Author: Steve Crum
Worth 1,000 Words: 3 thinkers, BUSTER KEATON & his boys
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By Steve Crum
Emulating Rodin’s famous “The Thinker” bronze and marble sculpture, BUSTER KEATON (center), a stone face in his own right, strikes the pose while flanked by equally pensive sons Robert (left) and James. Probably taken in 1931 or ’32, Buster was nearing the end of his marriage to actress Natalie Talmadge. They were married from 1921-32. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
Emulating Rodin’s famous “The Thinker” bronze and marble sculpture, BUSTER KEATON (center), a stone face in his own right, strikes the pose while flanked by equally pensive sons Robert (left) and James. Probably taken in 1931 or ’32, Buster was nearing the end of his marriage to actress Natalie Talmadge. They were married from 1921-32. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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BUSTER KEATON (Oct. 4, 1895-Feb. 1, 1966) is considered one of the greatest film comedians and directors of all time, based largely on his body of silent film work from 1920-29. During that period, Keaton’s brilliant output included cinema gems The Navigator, Sherlock Jr., Our Hospitality, Steamboat Bill Jr., and The General. In fact, The General registers on most all-time film lists as one of the top comedies ever made. Orson Welles, whose Citizen Kane consistently makes the top of the top movie lists, hailed Keaton’s skills as a comedian, actor and director. Citing The General, Welles said it is “the greatest comedy ever made, the greatest Civil War film ever made, and perhaps the greatest film ever made.”
Buster Keaton, called The Great Stoneface because of his deadpan expression while acting, was born Joseph Frank Keaton in Piqua, Kansas, a stone’s throw from Iola, Kansas, where each year for the past 17 years, a Buster Keaton Celebration has been held to celebrate Keaton’s film genius. Special guests have included Keaton’s widow, Eleanor (now deceased), Kevin Brownlow, James Karen, Steve Allen, Edie Adams, Leonard Maltin, and Keaton’s granddaughter.
This year’s 18th Annual Celebration, Sept. 24-25, Keaton & The Tragic Clowns Harry Langdon, Raymond Griffith, Charley Chase, will honor Buster and three of his contemporaries. Admission is free for the two-day event. Be sure to book your motel early. Iola is about a two hour drive from Kansas City.
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Then there is the International Buster Keaton Society‘s annual celebration in Muskegon, Michigan, Oct. 1-2. Sponsored by The Damfinos, the official name of the fan club, this year’s theme is The Year of the Chase. Registration fees vary from $80-$125.
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Please enjoy Buster Keaton and excerpts from his classic, The General: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3xh108cLbo
Worth 1,000 Words UPDATE: CROSBY, SCOTT, DENNIS, BUSHKIN
THE MYSTERY TO THE POST BELOW [please scroll down] IS SOLVED! Prolific author RICHARD GRUDENS (When Jolson Was King, Bing Crosby: Crooner of the Century, The Music Men, and many more) identifies the two mystery men as (far left) MATT DENNIS and (far right) JOE BUSHKIN.
MATT DENNIS (Feb. 11, 1914-June 21, 2002) was a singer, pianist, bandleader and composer. One of his compositions was Angel Eyes. Dick Haymes sang with his band.
JOE BUSHKIN (Nov. 7, 1916-Nov. 3, 2004), a jazz pianist, accompanied many singers, and toured with Bing Crosby during the 1960’s. He co-wrote Oh! Look at Me Now, an early Frank Sinatra hit. He arranged and played for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
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I am leaving the posting below as it was to portray the identity crisis that occurred in the search for truth. Truth now prevails. Thanks, Richard, and all who contributed their thoughts.
Worth 1,000 Words: BING CROSBY, RANDOLPH SCOTT & ??
ENJOYING A DAY on the links, these four show business pals seem to be in pretty good spirits. (Well, ONE of them looks happy.) Taken in the mid to late 1930’s (estimated), the photo should be labeled “worth 500 words,” because only two of the foursome are identifiable to yours truly. For sure it is RANDOLPH SCOTT (Jan. 23-1898-March 2, 1987), second from left, with BING CROSBY (May 3, 1903-Oct. 14, 1977) to his left.
But WHO are the two guys flanking Crosby and Scott? The back of this rare photo says, “Bing and Randolph + 2 songwriters.” I am pretty sure that is not Irving Berlin to the far right, but then again…. Anyone who knows the two composers’ names, please let me know either by e-mail or the comment tab below. If you know the location and date, please pass along that info too. I have had this picture for about 15 years, and still don’t know all the names involved. Let’s all play…NAME THOSE TUNESMITHS! [from Steve Crum’s show biz memorabilia collection]
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UPDATE: Since posting, several names have been suggested as to the identities, including Jimmy Van Heusen (far left) and Johnny Burke (far right). It would be a logical assumption since the two collaborated on many songs introduced by Crosby. If so, that would date the photo 1940 or beyond, since the two composers teamed in ’40. However, available photos of Burke and Van Heusen are from much later, making a physical match nearly impossible. Irving Berlin and Harry Warren have also been named as the unknowns. Yet again, could the two mystery men be professional golfers instead of songwriters? This spot is still open for endorsements or differing opinions.
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Enjoy this terrific clip of Bing in duet with Bette Midler, 1977: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45EB4TiYz4
Worth 1,000 Words: WILLIAM DEMAREST & ‘THE JOLSON STORY’
By Steve Crum
STEVE MARTIN (WILLIAM DEMAREST) toasts Cantor (Ludwig Donath) and Mrs. Yoelson (Tamara Shayne) at their anniversary party in this scene from THE JOLSON STORY (1946). Raising their glasses are, from left, Tom Baron (Bill Goodwin), Julie Benson aka Mrs. Al Jolson (Evelyn Keyes), and, to Demarest’s left, Al Jolson aka Asa Yoelson (Larry Parks). Moments later, Jolson would sing The Anniversary Song, specifically written for The Jolson Story. This original Columbia Pictures still is particularly revered by yours truly since it is signed by Demarest. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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WILLIAM DEMAREST (Feb. 27, 1892-Dec. 28, 1983) was Oscar nominated as Best Supporting Actor for his Steve Martin portrayal in The Jolson Story, an important film among his 140+ movie roles beginning in 1926. Early scenes in The Jolson Story hearken back to Demarest’s pre-movie, vaudeville and Broadway days. He even gets to play a cello, which was part of his original act. It is ironic that one of Demarest’s early films, The Jazz Singer, starred Al Jolson. Nearly 20 years later, he played Jolson’s manager in The Jolson Story and its sequel, Jolson Sings Again (1949).
Demarest is also associated with his fine work in 10 Preston Sturges films (The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek and Hail the Conquering Hero among them), and his most popular role as Uncle Charley in TV’s My Three Sons, 1965-72. The gruff and lovable actor is also memorable in a couple of my favorite movies, Along Came Jones and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
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GENE AUTRY, the cowboy trail begins
MOTION TOWARD
Liquid highway winds blue
Through Mojave sand.
Red mountains inch closer,
Digging a horizontal pattern on land
Of memories.
Thinking I will stand
To meet the mountains.
~By Steve Crum
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Crooning to actress EVALYN KNAPP, GENE AUTRY strums his guitar amidst the cacti, rocks, sagebrush, mountains, and moody sky. This original Mascot Studio production still is from 1934’s IN OLD SANTA FE, which starred KEN MAYNARD. Even Maynard’s horse TARZAN received top billing over Autry. In fact, Autry is unbilled in the credits, portraying an unnamed singer. SMILEY BURNETTE, who would soon become Autry’s sidekick, is also uncredited as an accordionist-singer. The following year, after smoothy stealing In Old Santa Fe from star Maynard, Gene Autry would replace him in the surrealistic western serial, The Phantom Empire. Ninety-three Autry cowboy movies would follow. [from Steve Crum’s showbiz memorabilia collection]
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