Daddy Topps (also known as Cera's Dad in later films, Topsy, as he is called by Tria and Mr. Threehorn as he is called by the other characters in the Great Valley is a character in the Land Before Time films and television series. Voiced by Burke Byrnes in the first film, the late John Ingle from the second film to the thirteenth film, and currently by George Ball, he is a Triceratops, and the father of main character Cera.
Name[]
He was credited as "Daddy Topps" in the first film and "Cera's Dad" in the first ten sequels. Most of his peers called him "Threehorn" or "Old Threehorn", while Grandpa and Grandma Longneck call him "my friend" "Mr. Threehorn" or "Old Mr. Threehorn". In the eleventh installment of the film series, , the new character Tria, an old sweetheart of his, called him "Topsy". Since then, many assume that Topsy is his real name, although there has been argument over whether it is really his name or merely a pet name given to him by Tria. Cera was visibly angered when Ducky called her father Topsy, but it is possible that Cera didn't know her dad's name, and disliked it because she had learned it from Tria, whom she was envious of for taking most of her father's attention from her.
Personality[]
Screenshot of Topps, reflecting his short temper.
His personality is unknown in the first film, but he is shown to be guilty of racism, or speciesism. He is seen growling at Littlefoot (whom he sees as a bad influence on Cera) and telling him that "Threehorns never play with Longnecks." He's often portrayed as pompous, self-righteous, and bigoted; the degree of his pride and perverse stubbornness is seen in
when he takes Cera straight into a wildfire rather than going with the other dinosaurs. He is shown to be very protective of his daughter, even to the point of calling Littlefoot a bad influence, which enrages Littlefoot's grandfather and also horrifying Littlefoot's grandmother and Littlefoot's friends. He is aware of his bad attitude, but in the first films at least, thinks nothing of it, saying that even if he is thought mean, he has a family to protect and he will do that by any means necessary. In a song from The Time of the Great Giving he says that he was inculcated with this attitude by his own father, who told him to "stand and fight, don't run away."
According to Tria, he was not always as angry as he currently is. Given how mellow he becomes in the embrace of his family, his anger and overall gruffness might stern from the pain of losing his whole family except Cera on his way to the Great Valley. While he is still as stern and lacking in understanding as ever, his prejudice and bad attitude have gradually lessened over time.
Topps also appears to be one of the most fearless characters in the series. He isn't afraid of Red Claw when they fight each other, and even when he is outnumbered against a few Belly Draggers, he takes them all out without receiving a single scratch. Topps also manages to get the drop on other Sharpteeth he goes up against despite the odds not being in his favor.
He has been shown to be part of the Great Valley's leadership, sharing power with Littlefoot's grandfather. Though Topps' and Littlefoot's family met early in the first film, it is assumed that he and Grandpa Longneck were formally introduced to each other after they were separated from their children in the great earthquake. This was shown in a flashback in The Stone of Cold Fire.
Family[]
There is also the question of where Topps' wife is, especially with the film , showing him happily courting Tria; Littlefoot is shown asking if she will be Cera's new mother. Topps' first wife (Cera's mother) is shown near at the beginning of
as are their other children. However, when he and Cera are reunited at the end of the film, his wife, and Cera's siblings, are gone. Given the fatalistic attitude of the first film (the narrator having stated that "Sharpteeth stalked the herds waiting to seize any who strayed") it is possible they died on the way to the Great Valley, or decided to follow Pterano away from the herds. However, the fact that Topps dives into his new relationship jubilantly and Cera takes no issue with this (merely the prospect of sharing her father's affections) suggests that the family parted on less grievous terms.
As seen by the presence of Topps' granddaughter and grandson, Dinah and Dana, in
, implying that Cera may have an older sister/brother. That means one of Topps' children is Dinah and Dana's mother and the son-in-law (Cera's brother-in-law) is their father or vice versa. After Invasion of the Tinysauruses, Topps and Tria have another daughter, Tricia.
Trivia[]
- Topsy is the name of a circus elephant who lived from 1875 to 1/4/1903 (Aged 28).
- In the movie We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, Woog's natural prehistoric state is closely based on Topps' appearance.
- In the first ten movies, Topsy did not have a proper name (except for "Cera's Dad" and "Daddy Topps") until in The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses where Tria called him "Topsy".
- The fourth Land Before Time movie is the only one where Topps doesn't have a speaking role, and is merely seen as a cameo. He can be seen receiving Ali's herd and is also seen sleeping when the kids sneak out of the Great Valley to find the Night Flowers.
- During the ending of the original film, Topps is colored much brighter than the usual dark gray/black he normally is.
- Because of this, he looks like a completely different character, but it is most certainly Topps.
- In
, his entire head is also colored brighter throughout the movie.
- He will sometimes kick his legs in his sleep.
- He is somewhat similar to Marlin from Finding Nemo, in that his wife and kids are presumably dead and he was left with one child left, of whom he was very overprotective.
