One
staple of the Baldpate history is the namesake book, 7 Keys to Baldpate by Earl Derr Biggers. Mr. Biggers published his
book in 1913. With the book’s popularity at the time, the Mace family
(currently building the inn) decided to name the inn The Baldpate Inn, after
the book. The fictional inn and the actual inn had many striking similarities.
For example, the inn was 7 miles out of town and was only open in the summer. 7 Keys to Baldpate was very popular at
this time. In the same year as the publishing of the book, Broadway writer
George M. Cohan wrote a play adaptation of the book, which has been performed
routinely and has been adapted to film several times.
In
1913, when Cohan adapted 7 Keys to
Baldpate, he already had a pretty impressive resume behind him. The
premiere of 7 Keys brought about much
confusion in the audience and critics. Regardless, it became a hit. The play
ran for a year in New York, a year in Chicago, and several revivals would
follow, including one starring Mr. Cohan himself. 7 Keys to Baldpate was success for it was a well written
adaptation. Critic Eileen Warburton attributes its success for it “mixes all
the formulaic melodrama of the era with a satirical [farcical]
send-up of just those melodramatic stereotypes.”
With
the Fourth of July upon us, I thought it would be a good time to talk about Mr.
Cohan’s musical compositions. With his work on Broadway, he wrote many
patriotic songs that we still sing and listen to today. His first Broadway hit,
Little Johnny Jones, premiered in
1904. This musical featured the popular song “The Yankee Doodle Boy.” The
musical was about a fictional, American jockey who rides a horse named Yankee
Doodle in the English races. Other hits to come out of this musical include “Give
my Regards to Broadway,” a very popular musical theatre piece.
After
the success of Little Johnny Jones,
Cohan became one of the more prominent Tin
Pan Alley writers. This was a collective of writers and publishers that
dominated Broadway and popular music during the early twentieth century. Such
songs to come out of this era include “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “OverThere.” “Over There” was used during World War I to help improve moral and
increase patriotism. It was the most popular song of the era.
George
M. Cohan’s work is timeless. His music is still played today, especially around
this time. His plays are still performed. 7
Keys to Baldpate specifically has been revived many times and has been
adapted to film 7 times. The first one, a 1917 silent film by Paramount,
starred Mr. Cohan in the lead. Along with this, it was adapted to television
twice. There is also a radio play adaption starring Jack Benny and Mary
Livingston, which you can hear in our Key Room every day. George M. Cohan’s
work has been immortalized in our culture. Next time you’re in the Key Room,
make sure to find Mr. Cohan’s key, which he donated to our vast collection.
Your
dead square, honest Yankee*
Matthew Porter
*quote
from Grand Old Flag verse 2
