Bill Walker,  Clarence Muse,  Dreamy Kid,  Hari Rhodes,  Helen Highes,  Hollywood Center Theatre,  Isabelle Cooley,  Los Angeles,  Newspaper Article,  Pauline Myers,  Root Digger,  Zara Cully Brown

Dreamy Kid – A Play: Zara Cully Brown

January 31, 2014 /
I love seeing the different articles talking about Zara Cully Brown. Every article and every new information I come across helps build and develop the story of my Great Aunt. I only knew her for the first part of my life, as she passed away when I was 10 years old. She was, I believe one of my mother’s favorite Aunties. Zara is well known for the Jefferson’s but I am finding it fulfilling to see how her career developed over time as she didn’t make it big in Hollywood until she was a senior. It is a testament to me that it is never too late to live your dreams.

Los Angeles Sentinel
June 6, 1957
Page B10

FIRST NIGHTERS gather back stage to congratulate cast of “Dreamy Kid,” now on stage at Hollywood Center theatre.  Shown left to right: Clarence Muse, Hari Rhodes, who played title role, Isabelle Colley played his girl friend, Bill Walker, Pauline Myers who was Ceely Ann and Helen Highes holding hand of Zara Cully Brown, who played the Dreamy Kid’s grandmother.  Play was directed by James Edwards.

Sentinel Photo by Cliff Hall 

I had heard of Clarence Muse, so I decided to Google him. I also met one of his descendants online doing research a few years ago.

Wikipedia:  Clarence Muse (October 14, 1889 – October 13, 1979) was an actor, screenwriter, director, composer, and lawyer. He was inducted in the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1973. Muse was the first African American to “star” in a film. He acted for more than sixty years, and appeared in more than 150 movies.