Memories
| Chuck and Marcelle's shared memories began years earlier than 1947 - dating back to their childhood days in Missouri. The Keehnes moved to a farm neighboring Marcelle's family when Chuck was about 11 years old. It was not long before he noticed Marcelle. He recalls speaking with his mother one day, as they stood on the porch of the Keehne home. Gesturing toward the roadway, where Marcelle walked as she was returning home from school, Chuck told his mother: "See that little blond....I am going to marry her some day..." The Keehnes and Birkenbachs shared many activities, the children always managing to entertain themselves. They frequently enjoyed a good game of pinochle and so it was not unusual for the fathers and sons of both families to play cards well into the early morning hours. The six-handed pinochle games, however, often had a seventh participant....Marcelle. Chuck would have her sit next to him while he played, so that he could hold her hand under the table. Marcelle recalls how "Charlie" would stop by the strawberry field to visit with her while she picked berries. Inevitably as they would talk, Chuck would pitch in, helping her to harvest the berries. One day in particular, Marcelle was taken back to see Chuck dressed in his letterman's sweater, wearing his best slacks and shoes, making his way to her through the dusty field. He had just spoken with her mother, asking permission to take Marcelle to a movie. And the name of the movie they saw on their very first date? "King Kong". After graduating from high school Chuck moved to California. Marcelle and Chuck had little contact during the years and World War that followed. |
| Chuck's first job in Los Angeles was as a laborer for building movie sets. Shortly thereafter he started working at Western Costume Company in Hollywood. He spent many a lunch hour poring over the books in Western Costume's library learning about costumes and different periods of dress. In the late 1930's he began a career as a free-lance costumer on individual movie projects. He worked for a variety of production companies, from the independents like Pine Thomas to the larger studios, such as MGM, Fox, and Warners, where he got his start. He worked with a variety of actors and actresses - Tyrone Power, Edward G. Robinson, Ronald Reagan, James Cagney, Dorothy Lamour, George Raft, John Payne, Bette Davis, Charleton Heston, and Cesar Romero to name a few. |
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Far left: On location for John Ford's "Fort Apache", filmed in Monument Valley, Arizona. Left: Marcelle poses for a picture at "The Pike", an amusement park located along the shore in Long Beach, California. |
| After finishing high school Marcelle worked a variety of jobs, eventually moving away from home to a nearby community. In 1942 Marcelle and her sister, Wilma, talked about moving to California. Encouraged by their mother, the sisters packed their steamer trunk and boarded the train for California in July 1942. To be sure no one would back out of the trip at the last minute, Wilma and Marcelle each put up $50 - well over a week's salary - in a wager of sorts. If either woman changed her mind, she would forfeit the money. The sisters arrived safely, with their wagers safely tucked away. Although they missed their family, Marcelle and Wilma liked California, especially Long Beach, where they settled. Marcelle went to work for Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach. Weekends provided ample opportunity for adventure. Los Angeles and Hollywood were readily accessible by Red Car or by bus for shopping expeditions and fashion shows at Bullock's in Los Angeles, or dining and dancing to live orchestras at the Palladium in Hollywood, or the Sky Room at the Top of the Hilton in Long Beach. Other locales visited included San Diego, Palm Springs and Catalina Island. However, not all was fun and games. Marcelle's sister, Lucille, and her two brothers, Frank and Jim, were in active duty during World War II. All four Keehne sons were also called to serve. Both families were very fortunate. They all came home. |
| After the war Chuck went home to visit his family in 1946. It was during that trip that Chuck learned from Marcelle's father that she was then living in California. Chuck volunteered to "check on Marcelle" for her father when he got back. Chuck's telephone call came as quite a surprise to Marcelle. They both remember fondly their reunion after so many years, reminiscing for hours. On September 13,1947, the couple selected their wedding rings and Chuck proposed to Marcelle, taking to his knee and asking her to be his wife. The newlyweds settled in the San Fernando Valley where they raised their family. |
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In the mid-1950's Chuck traded in his free-lance status for a pair of Mickey Mouse ears, as the Disney Studio moved into live action production in television and film. As head of the Costume Department for Disney Studios Chuck oversaw television projects such as "The Mouseketeers", "Davy Crockett", "The Wonderful World of Disney" and "Zorro". |
| Theatrically the studio created a number of memorable films, from "Old Yeller" and "Mary Poppins" to "The Parent Trap", you might say it was "never a dull moment". The Wardrobe Department located at the corner of Dopey Drive and Minnie Avenue served a number of actresses and actors - Annette Funicello, Guy Williams, Fess Parker, Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, Fred McMurray, Ray Milland, Hayley Mills, Brian Keith, Kurt Russell, and last, but certainly not least, Walt Disney, a man for whom Chuck had the greatest respect and admiration. A summary of the motion pictures and television productions with which Chuck was associated is included in his filmography. |
 In a still photo from "The Wonderful World of Disney", Walt Disney looks on as Chuck and Ted Towey check an actor's costume. |
 Fess Parker serenades an ardent fan during a break in filming "The Great Locomotive Chase". |
The Keehnes celebrate the 50th Wedding Anniversary of
Chuck's parents, Will and Mae Delworth Keehne.
| It has been an interesting fifty-plus years for the couple - from life in rural America, to the suburbs of California, from independent times to family life, from years of hard work to retirement. Marcelle and Chuck have been blessed in many ways. It was particularly rewarding for all of us to be present for the celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Best wishes, Mom & Dad! |
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