BUSTER KEATON INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY CONVENTION

THE

DAMFINOS ARE COMING!

It's time for the Damfinos, the International Buster Keaton Society, to convene in Muskegon, Michigan, where Buster and his family had a summer lakefront home in the 20"s. In the photo, you see Eleanor Keaton, Buster's widow. She was much younger than Buster but they had 28 good years together. She passed away in 1998. Behind her, that's me, the organist for the silent films shown that night. Next to me, Al Flogge,

show business afficiando and friend of the stars. In front of him is his long time friend, Adrian Booth, Buster's co-star in one of the films shown that night. As of this date, she is still with us and Al Flogge attended her recent birthday celebration.

I'm at the console of the Frauenthal Theater's 1930 Barton Pipe Organ. The bright red and gold console was typical of the Barton organs. The company's founder loved the garishly painted circus wagons of that era and his consoles, designed to look as theatrical as they sound, are referred to as "circus wagon" style.

This year's organist is a real pro from Chicago, Dennis Scott. ..