Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

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".

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!

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!!!

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.