WILL ROGERS IN CHARACTER | STATE FAIR (1933) Oversized photo

[Los Angeles]: Fox Pictures, [1933]. Vintage original 11 x 14″ (28 x 35 cm.) black-and-white double weight glossy silver gelatin photo. Minor wear along top blank white margin edge. Informational paper blurb attached and folded-over at bottom. Near fine.

Though he appeared in silent films, Will Rogers was most popular on stage where he shared his humorous observations of life, including politics, which appealed to the masses. Once talking pictures became popular, the whole world was able to enjoy his brand of humor and folksy characterization.

In this first adaptation of Phil Stong’s novel State Fair, where Rogers played his warm-hearted fatherly character (as evidenced in this portrait), there were pre-Code elements including alcohol use, which was still illegal at the time.