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Seven Keys to Baldpate
(1925) United States of America
B&W : Seven reels / 6648 feet
Directed by Fred Newmeyer
Cast: Douglas MacLean [William Halowell Magee], Edith Roberts [Mary Norton], Anders Randolf [J.K. Norton], Crauford Kent [Bentley], Ned Sparks [Bland], William Orlamond [the hermit], Wade Boteler [Cargan], Edwin Sturgis [Lou Max], Betty Francisco [Myra Thornhill], Maym Kelso [Mrs. Rhodes], Fred Kelsey [the sheriff], John P. Lockney [Quimby], Edithe Yorke [Mrs. Quimby]
Famous Players-Lasky Corporation production; distributed by Paramount Pictures Corporation. / Scenario by Frank Griffin and Wade Boteler, from the play adaptation Seven Keys to Baldpate by George M. Cohan of the novel Seven Keys to Baldpate by Earl Derr Biggers. Cinematography by Jack MacKenzie. / © 26 October 1925 by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation [LP21947]. Premiered 11 October 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio. Released 19 October 1925. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The novel was previously filmed at Seven Keys to Baldpate (1917). The novel was subsequently filmed as Seven Keys to Baldpate (1929).
Comedy: Mystery.
Reviews: [Film Daily, 8 November 1925, page 4] As a Whole . . . . . . SPIRITED COMEDY THAT DISTRIBUTES THRILLS AND LAUGHS IN GOOD STYLE AND FURNISHES A SURPRISE ENDING THAT IS NOVEL. / Star . . . . . . Pleasing and gets over his role in effective, light comedy fashion. May satisfy admirers. / Cast . . . . . . Edith Roberts a pretty heroine though she hasn’t a great deal to do. William Orlamonde an amusing character as the hermit. Crauford Kent, hero’s evil influence. Others Anders Randolf, Ned Sparks, Wade Boteler, Betty Francisco. / Type of Story . . . . . . Comedy; adapted from George M. Cohan’s play from the novel by Earl Derr Biggers. Comedy with mystery atmosphere and romantic angle and some lively twists in its development makes “Seven Keys to Baldpate” quite effective screen material. Douglas MacLean’s heroing and Fred Newmeyer’s direction completes the combination and the result is an entertaining effort that will thoroughly amuse the average audience. It contains a good plot and enough variation in its situations to appeal to all — comedy for those who like to laugh, mystery for the crowd that likes to wonder and action for those who like a bit of excitement. And the surprise ending brings it to a happy conclusion. A foreword asks the audience not to disclose the ending. / Story: Magee, an author, in order to fulfill a contract and win his publisher’s daughter, must have a story written in twenty-four hours. His rival for the girl’s hand offers him his unoccupied country hotel where he can write in solitude. Crooks start a raid on the house to find a hidden hoard and hero’s twenty-four hours are packed with interruptions, hold-ups, thrills, scares and what not until the time is up and you prepare to see hero lose out. Instead they fade back to his arrival at the hotel and you find that the subsequent action was what hero was writing in his story. He wins the girl. / Box Office Angle . . . . . . Good comedy entertainment that should go well at the box office. / Exploitation . . . . . . Lot of good stunt angles in connection with keys can be worked to get this one over. Distribute “lucky keys” to your clientele. Promise your folks an amusing comedy with Douglas MacLean. It is good clean, wholesome fare, suitable for all the family.
Survival status: The film is presumed lost.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 6 December 2023.
References: AFI-F1 n. F1.3940; FilmYearBook-1926 pp. 53, 61; Steinbrunner-Encyclopedia p. 27; Sweeney-Coming p. 83 : FilmDaily-19251108 p. 4 : Website-AFI; Website-ASFFDb.
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