Hollywood (Jan - Oct 1934)

That Ropin* Rogers Kid Continued from pnge thirty-six one of the outstanding features of the Texas Jack Wild West Show. He Toured South Africa and Australia with that aggregation, being billed as "The Cherokee Kid" (Rogers always has been proud of his Indian blood). Later he was featured for eight months with the Wirth Bros. Circus in Australia. Following this engagement, he returned to the United States, via San Francisco, in time to participate in the Wild West Show held at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904. One of his first vaudeville appearances was at Hammerstein's Victoria, at the "corner," 7th Ave. and 42nd St. His act consisted in making fancy catches on a horse ridden by a cowboy, as well as doing fancy and trick spinning. He was allotted the position, dreaded by most vaudeville acts, that of "closing the show," the last act on the program. Rogers used a nifty bay pony, called "Teddy," in honor of the friend of all cowpunchers — Colonel Theodore Roosevelt. Buck McKee from Pawnee, Okla., was the cowpuncher who rode the horse for Will's roping. Upon His Opening at Hammersteins, the men who booked him were in attendance to see how his act would go. They had prepared an opening speech, together with other announcements regarding his tricks, that in their opinion would be best for Will to use in presenting his offering. Instead of their carefully prepared material, they were amazed to hear him start the opening of his act with: "Ladies an' Gentlemen — A'm goin' to give yuh all a practical demonstration of the use of the 'rope' — er lasso as they call it back in this country. The first little stunt I'll spring on yuh is a tolerable fair 'un if I make'er." And with that he let out a yell and roped Teddy by all four legs as Buck galloped him across the stage. Later on in the act, while trying to jump in and out of the rope loop and being bent over "jumping the spoke" as the trick is called, he missed it several times. Non-plussed he took a wad of chewing gum from his mouth and walking over to the side of the stage, where stood the easel holding the card which bore the inscription, will Rogers, he placed the gum as a dot over the letter "i" in Will. He then went back and accomplished the trick, remarking as he retrieved the gum from the sign, "I thought I was acarryin' too much ballast." To the blase theatregoers of the larger cities, who prided themselves on the assertion that they had "seen everything," the expert lariat work of Rogers was a distinct novelty and his droll announcements anent his work and the caustic "wise cracks" pertaining to everybody and everything were a hit. From 1905 Until 1911, Rogers together with Buck McKee and Teddy appeared continuously in the leading vaudeville theatres of the United States and Canada as well as the leading music halls of Great Britain and Continental Europe. At different times he was booked to "strengthen" burlesque shows, which at that time were in their heyday in the United States. 48 While playing at the Wintergarden, in Berlin, along in 1907, he saddled up Teddy one morning and went for a ride in the Tierpark. While riding along the bridle path, a party of horsemen, attired in modish riding outfits, cantered by. Struck by the excellent horseflesh, one horse in particular, Rogers spurred Teddy alongside the rider. "I'd shore like to beat yuh outa that horse! What do yuh hold 'im at?" asked Rogers. The rider smiled and asked Will what sort of a horse he was riding, asked about the stock saddle and where he came from. Will explained that he did not speak any of the foreign lingos, told about his Continental vaudeville engagements and wound up by inviting the gentleman to come down to the Wintergarden any time during his engagement and see the act, saying: "Come 'round to the stage door an' jest ask for me an' I'll fix it so yuh all can come back on the stage." Some Days Later he received a highly embossed letter, printed in German. Not being able to read it, he asked Willie Panzer (of the internationally known Willie Panzer Troupe, German gymnasts, headliners of the old Keith & Proctor days) to read the communication for him. Panzer informed him that it was a royal command to appear before the Kaiser at Potsdam to do his roping act at a garden party on a certain day. "I'm an American citizen an' there ain't nobody on this side of the bubble got any right to command me to do anything," retorted Rogers. Panzer explained that a royal command was an honor and that only acts of outstanding merit received such requests. Rogers, Buck and Teddy attended the garden party and was the last act on the program. The show was given on the lawn and at its conclusion Rogers, to gether with other performers was taken over to a group seated at one side of the lawn to be presented to the royal party. When it came Will's turn, Rogers started forward impulsively and, grasping the surprised monarch's hand, exclaimed, "Well, what do yuh know 'bout that. I didn't know yuh all was the King when I was atalkin' to yuh in the park the other day." Before leaving Germany, Rogers was the recipient of a jewelled watch charm, in the form of a horse's head studded with diamonds and with ruby eyes — a gift from Emperor William. IN 1912 Will was engaged to do his roping act, without his horse in a play called A Wall Street Girl, starring Miss Blanche Ring, on Broadway. Upon his opening performance with this troupe he received quite a reception. "I can imagine yuh all payin' fifty cents to see me in vaudeville but I didn't think yuh all'd cough up two bucks to see me on Broadway," was his opening speech, which was a howl. The next howl came from Ring's husband, who was manager of the show. He came back stage and told Rogers that the speech was out. Will replied that personally he thought the speech was the best lines in the show and that if he was to remain with the troupe that the speech stayed in. Rogers remained with the show. During this engagement his timely talk went like wildfire and he realized for the first time that his monolog was really appreciated by the audiences more than his "rope" work, the technical points of which many did not understand. In the years that followed he steadily progressed to the top in vaudeville and on the New York and English stages. When the talkies came in he proved an immediate hit in the new medium. Rogers likes to play polo and plays a fast game. He is a great cowboy contest fan and still continues to keep his hand in at trick roping. Those who know the technical points of the game, and who have witnessed him "turn on" of late, claim that there is not a better fancy roper in the world than Will Rogers. — Anthony Burke The stars are flocking to Palm Springs these days and you'll find many of them at the El Mirador Hotel, one of the most popular hostelries at the famous desert resort. The El Mirador is noted for its crystal swimming pool HOLLYWOOD