SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE (1929) Richard Dix & Miriam Seegar | Mystery | B&W | Classic Film

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Seven Keys to Baldpate is a 1929 American pre-Code sound film produced and distributed through RKO Pictures. It was the first sound film based on the 1913 Earl Derr Biggers novel/ George M. Cohan play Seven Keys to Baldpate, following three different silent film versions (1916, 1917 and 1925).The film had its premiere on Christmas Day, 1929 in New York City, and its official release was the following month.

Synopsis:

Novelist William Magee bets he can write a 10,000-word story in 24 hours at the isolated Baldpate Inn. Upon arrival, he finds multiple people—each claiming to have the only key—embroiled in a plot involving political graft, stolen money, and a supposed murder. As events spiral into a classic melodrama, Magee realizes it mirrors the type of fiction he writes. In the end, the chaos is revealed as an elaborate ruse staged by his friend Hal to prove how unrealistic melodramas are. Despite the deception, Magee completes his story and wins both the bet and the love of Mary Norton.

Cast & Crew:

Richard Dix – William Halliwell Magee
Miriam Seegar – Mary Norton
Margaret Livingston – Myra Thornhill
Lucien Littlefield – Thomas Hayden
Joseph Allen Sr. – Peters, the Hermit
DeWitt Jennings – Mayor Jim Cargan
Nella Walker – Mrs. Irene Rhodes
Carleton Macy – Police Chief Kennedy (reprising his role from the 1917 silent film)
Alan Roscoe – Bland
Crauford Kent – Hal Bentley (reprising his role from the 1925 silent film)
Harvey Clark – Elijah Quimby
Edith Yorke – Mrs. Quimby (reprising her role from the 1925 silent film)

Directed by: Reginald Barker
Written by: Jane Murfin
Based on: Seven Keys to Baldpate (1913 novel) by Earl Derr Biggers and play by George M. Cohan
Produced by: Louis Sarecky
Cinematography: Edward Cronjager
Distributed by: RKO Pictures
Release Dates:
December 25, 1929 (New York City)
January 12, 1930 (United States)
Running Time: 72 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Budget: $251,000
Box Office: $517,000