Will Rogers

In the 1930s, with the United States mired in the Great Depression and teetering on the brink of a second World War, millions of Americans turned to a rope-twirling, plain-talking Cherokee cowboy for clarity, comfort and common sense. His plain-spoken musings, always delivered with a shy, sly smile, influenced the political landscape then and still resonate today. WILL ROGERS AND AMERICAN POLITICS reveals how Oklahoma native Will Rogers emerged as one of the most powerful political voices in the United States. The Emmy®-winning documentary charts Rogers’ impact on American politics through rare archival film footage, photos and documents, and interviews with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, actor Mickey Rooney, Cherokee Chief Chad Smith, comedian Lewis Black, former Oklahoma Gov. George Nigh, Rogers’ grandniece and scholars. Bill Kurtis, former CBS news anchor and host of A&E’s American Justice and Cold Case Files, narrates.

There never was a star quite like her. Adored by adults and children alike, at four she already led at the box office — ahead of Gable and Cooper. Her films saved a movie studio from bankruptcy, and a President credited her with raising the morale of Depression-weary Americans. Her earliest movies gave a foretaste of her talents and soon would become the songs and dances that helped make those movies immortal.

Mel Allen hosts this look at Babe Ruth's life and career, focusing primarily on Ruth's years with the New York Yankees.

Robert Preston hosts this documentary that shows what people of the 1930s were watching as they were battling the Depression as well as eventually getting ready for another World War.

A compilation of Shirley Temple newsreel appearances from the 1930's.

Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American entertainment industry during the Great Depression.

A documentary of Hollywood's first great Latin Lover, the contradictions in his personal life, and his premature death.

A compilation featuring comedic stars of the silent era including Will Rogers, Laurel and Hardy, and the Keystone Cops.

The edition of Screen Snapshots celebrates 25 years of production. It looks at the content of edition #1, then a tribute to movie people who have died in those 25 years. Finally there are tributes to the Screen Snapshots series by Cecil De Mille, Walt Disney, Louella Parsons and Rosalind Russell.

Judy Garland sings the title song, a tribute to Will Rogers.