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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
BIG RASCALS
“I was a baby when Mr. Roach hired me,” says George McFarland. “They still call me Spanky.”
Ernie grins. “I was one of the first back in the days before talkies. Sunshine Sammy, that was me.”
“I was Butch. The bully in the gang.” Tommy Bond adds with a twinkle in his eye, “Guess I had the scowl for it.”
Matthew Beard strokes his bald head, looking very much like little Stymie. “We was just kids. We went to school and played together. Black or white didn’t matter. Hal Roach loved kids.”
“Great times,” says Ernie. “I’d do it again.”
***
The past is another country. They do things differently there
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Cryptic. Thanks for stopping by, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Apologies, m’lady, this is outwith my cultural sphere.
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Dear CE,
A little broadening of your horizon, mayhaps.. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A good story based on the Our Gang short comedies. I used to watch them on TV when I was a child. They were really cute. Good writing, Rochelle. Thanks for the link to the added information. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
At least two of us remember them. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A trip down memory lane for many, I guess. I don’t recall seeing it over here. The sentiments are universal, however.
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Dear Sandra,
Thank you for your affirming comments. I didn’t expect everyone to relate to the old American serial. It’s good to know the sentiments came through.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember them well! My favorites were Spanky and Alfalfa with Darla. She had those guys under her thumb😄
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Dear Genia,
Darla was the queen. 😉 They were all such little cuties. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember it well. I was eight when we got our first TV, and The Little Rascals was a favorite after-school event 🙂
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Dear Linda,
They were Saturday morning faves for me. Who knew they went all the way back to the days before sound? Thank you for coming by to view. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They were always on TV right after school when I was a kid. Great little films.
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Dear Trent,
They were most definitely an American staple, weren’t they? I loved them. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think Little Rascals was remade as a movie in the 90s, unless I am confusing it with a similar kids show. Some things deserve a remake.
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Dear Tanille,
You aren’t mistaken. I never did see the remake. There’s something about leaving well enough alone. Those films were relevant to the times. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I watched the little Rascals as a kid. Saturday mornings. Loved it the . Different world now. Good story.
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Dear Jan,
Even in the 70’s and 80’s the censors went to town on them. Definitely a different world. I loved them, too. ❤
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Well, that was the image anyway. As always with Old Hollywood, the truth was much darker. There was a wooden box they kept on set where they’d lock up misbehaving kids. One of the ways Hal kept pressure on them was to make sure there was always a new cute kid waiting in the wings. There’s also the question of race, as Farina, Stymie, and Buckwheat were all played as broad stereotypes. Good piece. I encourage your readers to dig a little deeper into Hal Roach studios. Some great (and horrifying) stories there!
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Dear Josh,
The interview I based my story on were the ones who had fond memories of Our Gang and Mr. Roach. Granted there are horror stories. And some of us love to dig deep into the behind the scenes stories, don’t we? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember The Little Rascals as a child.
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Happy to bring back a memory, Frank. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There were reruns of the show for the longest time on TBS, which is where I first recall seeing it. It’s so nice to know that there was a time when child actors were treated as something more than commodities. Stanley Kubrick was the same way, very protective towards the child actors he worked with in The Shining.
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Dear Dora,
Alas, there are some sad stories from the Our Gang days as well. Thank you for coming by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We didn’t have those where I grew up, so I can do a bit of educational-history-TV’ing on YouTube! 🙂
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Enjoy the journey. Many of the episodes have either been banned or edited due to racist material. But the kids were talented and adorable. I don’t imagine they would’ve had Our Gang in your side of the world. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yeah … we had some shows (usually with a few years delay from airing in the US): Little House in the Prairie, The 6 million dollar man; North and West, Dallas, All in the house, Archie Bunker, The Time Tunnel, Magnum, etc. Also British ones and Australian ones. But absolutely not ALL made … let alone that there was only one channel … ;D
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Fluent, and an interesting oblique take on the prompt.
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Dear Penny,
I knew I took a chance with sharing a piece of history that’s decidedly American. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, another fun history tidbit!
Shalom,
Ronda
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Thank you, Ronda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
I LOVED The Little Rascals. Gosh, this brought back so many memories. Alfalfa was
my favorite. I thought it was so cute the way he would sing to Darla. Thanks for the memory, mi amiga. I suppose it would be difficult to understand if one has never experienced the show. Have a fun day ….
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
The sad thing is that Carl Switzer really did think he could sing. He was hilarious. Always a pleasure to lead my friends down Memory Lane.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Did you happen to know or meet Carl Switzer? Hilarious … that he thought he could sing. I thought he was exaggerting the high pitched voice for humor. I enjoyed the story.
Abrazos y Carino,
Isadora 😎💜
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Gosh! Some VERY young film stars!
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They started them out very young, Liz. Cute sold.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve only seen the 90s remake, but I learned a lot about “Our Gang/The Little Rascals” when you did your story on Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer. Always educational, our Rochelle.
This is what I always think of when I think “The Little Rascals:”
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Dear Nobbin,
I’ve never seen the remake, but Our Gang was part of my Saturdays growing up. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I watched The Little Rascals as a kid, when there was only black & white TV. I had no idea that the show was already a classic at the time. 1932??? Wow. I loved the show, the kids, and their dog as well. He was better than Lassie any day!
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Dear Lisa,
It actually goes back to 1922 before talkies. I did enjoy those old black and whites when I was a kid. Thank you for tuning in. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, so neat to think how far back they went. You’re welcome and Shalom,
Lisa
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Oh, this took me back to my childhood, Rochelle! Thanks for another cultural history lesson 🙂 I enjoy your writing style.
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Dear Sue,
I’m happy my story struck a chord with so many. 😀 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess this one didn’t make it over to this side of the pond. I do love that he was called Spanky – I’m pretty sure that would be frowned upon in today’s culture! 🙂
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Dear Iain,
I’m afraid a lot of things would be frowned upon today. Thank you for the read and the comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am with Iain on this one, Film and tv history can be fascinating
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Thank you, Michael.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
While I never really watched the show, I do know who they all are (funny how that works, eh?) As you do so well, you bring the past to life.
Shalom and lots of rascally love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
You’re forgiven for not watching the show. 😉 Thank you for your affirming words, my friend.
Shalom and gangs of hugs,
Rochelle
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You betcha!!
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It makes me wonder how you know so much social history Rochelle! Pure genius, thanks for sharing
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Dear Shrawley,
I have Google and I know how to use it. 😉 Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They sound like quite the bunch!
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Dear Ali,
There were generations of the bunch.Thank you for tuning in. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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kids are color-blind and immune to social differences until they grow up.
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True story, Plaridel. Too true.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for another trip down memory lane. I remember watching the old “Little Rascals” re-runs and of course the remakes. The video clip of Spanky’s interview made me smile. Needed a good smile and some happy thoughts!! 🙂
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Dear Brenda,
I’m glad this gave you some smiles. That makes me smile. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Can’t relate to the character, but loved the message.
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Thank you, Joy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story. I’ve heard about this series, it must have been a groundbreaking show in portraying white and black children interacting as equals in those times. Maybe youtube has episodes I can watch.
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Dear Subroto,
I hadn’t thought of it that way. Many of the episodes or parts of them were banned for racist content. At any rate, the shows were fun back in the day. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much for hosting!
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My pleasure, Dee. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah yes, The Little Rascals!!
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They were a staple, weren’t they, Dee?
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Such fun. 😊
Oh and happy new year, Rochelle!
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Thank you on both counts, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey Rochelle,
Well I get it.
Another good (great) one, but this time I have prior knowledge.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Glad to know I’m not the only one who gets it. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember “The Little Rascals” well. Early 60s as filler clips.
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Dear Fred,
They’d been around since 1922. 😉 Thank you for tuning in.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Like another world in another time.
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It most definitely was. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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