King Zany Explained

Charles W. Dill (– 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

• Hollywood (1923) as Horace Pringle^[9]
• Broadway or Bust (1924)^[10]
• The City Gone Wild (1927)^[11]
• The Danger Rider (1928)^[12]
• The Rainbow (1929)^[13]

Poetry collections

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

Songs

• "All She'd Say Was Umh-Hum" (1920; with Mac Emery and Van and Schenck)
• "Coral Sea" (1920; music by Nacio Herb Brown)
• "Every Now and Then" (1929; with Don McNamee)
• "I'm Laughing" (1929; with Don McNamee, for The Great Gabbo)^[15]

Notes and References

1. News: Charles W. Dill. December 29, 2021. Daily News. February 21, 1939. 32.
2. News: "Poet of Desert" Dies at Ramona. December 29, 2021. Weekly Times-Advocate. February 24, 1939. 7.
3. Web site: King Zany. https://web.archive.org/web/20211229013424/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba9705694. dead. December 29, 2021. BFI. December 29, 2021. en.
4. News: King Zany to Speak at City Club . December 29, 2021. Oakland Tribune. August 12, 1937. 15.
5. News: Mourn Death King Zany . December 29, 2021. The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. February 23, 1939. 9.
6. News: King Zany. December 29, 2021. The Los Angeles Times. February 23, 1939. 4.
7. News: The King Not Abdicating. December 29, 2021. The Los Angeles Times. December 5, 1936. 4.
8. News: Desert Poet. December 29, 2021. The Los Angeles Times. November 24, 1936. 14.
9. News: All Players of Movieland Shown in Supporting Cast in Film Hollywood . December 29, 2021 . The Selma Times-Journal . November 4, 1923 . 1.
10. News: Hoot Gibson in Hilarious Play . December 29, 2021 . Honolulu Star-Bulletin . December 27, 1924 . 9.
11. News: Fanny Ward at the Albee . December 29, 2021 . The Standard Union . February 5, 1928 . 10.
12. News: The Picturedome . . September 7, 1929 . 9.
13. News: Strand . December 29, 2021 . The Miami Herald . February 3, 1930 . 6.
14. News: Desert Bard Sings Again Despite His Worries and His Pain . December 29, 2021 . The Los Angeles Times . May 4, 1936 . 4.
15. News: Archie Bleyer's Quaint Arrangements . . June 4, 1930 . 15.