In 1927, Will Rogers went on a holiday tour of Europe. To offset the cost of his trip, he signed a deal with the Pathe film company to star in a series of travelogues: director Carl Stearns Clancy would follow Rogers across Europe with a camera, and would record Rogers's antics en route. The films (roughly 10 minutes each) were shot silent, but were later re-released with post-dubbed narration. Will Rogers's voice is not heard. Among the places visited by Rogers in this series were Paris, London, Berlin, Switzerland, Bavaria and Holland.
"Roaming the Emerald Isle with Will Rogers" is the Irish instalment in this series. Rogers visits the home of the late Richard Croker and meets Croker's widow. (Richard Croker, born in Ireland, emigrated to America and became active in New York City machine politics, ultimately becoming the leader of Tammany Hall. In retirement, he returned to his native Ireland.) Also shown here are the Vale of Glendalough, the lakes of Killarney, Ross Castle, and a brief visit with the Earl of Killarney.
In the title cards, Rogers comments on his own part-Irish ancestry and tosses off a few faux-folksy witticisms such as: "If I was England, I would give Ireland home rule but reserve the motion-picture rights for what follows."
The film is interesting for its documentary value and for a glimpse of Rogers, although his humour has badly dated.
"Roaming the Emerald Isle with Will Rogers" is the Irish instalment in this series. Rogers visits the home of the late Richard Croker and meets Croker's widow. (Richard Croker, born in Ireland, emigrated to America and became active in New York City machine politics, ultimately becoming the leader of Tammany Hall. In retirement, he returned to his native Ireland.) Also shown here are the Vale of Glendalough, the lakes of Killarney, Ross Castle, and a brief visit with the Earl of Killarney.
In the title cards, Rogers comments on his own part-Irish ancestry and tosses off a few faux-folksy witticisms such as: "If I was England, I would give Ireland home rule but reserve the motion-picture rights for what follows."
The film is interesting for its documentary value and for a glimpse of Rogers, although his humour has badly dated.