Sitcoms Online Photo Galleries - Topper: Cast Photo

Leo G. Carroll, Lee Patrick, Ann Jeffries Robert Sterling,and Neil

Topper appeared on the CBS Television Network from October 1953 until September 1955.

When Amos McCoy moved into his house, he found Pepino., a Mexican farmhand living there. When Wilbur Post inhabited his home, he inherited a talking horse named Ed. Mrs. Muir found herself living with Captain Daniel Gregg, and when Cosmo Topper moved into his new house, he discovered it was haunted by 2 live-in-spirits, George and Marian Kirby who used to reside there before they died. Of the 4 choices, most people would go with the talking horse.

On a skiing vacation in Europe, George and Marian Kirby ( Robert Sterling, Anne Jeffreys who were married in real life ) were trapped in an avalanche along with their would be rescuer, a st. bernard named Neil. All 3 of them died-only to return to the United States to haunt their former home, now occupied by banker Cosmo Topper ( Leo G. Carroll), who was the only one who could see or hear them. Topper was TV's first fantasy sitcom. Based on 2 successful stories by novelist Thorne Smith-Topper and Topper Returns from the early 1930's-the TV series also had its roots in 3 Topper movies ( also in the '30's), the first of which starred Cary Grant, Constance Bennett, and Roland Young ( as Topper in all 3), produced by Hal Roach Sr.

In 1953 Topper took to the tube, with his wacked out wife, Henrietta (Lee Patrick) and comical ghosts who used to sit on top of picture frames. George and Marian developed quite an affection for the very propper Mr. Topper, but felt that he needed to be a little less stuffy. They did everything in their powers and those powers were considerable, to help Cosmo loosen up. Between their antics and the wanderings of the ghostly Neil who had a penchant for oversized, brim-ful brandy sniffers, life in the Topper household was kept very chaotic.Stuffy Topper was a terrific target for their schemes. He was a silly, but likeable middle-aged man who was vice-president of the National Security Bank in New York.

The reviews were not terrific ( the New York Times called Leo G. Carroll's performance of Topper "in questionable taste" because he seemed to imitate the voice of Roland Young, the movie Topper who had recently died) but that didn't seem to matter to its fans. Especially beloved was Neil, the alcholic st. bernard. Weighing in at 165 ponds, he was billed by the show's producers as the grandson of the canine who Co-Starred with Clark Gable in the 1935 film classic, Call Of The Wild. Whatever his theatrical roots, he rehearsed each scene 3 or 4 times and seemed to enjoy wearing an ice bag on his head for those weekly hangovers.

This half hour series ( which made effective use of trick photography my making the ghosts appear transparant in scenes in which Topper was present with other mortals), was canceled by CBS in 1955 after a 2 year run. It then showed up in reruns for a full season on ABC and a summer on NBC. The one member of the TV cast that had not appeared in Mr. Smith's novels or the movies was Neil. In the original Smith story, the Kirby's had died in an automobile accident, not while skiing. Since no dog died with them, their was no dog to haunt with them.

Here is Robert Sterling's Obituary

Robert Sterling, 88, of 'Topper,' Is Dead
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 1, 2006

LOS ANGELES, May 31 (AP) — Robert Sterling, the handsome star of 1940's movies who appeared with his wife Anne Jeffreys in the television series "Topper," died on Tuesday at his home here. He was 88.

He died of natural causes after a decade-long battle with shingles, said his son Jeffrey Sterling.

Although he appeared in dozens of movies, Robert Sterling was best known for the 1953-1956 television series "Topper," based on a novel by Thorne Smith and on the 1937 film starring Cary Grant and Constance Bennett.

Mr. Sterling and Ms. Jeffreys played George and Marion Kerby, a fun-loving couple killed in an accident who return as ghosts to haunt the new occupant of their home, a sober banker named Cosmo Topper, played by Leo G. Carroll.

Mr. Sterling was born William Hart in November 13, 1917, in New Castle, Pa. He attended college in Pennsylvania and worked as a clothing salesman before breaking into movies.

He proved a versatile player, especially in romantic roles, and appeared in five films in 1941, including the romantic comedy "Two-Faced Woman" with Greta Garbo and "The Penalty" with Lionel Barrymore.

After "Topper," Mr. Sterling became a businessman and worked in the early stages of computers.

He was married to the actress Ann Sothern from 1943 to 1949, and they had a daughter, the actress Tisha Sterling, who survives him, along with Ms. Jeffreys, his wife since 1951; their three sons, Jeffrey, Dana and Tyler; and six grandchildren.

For a Page dedicated to Topper go to http://www.squidoo.com/topper-tv-series

For an episode list go to http://epguides.com/Topper/

For an episode guide go to http://ctva.biz/US/Comedy/Topper.htm

For a Page dedicated to Leo G. Carroll go to http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Club/7980/carroll.html

For a Page dedicated to Robert Sterling go to http://www.tvparty.com/50topper.html

For the Official Anne Jeffries Website go to http://www.annejeffreys.com/index.htm

For more on Topper go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topper_(TV_series)

For two great reviews of Topper go to www.televisionheaven.co.uk/topper.htm and http://memorylab.deanlabs.com/TVDetails.aspx?ID=1131