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13 - The Man Talkies Were Invented For

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  aN Invalid Date NaN

Steven Watts
Steven Watts
Affiliation:
University of Missouri, Columbia
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Summary

Chapter Thirteen examines Rogers’ emergence in the 1930s as one of Hollywood’s most popular movie stars. The development of "talkie" films provided an opportunity for showcasing perhaps the most popular person in America in every facet of his talent: folksy appearance, verbal dexterity, homespun wit, unpretentious but shrewd sensibility. Fox Films signed him to a contract, and from 1929 to 1935 he starred in a series of popular films that combined his trademark humor with common-man characters struggling with, and overcoming, pressing trials and challenges. These populist films often touted the virtues of rural and small-town life, hard work, plain-spoken morality, and community loyalty. Rogers made a trio of such films with famed director John Ford. The humorist became such a popular movie star and celebrity that he was judged to be Hollywood’s top box office attraction in 1934. Rogers’ success as a "talkie" movie star provided the capstone of his career and cemented his status as an American folk hero.

Keywords

Hollywoodtalkie filmscelebritymovie starFox FilmspopulismcomedyJohn FordEugene O’Neill
Type
Chapter
Information
Citizen Cowboy
Will Rogers and the American People
 , pp. 347 - 381
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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