was introduced as "the ghostess with the mostest"; Robert Sterling as "that most sporty spirit", and Leo G. Carroll as "host to said ghosts".
Topper was popular in syndication for more than a decade. Camel commercials and their references were removed but the characters could still be seen smoking them.
There are 11 episodes in the public domain which have been released on DVD but the series has not been given a full release.