Dennis James accompanies Keaton silent comedies, Saturday, 15 March 2008

    Dennis James returned to accompany another classic silent film comedy.  This was his 9th appearance at the Arlington Theatre.

    Dennis provided his spirited theatre pipe organ accompaniment for the feature College and the short The Paleface, both starring Buster Keaton.  Dennis James is the premiere accompanist of silent films in the USA and probably the world.  He is often engaged to perform in Europe.

    The movie (in silent small-screen without theatre pipe organ accompaniment) can be seen at:  http://www.revver.com/video/354792/buster-keaton-the-paleface/  



Dennis James speaks with the audience




Scenes from The Paleface


Pre-movie activities: (UL) Dennis explaining a movie scene to John Oien and George Ferrand.
(UR) John Oien, Dennis James and Keith Connes in the Arlington lobby before the movie.
(LL) Dennis James and John Oien.  (LR) Keith Connes announces Dennis and the movie.


     The organ requires ongoing maintenance.  You might also if you were 80 years old.  Hide glue is used to fasten various wood parts together.  The contact blocks under the keys are made from wood and yet another came loose before the concert.  George Ferrand reglued the contact and Bruce Murdock helped and took pictures.  It takes two people to open up the console.


The console opened up to access the accompaniment keyboard contacts. 
Note the hide glue pot at the lower left.


George Ferrand re-glues the contact block

Dinner with Dennis James

    We had a dinner with Dennis James at Harry's Plaza Cafe on 14 March 2008 at 7PM.  There will be good food and even greater conversation.  These dinners are lots of fun and Dennis has a wild sense of humor and tells some great stories.  The dinner is ala carte with ordering from the menu.  Harry's Plaza Cafe is located in the southwest corner Loreto Shopping Center at Las Positas and State Streets.


Dennis James at SBTOS dinner.  L-R: Bruce & Bonnie Murdock, Dennis James,
Fred & Linda Ziesenhenne, Howard Lawson, Betty Ferrand, David Gell,
Mahlon Balderston, John Oien, (missing) George Ferrand, photographer.