query: screenwriter topper takes a trip
supports: Topper Returns (1941) is the third and final entry in the initial series of supernatural comedy films inspired by the novels of Thorne Smith. It followed "Topper" (1937) and "Topper Takes a Trip" (1938). James Thorne Smith, Jr. (March 27, 1892  June 21, 1934) was an American writer of humorous supernatural fantasy fiction under the byline Thorne Smith. He is best known today for the two "Topper" novels, comic fantasy fiction involving sex, much drinking and supernatural transformations. With racy illustrations, these sold millions of copies in the 1930s and were equally popular in paperbacks of the 1950s. Merrily We Live is a 1938 comedy film directed by Norman Z. McLeod, starring Constance Bennett and Brian Aherne and featuring Ann Dvorak, Bonita Granville, Billie Burke, Tom Brown, Alan Mowbray, Clarence Kolb and Patsy Kelly. The film was produced by Hal Roach for Hal Roach Studios, and was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay is by Eddie Moran and Jack Jevne. Mary William Ethelbert Appleton "Billie" Burke (August 7, 1884  May 14, 1970) was an American actress, famous on Broadway and in early silent film, best known to modern audiences as Glinda the Good Witch of the North in the movie musical "The Wizard of Oz". She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1938 for her performance as Emily Kilbourne in "Merrily We Live" and is also remembered for her appearances in the "Topper" series. Billie Burke was the wife of Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr., of Ziegfeld Follies fame, from 1914 until his death in 1932. Her voice was unique in intonation, which she accentuated in her later character roles as dim-witted, spoiled society types. Topper Takes a Trip is a 1938 film sequel of Topper ( 1937 ) Constance Bennett , Roland Young , Billie Burke and Alan Mowbray reprised their roles from the earlier movie ; only Cary Grant was missing ( other than in a few shots taken from Topper ) . A ghost tries to reunite a couple who she had a hand in splitting up in the prior film . It was followed by another sequel , Topper Returns ( 1941 ) . Constance Campbell Bennett (October 22, 1904  July 24, 1965) was an American stage, film, radio and television actress what was a major Hollywood star during the 1920s and 1930s. For a time during the early 1930s, she was the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, and one of the most popular. Bennett frequently played society women, focusing on melodramas in the early 1930s and then taking more comedic roles in the late 1930s and 1940s. She is best known today for her leading roles in "Topper" (1937), in which she co-starred with Cary Grant; its sequel "Topper Takes a Trip" (1938); and "What Price Hollywood?" (1932), its subsequent remakes for the 1937 film "A Star is Born". Bennett also had a prominent supporting role in Greta Garbo's last film, "Two-Faced Woman" (1941). What Price Hollywood? is a 1932 American Pre-Code drama film directed by George Cukor and starring Constance Bennett with Lowell Sherman. The screenplay by Gene Fowler, Rowland Brown, Ben Markson, and Jane Murfin is based on a story by Adela Rogers St. Johns and Louis Stevens.
candidates: ann dvorak gene fowler jane murfin rowland brown thorne smith
answer: thorne smith