Seven Keys to Baldpate

Movie buffs will especially like this version of the famous novel by Earl Derr Biggers, who created CHARLIE CHAN. The novel was subsequently written into a play by George M Cohan.

The cast is extraordinary, sort of a who's WHO of noted character actors, replete with an old dark house setting. Handsome Gene Raymond plays a young up and coming writer called William Magee, who takes the bet of writing a compelling whodunit, and in a short period of time. That's the kicker. Accordingly, he settles down at the remote, boarded up (for the winter) Baldplate Inn, where there's lots of peace and quiet to finish his book. So he thinks.

It turns out the place is a hideaway for crooks, armed and dangerous, desperately searching for lots of hidden loot. The procession of bad guys, dropping in and out of the spooky hotel is hilarious, not to mention some witty dialogue and exchanges. Raymond is characteristically fun to watch, an addictive smile to match, amazed at his surprise guests, about as amazed as they are to bump into him! Plenty of atmosphere to go around, reminsicent of Biggers' Charlie Chan mystery novels. Best bets, lots of wind, creaky doors and eerie noises.

Co-starring two beautiful actresses, Margaret Callahan (as Mary), whose career unfortunately faded a few years later, and popular Erin O'Brien Moore as Myra. Eric Blore, best known for the Astaire/Rogers musicals, plays Professor Boulton. Henry Travers, always a delight to watch, plays quirky Lem. Additionally a young Walter Brennan plays the railroad station agent(!) and distinguished Grant Mitchell plays Mr. Hayden. Yet a few other familiar faces pop up in bits.

Interestingly, there are no notes as to why there were two directors assigned to the film; William Hamilton and Edward Killy, both who had many film credits.

Best watched late night, the later the better. A gem. The definitive dvd box set released by Warner Brothers 2012. Two dvd set, also featuring the 1929 (starring Richard Dix) and 1947 versions. Thanks always to TCM for running this oldie.

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.

There are several film versions of this George M. Cohan play based on a novel by Earl Derr Biggers, the writer of Charlie Chan novels. Of the many movie versions that I have seen, this is the best-balanced production.

I read part of the book, this play starts with much of the book portrayed as we see a lady (Margaret Callahan) crying in the waiting room and being discussed by a male passenger (Gene Raymond) and the station agent (Walter Brennan.)

The story is of a writer who picks Baldpate Inn, a quiet place, closed for the winter, as an ideal place for writing a quick novel. He is given the "only key" to the Inn. The film slowly unfolds and makes you wonder why you are watching. Soon it picks up the pace as we find "Seven Keys to Baldpate" and discover who has them both the characters and the familiar actors of the time. It takes time to get used to the cavalier attitude of the writer.

We may find an interesting twist in the end.

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.

Seven Keys to Baldpate (1935)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Author William Magee (Gene Raymond) shows up at the Baldpate Inn to write a novel in twenty-four hours. The crime writer has a bet to win but before long he finds himself in a real-life mystery as there are crooks, missing money and ghosts to worry about.

This George M. Cohan play was a huge hit on the stage and it led to screen versions in 1916, 1917, 1925 and the first sound version in 1929. RKO remade it yet another for this version, which goes for more laughs, although, to its credit, it does slightly play up the ghost factor, which was somewhat overlooked int he 1929 version.

If you're a fan of the play (or novel for that matter) then you should find this to be a slightly entertaining adaptation. The main focus are laughs as Raymond delivers a fine performance, which goes for the fast-talking and loud approach that so many films did during this era. You know, those films with the reporter who knows more than anyone else and is smarter than everyone else. On that level this is mildly charming but there's no question that a lot of jokes fall flat.

The film does offer up some mild entertainment thanks to the cast, which includes Henry Travers as a sexist hobo who is constantly putting down women and rooting for their deaths! I'm sure this sexist humor was quite funny in 1935 but I'm sure some will be shocked by it. It actually makes the film seem a bit more fresh today.