Long before Will Rogers became an American icon he was a misfit kid growing up on his father's ranch in Oklahoma. All he wanted to do was be a cowboy and his parents despaired of him. In the end he went out on his own and found his calling working Texas Jack's Wild West Show and toured the world. He got a break when Florenz Ziegfeld decided to put his rope trick act in the Follies and when he started making humorous asides a legend was born and grew. Pretty soon he dispensed with the rope.
I can't speak for Rogers's skill with a rope in comparison with other trick ropers. Still some of the rope tricks that are demonstrated by Will are very skillful indeed.
This short subject will give you an idea of what the audience at the Ziegfeld Follies saw back when Flo Ziegfeld first engaged Will Rogers.
I can't speak for Rogers's skill with a rope in comparison with other trick ropers. Still some of the rope tricks that are demonstrated by Will are very skillful indeed.
This short subject will give you an idea of what the audience at the Ziegfeld Follies saw back when Flo Ziegfeld first engaged Will Rogers.