There have been three truly great social humorists in American history, Mark Twain, Will Rogers and Jon Stewart. The least known today is the guy bookended by the other two. Now I was sorta disappointed that this documentary was as old as it was (1961) and to find Bob Hope narrating, but after watching a few minutes I began to appreciate the footage and news reel material used. If you know nothing about Will Rogers except his ubiquitous remark; “I have never yet met a man that I didn’t like,” then you should do yourself a favor and watch this informative bio. And just for fun, here are some of Rogers more telling quotes:

Story of Will Rogers DVD CoverOn the American Voter:

I belong to no organized party, I’m a Democrat.

Democrats never agree on anything; that’s why they’re Democrats. If they agreed with each other, they would be Republicans.

On Government:

A fool and his money are soon elected.

Be thankful were not getting all the government were paying for.

Ancient Rome declined because it had a Senate; now what’s going to happen to us with both a Senate and a House?

About all I can say for the United States Senate is that it opens with a prayer and closes with an investigation.

On Misc:

People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.

Diplomacy is the art of saying ‘Nice doggie,’ until you can find a rock.

Pretty timely, huh?

Director; Donald B. Hyatt

Writers: Richard Hanser, Rod Reed

Narrator: Bob Hope

Year: 1961

Not Rated

Available on DVD at  most Online retailers.

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An award-winning L.A. playwright and rabble-rouser of note who has hoisted glasses with Orson Welles, been arrested on three continents and once beat up Charlie Manson. His first play, "Among the Vipers" was a semi-finalist in the Julie Harris Playwriting Competition and was featured in the Carnegie-Mellon Showcase of New Plays. It was produced at the NPT Theater in Ashland, Oregon and Los Angeles’ celebrated Odyssey Ensemble Theatre. His following play, “The Little Boy Who Loved Monsters” was produced at The Hollywood Actors Theater, where he earned praise from the Los Angeles Times for his “…inordinately creative writing.” The play went on to numerous other productions including Berlin’s The Black Theatre under the direction of Rainer Fassbinder who wrote in his program notes of Kearney, “He is a skilled playwright, but more importantly he is a dangerous one.” Ernest Kearney has worked as literary manager or as dramaturge for among others The Hudson Theater Guild, Nova Diem and the Odyssey Ensemble Theatre, where he still serves on the play selection committee. He has been the recipient of two Dramalogue Awards and a finalist or semi-finalist, three times, in the Julie Harris Playwriting Competition. His work has been performed by Michael Dunn, Sandra Tsing Loh, Jack Colvin and Billy Bob Thornton, and to date, either as playwright or director, he has upwards of a hundred and thirty productions under his belt, including a few at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater as puppeteer. Kearney remains focused on his writing, as well as living happily ever after with his lovely wife Marlene. His stage reviews and social essays can be found at TheTVolution.com and workingauthor.com. Follow him on Facebook.

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