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(1929) Conrad Nagel, Leila Hyams, Margaret Wycherly, Helene Millard, Bela Lugosi; Richard Dix, Miriam Seegar, Margaret Livingston, Lucien Littlefield. The Thirteenth Chair is a good early-talkie whodunit. A séance takes place in an old mansion with a group of upper class socialites. The purpose of the séance is to reveal the name of a murderer. During the séance the lights go out; there’s a scream! Then…voila! A dead body is found lying on the floor—stabbed. Enter hard-edged inspector Bela Lugosi, who’s determined to find out who the killer is. Lugosi dominates the second half of this film with a marvelous performance. In fact, his part is large enough that had the film been released after his success in Dracula, he would have probably gotten top billing. This is an intriguing whodunit that keeps you guessing till the very end. From 16mm. Seven Keys to Badpate is a well-done old dark hotel comedy-thriller. Dix is a writer who makes a bet that he can finish writing a book in 24 hours. He ends up at the Baldpate inn, which is empty because of winter, and supposedly has the only key. Suddenly an array of other characters show up as the winter wind slams against the shutters. It’s a fitting atmosphere to this enjoyable version of George Cohen’s play, which mixes chills and comedy. There's possible murder, mystery, intrigue and heaping amount of comedy in this early RKO talkie. Watch for a double-twist ending. From 35mm.
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