Description

TOPPER - THE FILM. Original Set of Thirty-Six Drawings from the Hal Roach Studio for the ‘Topper Car’ Custom-Created for the Film . c.1937. Original set of thirty-six drawings from the Hal Roach Studio for the ‘Topper Car’ which was custom-created for the classic screwball comedy film ‘Topper’ starring Cary Grant, Constance Bennett, Roland Young, Billie Burke, and Alan Mowbray. The drawings are on vellum sheets ranging in size from 13 3/4” x 8 1/4” to 13 3/4” x 16 1/2” and show aspects and lines of the car with various perspectives and details. With occasional notations, including one presumably in the hand of Tony Gerrity, one of the designers at Bohman & Schwartz which reads: “Walt - am going to look at Barker’s trucks this afternoon - be back around 3:30. Tony.” Includes an original illustrated brochure for the Cord automobile which was the initial inspiration for the car used in the film, but after researching the matter determined that it wasn’t large enough to accommodate camera equipment and stunt drivers. With the original brown envelope (15” x 10 1/4”) which has “F. 17 - Topper, Automobile Sketches” written at the top right corner. The Cord brochure is in fine condition in printed wrappers and all of the drawings are in uniformly near fine only slightly used condition with creases from folding and occasional unobtrusive holes from removed staples. ‘Topper’ tells the delightful story of a fun-loving adventuresome couple George and Marion Kerby (Cary Grant and Constance Bennett) who are killed in an automobile accident. They return as ghosts and set about lightening up the rather conventional life of their friend, bank president Cosmo Topper (Roland Young), much to the consternation of his wife Clara (Billie Burke). The ‘Topper Car’ driven by the Kerbys was custom built by the Bohman & Schwartz Co. using a 1936 Buick Roadmaster chassis.