Seven Keys to Baldpate (play)
Encyclopedia
Seven Keys to Baldpate is a 1913 play by George M. Cohan
based on a novel by Earl Derr Biggers
.
(from Australia), 1917
(starring Cohan himself), 1929 (with Richard Dix
), 1935 (with Gene Raymond
), 1947 and 1983 (as House of the Long Shadows
). Television adaptations appeared in 1946 and 1961.
The play was also adapted for radio in 1938 (for Lux Radio Theatre with Jack Benny
) and 1946 (for Theatre Guild on the Air with Walter Pidgeon
).
George M. Cohan
George Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
based on a novel by Earl Derr Biggers
Earl Derr Biggers
Earl Derr Biggers was an American novelist and playwright. He is remembered primarily for adaptations of his novels, especially those featuring the Chinese-American detective Charlie Chan.-Biography:...
.
Synopsis
Novelist Billy McGee makes a bet that he can write a 10,000 word story within 24 hours. He retires to a summer mountain resort in the dead of winter and locks himself in, believing he has the sole key. However he is visited during the night by a variety of other people, including a girl reporter and a gang of criminals.Reception
The play premiered on Broadway on September 22, 1913 and ran for 320 performances. Although a 1935 revival, starring Cohan in the lead, was less successful it remains Cohan's most popular play.Adaptations
The play was filmed several times, which versions appearing in 1916Seven Keys to Baldpate (1916 film)
Seven Keys to Baldpate is a 1916 Australian silent film directed by Monte Luke for J.C. Williamson Ld. It was the first film adaptation of the popular play by George M. Cohan which had toured Australia successfully in 1914 with Fred Niblo. There were later versions of the story in 1917, 1925, 1930,...
(from Australia), 1917
Seven Keys to Baldpate
Seven Keys to Baldpate is a 1917 silent film mystery produced by George M. Cohan and distributed by Artcraft Pictures, an affiliate of Paramount. It is based on Cohan's play of the novel by Earl Derr Biggers. Cohan himself stars in this silent version along with Anna Q. Nilsson and Hedda Hopper,...
(starring Cohan himself), 1929 (with Richard Dix
Richard Dix
Richard Dix was an American motion picture actor who achieved popularity in both silent and sound film. His standard on-screen image was that of the rugged and stalwart hero.-Early life:...
), 1935 (with Gene Raymond
Gene Raymond
Gene Raymond was an American film, television, and stage actor of the 1930s and 1940s. In addition to acting, Raymond was also a composer, writer, director, producer, and decorated military pilot.-Stage and movie career:...
), 1947 and 1983 (as House of the Long Shadows
House of the Long Shadows
House of the Long Shadows is a horror-parody film directed by Pete Walker. The screenplay by Michael Armstrong is based on the novel Seven Keys to Baldpate by Earl Derr Biggers. The original music score is composed by Richard Harvey....
). Television adaptations appeared in 1946 and 1961.
The play was also adapted for radio in 1938 (for Lux Radio Theatre with Jack Benny
Jack Benny
Jack Benny was an American comedian, vaudevillian, and actor for radio, television, and film...
) and 1946 (for Theatre Guild on the Air with Walter Pidgeon
Walter Pidgeon
Walter Davis Pidgeon was a Canadian actor, who starred in many motion pictures, including Mrs...
).
External links
- Full text of the play at Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
- Seven Keys to Baldpate at IBDB
- Full text of original novel at Project GutenbergProject GutenbergProject Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks". Founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, it is the oldest digital library. Most of the items in its collection are the full texts of public domain books...
- Article on the initial production of Seven Keys to Baldpate
- 1938 Lux Radio Theatre version