Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

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

The often filmed George M. Cohan play (adapted from a novel) is given a new, fresh look in the second of three sound versions, even more fast moving and thrilling than the above average 1929 version. Gene Raymond takes on the role of a novelist with writers block who finds that the supposed one key to his hideaway can't block a group of wacky intruders. He finds art really does imitate life, finding enough thrills in a 24 hour period to last him a lifetime.A spooky hotel, closed for the windy winter, is an instant hit for a great setting, with tree branches hitting on the windows, a ghostly woman in white gliding through the snow, sliding panels, black cats and enough old dark house atmosphere to provide more than enough chills and thrills. All it is missing is a dour looking housekeeper or sinister old lady, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other crazy characters abound. The lovable Henry Travers ("Mrs. Miniver", "The Bells of St. Mary's") is unforgettable as a woman hating hermit who likes pretending he's a ghost, and Eric Blore adds his usual endearing eccentricity to the role of a supposed professor. Dumb gangsters filled with a ton of malapropisms give the story a real Damon Runyeon feel, while Margaret Callahan is a very charming leading lady. Toss in Erin O'Brien-Moore as a dark femme fatal and in an unforgettable cameo, future Supporting Actor Oscar King Walter Brennan as a babbity train station master.It is the set, photography and chilly atmosphere that provides the greatest praise, mixing comedy, romance and melodrama at a break-neck pace. Even the roles of the local law enforcement in the final moments of the film keeps the interest at a peak, and Travers is given a great exit line. Remakes of the golden age of filmmaking were many, but certain ones rise about their lack of originality with creative design and know-how. This "Seven Keys" gets two thumbs up and for an 80 year old revisal of a much filmed theme feels like it might be worthy of repeat viewings.

One of Earl Derr Biggers' most popular novels (which had been turned into a play by George M. Cohan), "Seven Keys to Baldpate" was adapted for the screen no less than six times; this was the fifth time. And although the movie admittedly can't reach the REALLY high class of the famous 1917 version, where Cohan himself played the leading role, and after more than 20 years the story may already seem a little bit worn-out and much-used, it's nonetheless hilariously lively, funny and at the same time pretty suspenseful, with a neat cast (especially Gene Raymond as the fearless, wisecracking novelist) and an unusual, but really successfully balanced mix of - a gangster movie and a 'Dark Old House' mystery! The story has been altered a bit, and the supporting characters get more space for all kinds of jokes (especially the women-hater, 'hermit' Henry Travers); and the gangsters' slang and tough guy attitude make a wonderfully strange contrast to the cool and clever ways of the young novelist - and of course, to the classic settings with secret panels, candle-light and groaning staircases...With a running time of just a little more than an hour, this movie nicely keeps a good pace and leaves no room for boredom; great entertainment for lovers of the genre!

This oft filmed drawing room mystery gets perhaps its worst treatment with a bad cast to go along with its insipid storyline. Basically a summer stock frolic with hints of Feydeau it boasts two directors, both clueless as they clumsily flub anything salvageable in what is slim pickings to begin with.A writer (Gene Raymond) seeking solitude to practice his craft feels he may have found a perfect spot to concentrate at the deserted Baldpate Inn. He gets more than he bargained for though when some shady characters begin to show up creating dismal havoc.Raymond leads a cast of lifeless dullards through the motions in this Chan like mystery (same author) sorely in need of the charm and wit of Charlie. It is lacking in both mystery and suspense and Raymond and company come across abrasive and flat as they interrupt and out shout each other. Totally bereft of drama and wit Seven Keys to Baldpate is a flawless mess, it misses in every department.

There are several film versions of this George M. Cohan play based on a novel by Earl Derr Biggers the writer of Charlie Chan novels.I only read part of the book but this play starts out with much of the book thrown in. as we see a lady (Margaret Callahan) crying in the waiting room and being discussed by a male passenger (Gene Raymond) and the station agent (Walter Brennan.) The story is of a writer who picks Baldpate Inn, a quiet place, closed for the winter, as an ideal place for writing a quick novel. He is given the "only key" to the Inn. The film slowly unfolds and makes you wonder why you are watching. Soon it picks up the pace as we find "Seven Keys to Baldpate" and discover who has them both the characters and the familiar actors of the time. It takes time getting used to the cavalier attitude of the writer.