HOUSE OF MYSTERY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1070, 6 September 1930, Page 15

HOUSE OF MYSTERY

“SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE” THRILLS IN REGENT TALKIE Who owned the seven keys to Baldpate? What was the significance of their distribution? Why had a mysterious party of people assembled at the eerie house on the mountain? f AST evening’s audience at the Regent Theatre asked itself ques- I tion after question as the reels of “Seven Keys to Baldpate” unfolded and the action of a first-class thriller proceeded. In the end it was left for this entertaining picture to tell its own story. Without previous knowledge, it was j impossible to anticipate, and so intriguing were the happenings in each scene that onlookers were given little i time for thought. “Seven Keys to Baldpate” is a talkie I adaptation of one of the most successful of modern stage thrillers. It has been played again and again in legitimate theatres, but the screen must be git'en credit for presenting the story under the best possible conditions. The lonely Baldpate Inn, a holiday resort closed for the winter; Richard Dix as the young author who seeks solitude and the right atmosphere for the production of a 10,000 word novel in 24 hours. Dix arrives in the dead of night with the wind howling about the gloomy building and the snow drifting beneath f the trees. Further description cannot ! be given without either revealing the 1 plot or purposely misleading, inquirers. Suffice to say that this clover George 'J. Cohan version of the Earl Derr Big- | g< rs’s yarn contains a climax and anticlimax, and then a final denouement that compels the audience to sit back and enjoy a hearty laugh at its own ; expense. J As the author and central character ( Dix acts in his usual virile fashion. His voice reproduces well, and his comedy methods are frank and ingenuous. Miriam Seegar, a pretty blonde, plays the part of the reporter, who proves to the author that love at first sight is a ■ reality, and the remainder of the cast ! consists of well-known screen people. 1

“Seven Keys to Baldpate” is produced by Radio Pictures and may be labelled as one of their best efforts. Second only to the feature release on the Regent programme is a Gus Edwards revue in colour, “Mexicana.” This rollicking little show is a miniature talkie “spectacle.” containing as it does something of everything—music, dancing, song, ensemble, and sparkling feminine youth. “Mexicana” is one of the best M.-G.-M. colour productions of its kind that has appeared for many a day. Third on the Regent list was a copy of the Hearst Movietone News offerings among many glimpses, the United States yachting trials for the selection of the "defender of the America’s Cup against Sir Thomas Upton's Shamrock V.

Fourthly, a Grantland Rice “Sportlight” dealing with the vigorous sports activities of girls at a famous American university. Basketball, rowing, and baseball were among the games demonstrated by young Amazons of remarkable prowess. Lastly an animated talking cartoon with laughter in every antic of its queer little figures. A delightful programme, and in exceedingly good measure.