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. 1 2 "Charles W. Dill". Daily News. February 21, 1939. p. 32. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 ""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. 1 2 3 "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.
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