To See You Again Song on Little Rascals Movie
| Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer | |
|---|---|
 Switzer in Our Gang Follies of 1938 | |
| Born | Carl Dean Switzer (1927-08-08)August 8, 1927 Paris, Illinois, U.Southward. |
| Died | Jan 21, 1959(1959-01-21) (aged 31) Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of decease | Internal haemorrhage from gunshot |
| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Alfalfa Switzer |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1927–1959 |
| Spouse(south) | Dian Collingwood (g. 1954; div. 1957) |
| Children | i |
| Relatives | Harold Switzer (brother) |
Carl Dean Switzer (August viii, 1927[i] – Jan 21, 1959) was an American singer, child actor, dog breeder and guide. He was best known for his role every bit Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang.
Switzer began his career every bit a child actor in the mid-1930s actualization in the Our Gang curt subjects series every bit Alfalfa, 1 of the serial' most pop and best-remembered characters. After leaving the series in 1940, Switzer struggled to notice substantial roles owing to typecasting. As an adult, he appeared mainly in flake parts and B-movies. He afterwards became a dog breeder and hunting guide.
Switzer married in 1954 and had one son before divorcing his wife in 1957. He was fatally shot by an associate in a dispute over money in January 1959.
Early life and family [edit]
Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois, the youngest of four children born to Gladys Carrie Shanks (1904–1997) and George Frederick "Fred" Switzer (1905–1960). The oldest brother died in 1922. A sister Janice was built-in in 1923 and a blood brother Harold was born in 1925. Of Scottish and German ancestry,[2] he was named Carl Dean after a member of the Switzer family and many relatives on his grandmother'due south side (respectively). He and his brother Harold became famous in their hometown for their musical talent and performances. Both sang and could play a number of instruments.
Career [edit]
Our Gang [edit]
In 1934, the Switzers traveled to California to visit family unit. While sightseeing, they went to Hal Roach Studios. Following a public tour, 8-year-old Harold and vi-year-old Carl entered the Hal Roach Studio's open up-to-the-public cafeteria, the Our Gang Café, and began an impromptu operation. Producer Hal Roach was present and was impressed. He signed both brothers to appear in Our Gang. Harold was given ii nicknames, "Slim" and "Deadpan", while Carl was dubbed "Alfalfa".[iii]
The brothers first appeared in the 1935 Our Gang brusque Beginner'due south Luck. Past the finish of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters, while Harold had been relegated to the background. Although Carl was an experienced singer and musician, his character Alfalfa was often called upon to sing off-central renditions of popular songs for comic effect, most often those of Bing Crosby.[3] Alfalfa too sported a cowlick.
By the end of 1937, Switzer's "Alfalfa" had surpassed the serial' nominal star, George "Spanky" McFarland, in popularity. While the boys got along, their fathers argued constantly over their sons' screen time and salaries.[4] Switzer'southward best friend amid the Our Gang actors was Tommy Bond, who played his on-screen nemesis "Butch". In Bond's words, he and Switzer became practiced friends because "neither of usa could replace the other since we played opposites." Even so, Switzer was known for beingness annoying and difficult on the gear up. He would often play cruel jokes on the other actors and hold up filming with his antics.[3]
Adult years [edit]
Switzer's tenure on Our Gang concluded in 1940, when he was twelve. His beginning function later leaving the serial was as a Boy Watch in I Honey You Over again (1940) starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. He so co-starred in the 1941 comedy Reg'lar Fellers. The next yr, he had a supporting part in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. Switzer continued to appear in films in various supporting roles, including in Johnny Doughboy (1942), Going My Way (1944), and The Great Mike (1944). Switzer had an uncredited office as Auggie in the 1943 movie The Human Comedy. Switzer's last starring roles were in a brief series of false Bowery Boys films. He reprised his "Alfalfa" graphic symbol, consummate with comically sour vocals, in PRC'southward Gas House Kids comedies in 1946 and 1947. By this fourth dimension Switzer was downplaying his before Our Gang work. In his 1946 resume, he referred to the films generically as "M-G-Thou short production".[three]
Switzer had small parts in both the 1946 Christmas picture It's a Wonderful Life as Mary Hatch'due south (Donna Reed) engagement at a loftier schoolhouse dance in the motion-picture show's starting time and once again in the 1948 film On Our Merry Way as the mayor'south son, a trumpet player in a stock-still musical talent contest. In 1952, he played a busboy in the film Pat and Mike starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. In the 1954 musical motion-picture show White Christmas, his photo was used to depict "Freckle-Faced Haynes, the Dog-Faced Boy", an army buddy of lead characters Wallace and Davis (played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) who was as well the brother of the female leads the Haynes Sisters (played past Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen).
In the 1950s, Switzer turned to television set. Betwixt 1952 and 1955, he made six appearances on The Roy Rogers Show. He also guest-starred in an episode of the American science fiction anthology serial Science Fiction Theatre and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Prove. In 1953 and 1954, Switzer co-starred in three William A. Wellman-directed films: Island in the Sky and The Loftier and the Mighty, both starring John Wayne, and Rails of the True cat, starring Robert Mitchum. In 1956, he co-starred in The Bowery Boys film Dig That Uranium followed by a bit role equally a Hebrew slave in Cecil B. DeMille'due south The Ten Commandments. Switzer's concluding film role was in the 1958 drama The Defiant Ones.
Besides acting, Switzer bred and trained hunting dogs and guided hunting expeditions. Amidst his notable clients were Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (Switzer'south son's godparents), James Stewart, and Henry Fonda.[3]
Personal life [edit]
In early 1954, Switzer went on a bullheaded date with Diantha Collingwood (1930–2004), as well known every bit Dian or Diana, the daughter of Lelo and Faye Collingwood and heiress of grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain. Collingwood had moved with her female parent and sister to California in 1953 considering her sis wanted to become an actress. Switzer and Collingwood got forth well and married in Las Vegas three months later. In 1956, with his money running out and Diantha pregnant, his mother-in-law offered them a subcontract most Pretty Prairie, Kansas. Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer[5] (afterwards Justin Lance Collingwood Elridge)[six] was born that year.[5] They divorced in 1957 and Diantha married Richard Rosswell "Ross" Elridge (1933–2007), who adopted and raised Lance equally his own, and had two other children by him, sons Chris and Lee Elridge.[three]
In 1987, former Our Gang co-star George "Spanky" McFarland recalled a coming together with Switzer when they spoke near the farm:[3]
The concluding time I saw Carl was 1957. Information technology was a tough fourth dimension for me—and him. I was starting a tour of theme parks and county fairs in the Midwest. Carl had married this daughter whose begetter endemic a pretty good size subcontract nigh Wichita. When I came through town, he heard about information technology and chosen. He told me he was helping to run the farm, simply he finally had to put a radio on the tractor while he was out there plowing. Knowing Carl, I knew that wasn't going to concluding. He may accept come from Paris, Illinois, simply he wasn't a farmer! We hadn't seen each other since we left the 'Gang.' So we had tiffin. We talked about all the things you'd expect. So I never saw him again. He looked pretty much the same. He was just Carl Switzer—kind of cocky, a piffling fidgety—and I idea to myself he hadn't changed that much. He still talked large. He merely grew up.
In January 1958, Switzer was getting into his car in front of a bar in Studio Urban center, when a bullet smashed through the window and struck him in the upper right arm.[7] However, the gunman was never caught. Later that Dec, Switzer was arrested in Sequoia National Wood for cut down 15 pine trees he had intended to illegally sell every bit Christmas trees. He was sentenced to ane year'south probation. Switzer was likewise ordered to pay a $225 fine (more than $ii,000 today).
Death [edit]
Grave of Carl Switzer on Baronial vii, 2012
In the midst of his legal and fiscal woes, Switzer agreed to train a hunting canis familiaris, a Treeing Walker Coonhound,[viii] for Moses Samuel "Bud" Stiltz. Stiltz was a longtime friend and sometime business partner, whom Switzer had met while working with Roy Rogers on diverse productions at the Corriganville Picture Ranch. While in Switzer'southward possession, the canis familiaris ran off, to chase later a behave. Stiltz was unsympathetic towards Switzer, firm in his demands that the former child star must either return his dog or pay him the equivalent of the canis familiaris's value. Unable to produce cash to settle the debt, Switzer took out ads in newspapers and put up fliers, offering a reward for the safe return of the animal. Somewhen, the dog was located and brought to the bar where Switzer was working at the time. The rescuer was rewarded with $35 in greenbacks and $15 in alcoholic beverages, the equivalent of about $450 in 2020. The loss of his $50 did not sit down well with Switzer. During an emotional conversation with his friend, 37-year-onetime unit of measurement all the same photographer Jack Piott, that took place a few days later, the two decided that Stiltz should reimburse Switzer the finder's fee. Their argument was that the dog was Stiltz's and not Switzer's. The two soon arrived at Stiltz's home in Mission Hills, at 10400 Columbus Avenue. Stiltz shared the home with his wife, Rita Corrigan, and his step-children. Switzer and Piott intended to demand coin of Stiltz. Though differing accounts of the event exist, all concord that Stiltz was struck over the left side of his head with a glass clock. He later retreated to his room to retrieve a .38-caliber revolver, which Switzer wrestled him for. Their struggle caused the gun to discharge and almost shoot Tom Corrigan, Stiltz's 14-year-old step-son.
Stiltz's account of the event was ane of cocky-defence, testifying that Switzer had banged on his front door, yelling "Let me in, or I'll kick in the door." The threat was followed past a struggle that began with one of the men, Switzer or Piott, striking Stiltz with the clock. This prompted Stiltz to call up his firearm, which Switzer grabbed for. The gun discharged accidentally, about shooting Corrigan. Switzer so, according to Stiltz, threatened him with a knife and yelled, "I'm going to impale you!" Stiltz fired and shot Switzer in the groin, dissentious an avenue that caused massive internal bleeding. Switzer was dead when he arrived at the hospital.[9]
Tom Corrigan'south account differed significantly from his pace-father's. He told investigators that Stiltz shot Switzer as he and Piott were leaving. After the gun's accidental discharge that almost hitting Corrigan, Switzer, according to Corrigan, had a moment of clarity about the situation. He turned to Piott and said they needed to leave. The two were headed for the door when Stiltz then fired the fatal shot. Switzer never drew a pocketknife, as Stiltz had claimed he had. However, Corrigan was never chosen to testify at the coroner'southward inquest, and Stiltz testified in his favor. His testimony was taken to be true, despite physical evidence that contradicted his account and his past perjury confidence. Years later, Corrigan stood by what he told officers had happened that night, and said his step-father did not accept to kill Switzer.
Controversy [edit]
The shooting was judged to be self-defense.[10] During the inquest regarding Switzer'south death, information technology was revealed that what was reported equally a "hunting pocketknife" was in fact a penknife. Information technology had been found by crime scene investigators under his trunk.
Over 42 years later on, notwithstanding, on January 25, 2001, a 3rd witness came forwards and gave his version. Tom Corrigan, son of Western movie star Ray "Crash" Corrigan and stepson of Moses Stiltz, was a child who was present the dark Switzer was killed. "It was more similar murder," Corrigan told reporters. He said he heard the knock on the front door, and Switzer said "Western Union for Bud Stiltz." Corrigan's mother, Rita Corrigan, opened the door to find a drunk Switzer, lament about a perceived calendar month-old debt and demanding repayment. Corrigan said Switzer entered the house first, followed past Jack Piott. Switzer said he was going to trounce up Stiltz, and Stiltz confronted Switzer with a .38-caliber revolver in his hand. Corrigan said that Switzer grabbed the revolver and Stiltz and Switzer struggled over information technology. He said Piott broke a drinking glass-domed clock over Stiltz's head, causing Stiltz's middle to keen close. During the struggle, a shot was fired into the ceiling and Corrigan was struck in the leg by a fragment. Corrigan said his 2 younger sisters ran to a neighbor's house to call for help. "Well, nosotros shot Tommy, enough of this," he said he recalled Switzer saying, just before Switzer and Piott started to go out the firm.
Corrigan said he had just stepped out the front door when he heard, but did non witness, a second shot behind him. He said he and then turned and saw Switzer sliding down the wall with a surprised look on his face after Stiltz had shot him. Corrigan said he saw a closed penknife at Switzer's side, which he presumed fell out of his pocket or his hand. He said he then saw his stepfather shove Piott against the kitchen counter and threaten to kill him likewise. Corrigan said they heard emergency sirens as Piott begged for his life, and that he thought this was the only reason Stiltz did non impale Piott. Corrigan said his stepfather lied in his account of the event before the coroner'due south jury.[11]
Corrigan said a Los Angeles Law Department detective interviewed him and asked if he would testify before the judge. Corrigan said he agreed to, merely he was never called before the court. "He didn't accept to kill him," Corrigan said decades later.[12]
Moses Stiltz died in 1983 at the age of 62.
Burying [edit]
Carl Switzer was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. Because he died the same twenty-four hours as Cecil B. DeMille, his death received only pocket-size notice in about newspapers, as DeMille's obituary dominated the columns. Coincidentally, Switzer appeared as a slave (uncredited) in the terminal film for which DeMille was credited as a director, The Ten Commandments.
Switzer's gravestone features the square and compasses of Freemasonry and an image of a hunting dog, reflecting his dog-grooming hunting-guide interests at the time of his decease.
Selected filmography [edit]
| Year | Championship | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Little Rascals: All-time of Our Gang | ||
| 1933 | Stage Female parent | 'Irish Eyes' vocalizer | Uncredited |
| 1935 | Beginner's Luck | Tom | Short film |
| 1935 | Teacher's Young man | Alfalfa | Curt film |
| 1935 | Sprucin' Upward | Alfalfa | Short motion-picture show |
| 1935 | Our Gang Follies of 1936 | Alfalfa | Short film |
| 1936 | The Lucky Corner | Alfalfa | Brusque film |
| 1936 | Too Many Parents | Kid Singer | |
| 1936 | Arbor Day | Alfalfa | Short film |
| 1936 | Kelly the Second | Boy with Breadbasket Ache | Uncredited |
| 1936 | Spooky Hooky | Alfalfa | Short film |
| 1936 | Ellis Island | Manuel | Uncredited |
| 1936 | Easy to Take | Alfred Bottle | |
| 1937 | Reunion in Rhythm | Alfalfa | Short film |
| 1937 | Rushin' Ballet | Alfalfa | Brusk film |
| 1937 | Pick a Star | Pocket-size Role | Uncredited |
| 1937 | Mail and Female | Alfalfa / Cousin Amiela | Short film |
| 1937 | Our Gang Follies of 1938 | Alfalfa | Short pic |
| 1937 | Wild and Woolly | Zero | |
| 1938 | Scandal Street | Bennie Nordskudder | |
| 1938 | Canned Fishing | Alfalfa | Short motion picture |
| 1938 | Came the Brawn | Alfalfa | Curt movie |
| 1938 | Hide and Shriek | Alfalfa, allonym X-x | Short film |
| 1938 | Football Romeo | Alfalfa | Short picture show |
| 1939 | The Ice Follies of 1939 | Modest Boy | Uncredited |
| 1939 | Duel Personalities | Alfalfa | Short film |
| 1939 | Clown Princes | The Great Alfalfa | Brusque film |
| 1939 | Captain Spanky'due south Show Gunkhole | Alfalfa | Short picture |
| 1939 | Time Out for Lessons | Alfalfa | Short motion picture |
| 1940 | Alfalfa'south Double | Alfalfa / Cornelius | Short film |
| 1940 | Good Bad Boys | Alfalfa | Short film |
| 1940 | Goin' Fishin' | Alfalfa | Short film |
| 1940 | I Love You Again | Leonard Harkspur Jr. | |
| 1940 | Kiddie Kure | Alfalfa | Brusque film |
| 1940 | Barnyard Follies | Alfalfa | Credited equally "Alfalfa" Switzer |
| 1941 | Reg'lar Fellers | Bump Hudson | |
| 1942 | My Favorite Blonde | Frederick | Uncredited |
| 1942 | Henry and Giddy | Billy Weeks | |
| 1942 | At that place's I Built-in Every Minute | Junior Twine | Credited as Alfalfa Switser |
| 1942 | The War Against Mrs. Hadley | Messenger Boy | |
| 1942 | Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch | Baton Wiggs | |
| 1942 | Johnny Doughboy | Alfalfa | |
| 1943 | The Human Comedy | Auggie | Uncredited |
| 1943 | Shantytown | 'Bindy' | |
| 1943 | Dixie | Boy in Street | Uncredited |
| 1944 | Rosie the Riveter | Buzz Prouty | |
| 1944 | Going My Fashion | Herman Langerhanke | Uncredited |
| 1944 | The Great Mike | Speck | |
| 1944 | Together Again | Elevator Boy | Uncredited |
| 1945 | Human Alive | Ignatius | Uncredited |
| 1945 | She Wouldn't Say Yep | Delivery Boy | Uncredited |
| 1946 | Courage of Lassie | First Youth, a hunter | |
| 1946 | Gas House Kids | Sammy Levine | |
| 1946 | It's a Wonderful Life | Freddie Othello | Uncredited |
| 1947 | Gas Firm Kids Go Due west | Alfalfa | |
| 1947 | Gas House Kids in Hollywood | Alfalfa | |
| 1947 | Driftwood | Messenger | Uncredited |
| 1948 | On Our Merry Way | Leopold "Zoot" Wirtz | Alternative championship: A Phenomenon Can Happen |
| 1948 | State of the Union | Attendant | |
| 1948 | Large Boondocks Scandal | Frankie Snead | Alternative title: Underworld Scandal |
| 1949 | A Letter to Iii Wives | Leo, 2d Messenger | Uncredited |
| 1949 | Alias the Gnaw | Newsboy | |
| 1950 | Firm by the River | Walter Herbert | Uncredited |
| 1950 | Redwood Forest Trail | Sidekick Alfie | |
| 1951 | Belle Le Grand | Messenger Boy | Uncredited |
| 1951 | Cause for Warning! | Guy with Tex | Uncredited |
| 1951 | Two Dollar Bettor | Chuck Nordlinger | |
| 1951 | Hither Comes the Groom | Messenger | Uncredited |
| 1952 | Pat and Mike | Motorcoach Boy | |
| 1952 | I Dream of Jeanie | Freddie | Credited as Carl Dean Switzer |
| 1952 | The WAC from Walla Walla | Pvt. Cronkheit | Uncredited |
| 1953 | Isle in the Sky | Sonny Hopper | |
| 1953 | Flight Nurse | Rifleman | Uncredited |
| 1954 | The High and the Mighty | Ensign Keim | |
| 1954 | This Is My Love | Customer | |
| 1954 | Track of the True cat | Joe Sam | |
| 1955 | Not as a Stranger | Unexpected Begetter | Uncredited |
| 1955 | Francis in the Navy | Timekeeper | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Dig That Uranium | Shifty Robertson | Uncredited |
| 1956 | The 10 Commandments | Slave | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Between Heaven and Hell | Savage | Uncredited |
| 1957 | Motorbike Gang | Speed | |
| 1958 | The Defiant Ones | Angus | (final film role) |
| Yr | Championship | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952–1955 | The Roy Rogers Show | Diverse roles | 6 episodes |
| 1954 | The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show | Victor the Delivery Male child | Episode: "George Gets Call from Unknown Victor" |
| 1955 | Lux Video Theatre | Mailer | Episode: "Eight Iron Men" |
| 1955 | Scientific discipline Fiction Theatre | Pete | Episode: "The Negative Man" |
Meet also [edit]
-
Biography portal
References [edit]
- ^ "Carl Switzer birth certificate".
- ^ "Switzer Name History, Proper noun Meaning and Family unit Crest".
- ^ a b c d e f yard Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Picayune Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 268-271. New York: Crown Publishing/3 Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
- ^ Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Footling Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, pp. 178-180. New York: Crown Publishing/3 Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
- ^ a b Bickel, Amy (October thirteen, 2012). "Pretty Prairie's 'Rascal':Carl Switzer, all-time known as Alfalfa on and off the "Piddling Rascals" set, had Kansas connection". The Hutchinson News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ "Obituary:Diantha M. Collingwood Eldridge". Hutchinson, Kansas: The Hutchinson News. December ii, 2004. p. xvi.
- ^ "ALFALFA OF FILMS SHOT By SNIPER". The Los Angeles Times. January 28, 1958. p. B1.
- ^ Kearns, Burt (August 27, 2019). "THE MURDER OF ALFALFA". PleaseKillMe . Retrieved Jan xx, 2021.
- ^ Fifty.A. Mirror News, Jan. 22, 1959 Accessed online January 24, 2009.
- ^ Cason, Colleen. "Death of a Little Rascal: After 40 years, bystander tells how Alfalfa died". Ventura County Star. Jan 21, 2001.
- ^ Cason, Colleen. "42 Years Ago: A friend recalls the death of Our Gang's Alfalfa". Winston-Salem Periodical. Jan 28, 2001. p. E9.
- ^ "Alfalfa'southward Mysterious Death". Tvparty.com. Retrieved December 28, 2012.
Farther reading [edit]
- Best, Marc. Those Endearing Immature Charms: Child Performers of the Screen. South Brunswick and New York: Barnes & Co., 1971, pp. 245–250.
- Dye, David. Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914–1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1988, pp. 223–225.
- Holmstrom, John. The Moving Picture show Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich, Michael Russell, 1996, pp. 145–146.
Documentary [edit]
- "The Life and Death of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer," Grave Explorations, via YouTube, July 2, 2020.
External links [edit]
- Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer at IMDb
- Carl Switzer at the TCM Movie Database
- Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer at AllMovie
- Carl Switzer at The Crime Library
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_%22Alfalfa%22_Switzer