He never smiled on camera, earning him the nickname of “the Great Stone Face.” But Buster Keaton’s comedies rocked Hollywood’s silent era with laughter throughout the 1920s.
See for yourself with a screening of “Go West” (1925), one of Keaton’s landmark feature films, on Saturday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m., at the Brandon Town Hall and Community Center. Jeff Rapsis will accompany the film with live music. 
In ‘Go West,’ Buster heads out to ranch country, where the stone-faced comedian encounters romance with — a cow! Can he save his love from a trip to the livestock yards? Rustle up some belly laughs as Buster must once again prove himself worthy to all those who doubt him.
Co-starring in the film is a mourn-faced cow named Brown Eyes, with whom Keaton worked extensively prior to the filming. Brown Eyes received a credit in the movie, and even got a salary for her acting — $13 a week. 
Saturday’s showing will open with a Keaton short comedy to get the evening rolling.
“These films are audience favorites, and people continue to be surprised at how engrossing and exhilarating they can be when shown as they were intended: in a theater, and with live music,” said Rapsis, who accompanies more than 100 screenings each year at venues around the nation.
Rapsis improvises live scores for silent films using a digital synthesizer to recreate the texture of the full orchestra.
“It’s kind of a high wire act,” Rapsis said. “But for me, the energy of live performance is an essential part of the silent film experience.” Admission to this Saturday night film is free, but donations are welcome. All proceeds support ongoing restoration of the Town Hall, which dates from 1860. The screening is sponsored by the Brandon/Forestdale Lions Club.