Will Rogers Collection: Volume 1 (Life Begins at 40 / In Old Kentucky / Doubting Thomas / Steamboat 'Round the Bend)

I can't vouch for two of the films in this set (just ordered it) but Steamboat is worth the money alone. Absolutely hilarious. This film is dated obviously, but the humor and sarcasim are spot-on.I'm thrilled to find Steamboat finally released on DVD. The others I may have seen years ago also, but they don't ring a bell right off. I will say that Will Rogers was a very funny comedian and took great strides at knocking the edge off of what today would be the "Politically Correct" crowd and social elite.Update: 2010; I've watched these classic movies and they are excellent. The transfer to DVD is good and they are very watchable considering their age. It's a good set for sure, but worth it completely for Steamboat... my favorite.

Compilers of this box of four classic Will Rogers movies did an outstanding job. The four DVDs come in an attractive & colorful case; a note booklet offers informative summaries and commentary on the films; and each of the four is lovingly remastered with wonderful sound & picture quality. Films here in volume 1 are, to me at least, a little more entertaining than those in volume 2 -- but all manage to evoke a long-lost, simpler time in small-town or rural America when good will and humor carried the day over selfishness and greed.I hope that Volumes 3 and beyond will continue this series; still unreleased on DVD as I write are such classics as State Fair, County Chairman, and Connecticut Yankee.

WILL ROGERS WAS AN AMERICAN OKLAHOMA COWBOY SAGE. HIS WIT, WISDOM,ABILITY TO PUT INTO 5TH GRADE ENGLISH THE COMPLICATED ISSUES OF MODERNAMERICA IN A LINGO OF THE WESTERN FRONTIER WITH A HUMOR THAT MADE ITEASY FOR THOSE OF US IN A MODERN AGE TO SEE THE LAND OF THE FREE IN THEMINDSET OF A BYGONE ERA. IT WAS A SIMPLER TIME AND PLACE THAT SOME FOLKSMIGHT WISH THEY COULD RECAPTURE THE FRIENDLINESS AND HUMAN COMPASSIONTHAT HAS SEEMED TO VAPORIZE IN THE FAST PACED WORLD OF TODAY. ENJOY!

I BELIEVE THE NEW MOSES! ... Get this set for this Movie! Ann Shirley (as cute little FLEETY BELLE), Steppin Fetchit ... (who we finally see in the 21st century), Will Rogers ... (The American Icon closest to Mark Twain), all at their classic best. In the early 60's this movie regularly played on the independent TV channels in Los Angeles, (then, suddenly pulled due to stereotyping). This is the jewel of the Collection for sure! Other movies are really cool too, just see STEAMBOAT ROUND THE BEND and you'll be amazed!I'm told the actual race was filmed in Sacramento! (REAL STEAMBOATS!)

And thank God we can see him on film. My only complaint was in letting some Englishman do the commentary on three of these films. It's obvious this guy's knowledge of American mores ends at the NYC and Boston city limits. As late as when I was a boy, hay rides, people riding in Model "T" Fords, and hog calling contests were commonplace. But these movies have a kind of easy going humor that is rare these days.

Todays generation has mostly forgotten one of the 20th Centuries greatest humorists and greatest human. What a tragedy. These remastered movie DVDs give a brief and welcome glance at what humor was in pre WWII America. Will was probably the second most important figure, after FDR, in America surviving the depression. His role was wit and compassion. Both are in evidense in these four films. More of the same, please. After all, will ran for President more than 50 years prior to Pat Paulson!

As a big fan of Rogers, I had wanted this collection of his films for a while. I took a gamble on a used box set and was I surprised. it arrived on time and in great condition, it looks like new.I will buy from then again.

I have only just discovered Will Rogers 80 years late, and 81 years after his death in a small plane crash in 1935. Rogers started in film in the silent era but it is sound that really made him because his is a very funny and understated humour that is still very amusing today. I first came across him in some John Ford films, most notably DOCTOR BULL, but essentially Will Rogers plays Will Rogers in all his films. And he plays Will Rogers to perfection! Will Rogers is a humourist in the tradition of Mark Twain, another great American who exemplifies all that is great and inspiring in the American national character. Will Rogers has the same perceptive wit and love of humanity that Mark Twain has. Long may they both be influential because we can still do with them in our lives in this troubled and cynical age we live in. As well as Will Rogers, you will find great character actors in all his films. Well worth watching for their humour and insight into the human condition. These films may be 80 years old but they still speak to us volumes today.

old time wit and humour very enjoyable