Spanky and "Our Gang"

[82Rigger]

We baby-boomers knew 'em as "The Little Rascals".

For over 20 years the "Our Gang" kids entertained children and adults alike at the movies, and they're still re-running on TV.

The "Our Gang" series started in 1923 with a series of silent short films, and continued into 1944 with sound films by Hal Roach and the MGM label.

There were numerous changes in the cast of kids over the years.

Here are some of the better-known "Our Gang" kids and what became of them:






"Alfalfa"
(Carl Switzer) was shot to death during an argument over a debt in 1959. He was 31 years old.









"Darla"
(Darla Jean Hood) contracted acute hepatitis following minor surgery and died in 1979. She was 47 years old.










"Buckwheat"
(William Thomas Jr.) died of a sudden heart attack in 1980. He was 49 years of age.










"Froggy"
(Billy Laughlin) was killed when his motorscooter was hit by a truck in 1948. He was 16 years old.










Jackie Cooper became a movie star and is living in California. He is 86.











"Miss Crabtree"
(June Marlow) died of complications from Parkinson's disease in 1984 at age 80.











"Wheezer"
(Robert Hutchins) was killed in a plane crash in 1945 while trying to land a B-26 Marauder in the Merced Army Air Corps Field at Merced, California, during a training exercise. He was 20 years old.








"Stymie"
(Matthew Beard) died of pneumonia in 1981 at age 56.











"Spanky"
(George McFarland) died of a heart attack in 1993 at age 64.











"Scotty"
(Scott Beckett) died of a severe beating at the age of 38 in 1968.











"Petey"
(Pete the Pup) was poisoned by persons unknown.











"Mickey"
(Robert Blake) went on to star in the TV series "Baretta". In 2002 he was accused of murdering his wife.

[1CAVCCO15MED]

Man, I really had the hots for Miss Crabtree when I was in the fifth grade.

[b3196]

Holy $hit Fred, so did I!!!

[DMZ-LT]

Miss Crabtree was a hottie alright but she couldn't hold a candle to Sherrie Lewis and Lamb Chop. Mr Happy and I loved to watch her show !

[b3196]

She's dead

[1CAVCCO15MED]

Oh no, not Lamb Chop!

[82Rigger]

An interesting little "Our Gang" story:

When Matthew Beard ("Stymie") was 5 years old and appearing in the "Our Gang" films, he was an avid fan of Stan Laurel (of Laurel & Hardy).

Laurel heard about his devoted fan and visited Matthew on the set one day.

Little Matthew was just absolutely overwhelmed. Laurel spent most of the day with Matthew, and they got along famously.

As a parting gift. Stan Laurel gave Matthew his bowler hat.

From then on, Stymie was never without his bowler hat.

Matthew Beard had a cameo appearance in the movie The Buddy Holly Story in 1978 at age 53.

Yep! He wore his bowler hat!

[b3196]

Fred
Lamb Chop Lives!!!!!......It was the hand that was up Lamb Chop's ass that's dead

[Packo]

how another thread has degenerated? Just a coincidence?

Like everyone else we loved the little rascals. As with the other degenerates on this thread, I think Miss Crabtree gave me my first woody.....well, something like that. Between her and Annette Funichello......it was a helluvan awakening.

Thanks Steve....boy, a bunch of these kids died violently.

Pack

[Seascamp]

I believe it was Stymie that, upon asking what a veg item was, uttered the famous one liner, “It may choke Artie but ain’t goin to choke me; pitch ,over the shoulder. Never have been able to look an artichoke in the eye since and not get an inner giggle. There had to be great writers and directors to get so much out of such youngins. I mean that had to be fun to watch how all that was done.

Ya, agreed, a lot of bad endings, especially Alfalfa and Scotty. Maybe some stories I would rather not know. Probably some sad sagas about transitioning from little league to major league.

And Jeezzz, all this time I reckoned I was the only one who had a thing for Miss Crabtree.
Later on Annette was the deal, but that unfathful one took up with Fankie Avalon, so that was that for that. Pox on Avalon......

Scamp