Wit and wisdom of Will Rogers

The top box-office star of 1934 was neither of the sex symbols Clark Gable or Jean Harlow but gray-haired, 54-year-old humorist and political wit Will Rogers.

The former cowboy, wild west show performer and trick rope twirler entered vaudeville in the early 1900s and became one of the stars of the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway. In 1918, he made his film debut and went on to appear in more than 60 features and short films until his untimely death in 1935.

His final four films have been digitally restored and are being released today by Fox ($60). “Will Rogers Collection, Vol. 1” includes “Life Begins at 40,” “Doubting Thomas,” “Steamboat ‘Round the Bend” and “In Old Kentucky.” The last two were released after he and pilot Wiley Post were killed Aug. 15, 1935, in a plane crash in Alaska.

Though no one would call Rogers a great actor, he is endearing in these films -- he generally delivers his lines with his hands in his pockets, looking down at the ground. There’s a shyness and sweetness to him, almost an innocence. But he also imbues his characters with the mischievous streak of a little boy

In “Life Begins at 40,” Rogers plays the editor of a small-town newspaper -- in real life, Rogers wrote a newspaper column from 1922 until his death -- who goes up against a powerful banker-politician. No one went to see a Rogers movie for the costars and, save for lanky Slim Somerville, the supporting cast fades into the woodwork. The DVD features a restoration comparison and informative commentary from historian Anthony Slide.

“Steamboat ‘Round the Bend” was Rogers’ third film with director John Ford and is the most charming feature on this disc. It also was the last film Rogers made. He plays a riverboat pilot and showman. Anne Shirley and Stepin Fetchit also star. The film grossed a remarkable $1.5 million. Extras include lively commentary from historian Scott Eyman, who talks about the Rogers-Ford collaboration while offering an overview of their careers.

Rogers almost takes a back seat to the antics of Billie Burke of “Wizard of Oz” fame in the airy comedy “Doubting Thomas.” Burke plays the flighty wife of a businessman (Rogers) who pursues her dream of becoming an actress by joining the town’s local theater group. Alison Skipworth also shines as the arrogant, inept theater director. Rogers has a wonderful moment when he dresses up as a Bing Crosby-wannabe crooner. Extras include a “Biography” installment on Rogers, restoration comparison, newsreels and commentary from Slide.

Rounding out the set is the weak Rogers vehicle “In Old Kentucky,” which finds the humorist playing a horse trainer, and save for tap legend Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the supporting cast is annoying at best. Added features include a newsreel of Rogers taking off with Post on their ill-fated flight and commentary from Slide.

Also new

“Playboy After Dark” (Morada Vision, $40): When Playboy magazine was 5 years old in 1959, publisher Hugh Hefner kicked off his first national TV series, “Playboy’s Penthouse,” which was produced in Chicago and ran for two seasons. By 1969, the magazine’s circulation was at 5.5 million and Hefner had moved his base of operations from the Windy City to Los Angeles. Once again he entered the TV business with “Playboy After Dark,” a 26-week syndicated series.

This infinitely enjoyable three-disc set features two episodes from the “Penthouse” series and four from “Playboy After Dark.”

The “Penthouse” series was set in a bachelor pad where Hef would invite viewers to join the Playmates and such guest stars as Cy Coleman (who wrote the theme song), Lenny Bruce, Sammy Davis Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald.

“After Dark” followed the same format, but the $350,000 bachelor pad was built on a CBS soundstage. This time around, Hefner was accompanied by his girlfriend du jour, Barbi Benton, and together they boogied to the music of Joe Cocker and even played Simon Says. Guests here include Davis, Linda Ronstadt, Sid Caesar, Dick Shawn, Mort Sahl, Louis Nye and Ike and Tina Turner. The set includes an interview with the 80-year-old Hefner in trademark loungewear.

“Final Destination 3” (New Line, $30): This two-disc special edition of the third in the horror-film franchise gives viewers the option of watching the theatrical release or the “Choose Their Fate” version, where you can click on icons to control the characters’ fates. The film isn’t very good, so the “Fate” option is an innovative way to have fun. Rounding out the disc are a “making of” documentary; a creepy animated short, “It’s All Around You”; a look at the “Dead Teenager Movie” and breezy commentary from filmmakers James Wong and Glen Morgan and cinematographer Robert McLachlan.

“Wanda” (Parlour Pictures, $25): Tony Award-winning actress Barbara Loden (“After the Fall”) became the first woman since Ida Lupino to direct an American feature film with this acclaimed 1971 drama. Loden also wrote and stars in this downbeat tale of a young woman who, after abandoning her husband and children, drifts from man to man. When she hooks up with a small-time crook (Michael Higgins), they embark on a crime spree. Loden never wrote or directed another film, nor even appeared in another film. She died of cancer at age 48 in 1980.

“Rawhide -- The Complete First Season” (Paramount, $50): After appearing in small roles in “B” pictures at Universal, Clint Eastwood got his first big break in this 1959-65 CBS western series that featured one of the best theme songs -- “Keep movin’, movin’, movin’

“Animaniacs, Vol. 1” (Warner, $45) Steven Spielberg presented this tongue-in-cheek animated TV series, which aired from 1993 to ’98. The DVD set includes an interview with the voice talent.

“Pinky and the Brain, Vol. 1” (Warner, $45): Zany spinoff of “Animaniacs.” The DVD includes a retrospective documentary.