European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 01, 1968, Darmstadt, Hesse Opi Sponcy Mcfarland much in demand As a child is unwanted As an adult actor. By Vernon Scott up staff writer Nhey were mischief makers and j. Little rascals All right but the Story of the our gang kids is riddled More with tragedy than 300 children belonged to the gang from 1921 until 1940.most remained a few years outgrew their cuteness and moved on to obscurity. Others attempted to stay in pictures. Few Mcfarland probably the Best known gang member is a Case in Button nose High pitched voice Chubby legs and cocky Little Waddle endeared him to millions. But it was t enough to inspire producers to hire Hamas an adult actor. Today Mcfarland is a successful appliance and electronic Salesman in okla homa City. But Spanky was a Lucky one. He survived. Too Many others did not. Scott Beckett died earlier this year at age 38, the sixth member of the gang to die within the past decade or so some by violence. . Only Jackie Cooper went on to stardom. Carl Alfalfa Switzer was shot to death when he was 32 in an argument involving a $50 debt. Cli Toti Young Tough kid in the Early films died in a hotel fire. Helen Parrish died of cancer when she was Only 35. Those who remain alive have scattered across the country to find work in other Fields. One of them Mary Kornman still lives in the Hollywood area. She is the wife of Ralph Mccutcheon who furnishes livestock stage coaches bandwagons for movies and television. Mary was the first Little girl in the gang appearing in Early silent versions. Once in a while i see the Little rascals on television and it s kind of spooky she said the other Day. My sister took Over my role when outgrew the part mrs. Mccutcheon was fun being a gang member. It was play. I have no regrets. When talkies came along the children Sang and danced. We did t have to be talented. Just kids. All we did was make big eyes and do reactions which i natural for mrs. Mccutcheon remains in touch with Johnny Downs who was with the gang from 1924 to 26. He now has children s show on san Diego s Kogo. My group included Mickey Daniels the freckle faced kid. Alan Farina Hoskins Joe Cobb the fat boy Jacki Condon with the tousled hair and Mary Kornman Downs recalled. I think we had a privileged child Hood working in those films. It was fun and we got paid $60 a week. I was on of the least paid. Some kids got As much As $300 depending on their Downs still fondly recalls Pete the dog with the Circle painted around his Eye. There were several Dos used throughout the series the Kittle rascals and the mischief makers Are seen in hundreds of cities on daytime television by me san pile set Myton Are unable to com pretend that they Are watching possibly the largest assortment of has beens entertainment history. It was fun being a gang member. All we did was make big eyes and do reactions which is natural for of All the our gang members Only Jackie Cooper went on to stardom. Currently he is an executive of screen
