Seven Keys to Baldpate

One of Earl Derr Biggers' most popular novels (which had been turned into a play by George M. Cohan), "Seven Keys to Baldpate" was adapted for the screen no less than six times; this was the fifth time. And although the movie admittedly can't reach the REALLY high class of the famous 1917 version, where Cohan himself played the leading role, and after more than 20 years the story may already seem a little bit worn-out and much-used, it's nonetheless hilariously lively, funny and at the same time pretty suspenseful, with a neat cast (especially Gene Raymond as the fearless, wisecracking novelist) and an unusual, but really successfully balanced mix of - a gangster movie and a 'Dark Old House' mystery!

The story has been altered a bit, and the supporting characters get more space for all kinds of jokes (especially the women-hater, 'hermit' Henry Travers); and the gangsters' slang and tough guy attitude make a wonderfully strange contrast to the cool and clever ways of the young novelist - and of course, to the classic settings with secret panels, candle-light and groaning staircases...

With a running time of just a little more than an hour, this movie nicely keeps a good pace and leaves no room for boredom; great entertainment for lovers of the genre!

In the second sound version of George M. Cohan's play based on the Earl Derr Biggers novel, Gene Raymond is the novelist come to a closed hotel. He has bet a friend he can write a novel in 24 hours, and has been offered the site, free from distraction, because he has the only key. As the title tells you, there are six others, and a variety of beautiful, wacky and threatening characters keep him amusedly distracted from his typewriter.

There are, fittingly, a total of seven big-screen version of this story, although a couple seem missing in action. I don't think this is the earliest source novel in the Old Dark House genre. I believe it arose as a burlesque of the Gothic Romance. However, it seems to have seniority in the movies. The supporting cast, includes Moroni Olsen, Margaret Callahan, Erin O'Brien-Moore, Eric Blore, Grant Mitchell, Walter Brennan, and Henry Travers as a woman-hating hermit and part-time ghost.

Baldpate Inn is closed for the season when mystery writer Gene Raymond arrives on a cold, windy night. He's looking for a lonely place to write a novel but quickly discovers that the dark hotel is anything but deserted. Over the course of a madcap evening, he encounters a steady stream of crooks and eccentrics.

Gene Raymond is dashing and funny as the writer who seems delighted with each new character who sneaks into the inn. When a gangster threatens him with a gun and a snarl, Raymond just laughs - "I've written this sort of thing a hundred times," he says, to the gangster's confusion.

The series of visitors includes, among others, Henry Travers as the neighborhood crank who masquerades as a ghost to scare people off; Eric Blore as a mysterious gentleman who may be a professor looking for a quiet place to read exams; and Margaret Callahan as the beautiful young woman who won't tell Raymond why she's there but stops him when he tries to phone the police.

The plot involves a stolen treasure, some crooks who are after it, and an insurance claim. It's not always clear who's who, and hardly matters, really. There are a few surprises, the dialog is good, and there's a bit of romance thrown in as well. It's not highbrow but this one is a lot of fun.

This average, comedy of errors and irony about a mysterious object in a locked inn and the people who have keys to the inn was reference from a CBS News story about origins of the name Baldpate, an inn located in Estes Park, Colorado that took its name after the original novel that one of several movies including the 1935 version came from. The movie typical for its dashing, handsome hero along with two mysterious, gorgeous women, and a number of male strangers are introduced making this movie into a comical mystery thriller. With a stodgy acting style typical of the era, a relatively decent plotline, the movie moves along an acceptable pace and typical script and plot devices. Entertaining, if somewhat brainless, and appropriately predictable, this movie is worth taking a look, if you're bored, any nothing to do and you want to veg out on oldie goldies.

I had seen this movie several years ago and recall not liking it much but thought I would give it another try as I do like Gene Raymond and 1930s mysteries. Writer Bill Magee (Raymond) is on his way to the closed-for-the-season Baldpate Inn. Supposedly, there is only one key to the inn and Magee has it. Magee has to write a novel in 24 hours and requires the peace and quiet that a closed inn will give him (he should be so lucky). As is repeated often "there is only one key to the inn and I have it." The "I" is Magee and six other people. The movie drags at first but does pick up towards the end. Gene Raymond does a nice job and the there is a strong supporting cast (with the exception of the bland Margaret Callahan). My two favorites were Walther Brennan as the Station Agent (one could close one's eyes and still know it was Walter Brennan speaking as his voice was so distinctive) and Henry Travers as the Hermit. I thank the other reviewers for adding the fascinating information about the play and Cohan. I liked this movie better at the second watching but it sure isn't going make my "top 1,000 favorite movies" list.