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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz
Click the Frog and Hop Along
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
GROWING PAIN
After a day of enduring Alfalfa’s foul temper and pranks, such as sticking chewing gum in a movie camera, the frustrated “Our Gang” director pulled him aside. “Kid, I swear, the day you turn 21, I’m going to find you and beat the shit out of you.”
By 1940 the thirteen-year-old was a has-been. Although he landed some small roles in a few pictures, he found it necessary to supplement his income by bartending or training dogs.
A bullet ended his downward spiral in a heated dispute over $50. On January 21, 1959, Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer took his final bow.
***
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Dear Ms Wisoff,
McArthy, Stone, and Wilberforce, acting on behalf of our client, the Director of Our Gang, are issuing you with this cease and desist notice with regard to this and any allegations, suggestions or otherwise intimations that our client was in any way involved with the death of Alfafa Switzer
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Dear Sirs:
Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe, acting on behalf of our client, the cute and cuddly Ms Wisoff, suggest that you advise your client to take a jump. There were witnesses to his threat, and the truth is the perfect defence. Besides which, all copyrights expired shortly after Mr. Switzer did.
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Dear Messrs. Macdonald and Archon,
Your comments are a story in and of themselves. Love it.Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Geez, Louise, I thought that was real until I saw the name. Had a heart attack, I almost did.
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I actually thought so too!
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Being a child star is often a poisoned chalice. Too much money and fame at young age, coupled with the suddenly loving relatives and new friends have destroyed many young stars’ life. Macaulay Culkin comes to my mind immediately. Excellent tale, per usual, Rochelle.
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Dear Varad,
Poison chalice is a great way to put it. So many child stars come to mind. Patty Duke for one and too many others to count. I smile when I think of Ron Howard. 😀 One success story out of so many tragedies. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember well Alfalfa in the Our Gang movies. I also remember hearing he died in a barroom fight. I graduated from high school that year. So many child stars are finished when they outgrow their cuteness. My daughter told me if she’d been working at a young age she wouldn’t want to do it now. She’s a working actress in Chicago and loves it. A good story, Rochelle, based on an actual event. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Such is the story of so many child stars. If they survived it with some semblance of normalcy they don’t regret leaving the craft. Thank you for your kind words as always. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He died young. It was for a trivial amount..
Real story too. Happens in real life.
Fight over ‘money’ can turn terrible and take lives. I often wonder- value of a human life is so less?
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Dear Anita,
Sadly not everyone values human life, other than their own. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All too true, these days, too. 😦
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😦 nachon
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Sigh.
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Sad on a number of levels; the mains, being washed up before adulthood, never to reach the highs again and pre-mature death.
None of us are immune from death’s hand.
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Dear Tanille,
There are too many stories out there like Carl’s. We love them as children and forget them when they outgrow their cuteness. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So interesting, and very sad. You reminded me that not only was he a character in “Our Gang”, Alfalfa was a name (and description) often used in everyday conversation. I know it’s sentimental but I always feel sad when I realise a name or phrase, along with the memories, has just subtly faded away. Thank you for the reminder of someone who was once a “household word.”
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Dear Jilly,
Apparently Alfalfa’s home life wasn’t a happy one either. It is sad story. I always thought he was so cute. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Turns out, as far as I’m concerned, that the infamous Fatty Arbuckle was more the rule than the exception. It’s too easy, in the world of show business, to become an entitled narcissist. Alfalfa so pushed his luck too far
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Dear Larry,
He did turn into an entitled brat it seems. Ron Howard would be a major exception to the rule. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ron Howard’s way beyond too liberal for me, but I humor him because of Opie and Richie ..Shalom
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Incredible how many child stars end up going off the rails, it certainly doesn’t seem to bring long-term success to many.
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Dear Iain,
Sadly child stars often outlive their cuteness and often end up lacking in talent or star power. 😦 Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a sad story, and yes to the tragic of so many child stars. Another interesting piece of history.
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Dear Gabi,
Sadly his story isn’t unique. Way too many. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I often wonder what will become of the child stars we see today. There have been so many tragic outcomes.
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Dear Keith,
Hopefully with the light that’s been shed on the pitfalls of the industry, parents will be better guardians of the children. But there will always be stage parents and greed, I fear.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve always loved the stories of Our Gang, even this tragic one (so like that of Sal Mineo, much later). I met Spanky once at a Little Rascals retrospective. He told me that Hal Roach would put naughty kids into a box he kept on set. He was super funny about it. Great story about a tragic character.
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Dear Josh,
I couldn’t help but think of you as I wrote this one. 😉 A passion we definitely share here. Glad you liked it. 😀 Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😎
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Dear Rochelle,
As we have come to expect from you, an excellent story about a real person. Not all child stars are brats and not many of them make it once they reach adulthood. It is a difficult business to be in when you are a fully-developed adult, how the heck are children equipped to handle it?
Well done, my friend!
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Ron Howard and his parents come to mind. They did right by their son and look at him now. Kurt Russell’s another who crossed the bridge into successful adult actor. From what I’ve read about Alfalfa, he didn’t have a chance. So many of these kids like him were used as their parents’ meal tickets. 😦 Thank you as always, my friend.
Shalom and lotsa hugs,
Rochelle
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Indeed they were the lucky ones.
And sadly, too many kids were used as you said.
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That kind of child abuse is as old as the theatre.
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So true.
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Another sad end to a young star who entertained millions (and generated millions for his handlers.) I’m sure the studio could have bought 100 cameras with the money that was pulled in by this little cutie.
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Dear Lisa,
There are too many sad finales for these kids who delighted audiences. ;( Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are very welcome, Rochelle.
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Great little piece about the realities of child-actors, who all too often are pushed too hard too soon with too few boundaries and with a whole lot of exploitative adults clambering about to squeeze the most out of their ‘cute years’ before abandoning them to their own devices once the ‘cute’ runs out or another cute-de-jour’ comes into fashion.
Not that some of them can’t have their less-than-cute behaviors or personalities, but the circumstances certainly do not lend themselves to helping shape them toward the best persons they can be, as adults are charged to help children do …
Thank you for this bit of history!
Have added my little contribution – of someone who I hope will not suffer the ills of your story – to the froggy. Copying the link here, just because I like redundancy …
😉
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
You worded it perfectly. In Carl’s case, it seemed he was abandoned and left to his own devices in the midst of his stardom. He most certainly was ill-equipped for life beyond Our Gang. Very sad. Always happy to share history when I find it. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Dear Zelda Rubinstein W(T)F,
I never was a big fan of Alfalfa, what I want to know is what happened to Darla. I never knew what she saw in that loser. Hopefully, she found a handsome leading man (like me) and lived a long life filled with bliss.
Autographs $15,
Clark Fable
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Dear Clark Fable aka Spanky,
Alfalfa had that endearing cowlick that was hard for girls to resist. 😉 Sounds like he needed to be stuffed into an invisible box. As for Darla, she died young. 😦 But that could be another story. I’d like one of your autographs…put it on my tab.
Shalom,
Zelda Rubinstein W(T)F
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I remember Alfalfa. I always felt sorry for him.
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Dear Adele,
His story was a tragic one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting. It’s sad to think of someone as a has-been at 13. It’s also horrible how we use people up and throw them away.
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Dear Nobbin,
It is truly a tragedy. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never really got into the show but I remember him. What a tragic end.
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A tragic end, indeed, Maria. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember reading about the death of this well-known character from “Our Gang.” So sad. I was 12, and by that time was no longer interested in “Our Gang,” but it still made me drop a couple of tears to think that someone I’d watched nearly every afternoon was gone forever.
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Dear Linda,
I loved watching “Our Gang” as a child. I was only 6 when he died so I’m only just learning about it myself. So sad and senseless. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had no idea. What a thing to think of looking at that photo. It’s truly amazing where a creative mind goes.
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p.s. your research knows no bounds, R.
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Dear Ted,
Often my research leads in a direction I hadn’t planned. This was one of those times. Thank you. 😀 Oh and thank you for the generous loan of your photo. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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All too often the life of a child star is like that. I guess they can’t all be Jackie Cooper. Nice telling of the tale.
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Dear Trent,
Sadly they don’t all end up like Jackie Cooper, Ron Howard, Eleanor Donahue or Kurt Russell. Often they end up like Jackie Coogan or Anissa Jones. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You paint a clear portrait of an unfortunate young man. It sounds like he was always on a course to self-destruct. Those who were responsible for raising him and looking after him while he worked have a lot to answer for.
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Dear Penny,
You’re spot on in your assessment. That boy was used and abused. From what I’ve read he more or less raised himself. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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People like him can be awfully hard to live with. It’s not surprising that someone got so irritated they had to put him out of their misery.
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Dear Audrey,
Sad but true. He doesn’t sound like he was a nice person. Still, it’s tragic.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There you go, teaching us again. You research more than anyone I know. And probably enjoy it more than anyone I know. If you had only known back in the day, you could have been a professor. Good job.
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Dear Jan,
In retrospect I might’ve made a good history professor at that. 😉 Nah. But I do enjoy research. Thank you, m’luv.
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I don’t often get the references to characters who were celebrities in the States, but Alfalfa was one I remember vividly, and I didn’t know he met his end in that manner. Seems being a child star is not the wonderful thing I imagined it was, as a kid. Thanks for bringing that fact home to me in your usual eloquent style.
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Dear Sandra,
Being a star, I’m told, is a two-edged sword. Even more so for the child star who outgrows his or her cuteness. Alfalfa’s is probably among the most tragic of those stories. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’d forgotten that. So sad.
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Very sad, Shirley. Good to see you this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poor guy. He got 128 acting credits on IMDB in that short time.
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Dear Ali,
Sadly those credits were mostly Our Gang. He didn’t have much going for him after that.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very sad story. What a tragedy. I remember the gang and Alfalfa being one of my favorites.
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Dear Brenda,
I did love the Our Gang comedies and Alfalfa seemed the typical freckle-faced kid. Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think sometimes of how many of the “kids” I grew up with were beset by tragedy, mistreatment and abuse of every kind. No matter how many articles, books and stories are written, I’m not at all sure it’s any better today. Maybe worse, given the even more dangerous methods of coping available to the damaged rich.
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Dear Genia,
Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears come to mind as two of those glaringly tragic and recent stories. I think you’re right about not much changing. Thank you for coming by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad story, so well told, of a child made into a spoiled person who went off the rails. There’s a sense I get of such kids being ‘disposable’.
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Dear Francine,
It’s one of those stories that leaves one shaking her head and wondering who’s to blame. Carl was spoiled and at the same time went through life without much direction. Definitely disposable. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh what a tragic story. Child stars really get no support once the roles stop coming in. $50 for a life. Very sad
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Dear Laurie,
I’m not sure, but some of that royalty thing has changed for the better. However too many sad stories of children who were has-beens by the time they reached puberty. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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after a good headstart in life, what a sad ending. 😦
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Sad ending, indeed, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s sad. I think I may have seen one of those years ago. It’s a shame he died so young.
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So very sad, Sascha. And children are still being exploited onscreen today. So many similar tales. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I thought that very thing much later after I commented. How many child actors end up on drugs or dying prematurely.
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Way too many, Sascha. 😦
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Unfortunately I don’t think it’s all that much better for some of the child stars of today. I remember watching “Our Gang”/”The Little Rascals” growing up as did my mother.
https://dbmcnicol.com/friday-fictioneers-freshly-boxed/
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Dear Donna,
I don’t think it’s much better either. I loved Our Gang as a kid. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your little history lessons could be an Alexa brief…just a thought! Thanks for the story.
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
Perhaps I should write for Alexa. 😉 Thank you, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I haven’t thought about Our Gang, and Alfalfa for so long, although in my family we still call a bit of sticking up hair an alfalfa. Such a sad story, particularly as it’s a true one. Thanks for telling it so skilfully, Rochelle.
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Dear Margaret,
That cowlick was something else, wasn’t it? Thank you for your kind words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How sad to be a has-been at the “ripe old age” of thirteen! Child stars never have it easy, no matter which decade/century we’re in. Thank you for sharing this bit of history with us, Rochelle.
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Dear Magarisa,
There are so few success stories of children making the transition to adult actor. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The original child star tragedy. There have been some child stars from late 90s to 2000s who have managed to transition into adulthood fantastically. Emma Watson is one.
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Dear Fatima,
There are indeed a few success stories. Someone did something right by those kids. Thank you for reading and commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve heard and read about Our Gang, and Alfalfa. Too much fame at a young age and then having had it taken away can be hard to handle. They were easily discarded by the studios after their use by date. A sad and sorry ending to the once bright star.
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Dear Subroto,
Your assessment is spot on. I believe the industry forgets that these little people are human beings with heart and soul. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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