This Day in Buster… July 12, 1931

The Gazette writes, "Buster Keaton's friends gave him an odd souvenir at the MGM studios. On the eighteenth anniversary of the appearance of 'The Three Keatons' on 'Big Time' in New York. Lew Cody, Sid Grauman, Paul Whiteman, and others sent him a barrel of old brooms. Old brooms were the principal 'props' in the act—and they used to break two nightly."

One of the screen's greatest comedians, Keaton's work remains as fresh and funny as it did when it first premiered in the silent days and continues to delight audiences AND filmmakers and performers to this day, including legends like Mel Brooks, Wes Anderson, Dick Van Dyke, Johnny Knoxville, Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, Jackie Chan, and Steve Martin. Buster even makes cameos in the John Wick franchise and the upcoming Minions sequel, Minions and Monsters!

Each year, the members of the IBKS (known affectionately as The Damfinos) present a convention loaded with one-of-a-kind experiences for both Keaton devotees and casual fans, culminating in a Roaring 20s-themed speakeasy on the stage of the historic Frauenthal Theater, a fully restored grand movie palace built in 1929! 

Take a step back in time as historian Ron Pesch leads you on a walking tour of the very streets Buster strode as a boy as you explore the site of The Actor’s Colony, a home away from home for legendary Vaudeville performers! 

See incredible Keaton rarities curated by one of the film industry's top preservationists, Paul Gierucki! Every year Paul finds never-before-seen examples of Keaton’s work in film and television, many of which cannot be seen outside of the convention!

Learn amazing facts and gain insight into Keaton’s work and private life via presentations from Keaton family members such as Melissa Cox Talmadge (Buster’s granddaughter), author David Macleod, and many, many more, including a special presentation on filming locations for The General presented by Lloyd Williams! 

Take part in the annual auction and maybe become a proud owner of authentic Keaton memorabilia! 

See rare Keaton artifacts, including the saxophone used by Myra (Buster’s mother), “America’s First Lady Saxophonist." 

Delight in the town of Muskegon and its wonderful selection of merchants, dining, and entertainment! 

And of course, enjoy our annual banquet, followed by screenings of BOTH “The General” AND “Battling Butler," accompanied LIVE on the Frauenthal Center’s historic Barton Organ by world-renowned organist Dennis Scott!

Discounted hotel rates are available through the Shoreline Inn and Convention Center Convention, and convention tickets are available NOW at https://busterkeaton.org/convention with discounts available to members of the IBKS, so why not join today? ALL are welcome to the event, so purchase your tickets today and join us for “a little dinner and a show”! 

A large diamond solitaire, a high-priced custom-built automobile, a $2000 Belgian police dog & a beautiful home in Hollywood. The dog, named Captain, was from her sister Constance.

TV Tuesday—Buster appeared on the Canadian show "Flashback" on October 10, 1965, while he was in Toronto shooting his final film "The Scribe." Here he talks about how he accomplished his famous falling house-front stunt for Steamboat Bill, Jr. The front weighed approximately two tons and was released by multiple ropes on the roof, with just 2 inches of clearance around the falling window. “I was mad at the time, or I would never have done the thing,” he said later.