Writing

Thorne Smith

Born September 27, 1892

Died June 12, 1934 · aged 41

The 1926 publication of "Topper" brought writer Thorne Smith immediate acclaim. A sophisticated spoof of middle-class manners and morals, it chronicles the madcap adventures of Cosmo Topper, a mild-mannered bank executive who is rescued from his drab "summer of suburban Sundays" by fun-loving ghosts George and Marion Kerby. A sequel, "Topper Takes a Trip" (1932), records the further ribald escapad…

Known For

I Married a WitchI Married a Witch · 1942
I Married a Witch
★ 6.91942
MovieRomanceFantasy
A 17th-century witch returns to wreak havoc in the life of a descendant of the Puritan witch hunter who burned her, but runs afoul of her father when she discovers that her mischief might have found her true love.
TopperTopper · 1937
Topper
★ 6.71937
MovieComedyFantasy
Madcap couple George and Marion Kerby are killed in an automobile accident. They return as ghosts to try and liven up the regimented lifestyle of their friend and bank president, Cosmo Topper. When Topper starts to live it up, it strains relations with his stuffy wife.
Topper ReturnsTopper Returns · 1941
Topper Returns
★ 6.51941
MovieComedyFantasy
Topper is once again tormented by a fun-loving spirit. This time, it's Gail Richards, accidentally murdered while vacationing at the home of her wealthy friend, Ann Carrington, the intended victim. With Topper's help, Gail sets out to find her killer with the expected zany results.
Topper Takes a TripTopper Takes a Trip · 1938
Topper Takes a Trip
★ 6.51938
MovieComedyFantasy
Mrs. Topper's friend Mrs. Parkhurst has convinced Mrs Topper to file for a divorce from Cosmo due to the strange circumstances of his trip with ghost Marion Kirby. Marion comes back from heaven's door to help Cosmo again, this time only with dog Mr. Atlas. Due to a strange behavior of Cosmo, the judge refuses to divorce them, so Mrs. Parkhurst takes Mrs. Topper on a trip to France where she tries to arrange the final reasons for the divorce. With help of a gold-digging French baron, Marion takes Cosmo to the same hotel to bring them back together and to get her own final ticket to heaven, but the whole thing turns out to be not too easy.
TopperTopper · 1979
Topper
★ 7.01979
MovieComedyFantasy
A deceased couple affectionately haunt a living friend while trying to get into heaven.
Night Life of the GodsNight Life of the Gods · 1935
Night Life of the Gods
★ 7.01935
MovieComedyFantasy
A scientist named Hunter Hawk invents a device that can turn flesh to stone. While celebrating his discovery he becomes involved with a half naked leprechaun. On a trip to New York, Hunter and Meg (the leprechaun) decide to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and turn all of the Statues of Greek Gods into people. What follows in a drunken romp around New York with Medusa's severed head still in Perseus' hand.
MenuMenu · 1933
Menu
★ 5.41933
MovieComedyFantasy
A chef helps a housewife cook a duck dinner that will not give her husband indigestion.
The Magic StatueThe Magic Statue · 1982
The Magic Statue
1982
MovieComedy
A young woman's wish that she be able to exchange places with her husband is granted.

Filmography

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