Seven Keys to Baldpate (1929)

Director:

Reginald Barker

Writers:

Earl Derr Biggers (novel)
George M. Cohan (play)

Release Date:

25 December 1929 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

A writer, looking for some peace and quiet in order to finish a novel, takes a room at the Baldpate Inn. Peace and quiet are last things he gets, though, as there are some very strange things going on at the establishment.

Plot Keywords:

Wager | Number 7 In Title | Deserted House | Conspiracy | Snowstorm

Cast

Richard Dix	...	William Halliwell Magee
Miriam Seegar	...	Mary Norton
Margaret Livingston	...	Myra Thornhill
Lucien Littlefield	...	Thomas Hayden
Joseph Allen Sr.	...	Peters, the Hermit (as Joseph Allen)
DeWitt Jennings	...	Mayor Jim Cargan
Nella Walker	...	Mrs. Irene Rhodes
Carleton Macy	...	Police Chief Kennedy
Alan Roscoe	...	Bland
Crauford Kent	...	Hal Bentley (as Craufurd Kent)
Harvey Clark	...	Elijah Quimby
Edith Yorke	...	Mrs. Quimby
Joe Herbert	...	Max (as Joseph Herbert)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Arthur Hoyt	...	Professor Boyle (scenes deleted)

Runtime:

72 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

George M. Cohan's play opened on Broadway in New York at the Astor Theater on September 22nd, 1913 and ran for 320 performances.

Movie Connections:

Version of Seven Keys to Baldpate (1917)

Stilted, but interesting early talkie

The story Seven Keys to Baldplate is truly one for the spectators of the first half of the 20th century. It was originally an Earl Derr Biggers novel (author of Charlie Chan) and then a popular stage play in the teens. It was filmed 6 times between 1917 and 1947. None of the available versions are particularly interesting today.

The 1917 George M. Cohan film (one of his few starring roles in a film) was solid and gave a better overview of the story of the book. This 1929 Richard Dix version is like many early talkies, basically a filmed stage play. What is best about this one is that there is a germanic influence on the lighting and sets. There are some wonderful shots of Dix, when he arrives at the Inn, sitting in the dark next to the moody light of the fireplace. The story is never enthralling enough and we really feel like we are watching a stage play. It is interesting to look at it from that aspect, however.

Ultimately a curio, this 1929 film is worth watching if you are in the mood for an early talkie. The 1935 version is actually not as good as it is too light and whimsical and truly disappoints as it was made in the heyday of horror and mystery films.