thorne smith be just now begin to be take seriously a a writer . often brush off as just another pulp fiction fabricator and smith work be fill with satirical and humorous jibe at american culture conceal in well write story of fantasy . though all three hollywood version of one of his best character creation leave out much of the satire they be each highly entertaining romantic comedy with many sexual innuendo consider bawdy when release in the late 30 and early 40 . this third film add an element of mystery and suspense and chill to the comedy . even the humor come fast than in the first two topper . billie burke a mrs. cosmo topper be give more clever line this go around . be one of the best actress around and she know exactly how to use the line for ultimate comedic effect . eddie rochester anderson be one of the funny men around at the time . mainly a radio comedian and sidekick to the inimitable jack benny and he stand out in every movie role he be give . he be one of the few african american of his day who be able through sheer talent to rise above the racist hollywood stereotype rampant in the medium at the time . later during the civil right movement jack benny tell rochester to do an errand for him . he reply and mr. benny and we do not do that anymore . there one scene in topper return involve rochester that a gem when the raven fly to his shoulder and he give a double take . don not miss it . i do not know whose idea it be to have him wear a fur coat but that one prop add tremendously to the fun . so much have already be say by imdb reviewer about the sensational joan blondell who deservedly get top billing in this film . she be a multi talented actress who could play any role give her good than anyone else . she be also a topnotch comedienne a she show in this outing when she somewhat assume the role play by constance bennett in the first two outing . donald macbride a the police sergeant in charge of investigate the murder play the part of a dumb policeman ( typical for hollywood in those day ) in such a lofty comic manner than his stupidity be actually believable and this time funny . add to the creepiness of this truly scary comedy be the performance of rafaela ottiano a the housekeeper . she would frighten the pant off boris karloff and peter lorre . the rest of the cast make in heaven be just a effective . special note should be give to the special effect which be nominate for an oscar . the man behind them and roy seawright and have also be in charge of the special effect for the first two topper . i have read that he have a hand in do the special effect for the 1933 horror classic the invisible man and although he be not credit with that in his profile . roland young be for many viewer the definitive topper but the late tv topper and leo g. carroll and do a fine job too . plus the late tv series add a ghost st. bernard name neil who just happen to be an alcoholic . except for this the three movie version be superior . the make for tv topper return actually deal with cosmo topper jr. and though ok be nowhere near the caliber of this topper return .