Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-03-26
KEYHO[E
PORTRAIT
&s Harriet arson,
keenan, Wynn at Top
Among Laugh Makers
After Many Trials
HOLLYWOOD, March 25

IL EENAN WYNN'S hilarious
IN charac c rization Of the
gangster who gets bossed around
by diminutive Margaret O'Brien
in Lost Angel" has movie fans
weak with laughter. And now,
before they can catch their
breath, along comes keenan, as
Private Hargrove's penny-chisel-
ing buddy in See Here, Private
Hargrove." It's another solid
laugh hit for Wynn.
But he hasn't time now 10
take a bow. He's too busy get
ting new laughs from American
boys overseas. Recently he COW
cred $1,000 miles in SIX days, on
route 10 China 10 entertain
troops in spots where they never
have been entertained before.
This dizzy pace undoubtedly de-
lighted KEENAN,.
GOES IN FOR SPEED
He's always lad a passion for
speed. Since boyhood he's
thrived on airplanes, speedboais
and motorcycles. Cracked up
three times as an aviator eScap-
ing with broken ankles sui
holds the world record for cir
cumnavigation of Manhattan
Island in a speedboat in 80
minutes flat And is one Of the
movie colony's most rabid motor
cycle hugs.
However, his ride 10 success
In Hollywood was far from
speedy. When he arrived at
M-Ci-M several years ago with
contract in his pocket the
-gateman eyed him dHbieHsiy-
"king VIM" said that worthy.
"Sorry, you can't get in with
out a pass"
KEENAN, finally arrived in the
general casting offices. lie an
nounced himself again 10 a Sec
rotary. then waited with day ex-
tras for two hours. At last he
heard the secretary inform her
boss
here by the name nf kean and
Win-onIy half of it's here
though"
HE NEVER REPEATS
Being the son and grandson
OF two former M-G-M stars. he
had a right 10 expect a warmer
reception. But he bears slight
resemblance either 20 father I'd
Wynn or 10 grandpappy Frank
keenan,. the silent era dramatic
star. Like his father, he's
comedian, but unlike the famed
Fire Chief" he never repeats
a characterization
His first attempt AZ Holly
wood lasted less than a year.
Although he finally did Get into
the studio and into three pc
lures, ne was consigned 10 BIZ
parts DiSheartened ne sour
ried back 10 Broadway and I'M
mcdiately smashed laugh rec
ordS with his mad antics IN
strip for Action - Director
Wesley RuggleS, visiting him
backstage one night. remarked:
"Well. I'll he seeing YOU in
Hollywood soon"
Not me-" answered Keenan,,
"Once was enough"
HIS CHANCE AT LAST
But Rugcles offered to bet. 4
adding that he had just the role {
for Keenan, in See Here. Pri-
vate Hargrove. Sure enough,
shortly afterward M-G-M SUM
moned Wynn 20 the coast tore
up his old contract and gave
him shiny now one. And this
time he's really getting a chance
10 do his stuff
Keenan, was born in Now
York and hurdencd with the
weighty moniker Francis Xavier
AloySius James Jeremiah Keen
man Wynn. which he can't re-
member unless he looks II up on
his birth certificate. His mother
was actress Hilda keenan,
Wynn. daughter OF Frank. To
avoid four years of college after
a boarding school education, he
agreed TO study dancing with
Ned Wayburn in New York.
JOINS STOCK COMPANY
At the graduation exercises,
while the other students danced,
he stood perfectly still and re-
cited a Claude Rains speech
from "They Shall Net Die Mel
Vile Burke. director Of the
famed Lakewood Summer Thea
ter. was in the audience and in
vited keenan, TO join his COM
pany
During the next FIVE years
Wynn appeared in u stock
company shows. His first Broad
way appearance was IN Re
member the Day" Roles i'm Il
more New York productions
followed IA succession tee rapid
even for Specd-crazy keenan,.
Despite the constantly changing
scene he managed 10 meet. fall
II love with and ms~ry actress
Eve Lynn Abbott.
,.'.. !,