Seven Keys To Baldpate (1929)

A famous novelist (Richard Dix) makes a $5,000 bet that he can write a 10,000 word story within 24 hours at an isolated inn that is closed for the winter. He is given the only key to the place and expects to write in solitude. But it seems he doesn't have the only key and he soon finds himself mired in political corruption, thievery and murder. Based on the novel by Earl Derr Biggers by way of the Broadway play by George M. Cohan and directed by Reginald Barker (THE GREAT DIVIDE). This is the fourth film version but the first sound version of the oft filmed play. It would be filmed again in 1935, 1947 and 1983. Its near incoherent plot with almost everyone crossing and double crossing and triple crossing each other is almost impossible to follow and  leaves one scratching one's head. The film's "surprise" ending is telegraphed because the narrative is so ludicrous that there can be only one explanation. With Margaret Livingston, Miriam Seegar, Lucien Littlefield, DeWitt Jennings and Nella Walker.