Seven Keys to Baldpate (1929) Online

Always enjoyed veteran actor Richard Dix and was very surprised to view this 1929 film, which tells the story about Dix leaving New York and going to a far away place in a very cold and lonely resort mansion. Dix accepted an offer of $5,000.00 if he could write a novel in this isolated place. He was given the only key and housekeepers were informed of his arrival and heated up the place for him. Dix sits at his typewriter and starts to work on his book which he has to complete in 24 hours in order to win the bet with his friend who owns the resort.

You will never be able to figure out just what happens and it is a real comedy as well as, a drama and a crime to be solved.

This 1929 movie is definitely a product of its time. There are fast- talking conmen, brilliantined inhabitants of Arrow collars, and tough molls talking out of the sides of their mouths. For me, though, it's one of the best of its type. There is some genuine suspense and if one hasn't seen any of the OTHER dozen or so versions, the plot will keep you on your toes.

The story is, by design, a little far-fetched and the reason for that, when we learn it, is hilarious. But the characters and their motives are refreshingly human and realistic. Who hasn't been inclined to take themselves a little too seriously? Who hasn't decided to administer a little pinprick to a friend's pomposity? None of the actors was particularly active during the silent era, and it shows. The acting is much more naturalistic than that of the typical recycled silent-movie actor of the time. These are real people with real neuroses, crushes, and vanities, and they sparkle with real mischief.

Don't miss this one, and don't be put off by the early date. It is a fast-paced, clever delight of a movie. Enjoy!

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.

As has been previously noted, SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE had a long history as novel, play and oft-filmed motion picture. The 1929 RKO production with Richard Dix is probably the closest you will find in replicating the stage perennial. Community theaters across the USA continue to insert BALDPATE into their season as it is a reliable crowd-pleaser. Dix is, well, Dix. He was seldom a good actor but he was always enthusiastic and energetic. Near the end of this picture he forgets he's doing a talkie and gestures beyond belief when describing the goings-on at Baldpate Inn. But we love him still. The rest of the cast is more than capable and, yes, the pacing is deliberate and stagy. BTW, for BALDPATE enthusiasts, be sure to check out the Lux Radio Theatre version of the play starring Jack Benny. In the meantime, next time this one comes around check it out. But remember, the movies had barely learned to talk so be forgiving...

1913 saw the release of the novel Seven Keys To Baldpate by Earl Der Biggers (a forgotten but very influential writer who also created Charlie Chan). That same year George M. Cohan adapted it for, and starred in, a hit stage version on Broadway. There were three silent movie versions in 1916 (from Australia), 1917 (the only one that still exists) and 1925. This is an early b/w talkie (hit) starring the very likable Richard Dix as a famous trash novelist who accepts a bet that he can't write a book in 24 hours while staying at the remote upstate New York Baldpate Inn (during a snowstorm). His work is interrupted by unexpected intruders of all kinds, all of whom believe they have the only existing key to the place. There's possible murder, mystery, intrigue and lots of droll comedy, and a double-twist ending. I enjoyed it quite abit. With Miriam Seegar, Margaret Livingston, DeWitt Jennings, Lucian Littlefield, Nella Walker, Alan Roscoe, Crauford Kent, Harvey Clark and Edith Yorke. Arthur Hoyt was cut out. To put this into context for horror historians, D.W. Griffith took the popular elements of Baldpate and made (the hit) ONE EXCITING NIGHT in 1922. This led to an Old Dark House revival that led to popular plays like The Cat And The Canary, The Bat and The Gorilla, which in turn led to classic movie adaptations that really ramped-up the horror elements, and a slew of imitations jostled for attention for years to come. James Whale's early parody was the brilliant THE OLD DARK HOUSE in 1932. Further Baldpate movies were in 1935, 1947 and 1982 (HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWS).

Movie reviews at: spinegrinderweb.com

Seven Keys to Baldpate (1929)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

William Magee (Richard Dix) makes a bet that he can write a novel in twenty-four hours but the deal is that he does it at the Baldpate Inn. He's given what he believes is the only key but before long others are showing up with keys to enter the creepy mansion.

George M. Cohan's play of the Earl Deer Biggers novel was one of the biggest hits of its time and it got turned into three silent film adaptations including one from 1917 where Cohan played the lead role. This 1929 film from RKO was the first sound adaptation and it's honestly not too bad, although I didn't find it nearly as entertaining as the 1917 version. With that said, the film is certainly worth watching if you're a fan of the material or Dix.

The best thing going for this version is the fact that there's a good cast here that manages to make some of the snappy dialogue work extremely well. There's one sequence where seven characters are gathered up in the frame discussing the money trail and the deliver was perfect and made for the highlight of the picture. Dix also manages to turn in a fun performance here as his comic timing is right on the mark and he certainly helps keep the film moving.

The biggest problem with this version of SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE is the fact that it just runs out of steam around the forty-minute mark and never picks back up. Director Regionald Barker doesn't add too much flair to the picture and it's another example of an early talkie that just doesn't have too much going for it style wise.

SEVEN KEYS had been a stage perennial since before WWI, and a couple of times a motion picture by the time of this release, it being the first of several talkie versions.

Semi-distinguished director Reginald Barker approached the prospect of filming it cinematically, using what is basically a story taking place in one set, the lobby of the Baldpate Inn. He deftly moves the camera set-ups from long shots, mid-shots, and different angles all in rapid succession, never lingering long enough to look like it's slowing down. In other words, the visuals match the fast pace of the dialogue. This alone is a distinct departure from most of the first year or so of Radio pictures, which often are uninspired, no-frills filmed plays.

The dramatic highlight comes as the whole horde of strangers, including the crooked Mayor and the Railway president and even the up-to-now innocent man (Dix) trying to do the right thing with a sense of humor, seize the sheriff after he tries to steal the money, pulling him over a desk and tearing into him, seen from above, like the death of Richard III in the 1955 Laurence Olivier classic. At that moment, it seems that all the civilization that existed in this small world has broken down. The story really couldn't go anywhere but the way it did, unless maybe to use an "It was all a dream" ending.

I do have a complaint though, in that it's revealed that it was in fact, all a sham, with everyone really being actors put up to trick our hero, it seems like a cheat, or an outright lie to show scenes completely out of our hero's sight and knowledge playing out "in character", including the Sheriff all confused down at police HQ, and cops investigating a murky basement of Baldpate, yet in the final summing up, we learn that such a basement referenced earlier never existed, it was only part of the ruse. Still an enjoyable film.

So it seems for author Richard Dix who believes falsely that he has the only key to the summer inn Baldpate (closed for the winter) where he has agreed to stay to try and write his latest opus within a 24 hour period. Within minutes of his arrival (and the abrupt departure of the scaredy cat caretakers), he discovers that indeed, there are more keys, with the arrival of a gun-toting criminal, a female journalist and her mother, a sexpot pretending to be the wife of somebody she's never even met, a woman-hating hobo and various other eccentrics. The wind of the winter is hitting the shutters even as Dix arrives, giving the perfect atmosphere to this enjoyable version of the often filmed George Cohen play which mixes chills and comedy to the audience's delight. Don't let this early talkie's age scare you away from watching it as the creakiness of the early stagy filming truly works, making this much better than you would believe. Every character who shows up at the door has their own eccentricities and their own agenda, which adds to the tension and to the laughter as the plot expands to its riotous conclusion. This truly is a lot of fun, featuring a cast of mostly unknown or forgotten character actors who slightly underplay the melodrama to make it quite different than the dozens of other "old dark houses" which were overly abundant during the golden age of the cinema and mostly quite forgettable. You won't soon forget the opening shot of Baldpate as Dix arrives, and the conclusion will definitely seem to be an inspiration for Ira Levin's modern comedy thriller "Deathtrap".

Many of the early "Talkies" were very, very stilted and looked like stage productions. Typically, they had little action and people talked way too much--trying to show off the latest innovation (sound). As a result, most of the early Talkies were actually pretty poor films and tough to watch today. This film is a wonderful example of an early lousy Talkie. Richard Dix is the only one in the film with any energy in his delivery. Otherwise, they all sound like they are in a High School play--delivering stilted dialog in a very stilted manner. And instead of acting to show the plot progressing, the actors just talked and talked and talked!! Because of this I was bored stiff and really had to force myself to keep watching. Additionally, it was really hard to enjoy the film because the plot, up until the excellent ending, was terrible--something that some chimps might be able to replicate or even surpass had they been allowed to write the movie!!!