Born in 1889, Clarence Muse was a busy actor throughout Hollywood’s Golden Age. In 1932 alone he is known to have appeared in 18 movies — but often for only seconds. The Black actor was typically cast as a servant, a golf caddy, a driver, a train porter or a doorman.

Sometimes those quick appearances were in acknowledged classics by such directors as Billy Wilder (“Double Indemnity”), Ernst Lubitsch (“Heaven Can Wait”) and Alfred Hitchcock (“Shadow of a Doubt”) or with such stars as Marlene Dietrich (“Blonde Venus”), Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (“Flying Down to Rio”) and Cary Grant (“The Talk of the Town”).

Muse’s more substantial roles came in relatively obscure movies, like 1941’s “Invisible Ghost” with Bela Lugosi, and in films with all-Black casts, including two path-breaking 1929 musicals, “Hearts in Dixie” and “Hallelujah!”

There’s lots more to his Zelig-like career. Not only did he co-write a script with Langston Hughes, he co-authored the song “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South,” a signature number for Louis Armstrong.

One of Muse’s last roles was as a shoeshine man in 1976’s “Car Wash” with Richard Pryor and George Carlin.

Muse also spent decades in Perris, where he was an active volunteer with wife Ena. He died Oct. 13, 1979, one day before he would have turned 90, and four days before the release of his final film, the children’s classic “The Black Stallion.”

Among other activities around town, Muse in 1964 helped found the Perris Valley Historical and Museum Association, the local historical society, and in 1965 established the Perris Art Festival.

The first festival played off the city’s name. “The Art Festival of Perris (Paris),” it was called, with a replica of the Eiffel Tower, simulated Paris sidewalk cafes and the whimsical renaming of the youth center as the Louvre.

“That ran for 15 years before he passed away,” recalled Midgie Parker, a historical society board member and resident since 1969. “He wanted to bring art to Perris. It was just a sleepy little farm town.”

Saturday, May 31 brings the art festival’s return, 60 years after the first one. And this time it’s called the Clarence Muse Art Festival.

Taking place at the Perris Santa Fe Depot, 120 W. 4th St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the festival will have arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, live jazz, free painting for children and tours of the 1892 depot’s museum. Admission is free.

Most importantly, the museum will show off its Clarence Muse memorabilia, as will at least two private collectors in town. People who remember him will speak. Displays will offer facts and photos from his life and career, especially his ties to Perris.

And a highlight reel of film clips — some several minutes, others just seconds long — will be shown.

“Really, we want to educate people in the community about Clarence,” said Katie Keyes, another museum board member and a Perris native.

I met with Keyes and Parker at the depot on Tuesday. Both 82, they want to spread the word about Muse. The society created a website, whowasclarencemuse.org, to catalog the life of the man who died 46 years ago.

“When Midgie and I are gone, no one will remember Clarence,” Keyes said. “He needs to be remembered.”

What brought Muse to Perris seems to have been cheap real estate.

“He came in the mid-1930s and bought, I’d say, 160 acres out in the Good Hope area. It was the largest producing gold mine in Southern California,” Parker explained. “He came out here to retire. He didn’t retire.”

He named his spread the Muse-a-While Ranch. Opened in 1948 off today’s Highway 74, it was a dude ranch with guest cottages.

“Where the pavement ends and the West begins” was its advertising slogan.

Primarily aimed at Black vacationers, the ranch was listed in the Green Book, the traveler’s guide to businesses, lodging and restaurants friendly to Black people.

“The ideal place for tired people to relax and enjoy horseback riding, hunting, swimming, archery, golf driving range, in fact amusements of all kinds,” touted an undated brochure. “There is always the possibility of a great impromptu concert when the many stars who frequent this ranch get in the mood for a jam session.”

Muse got more involved in Perris in the 1960s. He sponsored an annual event named Christmas Hollow — with White, Black and Latino Santas — that ensured every child got a present. He planted pine trees to beautify the town and raised money for schools.

Bob Warren, who was on the City Council from 1960-68, was a personal friend.

In a recent email to Keyes, Warren’s daughter Janet wrote: “Clarence invited my dad to the premiere of ‘Car Wash.’ I remember my dad’s excitement and (him) sharing his experience from that night.”

In 2023, Perris City Hall dedicated the home of its information technology department and TV studio as the Clarence Muse Center.

“Our optimum goal is to raise funds for a Hollywood Walk of Fame star,” Mayor Michael Vargas told me Wednesday. “He deserves to be on that Walk of Fame for what he’s done.”

Muse is eligible. A star is the top goal of the historical society. In one year, it’s raised $36,000 of the $75,000 cost.

Another silent auction will take place Saturday, with all proceeds earmarked for Muse’s star. Donations are also welcome by personal check or Venmo, with “Clarence Muse” in the “for” line.

Said Vargas: “We need to cement his legacy.”

Living up to his surname, Muse is still inspiring people.

More Bob

Did I write here Sunday that Bob Dylan has performed six concerts in the Inland Empire? Make that seven. Overlooked was a Sept. 4, 2008 show at Pechanga Resort Casino near Temecula.

According to the setlist, Dylan sang two rarely performed classics, “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall” and “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll.”

“Great show at a fairly intimate venue,” says Robert Langelier of Hemet. Vicki Broach of Riverside tells me of her group: “The late Bill Walton was dancing from his seat a few rows ahead of us.”

It’s alright, Ma, David Allen writes Friday, Sunday and Wednesday. Email dallen@scng.com, phone 909-483-9339, and follow davidallencolumnist on Facebook, @davidallen909 on X or @davidallen909.bsky.social on Bluesky.