Will Rogers

Humorist Will Rogers in a live radio broadcast taped in the early 1930s. Rogers began as a comedian with the Ziegfield Follies in 1915, in an act where he swung a lasso and commented on society and politics. He also wrote books with titles such as "The Cowboy Philosopher on Prohibition" and "The Illiterate Digest." Rogers was enthusiastic about the future of aviation, and was killed in an airplane crash with pilot Wiley Post in 1935. Rogers was born in Oklahoma and his folksy Western style and common-sense wisdom made him a tremendously popular figure with the public at large--sort of a benevolent Rush Limbaugh (but with brains).

Part 1 .au format (5 Mb), .gsm format (1 Mb), .ra format (0.7 Mb).
In this broadcast, Rogers discusses the various "plans" proposed by government figures to alleviate the great depression of the 1930s.

Part 2 .au format (3 Mb), .gsm format (0.6 Mb), .ra format (0.4 Mb).
In this broadcast, Rogers offers his opinions on his two favorite subjects at the time: politics and economics.

Part 3 .au format (5 Mb), .gsm format (1 Mb), .ra format (0.6 Mb).
In this monologue, Rogers discusses the great dust bowl that displaced thousands of midwestern farmers. He comments on the damage done by settlers and gives his foresighted views on the need to preserve the environment for future generations.

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