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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Seven Keys to Baldpate remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old movies where people talk like they are trying to shout over a jet engine, you’ll probably have a good time with this. It is a loud, busy little mystery that doesn't care much about making sense.
Modern audiences who need things to be "realistic" or quiet will absolutely hate this. It's basically a recorded stage play from 1929, complete with all the clunky acting that comes with it.
I put this on because I wanted to see how Richard Dix handled the jump to sound. He’s doing a lot. A lot.
The whole premise is that Magee, this writer guy, needs silence to win a bet. He wants to write a whole novel in one night at the Baldpate Inn.
The caretaker tells him he has the only key in existence. Naturally, within ten minutes, about five different people have let themselves in with their own keys.
It’s a funny setup, but the movie plays it weirdly straight for the first half. The wind noise outside is so loud it sounds like the world is ending. 💨
It’s clearly just a sound effect guy rubbing things together near a microphone. It’s charming in a very "we don't know what we're doing with sound yet" kind of way.
Richard Dix has this very specific way of typing on his typewriter. He hits the keys like he’s trying to kill them. ⌨️
He doesn't actually seem to be writing anything, mostly just waiting for the next person to burst through the door and interrupt him. Which they do. Constantly.
There is a lot of yelling about a safe and some bribe money. I think it was two hundred thousand dollars, which was a ton of money back then.
The plot gets really messy once the girl, Mary, shows up. Miriam Seegar is okay, but she spends most of her time looking confused by the plot, just like I was.
Compared to something like Midnight Lovers, this feels way more frantic and less polished. It’s got that raw, early-talkie energy where everyone is terrified to stop talking for even a second.
The camera doesn't move much. It just sits there in the lobby of the inn, watching people walk in and out of doors. 🚪
I noticed a moment where a guy almost trips over a rug in the background. They just kept it in. I love that stuff.
The pacing is actually pretty fast, which is weird for 1929. Usually these movies feel like they are moving through molasses, but this one keeps the bodies moving.
It reminded me a bit of the set design in The Winding Stair, where everything feels just a little bit too small for the actors. Like they are going to knock over a wall if they sneeze.
The "hermit" character is the best part. He’s got this wild hair and a beard that looks like it’s made of old wool. He just shows up to be weird and then leaves.
I found myself wondering if anyone actually stays at this hotel when it’s open. It seems like a terrible place to get any rest even without the criminals.
There is a scene where they all stand in a circle and point guns at each other. It goes on for a long time. 🔫
It’s almost like the director forgot to tell them to move. They just freeze there while someone explains the plot for three minutes.
If you’ve seen Born to Battle, you know Dix can do the tough guy thing, but here he’s more of a smug intellectual. It’s a bit of a stretch for him, but he’s likable enough.
I did notice the film quality is pretty rough in the version I saw. Lots of vertical lines and pops. It actually helped the atmosphere, honestly.
The ending is... well, it’s a bit of a slap in the face. It’s a classic "gotcha" that people either love or think is a total waste of time.
I’m in the middle. It makes the previous hour feel a bit pointless, but it fits the goofy tone of the rest of the movie.
I think I liked it more than Heart to Heart, mostly because people actually do things in this one. Even if what they are doing is just running around a lobby.
It’s definitely more interesting than Home Talent, which I could barely finish. At least Baldpate has a snowy vibe.
One thing that bugged me was the lighting. Sometimes a character would walk into a corner and just disappear into total darkness.
I guess they didn't have the budget for more than three lights that day. Or maybe the light guy was also the sound guy and got distracted by his wind machine.
There is also this guy with a massive mustache who looks like he's in a different movie. He’s very serious while everyone else is being a bit silly.
It's not a masterpiece by any means. But as a piece of history, it’s pretty fascinating to watch.
It’s much better than Baby Blues, which felt like it lasted for six years. This one is over in about 70 minutes.
Anyway, if you want a mystery that feels like a chaotic dinner party, give it a shot. Just don't expect to be genuinely scared or surprised.
It's just a bunch of guys in suits and one very tired writer. ❄️
I still think there were only six keys, despite the title. I might have to go back and count again, but I probably won't.
IMDb 6.3
1926
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