Our Gang

Our Gang kidsAmong the longest running short subjects, Our Gang began in 1922 and ran until 1944. There were 220 films and over 40 child actors.

The films were notable for children behaving in relatively naturalistic ways.

Most of the child characters in the films are clearly poor. Their parents are usually absent (though grandparents are sometimes present). They are often depicted in direct contrast to unlikable wealthy characters (though this moderates as the series progresses) and usually shown in a world of their own.

The series is full of stereotypes of various kinds. The degree to which it is racist is hotly debated. On the one hand, some of the portrayals are hard to watch. On the other, the films also shows black and white (and very occasionally Asian) kids as truly friends and truly equals. And was just about the only place that happened in American film of that era.

Next: Free Wheeling

Our Gang produced several cultural icons of the era including Alfalfa (Carl Dean Switzer 1927-1959), Spanky (George McFarland 1928-1993), Stymie (Matthew Beard 1925-1981) Buckwheat (William Thomas 1931-1980), Porky (Eugene Gordon Lee 1933-2005), and Jackie (Jackie Cooper 1922-2011). With the exception of Cooper, few went on to successful acting careers. Some, like Switzer had tragic ends (he was shot to death trying to collect a $50 debt).

Jackie Cooper was by far the longest lived and most successful of the Our Gang actors mentioned here. IMDB gives him 131 acting credits from the 3 late 70s early 80s Superman movies to Murder She wrote. He has 42 directorial credits and 10 as producer. The careers of Matthew Beard and George McFarland are briefly described on the next page. William (Billie) Thomas joined the army and then had a career as a film lab technician and film editor. Eugene Gordon Lee became a teacher at Broomfield High School in Colorado. You can see pictures of all of the Our Gang players here (optional).