Buster Keaton

Buster Keaton and Gilbert Roland hit the beach in Spain.

In 1930, Buster Keaton, the famous American silent film comedian, visited Spain during a European vacation. He traveled with his wife, Natalie Talmadge, along with his sister-in-law, Norma Talmadge, and her husband, actor Gilbert Roland. The group arrived in Spain in August, embarking on a tourist journey that took them from the north to the south of the country.
Keaton’s visit was largely a personal trip rather than a professional one, though his fame followed him wherever he went. He was particularly fascinated by Spanish culture, especially bullfighting, which he attended in several cities. In San Sebastián, he watched bullfights and was mobbed by fans, while in Málaga, he visited the Plaza de Toros de la Malagueta with Gilbert Roland. His interest in bullfighting was so notable that crowds recognized him at these events, and in some instances, he was even carried out on the shoulders of enthusiastic spectators.
The group also explored various cities, including Barcelona, where Keaton was interviewed by journalist Irene Polo at the Hotel Ritz, with the story later published in the magazine Imatges. In Madrid, they visited the workshops of the newspaper ABC, showing interest in local customs and industries. Other stops included Jerez, where they toured the Domecq bodegas, and Sevilla, before heading to Málaga. Keaton’s presence drew significant attention from the Spanish press and public, who celebrated the Hollywood star known as "Pamplinas" in Spain.
While there were no major film projects tied to this trip, it coincided with a transitional period in Keaton’s career as he moved from silent films to talkies, a shift he wasn’t entirely comfortable with. His 1930 visit to Spain was a mix of leisure, cultural exploration, and a chance to enjoy his celebrity status abroad, leaving a trail of memorable anecdotes in the local media.