Get ready for some fun and frivolity as Iola, Kansas, rolls out its red
carpet to Buster Keaton fans at the 4th Annual Keaton Celebration on Sept. 27
and 28.  This year's special guest is Keaton aficionado, noted film
historian, and "Entertainment Tonight" correspondent Leonard Maltin.
 
The focus of the festival is an exploration of the art of Buster Keaton and
Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle - examining the friendship, the tragedy, and the
consequences.
 
Guest speakers include David MacLeod, author of "The Sound of Buster Keaton";
David Shepard, Professor of Film at the University of Southern California and
renowned film preservationist; Jim Kline, author of "The Complete Films of
Buster Keaton"; Gregory Black, Professor of Film at the University of
Missouri-Kansas City and author of "Condemned! The Catholic War Against the
Movies"; Patricia Tobias, founder of "The Damfinos" International Keaton
Society; Ann McFerrin, film historian and co-founder of the Film Society of
Greater Kansas City; and Frank Scheide, Professor of Film at the University
of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
 
Friday's program features workshops in the afternoon by many of the guests.
 These will include film clips from Keaton and Arbuckle movies.
 
Saturday's program includes presentations by all guest speakers, with a
special auction of a handmade "porkpie" hat made and autographed by Mrs.
Eleanor Keaton and a Keaton Centennial Celebration poster with autographs of
the special guests (including Mrs. Keaton and actor James Karen) who
celebrated Buster's 100th birthday in Iola last year.
 
The finale of the Celebration is the presentation of the "Buster" award to a
recipient whose work and career exemplifies excellence in the tradition of
Buster Keaton.  After the award, the memorable Keaton silent "Go West" will
be presented with piano accompaniment.
 
Iola, Kansas, is a mere stone's throw from Keaton's birthplace of Piqua.  The
Keaton Celebration is funded in part by the Kansas Humanities Council, an
affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The event is FREE to
all who enjoy a day of the imagery and talent of Buster Keaton.
 
For further information, please call the Bowlus Fine Arts Center at (316)
365-4765.
 
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