Topper

A recently deceased, fun-loving couple, George and Marion Kerby, are unhappy that their afterlife is spent as ghosts haunting their old mansion. They are further displeased when the house is sold to the stuffy and uptight Mr. Schuyler. The Kerbys decide to cause trouble for Schuyler, hoping to drive him away and reclaim their home.

Topper (1979) was a television film adaptation of the classic Thorne Smith novel, aiming to capture the whimsical spirit of its predecessors. While it attempted to bring the beloved spectral characters to a new generation, it received a generally lukewarm reception from critics, who often found it to be a pale imitation of the original films and less sophisticated in its humor. Audience reception was mixed, with some enjoying the lighthearted premise and others finding it lacking the charm of earlier adaptations.

• Attempts to recapture the magic of the original Topper films but falls short.
• The humor is often dated and less effective than in previous iterations.
• A light, family-friendly fantasy that lacks significant depth or memorable moments.

Google audience: Audience reviews for the 1979 'Topper' television film are scarce, but existing commentary suggests it's viewed as a less engaging version of the classic ghost story, often overshadowed by its more famous cinematic predecessors.

This television film was an attempt to revive the 'Topper' franchise, which had previously spawned several successful films and a popular television series in the 1950s.