alfalfa little rascals death

Does Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Make Sense for America? While the boys got along, their fathers argued constantly over their sons' screen time and salaries. Corrigan said his stepfather lied in his account of the event before the coroner's jury. He never understood why audiences laughed when he sang his off-key tunes. Barbara Newland. Little Rascals: The Curse of Alfalfa | Cracked.com Ironically, Alfalfa thought he actually had a great voice. 'The Little Rascals': The Life and Sad Death of Pete the Pup You can read about the theory on TVparty.com's web site. He was 42. Switzer died of massive internal bleeding and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. However, she died tragically from a mistake during a medical procedure. And then I never saw him again. He charged the man and Stiltz fired the gun. She almost lost her fingers." Their struggle caused the gun to discharge and almost shoot Tom Corrigan, Stiltz's 14-year-old stepson. Some of his credits includeMrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch(1942),Johnny Doughboy(also 1942, co-starring Spanky), The Great Mike(1944) and Its a Wonderful Life(1946). The set up of the rear projection system and the lights (a thousand watts per bulb) was taking a long time to set up. But despite the film's permanence in pop culture memory, none of the actors ever quite became household names and it's rare to see the movie aired casually on networks. by Jane Kenney 4 years ago Carl Switzer, often known as "Alfalfa" from his peers in The Little Rascals, was arguably one of the most successful and most favored members of the gang. The Tragic Death of Carl Switzer, Alfalfa from Our Gang Carl Dean Switzer, the actor who as a child played Alfalfa in the Our Gang comedy film series, dies at age 31 in a fight, allegedly about money, in a Mission Hills, California, home. ACTORS WHO RUINED THEIR CAREER IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. Other celebrities buried there are Mel Blanc, Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Rudolph Valentino. He signed both brothers to appear in Our Gang. Bug Hall, known as Alfalfa in 'Little Rascals,' arrested after William Robert Laughlin "Froggy" - (7/05/32 - 8/31/48) - Died in a bicycle accident at the age of 16. Actor Carl Switzer of "Our Gang" killed - HISTORY When the dog was lost, Switzer offered a $50 reward for the dogs return. The Life and Tragic Death of Alfalfa | Little Rascal's Carl Switzer's However, once he was no longer an adorable child, he had a hard time finding roles and had to work odd jobs like training dogs. However, in the clip, his only comment on the incident was a joke aboutTMZ's headlines. He died on January 21, 1959, the victim of a killer's bullet as he and another man argued over a lost hunting dog. Switzer had a fleeting cameo in the 1954 musical film White Christmas where his picture was used to depict an Army buddy (named Freckle-Faced Haynes) of lead characters (Wallace and Davis) played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye and also the brother of the female leads (the Haynes Sisters) played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Most people know Carl Switzer as Alfalfa, the character he played in "The Little Rascals." What many don't know is that Switzer's life was far from a charmed one. The other subject, though, stirs up controversy, as he implies Hollywood shuns those who are vocal about their Catholic faith and have certain views on issues like abortion and gay marriage. Switzer paid the man $35 and bought him $15 worth of drinks from the bar. His first role after leaving the series was as a Boy Scout in I Love You Again (1940) starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. It had been found by crime scene investigators under his body. His marker bears his name, a profile drawing of what appears to be Petey (the Our Gang dog), two Masonic symbols and the inscription "Beloved father, son and brother". It was more like murder, Corrigan told reporters. Even in death, Switzer had unfortunate timing. Pop Culturista - Pop Culture We are thankful to our incredible sponsors! The glass sprayed into my face and I felt a sharp sting in the upper part of my arm. He reprised his "Alfalfa" character, complete with comically sour vocals, in PRC's Gas House Kids comedies in 1946 and 1947. Anime Big & Tall T-Shirts (3XL to 10XL), Check out these new sites: Kendall McComas "Breezy Brisbane" - (10/29/16 - 10/15/81) - Two weeks before his 65th birthday and apparent forced retirement from the U.S. In 1934, the Switzers traveled to California to visit family. [2], Switzer had an uncredited role as Auggie in the 1943 film The Human Comedy. TRAGIC DEATH Prior to a hunting guide job, Switzer had borrowed a hunting dog from Moses "Bud" Stiltz. Switzer even played a slave in Cecil B. DeMillesThe Ten Commandments(1956). Furthermore, Alfalfa's endless determination and earnestness made him a worthy hero. Their argument was that the dog was Stiltz's and not Switzer's. His death went virtually unnoticed in the media, as Switzer died on the same day as the famous movie director, Cecil B. DeMille. He said he then turned and saw Switzer sliding down the wall with a surprised look on his face after Stiltz had shot him. He continued to appear in movies with various supporting roles, including I Love You Again, Going My Way, Courage of Lassie, and Its a Wonderful Life and starred in the John Wayne film Island in the Sky where he coined the phrase Whatevers customary, about the only line he spoke throughout the film, but one he repeated several times in it. Stiltz's account of the event was one of self-defense, testifying that Switzer had banged on his front door, yelling "Let me in, or I'll kick in the door." In the early 1950s, Switzer moved to Kansas. Darwood Kaye "Waldo" - (9/08/29 - 5/15/2002) - Killed by a hit and run driver while walking on the sidewalk. Carl Switzer Biography - Famous People in the World Sporting suspenders, a bowtie, and a cowlick that refuses to be tamed, he's a sensitive, adorkable boy desperate to win the affection of a girl named Darla. So sad. During an emotional conversation with his friend Jack Piott, a 37-year-old unit still photographer, that took place a few days later, the two decided that Stiltz should reimburse Switzer the finder's fee. Is This Must See Clip, About RFK, Jr. vs. Big Media, Tucker Carlsons Best Episode Ever? During the fight, Switzer allegedly assaulted Stiltz with a clock and then produced a knife and that was when Stiltz shot Switzer, who died en route to the hospital. The eldest brother died in 1922. Diantha married Richard Rosswell "Ross" Elridge (19332007), who adopted and raised Lance as his own, and had two other children by him, sons Chris and Lee Elridge. On January 25, 2001, a third witness came forward and gave his version of the events of January 21, 1959. Switzer informed Stiltz that he wanted the money owed him, saying I want that 50 bucks you owe me now, and I mean now.. And, channel 9 KHJ was playing the old Our Gang comedies that had been repackaged and renamed for television as The Little Rascals. He lived and worked on a farm at Pretty Prairie, west of Wichita. He told me he was helping to run the farm, but he finally had to put a radio on the tractor while he was out there plowing. The two were headed for the door when Stiltz then fired the fatal shot. Over the next couple of years, acting roles would come in here and there, including an impressive turn in the 1954 film Track of the Cat, in which he plays a 75-year-old Indian in makeup which garnered him some respect. The two arrived at Stiltz's home in Mission Hills, at 10400 Columbus Avenue. In 2002, it was revealed that his sons name is Lance, per his cousins statement on ancestry.com. Stiltz told him he was "crazy" and to get the hell out of his house at which point all massive holy hell apparently broke loose. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The death of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer is still a very murky chapter in Hollywood history. Generations of people grew up watching hilarious comedy shorts of these funny young kids back in the 1930s. He was just Carl Switzer kind of cocky, a little antsy and I thought to myself he hadnt changed that much. The Death of Our Gang's Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer - Reel Reviews [3] Switzer's best friend among the Our Gang actors was Tommy Bond, who played his on-screen nemesis "Butch". He didnt have to kill him, Corrigan said. Then: Bug portrayed Alfalfa in the 1994 flick (one of our favorite movies ever) The Little Rascals and was head-over-heels in love with Darla. So we had lunch. He was fatally shot by an acquaintance in a dispute over money in January 1959. Carl Switzer (Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) Carl Switzer was a beloved child actor thanks to his role as Alfalfa in The Little Rascals shorts. CLEVERJOURNEYS AMERICAN CRIME CHRONICLES SERIES. Bug Hall on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1994. In the midst of his legal and financial woes, Switzer agreed to train a hunting dog, a Treeing Walker Coonhound,[7] for Moses Samuel "Bud" Stiltz. Although he played an immensely likable character in the comedy shorts, in real life Alfalfa Switzer was no angel. Stiltz had no choice but to shoot and kill Alfalfa. I have a biography for him in the worksit's going to answer a lot of questions, and extinguish the lies and false conspiracies that have been spread for so many years. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The tragic life, death and how did darla from little rascals die After the gun's accidental discharge that almost hit Corrigan, Switzer turned to Piott and said they needed to leave. Swizter was hit in the abdomen. According to police reports, only by begging was Piott able to save his own life. The Life and Death of Alfalfa - Midnight Oil Studios Although for years it was assumed that the death of Alfalfa was his own fault, Tom disagrees. The lights exploded and filled the studio with a tremendous stench. Switzer had several run-ins with the law during the 1950s. Hall also served as a writer and associate producer for the film. The narrators voice says life in Mission Hills was predictable and quiet. As a result, everyone knew Switzer, but he never profited from his fame.Switzer was the tall, skinny, freckle-faced kid with the uncontrollable cow-lick and the equally uncontrollable singing voice. [4] They divorced in 1957. He spent five years as part of the Little Rascals, or as they were known on the big screen, Our Gang, from 1935 to 1940. Jay R. Smith "Jay R" - (8/29/15 - 10/05/2002) - Stabbed to death and left in the desert by a homeless man he had befriended. Switzer was born Aug. 7, 1927 (some sources say 1928) in Paris, IL. He did, however, post a YouTube video in October 2020 where he partly addressed what happened. Carl had married this girl whose father owned a pretty good size farm near Wichita. In the early aughts, he began to grow into teen crush-worthy status, and he played the boy-next-door-type love interest to Lindsay Lohan's character in the 2002 Disney Channel movie Get a Clue. Corrigan said he had just stepped out the front door when he heard, but did not witness, a second shot behind him. The loss of his $50 did not sit well with Switzer. Laughosaurus - Humor & Amazing Videos Switzer had allegedly pulled a knife; therefore, the shooting was judged to be self-defense. He's buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Corrigan said he spotted a closed penknife at Switzers side which he presumed fell out of his pocket or his hand. But you be the judge: Pete the Pup (? . During the inquest regarding Switzers death, it was revealed that what was originally reported as a hunting knife was in fact merely a penknife. Young actors have also often had a hard time avoiding scandal, and while Hall hasn't spiraled that badly,he recently spoke about his difficult life experiences. WHERE ARE THEY NOW: the Cast of 'the Little Racals' - Insider Alfalfa in all his Darla love song-singing, bubble-blowing glory remains Hall's most iconic role, but he's built a diverse and consistent resume ever since. He was named Carl Dean after a member of the Switzer family and many relatives on his grandmother's side (respectively). Darla Hood "Darla" - (11/08/31 - 6/13/79) - Hospitalized for hepatitis in 1979, she soon died under what was later ruled to be "suspicious circumstances.". But he was definitely ready to try something else. Switzer married in 1954 and had one son before divorcing his wife in 1957. America Celebrates a Century of Our Gang Comedy Classics Clever Journeys, Judicial Watchs Tom Fitton Reveals More IRS-Hunter Biden Corruption, General Mike Flynn Has Something Urgent He Wants You To See About Biden Crime Family Right Now, Simon Ateba Lays Out What DC Power Fabrication Against Trump Actually Is. 6XL T-Shirts | 7XL T-Shirts | 8XL T-Shirts9XL T-Shirts | 10XL T-Shirts [citation needed]. THE TRAGIC 1959 DEATH OF THE LITTLE RASCALS' CARL 'ALFALFA' SWITZER By AARON HOMER History - Science As a child, the Illinois-born Carl Switzer stopped by the Hal Roach Studios while on vacation with his family in Southern California, and he soon was playing the lovable but dorky Alfalfa in the "Our Gang"/"Little Rascals" shorts. I remember watching the Little Rascals and so enjoyed it ,and all the laughter we had watching those shows. Before they died, "Spanky McFarland" and Darla Hood told me of the cruel pranks that "Alfalfa" played on them. After leaving the series in 1940, Switzer struggled to find substantial roles owing to typecasting. We bring you the neatest, weirdest, and (The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang), the Internet . Moses Stiltz died in 1983 at the age of 62. While in Switzer's possession, the dog ran off, to chase after a bear. In all likelihood, he was murdered, according to eyewitnesses, but the murderer said it was self-defense and got away with it. (Note; the series was originally called Our Gang and was later changed to The Little Rascals, which is how most fans refer to it today.) Bug Hall - Wikipedia Cason, Colleen. [2], In early 1954, Switzer went on a blind date with Diantha Collingwood (19302004), also known as Dian or Diana. Since the Alfalfa gig obviously didn't last, Switzer fell on some pretty hard times as an adult even when the Our Gang comedies were turned into the popular TV show The Little Rascals, things didn ' t improve since royalties weren ' t a thing. Spanky told me of "Alfie's" worst and most stupidly dangerous stunt. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. During the struggle the gun fired into the ceiling and Tom Corrigan was struck in the leg by a piece of shrapnel. "Pretty Prairie's 'Rascal':Carl Switzer, best known as Alfalfa on and off the "Little Rascals" set, had Kansas connection", "The Life and Death of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer,", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carl_%22Alfalfa%22_Switzer&oldid=1162079462, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2022, Turner Classic Movies person ID same as Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, Episode: "George Gets Call from Unknown Victor", This page was last edited on 26 June 2023, at 21:53. As is the case with almost any Hollywood murder, there is a conspiracy theory founded by LA Scandals that Switzer was actually killed during a drug deal gone awry. But he still had to make a living while he stayed involved in Hollywood. Over 42 years later, in January 2001, a third witness came forward and gave his version. An additional program on television that evening on KTLA channel 5 was Art Laboe playing the top music hits of the day. Between 1952 and 1955, he made six appearances on The Roy Rogers Show. In 1936, the gang got its own feature film. -- Pictures of Bug Hall, the actor who payed Alfalfa in the 1994 film version of "The Little Rascals," went viral earlier this week, and the actor has taken on a very . During other seasons, he hunts for mountain lion, deer, wild boar and raccoon., Interestingly, bear hunting led him to an encounter with filmmaker Wild Bill Wellman, who hired him to work on the John Wayne film Island in the Sky. Following a public tour, 8-year-old Harold and 6-year-old Carl entered the Hal Roach Studio's open-to-the-public cafeteria, the Our Gang Caf, and began an impromptu performance. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Switzer and Collingwood got along well and married in Las Vegas three months later. At some point, Switzer and his friend, Jack Piott, decided that Stiltz should pay back Switzer the $50 (about $400 in 2022 dollars), and on January 21, 1959, the two became intoxicated and went to Stiltz's home to collect the money. When Switzer's stint with Our Gang ended in 1940, he continued to act but not frequently and often in uncredited bit parts. (LogOut/ He would belt out painful renditions of famous songs. One of their choices was to listen to Edward R. Murrow on the LA telelvision station KNXT about the integration of schools in the south. Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Hall was 9 years old when he played Alfalfa you might remember his iconic hairstyle or his serenade to Darla. My favorite was Petey, the circle eyed dog. What Happened To The Original Cast of The Little Rascals - DoYouRemember? Months later, Switzer was arrested in Sequoia National Forest for cutting down 15 pine trees he sold as Christmas trees. A coroner's inquest led the jury to rule that the shooting was justifiable homicide. Switzer could give no reason for the shooting. Switzer received only minor footnotes in most newspapers, while DeMilles obituary dominated the columns. While sightseeing, they went to Hal Roach Studios. The Little Rascals, which debuted on television in 1955, introduced a band of ragtag children to the world. "He didn't have to kill him," he said of his stepfather. "Well, we shot Tommy, enough of this," he said he recalled Switzer saying, just before Switzer and Piott started to leave the house. It is one of the most lovingly created documentaries Ive ever seen, almost impossible to turn away from once youve started watching. It used to drive him crazy.". For many years, it's been alleged by fans that the kids who appeared in the Little Rascals and Our Gang short films were cursed. Before one particular hunting expedition, Switzer borrowed a hunting dog from a friend, Moses \"Bud\" Stiltz. Robert Hutchins "Wheezer" - (3/29/25 - 3/17/45) - Died in an airplane accident at the age of 19. [8], Tom Corrigan's account differed significantly from his stepfather's. One thing is certain with Hall's video, we know more than ever about the prolific actor that we first met as Alfalfa in The Little Rascals. By the end of 1937, Switzer's "Alfalfa" had surpassed the series' nominal star, George "Spanky" McFarland, in popularity. In January 1958, he survived being shot in the arm while getting into his car. Stiltz retreated to his bedroom and returned holding a .38-caliber revolver, but Switzer immediately grabbed the gun away from him, resulting in a shot being fired that hit the ceiling. The Killing of Alfalfa,'The Little Rascals' Star - Clever Journeys The gunshot caused Stiltz's fiancee and her three children (who were huddled with her in the bedroom) to flee to a neighbor's house. Stiltz told him he was \"crazy\" and to get the hell out of his house at which point all massive holy hell apparently broke loose. In addition to acting, Switzer bred hunting dogs and guided hunting expeditions. Suddenly, the residents on Columbus Avenue were interrupted by the wailing of police sirens. Stiltz said Switzer drew a knife and Stiltz shot him in the abdomen, the latter said. As things turned out, the shooting was judged as being in self-defense, even though what Stiltz described as a hunting knife turned out to be a penknife. Stiltz fired and shot Switzer in the groin, damaging an artery that caused massive internal bleeding. Customization and personalization available. He then witnessed his stepfather back Piott into the kitchen counter and threaten to kill him, but as the man begged for his life, they heard emergency sirens which is why Corrigan believed Stiltz didnt shoot him again. In 1956, he co-starred in The Bowery Boys film Dig That Uranium followed by a bit part as a Hebrew slave in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments. Switzers last starring roles were in a brief series of imitation-Bowery Boys movies; he reprised his Alfalfa characterization, complete with comically sour vocals, in Gas House Kids comedies of 1946-1947. At the time Our Gang was filmed, television was still in its infancy, and many considered it to be a temporary novelty. As a result, everyone knew Switzer, but he never profited from his fame. He told me he was helping to run the farm, but he finally had to put a radio on the tractor while he was out there plowing. AfterThe Little Rascals, heappeared in a mix of films, made-for-TV movies, and TV shows. Before one particular hunting expedition, Switzer borrowed a hunting dog from a friend, Moses "Bud" Stiltz. I had some of my own hounds and I became acquainted with Roy Rogers at various dog workouts. Besides that, most of Hall's work throughout the last two decades has included brief appearances in television shows, includingCharmed, Cold Case, 90210, Masters of Sex, Castle, and the 2016 miniseries Harley and the Davidsons. He was the son of actor Ray "Crash" Corrigan and Bud Stiltz's stepson, and was only 14 years old at the time of the incident. Swizter was hit in the abdomen. Things didnt really improve a lot from there. They had a son together but divorced in 1957. "Alfie" put an open switchblade knife in his pocket and tricked Darla into putting her hand into his pocket on the pretense that he had a ring for her from a crackerjack box. At the trial, Bud Stiltz broke into tears while reciting the facts of the case. Jack Piotts version of events was different, telling investigators that he and Switzer went to collect a debt from Stiltz, when an argument broke out. A shot was fired but neither man was hit. He died on January 21, 1959, the victim of a killer's bullet as he and another man argued over a lost hunting dog. When I came through town, he heard about it and called. Switzer had small parts in both the 1946 Christmas film It's a Wonderful Life as Mary Hatch's (Donna Reed) date at a high school dance in the film's beginning and again in the 1948 film On Our Merry Way as the mayor's son, a trumpet player in a fixed musical talent contest. Harold "Slim" Switzer - Wikipedia Carl Switzer is interred at theHollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. One of the most recognizable and well-known figures from the Little Rascals was Carl Switzer known as Alfalfa. Corrigan's mother, Rita Corrigan, opened the door to find a drunk Switzer, complaining about a perceived month-old debt and demanding repayment. Im always a teenager and there havent been many jobs until recently. George Robert Philips McFarland (October 2, 1928 - June 30, 1993) [6] was an American actor most famous for starring as a child as Spanky in the Our Gang series of short-subject comedies of the 1930s and 1940s. Science T-Shirts | Sci-Fi T-Shirts | Fantasy T-Shirts This doesn't sit well with his friends, as it's against the rules of their "He-Man Woman Haters Club." [10] During the inquest regarding Switzer's death, it was revealed that what was reported as a "hunting knife" was in fact a penknife. [9], Corrigan was never called to testify at the coroner's inquest, and Stiltz testified in his own favor. In the latter he played Donna Reeds date until James Stewarts George Bailey shows up. I never saw Switzer in anything but the shorts. The Little Rascals was his first role, according to IMDb, but he still helped earn the ensemble cast the Young Artist Award for Best Performance by a Youth Ensemble in a Motion Picture. Carl was buried at Hollywood Memorial Park. You be the judge. Stiltz wasn't interested in paying, and a fight broke out. Switzer then forced Stiltz into a closet and shut the door. Alfalfa From 'Little Rascals' Arrested After Overdose Report Copyright 2003, Reel Reviews. The Curse of the Little Rascals - Neatorama Piott allegedly struck Stiltz in the head with a glass-domed clock, which caused him to bleed from his left eye. The Death of Alfalfa - Picking Alfalfa,. He was once arrested for cutting down trees in Sequoia National Forest and, in 1958, he was shot and injured by an unknown assailant in front of a bar in the San Fernando Valley. Because he died the same day as Cecil B. DeMille, his death received only minor notice in most newspapers, as DeMille's obituary dominated the columns. Tragic Details About The Little Rascals - Grunge But by 1958, Switzer seemed to be back on the Hollywood fast track, having landed a plum comic relief role in Stanley Kramer's, The Defiant Ones. Even though Stiltz had gotten his hands on the gun, Switzer drew a hunting knife on Stiltz and yelled that he was going to kill him. Several days later, after a night of drinking, Switzer concocted the booze-fueled idea that Stiltz (the owner of the dog) owed him the $50 he had spent to get the dog back. Carl's life At auditions, according to Darla, "They used to say to him, 'Hey Alfie, sing off-key for us.' When the dog was returned to the bar where Switzer was working, Switzer paid the good Samaritan $35, plus about $15 of drinks on the house. Knowing Carl, I knew that wasnt going to last. Its a problem thats plagued young performers since pretty much the advent of movies, but Carl would try to make the best of the hand he was dealt though it would all ultimately have a tragic end with his murder. Often uncredited, Switzer appeared in small parts in nearly sixty films, includingMy Favorite Blonde(1942),The Human Comedy(1943),Going My Way(1944),Its a Wonderful Life(1946),State of the Union(1948),Pat and Mike(1952). A man found the dog a few days later and brought it to the bar where Switzer was working. Web every day. Unfortunately, one night he got a bit too ambitious going after money he thought was his, and he paid for it with his life. The lights exploded and filled the studio with a hideous stench. Those were some pretty mean tricks to play on the other kids. Switzer paid the man $35 and bought him $15 worth of drinks from the bar. He staked me to a set of hounds so I could go in to business as a bear hunter., Heres howThe Courier Newsof Blytheville, Arkansas described what he was up to: Carl set up headquarters at Averys, a tiny community in the mountains about 50 miles from Stockton, California. The actor who, at age 9, brought Alfalfa to life is Bug Hall. Besides acting, Switzer bred and trained hunting dogs and guided hunting expeditions. A sister Janice was born in 1923 and a brother Harold was born in 1925. Bug Hall played Alfalfa, arguably the most famous of the Rascals. An Inside Look On The Strange Death Of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
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