who were the original little rascals characters

His final performances were in the filmEight Iron Men(1952) and the anthology TV seriesOmnibus(1957). And so race relations were at an incredible low, and yet you have this series that's so popular that shows black and white children playing together as if there's no such thing as race at all. Pete the Pup (original, 1924 June 1930; second Pete, September 9, 1929 January 28, 1946) was a character in Hal Roachs Our Gang comedies (later known as The Little Rascals) during the 1930s, otherwise known as Pete, the dog with the ring around his eye, or simply Petey. Bug Hall on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1994. We didn't care if it was a show made in the '30s (I'm referring to what I like to call "The Spanky Years", as there are in fact OUR GANG shorts even older- so old that they aren't even "talkies!" And when he did speak, he didn't speak very clearly. And so my sister and I would watch this and have no idea that these films were produced more than 50 years earlier, and that it was considered unusual - and even illegal in places - for black and white children to play together. In World War II he served i the U.S. Navy, he starred in the TV seriesThe Peoples ChoiceandHennesey, made numerous guest star appearances, became an executive at Sonys Screen Gems and was featured asDaily Planeteditor Perry White in the Christopher Reeve Superman films. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. He served as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. She doesnt seem to have had a career beyond the Little Rascals. I honestly believed that the show had in some way "shaped me" and made me a better person. Previously, the black community had been quite supportive of "Our Gang." NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. In the decades since Our Gang ceased production, hundreds of imposters claiming to be former Rascals have attempted to dupe an unwitting public. Her later various occupations including driving trucks for the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and then as an exotic dancer in burlesque. Although his life as Farina was over, Allen Hoskins would find meaning outside of stardom. All in all, a lovely, carefree adolescence. In 1951 she hosted a daily two-hour variety show on California TV station KTTV, which spanned over 10 years. She appeared in a total of five shorts. What are the names of the Little Rascals characters? In the 1960s he broke free of heroin when he checked himself into the L.A. drug rehabilitation facility and cult known as Synanon. By 1922, the director was hard at work on the Our Gang comedies. BORN: November 7, 1916 in Shawnee, California. Instead, like most kids, I thought that the rascals were hilarious. BIO:As popular as he was, Chaney only appeared in 18 shorts. BIO:Appeared in seven shorts, and had a fairly prolific movie career, with some television appearances in the 1950s as well. These characters from the movie The Little Rascals are listed by their importance to the film, so leading roles can be found at the top of the list. In 1954, the Our Gang shorts, repackaged as The Little Rascals, appeared on television for the first time, introducing a new generation of fans to the antics of America's favorite kiddie comedians. He managed to live until 2002, to the ripe age of 87. Released by MGM, the Civil War farce General Spanky was a flop. He was only 20 years old. Like, heres our list. The movie was an adaptation of the original TV series but the movie was far better than the series. Junior (1937 to 1939) John Collum . BIO:Appeared in 31 shorts. Not only was Pal famous, but he was rich. BIO:Appeared in 16 shorts as Spankys buddy. Where stalwarts Spanky and Alfalfa struggled to bring the laughs as they neared obviously uncomfortable adolescence, Froggy simply had to open his mouth for instant comedic gold. He was a child actor, comedian, vaudevillian and a dancer. What is certain is that Switzer's notoriously volatile temper had earned him no friends. He was 21 years old. BIO:Appeared in 18 shorts and a number of films, though he retired in 1941 following an uncredited role inAlways Tomorrow: The Portrait of an American Business. In the silent films, there was Ernie Morrison, known as Sunshine Sammy - along with him as a baby and then in the talkies alone was Allen Hoskins was given the name Farina. Surviving cast member Robert Blake (credited as Mickey Gubitosi in the Our Gang shorts) became the latest "victim" when he was accused of involvement in the 2001 murder of his wife Bonnie Lee Bakely. BORN: September 8, 1929 in Fort Colins, Colorado. He helped launch the Nostalgia Channel in 1985 and would eventually perform in speaking engagements and lectures around the country. Well, dying in war is not a very cursed way to go, but with all the other supporting evidence, it probably at least gave the Italians slightly better aim. McGowan was soon back at the helm of Our Gang, but the advent of sound would present him with a new set of challenges. BIO:Appeared in 26 shorts. BIO: Eugene appeared in six shorts. They remain such an important cultural touchstone that we even decided to revisit the characters in a 1994 motion picture (which, like, did only okay). He got the name Farina from a type of cereal popular during that era. During World War II and the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Navy, later becoming an electrical engineer with RCA. And it was only when I got older and started to look back on some of these films that I realized wow, well, there were some problematic racial stereotypes being used. BIO:Appeared in seven shorts. I think partly this was why the series managed to be so popular is that it offered some familiar stereotypes while, at the same time, presenting a really progressive and even radical message. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The faux Buckwheat was outed by none other than George "Spanky" McFarland, who informed ABC that Billie Thomas, the only actor to ever portray the beloved Rascal, had passed away in 1980. The child actors would age out of the "Our Gang" comedies, and they'd be replaced. After seeing action in the Pacific during World War II, Hoskins became a licensed psychological technician noted for his work with the mentally disabled. In 1975, he was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, according to America ComesAlive. She achieved critical success in the 1945 Broadway production ofCarousel. BORN: March 25, 1926 in Seattle, Washington. 225 Play trailer 2:25 5 Videos 77 Photos Comedy Family Television syndication package of the classic 1929-1938 shorts from the "Our Gang Comedies" movie series. Buckwheat These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. According to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalistJohn Woestendiek, Pal's contract with Hal Roach made him Our Gang's second highest paid actor. An autopsy determined that a tainted blood transfusion had infected her with acute hepatitis, which caused her death. Wow. UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: (As character) Where's you at? NPR's Robert Siegel talks to author Julia Lee about her book Our Gang: A Racial History of The Little Rascals. All rights reserved. In 2002 he was charged with the murder of his second wife, Bonny Lee Bakley, though he was ultimately acquitted. BORN:August 23, 1922 in Santa Monica, California. DEATH:April 14, 1967 at age 42 of suicide. BORN: December 27, 1915 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Following a routine appendectomy, Hood died suddenly of congestive heart failure on June 13, 1979, at the age of 47. She was married to Martin Woll from 1950 until 2002, and they had four children. Generally speaking, the American Staffordshire terrier is nearly the same breed as the American pit bull terrier. BIO:Appeared in 43 shorts. A former Denver firefighter, McGowan moved to California in 1913 with dreams of working in the burgeoning film industry. 2 What was the little black girls name on The Little Rascals? She was a regular from 1950 to 1951 onThe Ken Murray Show, a regular performer onThe Merv Griffin Showin 1957, she recorded several music singles, there were a number of guest appearances, includingThe Jack Benny Programand game showYou Bet Your Life. Outshining lead George "Spanky" McFarland, Alfalfa quickly became the troupe's star. The only other acting he did was in the 1944 filmJohnny Doesnt Live Here Any More, where audiences heard his natural voice for the first time rather than the guttural sound of his Froggy character in the Little Rascals. After leaving the show and attending public school in Baltimore, he never grew taller than 47, and weighed over 300 pounds. See Dolly Partons Country Style From Way Back Through Photos, 91-Year-Old Barbara Eden Looks Ageless And Incredible At Recent Red Carpet Event. ", Matthew "Stymie" Beard found that fulfillment as a former Rascal meant more than mere monetary gain. Chubby: [to the teacher he has a crush on] You can call me Chubsy-Ubsy if you want to. BIO: He appeared in 105 shorts (which is actually more than other member of the Little Rascals). There remains some controversy over his death. The shorts would limp along at MGM until 1944, when studio execs pulled the plug on the long-in-the-tooth tykes. Although the kids came and went, the one constant of Our Gang was their beloved four-legged pal, Petey. BIO: Jackie was fairly successful in silent films when he was cast by Hal Roach. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Okay guys, I dont know who decided to write this article, but Ive doubled our whiskey rations for it. BIO:Appeared in five shorts. With no contractual accommodations made for residual payments or image licensing in the pre-television 1930s, the Our Gang kids were financially shut out as adults. Hal Roach produced two smash hits in his timeOur Gang and Laurel and Hardy. A stranger found the dog and brought it to a bar where Switzer worked, and Switzer gave him the reward money while buying him $15 worth of drinks (which again is like, over a hundred bucks today, how trashed did they get?). Active in the Our Gang fan community, Hood was in the process of organizing a Little Rascals reunion when she fell ill with appendicitis. Although the talkies forced McGowan to radically change his directing style, he adapted quickly and successfully. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Pete is buried at Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park at Calabasas, Los Angeles County, California, United States. Charismatic Carl shined and was promoted to the main ensemble, while Harold faded into the background. Determined to collect a $50 debt over a lost hunting dog, Switzer assaulted Stiltz, who fled to his bedroom, returning moments later with a .38-caliber revolver. I guess his father was going to make him a star [but] it never happened", Former Rascal Thomas "Buddy" MacDonald shared his memories of Bobby Hutchins with Laurel and Hardy.com'sRichard W. Bann in 2001. How many of the original Little Rascals are still alive? He would go on to operate a retail spa business in Southern California. BIO:Appeared in 29 shorts. I would have some sound of it if it weren't a silent film. Switzer allegedly drew a knife, and Stiltz shot him. Following Johnny Doesn't Live Here Anymore, 12-year-old Laughlin left show business permanently. Directed by Alex Zamm ( Inspector Gadget 2 , The Little Rascals Save the Day ), Woody Woodpecker stars Timothy Omundson (Psych), Thaila Ayala (Rio Heat), Graham Verchere (Fargo) Jordana Largy (Monster Trucks) and Eric Bauza (The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water), as the voice of Woody. The former Our Gang star died of massive internal bleeding at the age of 31. Required fields are marked *. She got married in 1946 and she and husband Don Hartshorn would have five children. Lucenay's Pete played the role of Pete the Pup until 1932, when Harry Lucenay was fired. Eventually she became a postal worker in Northern California. Forty people died in the flood, including Winston, Weston and Winstons date (Westons date survived, we assume being told by death to give a warning message to the other Rascals). DEATH:December 8, 2009 at age 82. DEATH: September 15, 1951 at age 33 in a hotel fire that started when he fell asleep while smoking in bed. We didn't care that our folks -or even grandparents- had watched it. Ultimately, some of the more objectionable material was excised for television broadcast. Accuracy and availability may vary. Farina was replaced in the cast by Matthew Beard or Stymie. "Wheezer was a special case," McDonald recalled. Clad in a baggy shift covered in patches with hair knotted in a cluster of pigtails, Farina's image was rooted in racist stereotypes. BIO: He was discovered in Rock Springs in 1921 while performing at an amateur night at the Rialto Theatre. Our Gang (also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals) is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. 23-time National Whiskey Chugging Competition champions. Were dying to know why. Billy Laughlin was a late addition to Our Gang. He became a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in California, and in 1957 moved with his family to Thailand (them Siam), where he did missionary work. BORN: July 10 1925 in Beverly Hills, California. After high school graduation, she worked as a secretary at Republic Pictures, later becoming a senior clerk at UC-Berkeleys School of Journalism. BORN: September 3, 1925 in Burbank, California. And watching these kids be kids on-screen was revolutionary. SIEGEL: How old are those movies when Farina was making his debut? Like, basically the equivalent of a car chasing you down to end your life. BORN: September 15, 1917 in Schenectady, New York. We didn't care that it was black and white. It's been over 20 years since The Little Rascals premiered and the cast grew up SO cute! But there was this constant -while most of the gang were white, there was always at least one black child in the cast. BIO:Appeared in 27 shorts, Carls brother oftentimes appeared just as a background character. 17-time Pulitzer Award winners. The series chronicled a group of ragtag neighborhood kiddos and their adventures. DEATH:February 20, 1943, killed in action while serving the United States Air Force at age 23. They were hailed as heroes of the black community for a time but were later reviled for their roles. She continued acting, but appeared mostly in uncredited roles in a number of films. He was largely a mystery, even to his fellow Rascals. However, by this time, Switzer was earning his living far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Um. DEATH:The original Pete was poisoned and died in 1930. Just clear tips and lifehacks for every day. Having given up acting, as an adult he moved to Colorado where he became an alternative school educator at Broomfield High School. They remainaed there for 14 years before coming back to the U.S., where he continued his ministering work. SIEGEL: You tell us about the four principal black actors. Maybe because it manifested as a curse and disappeared once its dastardly deed was done. SIEGEL: (Laughter) Author Julia Lee, who teaches English at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, dug deep into the lives of the African-American actors who performed in "Our Gang," and she . Carl Switzer played Alfalfa, who is like the most famous of the Little Rascals. Lucenay's Peter continued on and died of old age on January 28, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, at age 16 years/4 months, two years after the Our Gang series ended. DEATH:March 3, 1998 at age 63, dying in her sleep. Um. Only bit parts and low-budget serials followed. Only he was stabbed to death by a homeless man who Smith had befriended as an octogenarian. An unknown assailant, likely someone with a grudge against Lucenay, poisoned Pal in 1930. watched it. On August 31st, 1948, when Laughlin was sixteen years old, he was delivering newspapers from the back of a Cushman Motor Scooter (a gift from his parents he received two weeks prior). Under the direction of McGowan's nephew, Anthony Mack, the comedies declined in quality. Who are the actors in the Little Rascals? Their names ranged from Spanky to Buckwheat, Alfalfa, Porky, Darla, Jackie, Chubsy-Ubsy and so many more. Dickie Moore as Dickie, Matthew Beard as Stymie and George McFarland as Spanky in 1932's 'Birthday Blues,' one of the 'Our Gang' series, later to be known as 'The Little Rascals.' (CBS Photo. While visiting relatives in California with their family, six year-old Carl and older brother Harold caught the eye of producer Hal Roach. He was 20. And they were also surprisingly racially tolerant, with black and white characters interacting as friends and equals. Television syndication package of the classic 1929-1938 shorts from the "Our Gang Comedies" movie series. Me and my friends (Really- everyone in my class practically!) UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: (As character) Come away from where you is - over here where I is. "[He] was to be left alone. We're. BIO: Appeared in 19 shorts between 1925 and 1931. Getting sober, he spent the rest of his life opening and operating centers for people with drinking and narcotics issues. 6 Who are the actors in the Little Rascals? ALLEN HOSKINS: (As Farina) Trevor, there ain't been no dogs around here for years - must be one of them spook dogs. On January 21, 1959, an enraged and intoxicated Switzer and a friend drove to the Mission Hills, California, home of Moses "Bud" Stiltz, per History. She first achieved some fame as part of Mack SennettsThe Smith Familyshorts. DEATH:May 3, 2011 of natural causes at age 88. Wheezer, Alfalfa, Darla, and Froggy were not the only Rascals to die tragic, early deaths. His greatest success was as national sales training director at Philco-Ford Corporation. BORN: October 29, 1916 in Jolton, Kansas. After leaving the series, he starred (oftentimes in uncredited roles) in over 30 movies, including Its a Wonderful Life(as the guy who opens the gym floor, revealing the pool James Stewart and Donna Reed fall in to) and his final role in 1958sThe Defiant Ones. BORN: September 3, 1928 in Croydon, Surrey, England. BIO:Appeared in five shorts. You know what? THOMAS: (As Buckwheat) My Mommy hit him on the head with a monkey wrench. See production, box office & company info, Timeless Classics.As Much Fun To Watch Today As They Were As A Child, Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA. The specters of racism, drug abuse, and untimely death are just a few of the demons that haunted the young actors known as the Little Rascals. BIO: She retired from acting following her time as a part of the Little Rascals. BIO:Appeared in 40 shorts. She was married twice and was the mother of two. Which arguably seems more cursed than if he had simply been shot down by the Germans in battle. She quit acting shortly after the Little Rascals, eventually got married and moved to Granada Hills, California. Hood continued to work in entertainment after her time in Our Gang was over. He went to school in La Puente, California. He played in numerous film noir and western films, including his final film, a Roy Rodgers film called Trial of Robin Hood where he played a villain. Upon returning, he was actually offered a number of film and TV roles, but simply didnt have the interest in acting. In 1958, an unidentified gunman shot Switzer in the arm. But well leave it to you once youve seen the evidence. Afterwards, he moved to Tacoma and joined the Air Force in 1943 after graduating High School, enrolling in the Aviation Cadet Program to become a pilot. BIO:Appearing in 95 shorts, he was 14 when he finally left the series. The Our Gang shorts were later syndicated to television as The Little Rascals . Thisyeah, that got a bit gritty there didnt it? BIO:Appeared in two shorts and had a supporting role in the Laurel and Hardy filmPack Up Your Troubles(1932). With her apple cheeks and angelic voice, she kept Alfalfa and the gang at constant odds as they vied for her attention. However, when the cameras were off, Switzer was nothing like his affable alter ego. Directed by Penelope Spheeris, who co-wrote the screenplay with Paul Guay and Stephen Mazur, the film presents several of the Our Gang characters in an updated setting, featuring re-interpretations of several of the original shorts. When it was over it was over. She was married twice and had two children. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. DEATH:Died of cancer on his 64th birthday, August 6, 1987. But as an adult, he joined the Air Force in 1941 in order to serve in World War II. In total, he appeared in 78 shorts as Jackie, Roosie, Adelbert Wallingford and Cousin Percy. DEATH: July 24, 1989 of cancer at age 76. Hurray. He was married three times and had one child. As a teenager she appeared in Laurel & HardysBabes in Toylandand the 1934 production ofJane Eyre, which was followed by stage and radio shows that sometimes saw her performing seven times a day. His partner was Janice McClain from 1992 until 2005 at the time of his death. Winston and Weston Doty were twin child actors who were only active from 1922 to 1924. BIO: Johnny appeared in 23 shorts. UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #6: (As character) So two boys took your marbles away and hit you with tomatoes. Despite being a featured Our Gang performer, little is known about Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins. Who were the original Little Rascals characters? June Marlowe, who played the teacher Miss Crabtree in the Our Gang series in 1930, married Rodney S. Sprigg, a businessman and friend of Bob McGowan, just before she turned 30. It's called "Our Gang: A Racial History Of The Little Rascals," and she joins us from member station KNPR in Las Vegas. This led to his being signed to Hal Roach Studios, where he ultimately appeared in 50 shorts as well as making cameo appearances in two others. BIO:Appeared in nine shorts. Like, seriously, how can you get so worked up over a washer and dryer installation that it leads to straight up fucking murder? There were objections to what was in them. Of the two, his work on Our Gang came first, but also was the most haunted. The first cast of "Our Gang" was made up almost entirely of non-actors and was also one of the first integrated casts in Hollywood to give equal prominence to black and white actors. Of the large, revolving cast, there were some success stories. This put his body under great strain. BORN: August 6, 1923 in Long Beach, California. However, keen-eyed viewers will notice that there were actually several different dogs portraying the canine Rascal over the years. She died on June 13, 2001 in Victoria, British. And Sidnesy Kibrick, who played Woim for a few years, isalive at the age of 89? Kevin Jamal Woods (Stymie) Playing Stymie Beard is Kevin Jamal Woods, who was born on January 6, 1987 to parents Gary and Helen Woods. The second died in 1946. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". He became a contract player at Warner Bros throughout the 1940s. Darla Jean Hood was Our Gang's undisputed sweetheart. Hurray. Drinking and gambling became a problem as well. William Thomas Jr. William Billie Thomas Jr. (March 12, 1931 October 10, 1980) was an American child actor best remembered for portraying the character of Buckwheat in the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short films from 1934 until the series end in 1944. Felix Cavaliere (keyboard, vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar), Dino Danelli (drums) and Eddie Brigati (vocals) formed the band in New York City. As Hoskins grew up, the press of the day was particularly cruel. He attempted suicide in 1962. I wouldn't wash my feet for nobody. A bully with a penchant for practical jokes, he terrorized the young cast. BORN: October 25, 1933 in Fort Worth, Texas. Chubby (1929 to 1931) Wally Albright. Du Bois actually visited the Hal Roach lot in a trip to Los Angeles. Early life However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This week's topic is "Our Gang," the cute little kids who made adults and children alike laugh themselves to tears in movie theaters across the country. Naturally, the Rascals were crushed by the news. Peggy Cartwright Actress | A Lady of Quality Peggy Cartwright was born on November 14, 1912 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Donald Haines, who played the classic character, um, Donald Haines, appeared in films on and off as a relatively minor recurring character. The most famous (and oddest) Our Gang imposter was Bill English (pictured above). DEATH:September 22, 2008 of congestive heart failure at age 85. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. But . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Would you like a daily dose of America, Badassery, and pistachios mainlined into your email account like some sort of Freedom Junky? Now, was Donald Haines an American hero? Our Gang was at its best under McGowan, who directed the series from 1922 to 1933. BORN: Born June 19, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. LEE: Right, the thing that is just mind-boggling when you think about it is that in 1922, we're talking about - this is the height of Jim Crow. Every Fictional President in Film History: Ranked, Re-Awarding the Academy Award for Best Picture (1970-2009), An Incomplete List of Every Strange, Surprising, or Altogether Weird Names on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Part 1- Famous But Confusing Entries), An Incomplete List of Every Strange, Surprising, or Altogether Weird Names on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Part 3- Silly Names) | America Fun Fact of the Day, EPISODE 204: THE CURSE OF THE LITTLE RASCALS CRACKPOP PODCAST, Like Us On Facebook And Maybe Well Give You A Bottle Of Whiskey, Follow America Fun Fact of the Day on WordPress.com, A Rundown of Americas Most American Fun Facts. . Working as a bartender, a fishing and big game hunting guide, and a dog breeder, Switzer's former fame was little more than a bitter memory. The Original Little Rascals Cast Was Probably Cursed? His friend, John Wilbrand, was at the wheel when he decided to pull a U-turnwhich put the scooter directly in the path of a speeding truck. He was drafted into the Army during World War II, and later worked as a quality control inspector for an aerospace company in Compton, California. When I was a kid in the '70s (B.C.= Before Cable) they used to play THE LITTLE RASCALS on TV after school. SIEGEL: Some of these films ran into trouble with Southern movie theaters. Because the rest of the gangdid not fair so well. In an interview featured in the 1984 TV documentary Our Gang: Inside the Clubhouse, Cooperrevealed how Hutchins' parents created a barrier between their son and the rest of the kids. He was a part of the gang from 1940 until Our Gang stopped production in 1944, where he moved away from Los Angeles, and settled into a perfectly normal childhood. With his stint with the Rascals over, Laughlin made an appearance in the 1944 Simone Simon romantic comedy Johnny Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Ridgeline High School Yearbook, Omega Healthcare Services Limited, Green Shores On Lake Austin, Delta Shopmaster Table Saw, Articles W