Darla At Her Cutest! ("Our Gang Follies Of 1936") (video)

 

Darla Hood was a member of "Our Gang" from 1935 to 1941.

She was often the fickle romantic interest of fellow Our Ganger, Alfalfa.

This is one of her earliest and cutest appearances in the series.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

Darla At Her Cutest! ("Our Gang Follies Of 1936") (video)

The Origin Of Alfalfa's Cowlick In "OUR GANG" (1935)(video)

 

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer's "Our Gang" debut was in 1935's "Beginner's Luck."

In this one, his hair is firmly slicked down but good all over.

Although his famous cowlick is first seen in "Teacher's Beau"...

...it wasn't until 1935's "Sprucin' Up" that it was properly introduced.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it. Thanks for watching!

The Origin Of Alfalfa's Cowlick In "OUR GANG" (1935)(video)

Alfalfa's "Our Gang" Debut In "Beginner's Luck" (1935) (video)

 

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer wasn't a member of the gang yet...

...when he and his brother Harold first appeared in this 1935 short.

Here, they're competing in a kids' talent show as "Tom and Jerry, The Arizona Nightingales."

Even in his debut, Alfalfa's dubious singing skills are already on display...

...and it's easy to see why producer Hal Roach made him a regular member of Our Gang.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Alfalfa's "Our Gang" Debut In "Beginner's Luck" (1935) (video)

Super-Gooey Pie Fight In Little Rascals' "Shivering Shakespeare" (1930) (video)

This early Little Rascals short starts out with a hurled dainty or two...

...and ends with one of the gooey-est pie fights ever.

A highlight of the scene is an imaginative early use of slow-motion.

For the topper, an unpopular teacher gets the works.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Super-Gooey Pie Fight In Little Rascals' "Shivering Shakespeare" (1930) (video)

Spanky's Adorable Debut As A Little Rascal ("Free Eats", 1932) (video)

George "Spanky" McFarland appeared in his first "Little Rascals" short in 1932.

The precocious tyke from Dallas, Texas was only 3 years old.

As fellow rascal "Breezy" Brisbane (Kendall McComas) urged Spanky to tell a story...
...the director wisely let the camera roll without interruption.

Spanky's natural charm won the hearts of audiences everywhere...
...and over the next decade he starred in more than 80 short films.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Spanky's Adorable Debut As A Little Rascal ("Free Eats", 1932) (video)

Our Gang's "Darla" Grown Up In Horror Thriller "The Bat" (1959) (video)

Our Gang's "Darla" Grown Up In Horror Thriller "The Bat" (1959)

(SPOILERS!)

Our Gang's beloved leading lady, Darla Hood, seen here in "Our Gang Follies of 1938"...

...made a rare adult appearance in the 1959 horror thriller "The Bat."

The spooky film also features Agnes Moorehead and Vincent Price.

Darla's character is just as sweet and lovable as ever...

...but she comes to a shockingly bad end.

READ OUR REVIEW OF "THE BAT" HERE


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Our Gang's "Darla" Grown Up In Horror Thriller "The Bat" (1959) (video)

When John Wayne Met "Our Gang" (video)

When John Wayne Met "Our Gang"

Shirley Jean Rickert (Our Gang: "Love Business", 1931)
Shirley Jean and John Wayne in "Neath the Arizona Skies" (1934)

Mary Kornman (Our Gang: "Little Sherlocks", 1922)
Mary and John Wayne in "The Desert Trail" (1935)

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer (Our Gang: "The Our Gang Follies of 1938")

Carl had a small but memorable role in the 1953 John Wayne film "Island in the Sky."
Which also featured Darryl Hickman of Our Gang's "Going to Press" (1942).
 
Carl would go on to play another pilot in Wayne's 1954 film "The High and the Mighty."
As did Our Ganger Scotty Beckett in a bit part.

But neither appeared onscreen together with Duke in either film.


I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

When John Wayne Met "Our Gang" (video)

"THE OUR GANG COLLECTION" -- All 52 MGM Shorts Together on DVD for the First Time 9/1 from the Warner Archive

Alfalfa, Spanky, Buck Wheat and the rest of the gang arrive on September 1 on the Warner Archive in The Our Gang Collection that headlines a stellar line-up of new releases. This new five-disc DVD set contains all 52 of the “Our Gang” shorts produced by MGM between 1938 and 1944 in their original, uncut form as first seen in theaters at a limited time special price of $34.99 only at www.warnerarchive.com.

Among the episodes in the Collection are “Party Fever,” “The Little Ranger,” “Alfalfa’s Aunt,” “Don’t Lie” and dozens more. Also seen in the cast are Froggy, Porky, and even little Mickey Guibitosi, who soon changed his screen name to Bobby (Robert) Blake. This collection marks the first ever home video release of the entire group of the 52 MGM shorts, news sure to be welcomed by the hordes of “Our Gang” fans out there. The “Our Gang” comedies are the first in a series of monthly Warner Archive Collection releases to be drawn from a library of classic theatrical short subjects originally produced by both Warner Bros. and MGM.

View a clip from the collection

Also coming to the Warner Archive in September are the “Dogville” shorts, Wrestling Ernest Hemingway, Airbourne and many more. Please visit www.warnerarchive to view the vast selection of wonderful classic titles including treasures from the silent film era; rarely seen films starring Hollywood legends like Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Bette Davis; and Sci-fi cult classics like Doc Savage, Countdown and others.

Synopsis:
Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Porky, Darla, Mickey, Waldo and Froggy have long been names to conjure with in the annals of screen comedy. They’re fun-loving members of Our Gang, one of the most beloved bunches of movie kids ever. And with this fabulous 5-Disc Collection of 52 Theatrical Shorts, you’ve struck the mother lode of laughter from Hollywood’s Golden Age. Popularized on television for generations following their run in theatres, these rib-tickling short subjects showcased an ensemble of groundbreakingly diverse youngsters, many of whom were skilled at song as well as slapstick. If you belong to the legions of this mischievous gang’s fans, this compilation (covering the years 1938-1944) of mirthful memories and lasting laughter belongs in your home collection.


Disc 1 (1938 - 1939)
Little Ranger, The
Party Fever
Aladdin's Lantern
Men In Fright
Football Romeo
Practical Jokers
Alfalfa's Aunt
Tiny Troubles
Duel Personalities
Clown Princes
Cousin Wilbur

Disc 2 (1939 - 1940)
Joy Scouts
Dog Daze
Auto Antics
Captain Spanky's Showboat
Dad For A Day
Time Out For Lessons
Alfalfa's Double
Big Premiere, The
All About Hash
New Pupil, The
Bubbling Troubles

Disc 3 (1940 - 1941)
Good Bad Boys
Waldo's Last Stand
Goin' Fishin'
Kiddie Kure
Fightin' Fools
Baby Blues
Ye Olde Minstrels
1-2-3 Go!
Robot Wrecks
Helping Hands
Come Back Miss Pipps

Disc 4 (1941 - 1943)
Wedding Worries
Melodies Old And New
Going To Press
Don't Lie
Surprised Parties
Doin' Their Bit
Rover's Big Chance
Mighty Lak A Goat
Unexpected Riches
Benjamin Franklin, Jr.
Family Troubles

Disc 5 (1943 - 1944)
Calling All Kids
Farm Hands
Election Daze
Little Miss Pinkerton
Three Smart Guys
Radio Bugs
Dancing Romeo
Tale Of A Dog

"THE OUR GANG COLLECTION" -- All 52 MGM Shorts Together on DVD for the First Time 9/1 from the Warner Archive