Quote:
Thorne Smith is a name one hardly ever hears these days, and that’s a shame. In the 1920s and early ’30s, he was the popular author of a genre-defining series of novels in which mortal men broke out of their humdrum lives to embark on comic-erotic, supernaturally tinged adventures in the company of an exciting woman (or women). The most popular of these, Topper, was filmed in 1937, three years after Smith’s death. (Smith’s novel The Passionate Witch also became the basis for a classic film comedy, I Married a Witch (1942), and later the TV series Bewitched.)

The template Smith created in Topper and other novels dovetailed beautifully with that definitive ’30s film genre, the screwball comedy, since it too frequently featured a madcap heroine who helped her stodgy romantic interest break out of his rut. The combination of Smith’s novels (he also penned a sequel to Topper) and the screwball conventions—together with the comic expertise of producer Hal Roach—was such a success that the 1937 Topper was followed by two film sequels, the later of which, Topper Returns, is included in this two-movie set from Artisan.

Although Topper tones down the raciest features of Smith’s novel, it remains remarkably faithful to it. Smith’s scene in which the invisible Marion creates a sensation by wearing nothing but a pair of lacy step-ins appears in the film, as does the pivotal plot development in which Topper’s transformation takes off when he purchases the late Kerbys’ sexy automobile. (This car, dubbed a “painted Jezebel” by the disapproving Mrs. Topper, is surely one of the most luscious vehicles ever to appear in a film. One can definitely understand how it would change a man’s life.) To its comedic and risqué elements the screen adaptation also adds a more heartwarming tone; we genuinely care about Topper’s silly little wife and don’t want to see her lose her husband, even though he seems to be having a much better time without her. The screen writers (who included Eric Hatch, whose novel My Man Godfrey had also become a classic screwball film) do an excellent job of retaining the most engaging parts of Smith’s novel while giving the film a more tender emotional core.

Among the other elements that make Topper so successful, the cast is one of the greatest. Who but Cary Grant and Constance Bennett could embody the glamorous, high-spirited Kerbys so well? Bennett charmingly brings to life (or afterlife) that quintessential ’30s combination of elegant sophistication and sass, and Grant displays an infectious, boyish energy. As Topper, Roland Young is completely endearing. From the hint of sulkiness with which he confronts his breakfast egg to the nimble little dance steps he executes under the influence of champagne, he shows us the inner rascal trying to break through the pressures of respectability. In one bravura sequence in which the inebriated Topper is being half carried by the invisible ghosts, Young navigates precariously down a flight of stairs and through a hotel lobby in a brilliant piece of physical comedy. As Mrs. Topper, Billie Burke shows off her unmatched talent for quivery vocalizing and tremulous anxiety. We’re also treated to a hefty roster of familiar faces in supporting roles, from Hedda Hopper and Hoagy Carmichael to bullfrog-voiced Eugene Pallette (The Lady Eve) as a confused hotel detective and a pre-Blondie Arthur Lake as a hapless elevator boy.

Norman Z. McLeod - (1937) Topper.mkv

General
Container:  	Matroska
Runtime: 	1 h 37 min
Size: 	1.66 GiB
Video
Codec: 	x264
Resolution: 	790x576 
Aspect ratio:  	1.372
Frame rate: 	23.976 fps
Bit rate: 	2 225 kb/s
BPP: 	0.204
Audio
#1:  	English 2.0ch AC-3 @ 192 kb/s

https://nitro.download/view/475F7D10A500E9D/Norman_Z._McLeod_-_(1937)_Topper.mkv

Language(s):English
Subtitles:English

The post Norman Z. McLeod – Topper (1937) first appeared on Cinema of the World.

An affair is about to be consummated in a planned trip to Venice, but complications ensue when the woman’s husband returns unexpectedly from the Olympics. Cary Grant is the javelin-wielding Olympian in his first feature film. For probably the last time he gets fifth billing behind, among others, a sparkling Thelma Todd and Charlie Ruggles.

Very pre-code in its sensibility, with clear references to Lubitsch.

1.33GB | 1h 18m | 640×480 | mkv

https://nitro.download/view/CBBAC98761856D3/This.Is.the.Night.1932.DVDRip.x264.mkv

Language(s):English
Subtitles:None

The post Frank Tuttle – This Is the Night (1932) first appeared on Cinema of the World.

The Carletons make a living as card sharps and finding new suckers to mooch off of. When their latest scam backfires, they are asked to leave Monte Carlo. At the train station, they meet Miss Fortune, a very wealthy but lonely elderly lady. As a reward for saving her life after the train derails, Miss Fortune invites the Carletons to come live with her. The family hopes that by winning her affection, they can eventually be named sole beneficiaries in her will. But will a change of heart soften their mercenary feelings before that time comes?

1.61GB | 1h 31m | 768×576 | mkv

https://nitroflare.com/view/CB18678DB745536/The.Young.in.Heart.1938.576p.Bluray.AAC.2.0.x264-SaL.mkv

Language(s):English
Subtitles:English

The post Richard Wallace – The Young in Heart (1938) first appeared on Cinema of the World.

Sent by her employers on an errand to the home of the wealthy Mrs. Vincent, Irene O’Dare
meets Don, a friend of Bob, Mrs. Vincent’s son. Attracted to Irene, Don decides to invest
some money in Bob’s latest venture, the “Madame Lucy” dress shop, in order to give Irene a
job there as a model. She is very successful and Bob also becomes attracted to her. Smith,
the manager assigns Irene and other models to display gowns at Mrs. Vincent’s charity ball,
but Irene ruins the gown she was to wear, and appears instead in a quaint blue dress that
had belonged to her mother… and it is a big hit. A guest, Princess Minetti, places her as the
niece of Ireland’s Lady O’Dare, and Irene does not deny the relationship. Smith decides to
set her up in a Park Avenue suite as the niece of Lady O’Dare, so that she can attend
socially important gatherings wearing and displaying…

1.50GB | 1h 40mn | 720×541 | mkv

https://nitro.download/view/E403F08170168EE/Irene.mkv

Language:English
Subtitles:None

The post Herbert Wilcox – Irene (1940) first appeared on Cinema of the World.

On a dark foggy London night, someone tries to strangle Lord Montague, but he escapes. Only to discover the four other men who did get killed were old regimental comrades in Gallipoli. When Scotland Yard gets Monty to gather the other nine surviving officers at his home, one of them is murdered, and no one else has entered the house. Now, they must determine who the murderer is. Written by Kathy Li

http://www.nitroflare.com/watch/E1D31C50D40957E/The.Unholy.Night.1929.XVID-cg.avi

Language:English

The post Lionel Barrymore – The Unholy Night (1929) first appeared on Cinema of the World.