Hollywood, Calif., Oct. 19 - - Meeting the 'Our Gang' kids of the Hal Roach Studio is the equivalent of discovering a fountain of youth. The years roll off like magic and before you are aware of it, you are a kid yourself, joining in their games and sharing their enthusiasm.
Your reporter's pet aversion is spoiled brats. We are annoyed by prodigies, children who invade a grown-up's world when they should be playing with dolls or thinking up new pranks. We admit we went over to the Hal Roach Studio with one strike called on the juvenile actors, who are the darlings of the Country. We felt that the public's adoration couldn't have helped but spoil them, and if they had escaped that, then fond parents must have finished the job. What we found delighted us. These children are less spoiled than any we have ever met, and they are as natural as the Marys or Tommies or Johnnies anywhere.
"Gang" In Schoolroom
When we arrived, the children were in their schoolroom at the studio. So, you fellers who envy "Our Gang" and think that they do nothing but have fun, needn't. They go to school all right, and have to toe the mark just the same as you do. They have to learn their reading and 'riting and 'rithmetic. They have a schoolroom that is much like your own, and not a single bit fancier. They have a big blackboard like you'll find in any school, and the very same kind of desks as yours.
Spanky McFarland is the leading man of the "Our Gang" comedies and is the head man off the screen, too. Miss Fern Carter, who is the school teacher for the children, and who has seen many "Our Gang" children grow up, told us that Spanky is a very lovable child. He is nine and is in the fourth grade.
The children go to school together. They are different ages and in different grades, but Miss Carter gives them individual attention and individual instruction. Miss Carter said that Spanky is very advanced for his age. He has a remarkable memory and will remember a lesson much better if it is given to him orally.
Alfalfa Switzer is that funny boy of the comedies, whose hair, on the screen, stands up in a funny little corkscrew curl, whose face is simply laden with freckles and whose film humor is really unusual. He is eight years old and is in the third grade. He really isn't a bad looking lad, and he wears his hair neatly combed, although it refuses to stay that way long.
Darla is the sweetheart of "Our Gang." She's so overbrimming with personality she is your sweetheart, too, after you know her a few minutes. She's the little "chatterer" of the gang, and it's not only in this that she is very feminine. She is six years old and in the first grade. She has a coquettish smile, which is natural and not one affected for her roles, and she has flirtatious eyes that simply dance. Darla does most of the talking for the gang. She doesn't talk about herself, but she loves to tell you about some prank of Spanky's or that Porky is full of tricks, or that Buckwheat is very shy. She likes to talk about going to school, too. She loves school. She loves people. She loves working. In fact, she is the most lovable child we know and one feels very much like asking her to come home with one.
Porky "Perfect Little Man"
Porky Lee is that chubby little boy who doesn't say much in the comedies, but who manages to appear on the scenes which provoke the most laughter. He reminds one of the still waters. One is fully aware that under that placid, demure exterior there is a ripple of mischief. He is a perfect little man, and particularly well behaved in school. He has all the makings of a perfect leading man for the troupe after Spanky graduates into juvenile roles. Porky is the picture of health. He is going to be three this month and is unusually bright for his age. Bright without being overbearing about it. And he has the best nature!
Baby Patsy is the youngest member of the gang. She won't be three until March. She is just like a big doll with long blonde curls, the tiniest rosebud mouth, the sturdiest little legs and a very pleasant disposition. Of course, Patsy and Porky are too young to go to school, but when they are working on a picture, they come to the classroom and Miss Carter keeps them amused with picture books and drawings.
Buckwheat is the little darky member of "Our Gang." He looks exactly as you see him on the screen. He doesn't wear any makeup for pictures. He is six years old and is in the first grade. He is very serious, and a bit shy.
Vittorio Mussolini has come and gone. Rumors as to why he went home so suddenly are many. He seemed to be having such a good time and getting along so well with his business partner, Hal Roach. The thought is that the son of Il Duce was called home for political reasons. But one thing is certain, he made one conquest in Hollywood, a wholesale one. That was with the "Our Gang" kids. They think the tall, curly-headed blond Italian boy "the tops."
Spanky and Alfalfa were quite breathless in telling us about their meeting with Vittorio Mussolini, and Darla put in her few words, too. Spanky really can spell "Mussolini." That proves how much Spanky thinks of Il Duce's son, because Spanky doesn't like spelling. But from what we hear, the meeting between Mussolini and the children grew into a mutual admiration society. Vittorio doesn't talk much English, but the children managed to get him into a conversation. Spanky even invited him to play football with his team. Spanky is quite an athlete, and a great football enthusiast. As we remember it, we noticed that his hands were grimy in the schoolroom. Evidently the result of his football ardour, for he told us that he had been practicing football with his "team." (We hope Miss Carter doesn't see this, for she may be disturbed at the fact that Spanky's hands weren't spick and span. She always examines them closely after every recess. But we were so delighted to find Spanky such a real boy, we couldn't resist telling about it.)
Have Off-Record Meeting
Miss Carter taught the children little speeches with which to greet young Mussolini. They didn't care it for that much. Alfalfa wanted to know if it was necessary to salute Mussolini. The rehearsed meeting with Mussolini was carried off as per schedule while the cameras clicked. But off the records, the children had a meeting of their own with the blond Italian lad. Spanky drew pictures of houses for him. Spanky likes to draw second best to playing football. Those who witnessed the scene say it was one of the very few times when Vittorio forgot he was a Dictator's son and was gay and happy, as cheerful as a little boy, joining in the laughter and fun.
When the children make their comedies, they don't realize that motion picture making is work. They are merely playing games and men are taking pictures. Miss Carter told us that there is very little need for "coaching" the children. They are allowed to be very natural. Spanky says that making pictures is the best fun ever - much better than going to school.
On the studio premises, we saw Tony. On a leash he led Pete, the pup that is frequently seen in the "Our Gang" comedies. He has a ring painted around his eye. Pete loves children and is a very friendly if sprightly dog. There was a kitten in the environment, and that disturbed Pete no little. Tony trains animals on a ranch he owns. Then he "leases out" the animals for pictures. He understands animal training thoroughly. The day we saw him, he was quite proud. He had had his picture taken with Vittorio Mussolini and it was being delivered to him that day in a handsome enlargement that he was going to hang in his living room. He was the happiest man in Hollywood.