Topper - Volume 1 (DVD)

Following the success of the Topper movies, the well-loved characters created by Thorne Smith were brought to life on the small screen from 1953-1956. When the ghosts of George and Marion Kerby return to their home after dying in a skiing accident, they discover the house is now occupied by uptight banker Cosmo Topper and his wife. Visible only to Cosmo, the Kerbys cause unending trouble in their attempts to teach him to enjoy life. One of the show's young screenwriters, Stephen Sondheim, would go on to greater fame as lyricist for such major musicals as "West Side Story." Several episodes contain the original commercials.

Episode 1: Afraid that George and Marion will spoil his vacation, Topper makes the ghosts promise not to follow them. As Cosmo and Henrietta settle into their suite, maniacal laughter haunts the couple, forcing Cosmo to call on the Kerbys to chase away the evil spirits.

Episode 2: During a trip to Las Vegas, a casino detective mistakes Topper for a notorious card cheat and sets out to catch him in the act. When the Kerbys offer a little "help" at the tables, the investigator's suspicions appear to come true.

Episode 3: Topper's goddaughter falls in love with a movie star and asks Cosmo to host a dinner for the pair. When George finds out the young woman is an old girlfriend, he sets out to ruin the dinner and break up the couple.

Episode 4: Henrietta decides the house is too big and sells it to a family without asking Cosmo. Outraged, George and Marion try to chase away the new tenants.

• television