2008 Buster Keaton Convention Official Announcement

[David B. Pearson]

Hi Folks!

Can you believe it- It's that time of year again! It's almost
convention time!!! We hope you enjoyed last year's celebrations and
we are working to make this year even better. Here's all the info you
need:

The 14th Annual International Buster Keaton Society Annual Conference
will be held Friday & Saturday, October 3rd & 4th, in Muskegon,
Michigan--the Keaton's own summer home-town! Once again, we will be
staying at the charming Shoreline Inn, on the banks of historic Lake
Muskegon.

This year we have something planned that is so amazing and
unprecedented that you absolutely must not miss it: A film has been
discovered that is just as important as when James Mason discovered
Buster's films in his garden shed. This film will be showing
exclusively at this year's Convention- we are devoting all of Friday
night's programming to this historic event.

As if this weren't enough to entice you to attend, another momentous
discovery has been made and we've got it! The lost film from Buster's
run in the play, Merton of the Movies has been found. This film which
was shown during the play is the only film Buster had complete control
of after 1928. Dale Duffy, who was the stage manager during the plays
run, will be with us to discuss her experience working with Buster
including candid photos and backstage stories as well as the showing
of the film.

This is an opportunity that all Buster fans simply must not miss!

Some of the other events events on the schedule include:

A reception at the beautiful, restored Muskegon Train Depot! The
Keaton family would arrive here when they came to Muskegon, and it's a
perfect launching-spot for our festive weekend.

We will be taking a walking tour of Buster's neighborhood and then
having a baseball game on the same field Buster used as a kid. This
was a favorite event last year and we hope to repeat the success.

Presentations on all aspects Keatonian! This year we will be having an
author's panel featuring George Wead, David Macleod and Imogen Smith,
author of the new book: Buster Keaton: The Persistence of Comedy

Rare clips and footage!

The event culminates with a banquet and movies at the Frauenthal
Theatre-- A genuine period movie & stage palace, recently brought back
to its original appearance. This year, for the first time we will be
showing a Double Feature! Battling Butler followed by The Navigator.
All of this will be followed up with a speakeasy on the Frauenthal
stage!

For more information please go to http://www.silent-movies.org/2008

REMEMBER!!! You can go to http://www.busterstuff.com to pay your
registration fee online! Registration is now open. Please be aware
that space is limited so register now and don't miss your chance to
see these amazing Buster discoveries!

We have arranged a special room rate at The Shoreline Inn in
Muskegon.
http://www.shorelineinn.com
Call 231-727-8483 to reserve your room. Mention you're with the
Buster Keaton Society to get your discounted rate.

If you have questions, please feel free to send them to Eryn or
Babette at
***@rogers.com
or
***@jetup.net

See You There!

Eryn and Babs

[Tom Sutpen]

Post by David B. Pearson
As if this weren't enough to entice you to attend, another momentous
discovery has been made and we've got it! The lost film from Buster's
run in the play, Merton of the Movies has been found. This film which
was shown during the play is the only film Buster had complete control
of after 1928.

*****
How lost can this film be if there was a clip from it in the Brownlow-
Gill doco, 'A Hard Act to Follow'?

Tom Sutpen

[David B. Pearson]

Post by Tom Sutpen

Post by David B. Pearson
As if this weren't enough to entice you to attend, another momentous
discovery has been made and we've got it!  The lost film from Buster's
run in the play, Merton of the Movies has been found.  This film which
was shown during the play is the only film Buster had complete control
of after 1928.

*****
How lost can this film be if there was a clip from it in the Brownlow-
Gill doco, 'A Hard Act to Follow'?
Tom Sutpen

The only known previous copy -- Eleanor Keaton's -- was stolen from
Brownlow a few weeks after he copied clips for 'A Hard Act to Follow,"
so it had been completely lost for 20 years. Until recently, only the
Brownlow clips were known to still exist.

Dale Duffy, who had worked on Merton in her youth, recently revealed
she'd kept the production's back-up copy the last 50 years, as a
personal keepsake.

BTW, I now know the Gierucki print is stunning -- in fact better than
I'd dreamed -- and it is VERY safe to say his film will instantly make
cinematic history.

DBP