History of Those Keith Bros.

Our family depicted below are the reason we are who we are...

Hugh Bennett

Those Keith Brothers' grandfather, Hugh Bennett, an Academy Award nominee, started this three-generation legacy in 1926 as a film editor on JUST ANOTHER BLONDE.

Hugh edited 11 more features until he finally worked with the world famous Mary Pickford.  His editorial work was legendary on Ms. Pickford's last acting performance in SECRETS. Ms. Pickford herself praised Hugh in a letter regarding his "tireless efforts."  On March 29, 1976, Ms. Pickford received an honorary Academy Award.

SECRETS added to Hugh's arsenal when he made the move into directing in 1941 with HENRY ALDRICH FOR PRESIDENT for Paramount Pictures.

Between 1926 and 1950, Hugh edited, directed and produced 47 movies starring such well know actors as Bing Crosby, Helen Hayes, Anthony Quinn and Dorothy Lamour.  Hugh even worked with the great Cecil B. De Mille… well, sort of… Hugh edited THE LAST TRAIN FROM MADRID where Mr. De Mille played an extra in a crowd scene.

Of the 47 films Hugh worked on during his career, eight of those films had a combined total of 15 Oscar nominations, ultimately winning 3 Academy Awards.

Among his many highlights, Hugh’s film, MARDI GRAS, in which he directed, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1944 for “Best Short Subject.”

Dorothy Bennett Keith

Those Keith Brothers' mother, Dorothy Bennett Keith, began attracting attention while acting in school plays at San Fernando High School. During this time, MGM chose to photograph Dorothy McCalls Magazine article as the "Typical American Girl" for the September 1941 issue of McCall's Magazine cover, which earned her $10. She majored in drama at Los Angeles City College for two years, starring in several plays.

It was a natural progression for Dorothy to join the USO portrait Camp Shows. Entertaining the troops during WWII, she performed in Alaska and then traveled overseas to Europe. Dorothy returned home to California and married Byron Keith in 1947. Once her children (Kacey, Chris and Clete) were grown, Dorothy picked up where she left off. She continued her love of theater, acting in dozens of plays including the successful plays SIMON'S ARK and THE WILLIAM, starring her son, Clete. In 1990, Chris and Clete asked Dorothy to play a role in DEAD SILENCE (produced by Chris; written, starring and co-directed by Clete). In 2003, Those Keith Brothers once again approached their mother to play a role in their feature, INSTANT TRAUMA, about a man who is hit on the head and thinks he's John Lennon.

Byron Keith

Those Keith Brothers' father, Byron Keith, began his show business career in 1938 at NBC's KIDO Radio in Boise, Idaho. Among the many celebrities Byron interviewed were Jack Dempsey, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and Robert Wadlow (the world's tallest man at 8 feet 11 inches) During this period, Byron performed in small theater productions when time would permit.

In 1946, he landed a role in THE STRANGER, directed and starring Orson Wells, and co-starring Loretta Young. In 1950, Byron was awarded a role on the feature film DALLAS, with Gary Cooper. Moving into television, Byron worked on HIGHWAY PATROL and an Abbott & Costello film. Byron was given the role of Lieutenant Gilmore in Warner Bros.' 77 SUNSET STRIP, starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., which aired for three seasons.

Byron then continued his passion for theater in such plays as SEND ME NO FLOWERS with Harvey Korman, enjoying positive reviews. The success and exposure of 77 SUNSET STRIP landed him the role of Mayor Linseed in the very popular 20th Century Fox television hit, BATMAN. Byron, using his multitude of studio connections and influence, began a successful career in product placement for motion pictures and television. Working on such television shows as BATTLE OF THE NETWORK STARS, Byron reacquainted himself with the likes of Bob Hope, Charlton Heston, and Walter Matthau. In 1988, "Those Keith Brothers" approached Byron to play a part in their feature, DEAD SILENCE.