James Graham Stewart; Pioneer in Movie Sound

James Graham Stewart, 90, Academy Award-winning pioneer of “talkies.” A native of Homewood, Pa., Stewart at 12 became a disc jockey for an experimental radio station that evolved into KDKA, the nation’s first commercial radio station. In 1928, as sound was beginning in motion pictures, Stewart installed theater sound projectors and speakers for RCA Photophone. He came to California in 1931 as sound director for RKO. He earned two Oscars working for that studio, the first for “This Land Is Mine” in 1943 and the second for “Bells of St. Mary’s” in 1945. He later worked as re-recording engineer and supervisor of technical operations for David O. Selznick, earning a third Oscar for “Portrait of Jennie” in 1948. In the 1950s, Stewart moved into post-production sound for filmed television, working for Glen Glenn and later Burbank Studios. His sound work included Bob Hope tours, the television movie “Helter Skelter” and such series as “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Laugh-In.” On Saturday in Los Angeles.