Volume III: Biographies Volume III: Biographies
Thanhouser Career Synopsis: "Dave" Keleher was employed by Thanhouser from 1914 to 1917, during which time he was a location manager. He also appeared in various films.
Biographical Notes: Daniel F. ("Dave") Keleher was born in 1869 (according to the 1916-1918 editions of the Motion Picture News Studio Directory; his obituary differs, however, and indicates he was 52 years of age in 1917). He was educated in New Rochelle public schools. Early in his life he was an amateur actor. In his screen career he was a location manager for Thanhouser in New Rochelle and also appeared as a character actor from about 1914 to 1917. His best known activity was as greeter to visitors to the Thanhouser studio. The New Rochelle Pioneer, October 3, 1914, told of a recent appointment: "Dave Keleher has been appointed 'location man' for the local studio, which entails hunting all over christendom for exterior locations for directors to stage scripts. And he's making good at it. Of course, when a cop is needed, Dave goes back before the cameras."
The Evening Standard (New Rochelle), May 10, 1916, carried this item: "Danbury [Connecticut] News: John [sic] Keleher, production man for the Thanhouser Film Company, has been in this city making a survey of the city as a place in which to stage motion picture dramas. In other words he was looking for locations which in the language of the silent drama means suitable places which by reason of the background or scenery offer a suitable place in which to take motion pictures. It is the business of the production man of a motion picture company to hunt for locations or suitable spots in which to take scenes and often such a man tours a large part of the country, something like a baseball scout, trying to find just the kind of a scene that he wants."
He was 5'9" tall, weighed 208 pounds, and had dark brown hair and blue eyes. From at least 1911 to 1917 he lived at 120 East Main Street (the Boston Post Road) in New Rochelle. His obituary appeared in the June 2, 1917 issue of The New Rochelle Pioneer: "Dave Keleher is no more. Dave, one of the most interesting characters in New Rochelle, passed away suddenly at his home on Saturday morning, after having a severe hemorrhage. For some years Dave has been the official location man of the Thanhouser Film Corporation. He was also the official 'chief,' and in this capacity his face became known throughout the country, as he took this character in many of the pictures made by Thanhouser.
"The deceased had a most interesting career in his 52 years of life. He loved politics and was the principal of many a good political fight in the old days. Dave was a born Democrat and never changed horses. He had an ambition to be a councilman of the First Ward, and had commenced laying wires for this office two years ago. He was a bluff, good natured individual with a quaint manner of conversation, which made him popular with all his associates and friends. Dave early in life learned the truth of the axiom, 'Ask and you shall receive.' His success with the Thanhouser company was due to his tenacity in sticking to a person who had a desirable location until that person finally consented to give the Thanhouser people exclusive rights to Thanhouser to 'shoot' the scene. As Lloyd Lonergan properly said, 'I have asked Dave to get some of the hardest locations possible, and this genial character would always deliver the goods. He had the most persuasive arguments that have ever been invented.'
"In spite of his general makeup, which would lead some to believe that Dave did not have a sense of beauty, the deceased location man was a born artist. He could discover beauty while passing through a landscape in an automobile. Many of the feature pictures turned out by the local corporation were made best sellers by the fact that Dave understood beauty and was always on the lookout for real beauty. Dave loved New Rochelle and Westchester County. He was a native of New Rochelle, having been born at Davenport's Neck. He knew every beauty spot in the city and county, and his greatest delight was to travel through this vicinity and look upon the beautiful natural scenes.
"It has been truthfully said time and time again that Dave knew more important men and women than any individual in New Rochelle. He gloried in making acquaintances of the great and popular, and he would go out of his way to shake the hand of a celebrity and pass the time of day with such an individual. Whether they were great or small, Dave treated everybody alike. He was a friend of all mankind, and he never lost a chance to prove it. Everybody got the cheery hello and the broad whimsical smile. Before entering the employ of the Thanhouser Company, Dave was connected with former Mayor George G. Raymond in the building of the subway. He rode on the first train that was ever sent through the subway. Among his most precious treasures was a photograph showing him on the first train together with President Shonts, Mr. Raymond, and other important personages.
"At one time he was captain of Charles Pryor's racing craft. He was also one of the first messengers to go from New Rochelle to New York. The deceased was a member of the disbanded Police Patrol and the local lodge of Elks. Dave's end came most suddenly. He left the studio Friday afternoon, and on the way home he received a slight shock. However, he seemed to have recovered by morning. He was about to leave his residence, which was the home of himself, his mother, and his sister Catherine, when he received the fatal hemorrhage. He is survived by his 90-year-old mother, two brothers, William of Larchmont and Michael of 23 Trinity Street this city; two sisters, Mrs. James Hennessey of 66 Huguenot Street, and Miss Catherine Keleher. The funeral arrangements took place from the Blessed Sacrament Church Tuesday morning. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery."
The New Rochelle Evening Standard, May 26, 1917, printed news of his passing: "David F. Keleher, a native New Rochellean, location man for the Thanhouser Corporation died suddenly of hemorrhage this morning at the family home, 120 East Main Street. The death is a surprise to his many friends in this city. Mr. Keleher for the past few days has been complaining that his strength was failing, but never spoke of being at all seriously ill. This morning he rose about 6:30 as usual and partly dressed. He went downstairs to wash and then went back to his room apparently all right. There he was seized with a sudden attack and fell on the bed. Martin Tahaney, a neighbor, was called in from next door and he immediately notified police headquarters. Headquarters detailed Sergeant Kieran and policeman Underhill and notified Coroner Livingston and Health Officer Codding. Death was pronounced due to hemorrhage of the lung. This was Mr. Keleher's second attack in two days, he having suffered from an attack yesterday afternoon. Mr. Keleher was born on Davenport Neck and spent all of his life in New Rochelle where he was well known and highly respected. Before the Thanhouser Corporation came to New Rochelle he was in charge of the work on the subway and the metropolis under former Mayor George G. Raymond...."
Note: In publicity his name was sometimes misspelled as "Kellerer" and "Kelleher."
Thanhouser Filmography:
1914: The Girl Across the Hall (6-14-1914), The Tell-Tale Scar (8-9-1914), The Keeper of the Light (Princess 8-28-1914), The Trail of the Love-Lorn (9-29-1914)
1914-1915 Serial: The Million Dollar Mystery
1915: His I.O.U. (7-16-1915), The Crogmere Ruby (8-15-1915), The Baby and the Boss (11-23-1915), The Crimson Sabre (11-30-1915)
1916: The Traffic Cop (4-8-1916)
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Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.