Cooley High: The truth emerges about Brenda and Cynthia Davis

Cooley High: Brenda left a lasting impression on viewers

The 1975 hit film Cooley High remains a favorite of many fans today more than 50 years later. One of the mysteries of the coming of age movie is what happened to one of its stars, Cynthia Davis who portrayed Brenda.

Each time I have viewed this film over the years, I remark that the credits stated "Introducing Cynthia Davis." This seemed to imply that the up-and-coming actress would go on the fame and fortune in other movies but it did not happen. Someone saw her future potential but something happened that took her away from the spotlight.

Davis's co-stars Glen Turman, (Preach) Corin Rogers (Pooter) Jackie Taylor (Johnnie Mae) ( Lawrence Hylton Jacobs,(Cochise) and Garrett Morris (Mr. Mason) all went on to subsequent movie and television roles. The beautiful Cynthia, however, slipped into oblivion and there were even rumors that she had passed away. Over the years her family disputed these claims but never divulged what was happening with the woman who was introduced to the world and should have been a star.

Davis never had another acting role and I had a suspicion as to why. Please read the interview she gave by clicking on the following link and form your own opinion. Based on what the actress did say, but more importantly what she chose not to reveal it t is likely that she endured some type of harassment. Several people who commented on the interview have suggested the same but only Cynthia Davis knows for certain.

Cynthia Davis: She was poised to be a star

Davis said she was offered a role in Mandingo but it did not work out and that she did not keep in touch with her co-stars from Cooley High. One thing she said is very powerful and perhaps pretty revealing. When asked what she had learned from her experience her reply was:

"Not to be so naive. However, there were a lot of mistakes I made in trusting people; I’d rather not elaborate. You give power away when you let people rent space in your brain. Especially people who don’t have your best interests in mind".

I applaud Cynthia Davis for giving the interview because fans have been concerned about her for decades. I respect that she said she did not desire to elaborate on what took place during the filming of the movie but this will not stop anyone from speculation. There are a variety of things that could have taken place so lets look at some of the possibilities.

Davis might have been teased because she was light-complexioned and called "stuck up." She also could have been ridiculed for being skinny. There may have been animosity from other women on the set because the "high yella gal" got the best part. Davis may also have been sexually harassed by directors, producers, and or male cast members because she was pretty. This could have been verbal or physical.

Perhaps she dealt with unwanted touching of her body or even was molested or raped. Her statement suggests she put her trust in someone who let her down and that is a shame. If you look at the above photo of the cast seated on the steps, Davis (wearing glasses) looks sad but the girls directly below her look excited.

These things happen in the real world as well as on movie sets and sadly Cynthia Davis may have been the victim of all the above. At 17 years of age and new to the entertainment business, she may have tried to befriend females who loathed her or had her trust betrayed by men she thought had her back. Whatever happened it stopped the career of a promising young actress. Davis never once said in the interview that she chose not to act again and live a private life. This is more evidence that someone or perhaps several someones got in her way. Was it jealous females, hormonal teen males, predator movie executives or perhaps all three?

Davis has chosen not to elaborate and that is her right but her story is a sad one. For a rising star to go into seclusion and not ride on the wave of the success of the popular movie speaks volumes. The only other information about Davi is that she never married but has a daughter Samantha Felton and two grandchildren.