King Zany

Charles W. Dill (c. 1889 – February 19, 1939), known as King Zany, was an American poet, lyricist, and actor.

Early life

Zany was born around 1889 in Ohio.[1] He had a brother (Joseph) and a sister.[2]

Film career

Zany starred in several films throughout the 1920s, including Hollywood, Broadway or Bust and The City Gone Wild.[3] His acting career came to an end in the late 1920s, following back injuries sustained after horseriding.[2]

Poetry career

Zany was a popular poet within Southern Californian literary circles, speaking and reading his poems at various clubs throughout the state.[4] He portrayed himself as a "desert poet",[5] with his poetry collections being made from desert objects like Joshua tree wood.[6]

As well as writing poetry, Zany published various periodicals, starting with a monthly circular called The Vagabond Voice and then a monthly newsletter of poetry and philosophy called The Desert Breeze.[7] His poetry was featured on a 1936 KNX radio show by Jimmy McMasters.[8]

Personal life

Zany's wife, Florence,[2] assisted in the physical creation of his poetry collections.[6] They lived in a "desert shack" at Pearblossom,[6] but later moved to a ranch in Ramona.[2] The couple had a son, Charles L. Dill.[2]

Zany died on February 19, 1939, in Ramona,[1] aged around 50.[2]

Works

Films

Poetry collections
  • Star brew from a lean-to (1936)[14]
  • Pity the Dreamless (1937)
  • Carols from Cactus Land (1938)

Songs

References
  1. "Charles W. Dill". Daily News. February 21, 1939. p. 32. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  2. ""Poet of Desert" Dies at Ramona". Weekly Times-Advocate. February 24, 1939. p. 7. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  3. "King Zany". BFI. Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  4. "King Zany to Speak at City Club". Oakland Tribune. August 12, 1937. p. 15. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  5. "Mourn Death King Zany". The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. February 23, 1939. p. 9. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  6. "King Zany". The Los Angeles Times. February 23, 1939. p. 4. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  7. "The King Not Abdicating". The Los Angeles Times. December 5, 1936. p. 4. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  8. "Desert Poet". The Los Angeles Times. November 24, 1936. p. 14. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  9. "All Players of Movieland Shown in Supporting Cast in Film Hollywood". The Selma Times-Journal. November 4, 1923. p. 1. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  10. "Hoot Gibson in Hilarious Play". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. December 27, 1924. p. 9. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  11. "Fanny Ward at the Albee". The Standard Union. February 5, 1928. p. 10. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  12. "The Picturedome". Lincolnshire Standard. September 7, 1929. p. 9.
  13. "Strand". The Miami Herald. February 3, 1930. p. 6. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  14. "Desert Bard Sings Again Despite His Worries and His Pain". The Los Angeles Times. May 4, 1936. p. 4. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  15. "Archie Bleyer's Quaint Arrangements". The Era. June 4, 1930. p. 15.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.