Raymond A. Klune, 84; Film Executive
Raymond A. Klune, 84, a retired film executive who traced his industry beginnings to working in the mail room for D. W. Griffith, died Saturday at his home near Oceanside.
He was named general manager of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1958, culminating a career that began when he served an apprenticeship with Griffith. He eventually became comptroller of the famous silent screen director’s studio in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Over the years Klune was an executive with Selznick International and 20th Century Fox. He was credited in 1967 with the concept of re-releasing “Gone With the Wind,” the legendary David O. Selznick production, on 70-millimeter film and in stereophonic sound. Klune had been production manager for the 1939 classic.
A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Hollywood Hills.
Survivors include his wife, the former actress Hillary Brooke, a son, a daughter, a sister, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
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