Clarence Muse - A History Making, Unsung Talent

With more than 150 credits to his name, Clarence Muse left behind an extensive and impressive body of work in Hollywood and in independent pictures. He made history with his leading role in the first all-Black talkie, Hearts in Dixie ('29). Nevertheless, being a Black man in Hollywood meant that his talents were relegated to miniscule, often uncredited roles as servants, porters, butlers and chauffeurs. In spite of Hollywood's racist typecasting, Muse made history, alongside poet Langston Hughes, by becoming the first African American with screenwriting credits on a studio picture for the film Way Down South ('39).