Keystone Kops Reunion (1970) 🇺🇸
When a group of former Keystone Kops get together, besides the usual greetings, there is likely to be a little pie throwing. Eddie LeVeque, the youngest Keystone Kop, was plastered by his fellow veterans at the reunion for Keystone people in Buena Park, California and the fun was just getting started.
In the nearly 60 years that have passed since Mack Sennett and William Campbell dreamed up the zaniest collection of phoney police in the history of the world, the various veterans of the famed laugh factory have become scattered into careers both in the motion picture industry and out. As a sentimental journey back to the silent screen era, Eddie LeVeque [see Hollywood Studio Magazine, April 1970, page 1A] and Billy Bletcher, two veterans of the Keystone era, were asked by Movieworld Cars of the Stars and Movieworld Planes of Fame in Buena Park, to try and locate the Kops for a reunion.
Some of the original Kops were women, and these ladies took pratfalls, jumped out windows, leaped from moving trains and cars, and whatever other antics Sennett and Campbell could dream up, as a matter of course. One of the most prominent lady actors was Minta Durfee Arbuckle, widow of the famed silent comedian (also an original Kop) Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.
Miss Arbuckle worked in the first five films made by Charlie Chaplin at Keystone, and has continued her career through the years. Her most recent major role was “Hello, Dolly!” for 20th Century-Fox. Another old time stunt lady, Florence Craig, flew planes, drove crashing cars and other wild pieces of action for Sennett. She has been a member of the Ziegfeld Follies, a dancer, singer, and still acts in motion pictures.
Glen Walters, started with Universal in 1914 and her career has continued to the present, although she never worked with Keystone. Grace Wylie, a Hal Roach veteran, started her career in The Birth of a Nation, the D. W. Griffith classic, (now in current release in Los Angeles). LeVeque located these silent actresses, and Bill Bletcher helped find other authentic Keystone stars.
Hank May, Bernard Harris, (now owner of Gaffers and Sattler) Bill Williams of Seal Beach, and Chester Conklin were all contacted by the pair, and only Conklin because of failing health was unable to attend.
As part of the ceremonies, a huge cake measuring three feet by five feet was created with mini figures of Keystone Kops and ladies running across the top by Charlotte Taylor. On the evening of the reunion, which was also the opening of the twin attractions in Buena Park, the old timers were gathered behind the cake for a portrait.
Eddie LeVeque, flanked by Billy Bletcher and Hank May, stood in the center with a broad smile on his face. Suddenly a member of the audience stepped up and handed two pies to Bletcher and May. Zap! The custard flew in all directions as the actors cut loose on LeVeque. His face dripped with custard, but LeVeque roared with laughter.
Only the absence of more pies prevented a free-for-all among the Keystoners — similar to hundreds they participated in during their silent movie days. LeVeque was led off to a nearby rest room to clean up still laughing. Claude Akins, the character actor, and many important civic officials cheered the game veteran off the floor for his performance.
The film veterans were treated to photos, a tour of both Movieworld Cars of the Stars and Movieworld Planes of Fame by owners, Edward T. Maloney and James F. Brucker Senior. Champagne toasts in their honor were raised and a special exhibit was dedicated in their honor at the museum as a reminder of former glory.
Specially created plaques which honored the occasion were custom made by James Harper of Pacoima from walnut in the shape of mini Keystone Kop hats. These were the hit of the evening and provided the veterans with a momento of the reunion.
Hank May of North Hollywood recently completed 51 years service in the motion picture industry, and Bernard Harris marked the 58th anniversary of his entry into silent movies this year. Bill May, another Sennett Kop celebrated a 50-year anniversary of his initial entry into films as well. Minta Durfee Arbuckle started at Keystone in 1913 and the evening was a grand occasion for her and her brother, Paul Durfee of Panorama City. Another actor, Noble “Kid” Chissell came as a Keystone Kop, as did Vincent Barbi, Bill Kirshner, “Slim” Ray Barnes, (once a child actor at Sennett) and Virginia O’Brien.
Also on the celebrity list was Francis X. Lohman the dog expert and columnist, and many personalities from stage and screen of both the silent and sound eras. It was a grand evening for the Keystone Kops – one that might not happen again very soon, but one that will never be forgotten.
Smiling trio – Flanked by Francis X. Lohman, columnist, and Lohman’s secretary, Eddie Le Veque smiles for the camera.
Big plane – Billy Bletcher hands a wrench to Don Lykins, chairman of the board of Movieworld Planes of Fame while Minta Durfee Arbuckle looks on.
- Big Splash – Billy Bletcher hits his pal, Eddie LeVeque, with pie as Hank May of North Hollywood prepares to hit LeVeque again with another one.
- Direct Hit – Eddie LeVeque, staggers under the onslaught of custard pies hurled at him by fellow Keystone actors during the opening night of Movieworld Cars of Stars and Planes of Fame.
- Famous Radio Personality – Thomas Cassidy, Southland radio personality, and Sepulveda resident, tells his son John how he helped restore this Boeing P-12 fighter in the Movieworld Planes of Fame collection.
- Happy Reunion – Bernard Harris, Eddie LeVeque, Hank May of North Hollywood, Billy Bletcher, Minta Durfee Arbuckle, and Bill Williams pose on the side of a famous silent movie star car at the opening.
- Remember When? – Minta Durfee Arbuckle and Grace Wyley, listen as Billy Bletcher tells James Brucker Senior about the “good old days”
- Famous Movie People – Holding an informal conversation, Francis and Richard Alexander, silent film stars, chat with Glen Walters, actress whose credits include hundreds of silent and sound films, and Harry Oliver, former desert rat who won first Academy Award nomination in 1928.
Collection: Hollywood Studio Magazine, August 1970
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