Seven Keys to Baldpate (1929 film)
| Seven Keys to Baldpate | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster for film | |
| Directed by | Reginald Barker |
| Produced by | Louis Sarecky |
| Written by | Jane Murfin |
| Based on |
play by George M. Cohan adapted from novel by Earl Derr Biggers |
| Starring | Richard Dix |
| Cinematography | Edward Cronjager |
| Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 72 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $251,000[2] |
| Box office | $517,000[2] |
Seven Keys to Baldpate is a 1930 sound film produced and distributed through RKO Pictures. It was the first sound film of the Earl Derr Biggers novel/ George M. Cohan play Seven Keys to Baldpate.[3][4] While the film had a premiere on Christmas Day, 1929, its official release was not until the following month.[5]
Cast
- 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
- Alan Roscoe - Bland
- Crauford Kent - Hal Bentley
- Harvey Clark - Elijah Quimby
- Edith Yorke - Mrs. Quimby
Reception
In The New York Times, Mordaunt Hall wrote "...it is far more effective than it was as Douglas MacLean's silent picture of three years ago. It is one of those fanciful flights that compels one to withhold criticism until the dénouement. In fact, it is an adventure which virtually defies derogatory comments...those who did not see the play will find this audible film quite exciting, with a fair fund of merriment."[6] while more recently, critic Leonard Maltin gave the film three out of four stars, noting, "Early talkie moves briskly through its serpentine plot; Dix was never more buoyant."[7]
The film made a profit of $100,000.[2] The play was filmed several times by RKO.[8]
References
- ↑ "Seven Keys to Baldpate: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
- 1 2 3 Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931-1951', Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p56
- ↑ "Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List". www.silentera.com.
- ↑ League, The Broadway. "Seven Keys to Baldpate – Broadway Show – Play - IBDB". ibdb.com.
- ↑ Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 24. ISBN 0-517-546566.
- ↑ "THE SCREEN; The Haunted House". www.nytimes.com.
- ↑ "Seven Keys to Baldpate (1930) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
- ↑ "Seven Keys to Baldpate (1935) - Willaim Hamilton, Edward Killy - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.