Movie Review: Seven Keys to Baldpate (1935)

Synopsis: Writer William Magee, attempting to win a bet he can write a book in just 24 hours, rents a room at Baldpate Inn, where he believes he will be alone because it is the off season, and the groundskeeper gave him "the only key." Soon after, however, a gangster enters the inn and places an envelope in the safe. Soon after, a woman claiming to be an actress in hiding and several other guests, also carrying keys, show up. All of them seem to be interested in the locked-up envelope.

Who's in it? The movie stars Gene Raymond, Margaret Callahan, Eric Blore, Grant Mitchell and Walter Brennan.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay

Review: I've heard of Seven Keys to Baldpate, or at least the book and play that inspired several movies just like it, but never took the time to watch any of them. However, I came across this version a few days ago and decided to add it to my library. I finally watched it last night and this morning and it turned out to be a good choice.

At first, I wasn't too sure I'd like Magee (Raymond). He is just one of those characters that is a bit too cheerful, especially during situations that would normally be considered dramatic, and I was afraid I'd have a hard time taking him seriously. However, as the movie progressed, he seemed to fit in perfectly, as though he was realizing the absurd nature of everything that was happening. In fact, for a while, I wondered if it was just Magee's imagination as he figured out the plot for his book.

In addition to the comedy, the movie also has a somewhat interesting mystery. Magee learns relatively early on the envelope contains $200,000 but it's unclear who the money belongs to and why everyone in the inn seems to know about it. The actress, Mary (Callahan), is one of the bigger wildcards. It was clear she wasn't telling her full story, which made things interesting when Magee became romantically interested in her. The professor (Blore) also fit in the wildcard role because he didn't seem to have any real purpose, though I was certain he was there for a reason.

Then there was the whole reason Magee was at the inn in the first place, his novel. As the movie progressed, and he didn't sit down in front of his typewriter, I wondered just how that part of the plot would end.

The end of the movie was a little hard to follow at times but proved to be entertaining, with everything - a possible murder, multiple double crosses, police involvement and even an engagement. It was a fitting ending to an enjoyable movie.

Final Opinion: I don't know how this version compares to the multiple others that were made before and after it but the overall storyline and some funny actors made it a fun movie to watch. I'd recommend it as a result.

My Grade: A