Biography

Father of John W. Rogers

Was Vice-President in Charge of Production at Universal Studios from 1936 to 1938.

He was harshly criticized by some for the way he handled producing chores at Universal Pictures in comparison to the Laemmles (father and son). He was partly responsible for the creative decision that resulted in the re-editing and re-shooting of scenes (by another director) in James Whale's The Road Back (1937) in order to placate those who threatened to disrupt its release due to it's anti-Nazi sentiment.

Grandfather of editor Pattye Rogers.

Rogers moved into Carl Laemmle Jr.'s position after the Standard Capital Corporation called their $750,000 loan on money advanced for the production of Show Boat (1936). That loan contained an option to seize the studio for $5.5 million upon default. That film (which ironically became a hit), ran into production delays and the Laemmle's were unable to secure additional financing. On March 14, 1936 the Laemmle reign was over. Rogers was installed as V.P. in charge of production by Standard Capital's board chairman J. Cheever Cowdin, and immediately instituted harsh cost-cutting measures that were widely criticized at the time. To be fair, Rogers was responsible for bringing producer Joe Pasternak to Hollywood and he would sign soprano sensation Deanna Durbin (recently released from MGM in favor of Judy Garland) to a long term contract. She would single-handedly prevent the studio from imploding after an otherwise disastrous 1937-1938 season. Never popular, Rogers would resign from this position on May 20, 1938 and was replaced by ex-RKO executive Cliff Work.