Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba

This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.

full name: Dorothy Adelle DeBorba
professional nickname: Echo
married name: Dorothy DeBorba Haberreiter
born Mar. 28, 1925, in Los Angeles, CA
died June 2, 2010, in Walnut Creek, CA, of emphysema

Special note: It was the Roach studio that came up with the "Echo" nickname, due to Dorothy's onscreen character repeating back the older kids' dialogue. This character name continued to be used in publicity material long after this gag had run its course, even to the extent of being used in an ad for the upcoming Hal Roach shorts for the 1933/34 film season. However, at no point was the nickname used in the films themselves. Dorothy herself provided a slight variation on the origins of the nickname in this quote from The Billings Gazette of July 14, 1957: "I got nicknamed 'Echo' because I learned everyone else's lines besides my own."

Also of note: In "Readin' And Writin'," Dorothy gives her full name as Dorothy Betty Jane DeBorba, which was evidently fabricated by dialogue writer Beanie Walker. Maltin & Bann gave her full name as Dorothy Betty Jean DeBorba in the 1977 edition of their book, but corrected it in the 1992 edition.

And lastly of note: The 1937-38 International Motion Picture Almanac mentions some films Dorothy made outside of the Our Gang series, including a mysterious item called Love Call. I've yet to find any details about this film.

1927

During this year, Dorothy won a baby contest sponsored by a Los Angeles newspaper. She was 2 years old at the time. Her mother was Blanche Gibbs, a singer and dancer, and her father, Ray Borba, played drums in the first band organized by Paul Whiteman.

1928

It was during this year that Dorothy entered the movie business. As Robert McGowan put it in an article from October 15, 1933: "Her mother was a stenographer and was having trouble making ends meet on her small salary. All of her friends advised her to put little Dorothy, who was three then, in pictures."

Three Sinners (undetermined role): Apr. 24, 1928 - Paramount - 8 reels - Pola Negri feature; ©Apr. 14, 1928. This is another item credited in the 1937-38 International Motion Picture Almanac. In 1975, Dorothy corroborated this by saying that her first role was in a Pola Negri film.

1929

Sunny Side Up (undetermined role): prem. Oct. 3, 1929 - Fox - 13 reels - Janet Gaynor & Charles Farrell feature; ©Oct. 8, 1929 as Sunnyside Up. One sequence shot in Multicolor. This is another item credited in the 1937-38 International Motion Picture Almanac.

1930

According to Bob McGowan in the 1933 article, Hal Roach discovered Dorothy while his studio was on summer break. Roach was at the MGM studio directing "Men Of The North," and put Dorothy in the film, subsequently bringing her on board with Our Gang. However, Dorothy's first day of work with Our Gang happened on April 18th, so it appears that the MGM film was made in the spring. As Dorothy described it in 1957: "Mr. Roach visited the set one day and when he saw how easy it was for me to cry - I had a lot of that to do in the picture - he signed me for the Gang for five years." Apparently, she lost track of the fact that Roach directed the film, but recalled things more accurately in this 1975 quote: "He liked the way I cried. I was playing Gilbert Roland's daughter in a film at MGM that Hal Roach was directing. He liked the crying scene so much, he put me under contract, and that's how I came into the gang."
On June 9th, Dorothy was signed to a long-term contract at $100 a week.
From Motion Picture News July 19, 1930: "Little Dorothy De Borba's ability to turn on "the tear faucets" at a moment's notice has won her a five-year contract with Our Gang. Hal Roach, impressed by her work in "Monsieur Le Fox," gave her a chance in a couple of Gang comedies and a contract is the sequel."
Speaking to the Independent-Gazette of Berkeley in 1975, Dorothy stated that she appeared in the first film John McCormick made in the U.S. She couldn't recall the name of the film.

Such Men Are Dangerous (undetermined role): Mar. 9, 1930 - Fox - 8 reels - Warner Baxter & Catherine Dale Owen feature; ©Jan. 25, 1930. This is another item credited in the 1937-38 International Motion Picture Almanac. It was corroborated by Dorothy in a 1975 quote.
A Royal Romance (role: Gloria): Mar. 17, 1930 - Columbia - 7 reels - William Collier, Jr. and Pauline Stark feature; ©Apr. 2, 1930.
100. Pups Is Pups (supporting role): Aug. 30, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-34 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 21 to May 9, 1930. ©July 2, 1930. Added to the National Film Registry on Dec. 28, 2004.
Men Of The North (bit part: little girl): Sep. 27, 1930 - MGM - 7 reels - Gilbert Roland feature; ©Oct. 1, 1930. Also filmed in Spanish as Monsieur Le Fox, with Roach as co-director, and totaling 106 minutes. Also filmed in French and German with same title, and filmed in Italian as Luigi La Volpe.
101. Teacher's Pet (supporting role: Dorothy): Oct. 11, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-35 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 21 to 29, 1930. ©Nov. 24, 1930. Also made as Spanish version entitled Comenzo la escuela, which used the English original with full-frame cut-in titles, but wasn't accepted by MGM for release in this format.
102. School's Out (supporting role): Nov. 22, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-36 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 17 to 25, 1930.

1931

On June 8th of this year, Dorothy's salary was increased to $150 a week.

103. Helping Grandma (supporting role): Jan. 3, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-37 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 28 to Aug. 6, 1930. ©Oct. 1, 1930.
104. Love Business (small part): Feb. 14, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-38 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 3 to 15, 1930, with retakes Sep. 20, 1930. ©Oct. 26, 1930.
105. Little Daddy (small part): Mar. 28, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-39 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 30 to Nov. 13, 1930. ©Feb. 6, 1931.
The Stolen Jools (small part): Apr. 4, 1931 - Masquers Club/National Variety Artists/Paramount - 2 reels; The Our Gang kids are among the multitude of stars featured in this short.
106. Bargain Day (small part): May 2, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-40 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 14 to 23, 1930, with retakes Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, 1931. ©Mar. 23, 1931.
107. Fly My Kite (supporting role): May 30, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-41 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 2 to 14, 1931. ©May 7, 1931.
108. Big Ears (supporting role: Dorothy): Aug. 29, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-1 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 25 to June 5, 1931. ©Aug. 17, 1931. Also released with Spanish subtitles as Orejas de burro.
109. Shiver My Timbers (supporting role): Oct. 10, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-2 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 29 to July 9, 1931. ©Oct. 1, 1931. Also released with Spanish subtitles as Piratas infantiles.
110. Dogs Is Dogs (supporting role: Dorothy): Nov. 21, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-3 - Our Gang series; Filmed Aug. 12 to 28, 1931. ©Oct. 27, 1931.
unspecified title (archival): circa 1931 - Roach - Mary Ann Jackson trailer; This was shown in theaters that were scheduled to have a personal appearance from Mary Ann in the very near future. Dorothy is included in outtake footage from "Bargain Day."

1932

On January 25th of this year, Dorothy was signed to a new contract, effective from that date until June 8, 1935. With this deal, her salary was reduced to $75 a week, no doubt due to the cost-cutting measures being implemented at the time. On the studio end, the contract was signed by Henry Ginsberg and C.H. Roach. Oddly, Dorothy's last name is spelled De Borbe on the contract, though her signature spells it correctly.
As of May 26th, Dorothy's contract was terminated and she continued with the series as a day player.
During August, Our Gang had an endorsement deal with J.C. Penney's Back To School promotion. Newspapers carried information about each Our Gang kid, with this to say about Dorothy: "Echo (Dorothy) De Borba has long brown curls and big brown eyes, and is rarely seen without her favorite doll. She loves to 'play house' and dress up in her mother's evening clothes. She is 7 years old, was born in Los Angeles, and is a perfect example of scientific feeding, having won several prizes in children's mental and physical tests. She is a brilliant scholar in the first grade of the Hal Roach school."

111. Readin' And Writin' (supporting role: Dorothy Betty Jane DeBorba): Jan. 2, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-4 - Our Gang series; Also listed for Feb. 2, 1932. Filmed Sep. 30 to Oct. 10, 1931. ©Dec. 17, 1931.
112. Free Eats (small part): Feb. 13, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-5 - Our Gang series; Also listed for Feb. 18, 1932. Filmed Nov. 6 to 19, 1931. ©Feb. 11, 1932.
113. Spanky (supporting role: Dorothy): Mar. 26, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-6 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 14 to 22, 1931. ©Mar. 29, 1932.
114. Choo-Choo! (supporting role: Dorothy): May 7, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-7 - Our Gang series; Filmed Jan. 25 to Feb. 4, 1932. ©May 2, 1932.
115. The Pooch (supporting role): June 11, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-8 - Our Gang series; Also listed for June 4, 1932. Filmed Mar. 9 to 17, 1932. ©June 13, 1932.
116. Hook And Ladder (supporting role: Dorothy): Aug. 27, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-9 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 18 to 28, 1932. ©Sep. 14, 1932.
118. Birthday Blues (small part: Dorothy): Oct. 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-11 - Our Gang series; Listed for both Oct. 1 and Nov. 12, 1932. Filmed July 30 to Aug. 4, 1932. ©Oct. 24, 1932. Earilest verified screening took place on Oct. 14, 1932.
117. Free Wheeling (small part): Nov. 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-10 - Our Gang series; Listed for both Oct. 1 and Nov. 12, 1932. Filmed July 19 to 27, 1932, with retakes Sep. 3, 1932. ©Nov. 7, 1932. Earliest verified screening took place on Nov. 12, 1932.
119. A Lad An' A Lamp (supporting role): Dec. 17, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-12 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 3 to 10, 1932. ©Dec. 12, 1932.

1933

On January 8th of this year, Dorothy was slated to participate on the final night of the Glendena Canary Show at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
On February 3rd, Dorothy did her last day of work on "Mush And Milk," and then waited more than six months before working with Our Gang again.
In spite of being a day player, Dorothy was still considered to be one of the regular Our Gang kids, as evidenced by an ad in The Hollywood Reporter for the Hal Roach shorts to be released during the upcoming film season (1933-34). Among these would be 6 Our Gang shorts, featuring Spanky, Stymie, Echo, Tommy, and Pete-the-dog.
On August 21st and 22nd, Dorothy did her last two days of work with Our Gang. The film was "Wild Poses," but Dorothy didn't wind up in the finished product.

120. Fish Hooky (supporting role: Dorothy): Jan. 28, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-13 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 17 to 22, 1932. ©Jan. 16, 1933.
121. Forgotten Babies (small part): Mar. 11, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-14 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 3 to 10, 1932. ©Mar. 13, 1933.
122. The Kid From Borneo (supporting role: Dorothy): Apr. 15, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-15 - Our Gang series; FIlmed Jan. 9 to 16, 1933. ©Mar. 13, 1933.
123. Mush and Milk (supporting role: Dorothy): May 27, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-16 - Our Gang series; Filmed Jan. 27 to Feb. 3, 1933. ©Apr. 17, 1933.
Beauty And The Bus (extra: girl in audience): Sep. 16, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. A-17 - Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly series; ©Sep. 12, 1933.
Bombshell (bit part: autograph seeker): Oct. 13, 1933 - MGM - 10 reels - Jean Harlow & Lee Tracy feature; ©Oct. 11, 1933. Reportedly, Hal Roach got Dorothy this gig.
125. Wild Poses (small part in unused footage): Oct. 28, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-18 - Our Gang series; Filmed Aug. 18 to 23, 1933. ©Oct. 20, 1933. Dorothy didn't make it into the final print, but since she earned money as a day worker on this film, it's safe to assume that she appeared in footage that was cut from the film. She wound up in at least two promotional photos.

1934

A news item from January 8th of this year mentions a 20th anniversary party for Hal Roach Studios, which was to include Dorothy on its guest list.
Two sources, the July 14, 1957 Billings Gazette and an Aug. 1997 edition of The Press-Tribune of Roseville, both of which interviewed Dorothy, mentioned that she worked in two films after leaving the Our Gang series. They both mentioned "Madame De Barry," while the latter also mentioned "Going To Heaven On A Mule" with Al Jolson. The latter was almost certainly "Wonder Bar," in which Jolson sings "Goin' To Heaven On A Mule."

Wonder Bar (unspecified role): prem. Feb. 18, 1934 - First National/Warner Bros. - 10 reels - Al Jolson feature; ©Feb. 23, 1934. Released Mar. 31, 1934.
Madame Du Barry (unspecified role): prem. June 18, 1934 - Warner Bros. - 9 reels - Dolores del Rio feature; ©Oct. 6, 1934. Released Oct. 13, 1934.

1935

There was a time when Dante's Inferno (released during this year) was listed in IMDb as including Dorothy in the cast. This is supported by the 1975 article in the Berkeley Gazette, in which Dorothy remembers working in it. On viewing the film, I haven't been able to spot her, though there are enough extras that she could simply be lost in the crowd.
According to the Berkeley Gazette, Dorothy retired from the film business shortly after turning 10. As she described it: "It really wasn't difficult to make the transition to regular school and life. Children are like clay; they can be changed very easily without upsets." And as she told the Billings Gazette in 1957: "My parents had sense enough to take me out of pictures when I got to the gawky stage."

1940

Around this time, Dorothy entered high school. As she said in 1975: "I grew up a tomboy, playing with the kids, and it wasn't until I got to high school that I realized I was a girl."

1946

As the Apr. 21, 1975, Independent-Gazette of Berkeley reported: "Her first job was working as a grocery checker at the old Bond's Market in Studio City. From there she went to work at Republic Studios, doing clerical work. At this time she met her first husband, who was a stunt man and extra. The marriage was brief, lasting only three months until her husband's untimely death of a heart attack. From the union, however, came her son, Dick. Shortly after her son's birth, Dorothy returned to work, this time to RKO studios to do clerical work. Then she moved to Redondo Beach to be near the baby's great-grandmother." At the time of the article, Dick was 28 years old, meaning he was born in 1946 or 1947.

1952

As the Independent-Gazette continued: "She met her future husband on a fishing boat, went with him for three years and was married in 1952. Dorothy's daughter, Janet, was born from that union. Selling their home in Torrance, the Haberreiters moved to Montana, where her husband bought a cattle ranch." At the time of the article, Janet (also identified as Jane in the same article) was 23 years old.

1953

On August 30th of this year, the Independent-Press-Telegram of Long Beach, CA, published a story on entertainer Barbara O'Brien. Since at least 1946, she had been publicized as a former Our Gang kid, claiming dozens of appearances in the series. At this point, however, she was being passed off as "Echo," the nickname used exclusively by Dorothy DeBorba. Photos of O'Brien appear to show an adult version of a kid of the same name that did indeed appear in the series, but her involvement was limited to only three films, all made between 1934 and 1936.

1956

Captain Jet And The Little Rascals episode (appearance): 1956 - KNXT - TV episode; According to IMDB. Presumably, Dorothy turned up on one of the many Little Rascals TV shows during this era. This one was on Channel 2 in Los Angeles.

1957

On July 14th of this year, The Billings Gazette (MT) published an article about Dorothy, who was currently a restaurant cashier in Billings, and going by the name of Mrs. Dorothy Haberreiter. Asked about where all the money she earned went to, she replied: "I'm like most of the kid stars from those days. None of us have anything to show for it."
On September 12th, The Yellowstone News of Billings, MT, included the notice that Dorothy Haberreiter was granted a divorce from Max Haberreiter. Making things somewhat confusing is the existence of a schoolteacher named Dorothy Haberreiter, who married her husband Max in 1967. Since the two lived in Billings, I'm guessing this is the same Max and that he married a second woman named Dorothy.

1966

According to Maltin & Bann, Dorothy, having just gotten a divorce, moved with her two kids to northern California during this year. She soon got a job as a senior clerk at the School of Journalism at UC Berkeley.

1975

On March 2nd of this year, the San Francisco Examiner shared this quote from Dorothy: "It really wasn't much fun, working every day and going to school besides. By the age of 10, of course, the movie careers of most of us were finished."
On April 21st, the Independent-Gazette of Berkeley, CA, published an article on Dorothy. She was currently living in Livermore. She had this to say about her years in the Our Gang series: "All the kids in the gang played together, and we had fun making the films too. We had to go to school on the lot four hours a day, and when we were on location, the school bus came with us. Our teacher, Fern Carter, was a wonderful person, and for years we all wrote to her and she would keep us informed of each others whereabouts, but since her death we have lost touch with one another...We had a fantastic clubhouse on the lot, and we played on the sets that weren't being used. We'd have whole rooms for our play world. We sometimes argued, as all kids do, and we pulled pranks. We were watched fairly closely, so we never did anything too serious." Remembering the kids' mothers, she said: "When we worked, they were there, they really worked too. My mother used to roll my hair up in rags every night, so that I would have perfect long ringlets each day. She made all those big bows that I wore in my hair, too."

1976

It was during this year that Dorothy retired from her job. This means that she spent 10 years at this job, which is corroborated by the San Francisco Examiner of Mar. 2, 1975, which stated that she had been there for nine years up to that point. The Press-Tribune from 1997 states that she worked there for 12 years.

1978

Rascal Dazzle (archival): 1978 - King World/Picture Scores - 93 min. - documentary feature; ©1978. Seems to have debuted on TV, followed by a theatrical release in late 1979. Includes footage from "Choo-Choo!" and "Mush And Milk."

1980

Prior to this year, Our Gang fans wondered whatever became of Dorothy, but she was "discovered" in time to attend the Second International Convention of Sons of the Desert, which was held at the Los Angeles Hilton from July 30th to August 3rd, and included the largest-ever Our Gang reunion.
Over the next couple of decades, Dorothy would supplement her income by attending autograph shows.

1984

On November 5th of this year, Dorothy attended a school assembly at San Gorgonio High School in San Bernardino, where "The Kid From Borneo" and "Readin' And Writin'" were shown. This screening was arranged by Bob Satterfield, an English teacher at the school, who also is a long-time member of Sons of the Desert and also instrumental in arranging most of the latter-day Our Gang reunions.

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (appearance/archival): May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary; Dorothy was interviewed for this documentary. Includes footage from "Teacher's Pet," "School's Out," "Helping Grandma," "Love Business," "Free Eats" and "Hook And Ladder."

1986

On January 25th of this year, Dorothy attended the Our Gang reunion organized by Sid Kibrick in Cathedral City, CA.

Classic Comedy Teams (archival): 1986 - Bergamn-Harris/Movietime/GoodTimes - video documentary; Includes footage from "School's Out" and "The Stolen Jools."

1987

During this year, Dorothy attended another Our Gang reunion organized by Sons of the Desert.

The Revenge Of The Sons Of The Desert (appearance): 1987 - Sanmar - 27 min. - video documentary

1988

On July 15th of this year, Dorothy attended a show called "Stan, Ollie, Spanky and Friends," which was part of the 6th International Convention of the Sons of the Desert at the World Theater in St. Paul, MN. Shown were three Laurel & Hardy films, plus "The Kid From Borneo" and "Our Gang Follies Of 1938." Also in attendance were Spanky McFarland, Jerry Tucker, Rosina Lawrence and Henry Brandon.

Twin Cities: Live With Bob Bruce (appearance): 1988 - KSTP-TV - 60 min. - TV talk show; Produced in Minneapolis. Also featuring Spanky McFarland, Sunshine Sammy Morrison and Jerry Tucker.

1989

Sometime in October or November of this year, Dorothy attended a Way Out West event held at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Burbank. Also in attendance were Peggy Cartwright and Henry Brandon.

1990

From July 13th to 15th of this year, the seventh Sons of the Desert Convention took place at the Holiday Inn Surfside at Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, FL. Taking part in the festivities was Dorothy DeBorba.

1992

On January 11th of this year, Dorothy attended a celebration in Culver City for Hal Roach's 100th birthday.
On September 12th, Dorothy was among hundreds of celebrities (including Spanky McFarland, Robert Blake, Dick Moore, Tommy Bond and Mary Ann Jackson) who took part in The Ninth Annual American Cinema Awards at the The Beverly Hilton Hotel. Honored in the ceremony were Frank Sinatra, Jack Valenti and Whoopi Goldberg.
On November 5th, Dorothy attended Hal Roach's funeral in Westwood, CA. Also present were Spanky McFarland, Tommy Bond, Eugene Jackson and Darwood Kaye.

1993

On August 21st of this year, Dorothy appeared at the TNT Collectible Show in Tampa, FL.

1994

On January 17th of this year, Dorothy attended a meeting of the Way Out West tent of Sons of the Desert at the Mayflower Club.
Dorothy attended the Sons of the Desert 9th International Convention at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY, from July 13th to 17th. On July 15th, she was one of several Our Gang kids taking questions as part of a celebrity panel. On July 16th, she played "Echo" in a stage show called Our Gang Follies.
Dorothy was also scheduled to attend the Way Out West Tent (of Sons of the Desert) 27th Annual Banquet at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on October 22nd, though I haven't come across any verification that she was there.

Hal Roach: Hollywood's King Of Laughter (appearance): Apr. 7, 1994 - RHI/Disney Channel - 49 min. - TV documentary; Includes footage from "School's Out" and "Love Business."
The Our Gang Story (archival): 1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary; Includes footage from "School's Out," "The Stolen Jools," "Fly My Kite," "Dogs Is Dogs," "Hook And Ladder" and "The Kid From Borneo."

1995

On April 1st and 2nd, Dorothy, along with Tommy Bond, signed autographs at the Hollywood Collector's Show at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood.
On June 24th, Dorothy, along with Tommy Bond, attended the Hollywood Collector's Show at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood.
On July 10th, Dorothy, slong with Tommy Bond, Shirley Jean Rickert, and Jerry Tucker, attended a dinner at the Fox Hollow Inn in Woodbury, NY, sponsored by the local chapter of Sons of the Desert.
On October 28th, Dorothy attended the Way Out West Tent 28th Annual Banquet at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, along with several other Our Gang kids.

Dorothy, An Original Little Rascal (appearance): Oct. 1995 - Cat Walk/Channel 8 - TV episode; Produced by Eva Marcum, this was an interview show (or perhaps a segment) for a public access channel in Roseville, CA.

1996

On October 27th of this year, Dorothy attended the Way Out West Barbecue at the Mayflower Club, along with several other Our Gang kids.

1997

On April 12th of this year, Dorothy attended "An Evening With Our Gang and Laurel & Hardy" in the auditorium in Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL, which was organized by the Bacon Grabbers chapter of Sons of the Desert.
On June 28th, Dorothy attended the Way Out West 30th Anniversary Banquet at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, along with several other Our Gang kids.
From July 3rd to 6th, Dorothy attended the Edgar Kennedy celebration in Monterey, along with Tommy Bond.
According to articles in the August 3rd and 17th Press-Tribune of Roseville, Dorothy was scheduled to appear at the Downtown Tuesday Night Market on August 19th. Also scheduled to appear was Annette de Kirby. This would also include a second TV appearance for Cat Walk Productions and Eva Marcum. The earlier article also stated that she was currently on an extended vacation which involved making public appearances in the U.S. and Europe.

1998

On January 23rd of this year, Dorothy, along with Tommy Bond, attended "An Evening With Our Gang" at the Towe Ford Museum in Sacramento. Dorothy replaced the originally-scheduled Jackie Lynn Taylor.
On May 9th, Dorothy, along with Tommy Bond, attended the Laurel and Hardy Festival at the State Theatre in Modesto, CA, which was organized by the Them Thar Hills tent of Sons of the Desert.

1999

On October 16th of this year, Dorothy attended the Way Out West Tent Annual Banquet at the Culver Hotel.

2000

On January 24th of this year, Dorothy attended the Way Out West meeting at the Mayflower Club, along with Jay R. Smith.
On March 4th, Dorothy attended the Hollywood Collectors and Celebrities Show at the Clarion Hotel in Millbrae, CA.
On April 15th, Dorothy took part in the annual Doo Dah Parade in Ocean City, NJ.
On July 21st, Dorothy attended the Sons of the Desert 12th International Convention at the Tacoma Convention Center, along with a handful of other Our Gang kids.
Also during this year, Dorothy attended the Way Out West 33rd Anniversary Banquet at the 94th Aero Squadron in Van Nuys, along with a handful of other Our Gang kids.

E! Mysteries & Scandals episode: The Little Rascal: Stymie (appearance): Apr. 24, 2000 - E! Entertainment Television - 30 min. - TV episode
Bamboozled (archival): Oct. 20, 2000 - 40 Acres/New Line - 135 min. - color - Dolby; Includes footage from "School's Out."

2001

On May 19th of this year, Dorothy attended the Laurel and Hardy Film Festival at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL, along with Porky Lee.
On October 6th, Dorothy attended the West Out West 34th Annual Banquet at the Pickwick Banquet Center in Burbank, along with several other Our Gang kids.

2002

Dorothy attended the Sons of the Desert 19th International Convention from July 11th to 14th in Nashville this year, and was featured with Jean Darling, Jay R. Smith and Jerry Tucker on the 12th.
From July 11th to 14th of this year, Dorothy attended the Sons of the Desert 13th International Convention in Nashville, along with a handful of other Our Gang kids.
On September 14th, Dorothy attended the Way Out West 35th Anniversary Banquet at the Taix Restaurant in Hollywood, along with a handful of other Our Gang kids.

Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (appearance/archival): Feb. 5, 2002 - Jones/TCM - 89 min. - TV documentary; Includes footage from "Love Business" and "The Pooch."
E! True Hollywood Story episode: Curse Of The Little Rascals (appearance/archival): Nov. 24, 2002 - E! Entertainment Television - 60 min. - TV documentary

2009

On May 31st of this year, Dorothy attended the silver anniversary celebration of the Midnight Patrol tent of Sons of the Desert in Niles, CA.

Dorothy DeBorba's payroll history

The following is a list of most of Dorothy's history at the Roach studio, with the amounts she was making from week to week. The dates given are Saturdays, the last day of each week at the studio. The only exceptions would be Saturdays that were also holidays, in which case the Friday date is used for those weeks.

Apr. 19, 1930 - 30.00 charged to prod. G34 (Pups Is Pups)
Dorothy was day worker at this time, and was paid $15 a day on both April 18th and 19th.
Apr. 26, 1930 - 90.00 charged to prod. G34
Dorothy earned $15 a day for six days worth of work.
May 3, 1930 - 90.00 charged to prod. G34
Dorothy earned $15 a day for six days worth of work.
May 10, 1930 - 60.00 charged to prod. G34
Dorothy earned $15 a day on May 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th.

After this, it would be nearly two weeks before Dorothy returned to the studio.

May 24, 1930 - 60.00 charged to prod. G35 (Teacher's Pet)
Still a day worker, Dorothy was paid $15 a day on May 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th.
May 31, 1930 - 45.00 charged to prod. G35
Dorothy was paid $15 a day on May 26th, 27th and 28th.

After this, Dorothy was signed to a long-term contract, returning to the Our Gang unit after about a week and a half. Initially, she was making $100 a week, which was reduced to $25 a week in between productions.

June 14, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G35
June 21, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G36 (School's Out)
June 28, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G36
July 5, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G36
July 12, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G36
July 19, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G36
July 26, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G36
Aug. 2, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G37 (Helping Grandma)
Aug. 9, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G37
Aug. 16, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G37
Aug. 23, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G37
Aug. 30, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G37
Sep. 6, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G38 (Love Business)
Sep. 13, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G38
Sep. 20, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G38
Sep. 27, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Oct. 4, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Oct. 11, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Oct. 18, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Oct. 25, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Nov. 1, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G39 (Little Daddy)
Nov. 8, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G39
Nov. 15, 1930 - 100.00 charged to prod. G39
Nov. 22, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G39
Nov. 29, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G39
Dec. 6, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G39
Dec. 13, 1930 - 25.00 charged to prod. G39

Much of the week ending Dec. 20th and the entirety of the week ending Dec. 27th are missing from the payroll ledger, but filming began on Bargain Day during this period.

Jan. 3, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40 (Bargain Day)
Jan. 10, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Jan. 17, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Jan. 24, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Jan. 31, 1931 - 100.00 charged to prod. G40
Feb. 7, 1931 - 100.00 charged to prod. G40
Feb. 14, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Feb. 21, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G40
Feb. 28, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G41 (Fly My Kite)
Mar. 7, 1931 - 100.00 charged to prod. G41
Mar. 14, 1931 - 100.00 charged to prod. G41
Mar. 21, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G41
Mar. 28, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G41
Apr. 4, 1931 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
Apr. 11, 1931 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
Apr. 18, 1931 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
Apr. 25, 1931 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
May 2, 1931 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
May 9, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G1 (Big Ears)
May 16, 1931 - 25.00 charged to prod. G1
May 23, 1931 - 400.00 charged to prod. G1
An odd amount, which seems to indicate that for four of the previous weeks, Dorothy was supposed to be making her full salary.
May 30, 1931 - 100.00 charged to prod. G1
June 6, 1931 - 100.00 charged to prod. G1
June 13, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G1
June 20, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G2 (Shiver My Timbers)
June 27, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G2
July 4, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G2
July 11, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G2
July 18, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G2
July 25, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G2
Aug. 1, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G3 (Dogs Is Dogs)
Aug. 8, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G3
Aug. 15, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G3
Aug. 22, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G3
Aug. 29, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G3
Sep. 5, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G3
Sep. 12, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G4 (Readin' And Writin')
Sep. 19, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G4
Sep. 26, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G4
Oct. 3, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G4
Oct. 10, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G4
Oct. 17, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G4
Oct. 24, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G5 (Free Eats)
Oct. 31, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G5
Nov. 7, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G5
Nov. 14, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G5
Nov. 21, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G5
Nov. 28, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G5
Dec. 5, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G6 (Spanky)
Dec. 12, 1931 - 37.50 charged to prod. G6
Dec. 19, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G6
Dec. 26, 1931 - 150.00 charged to prod. G6
Jan. 2, 1932 - 37.50 charged to prod. G6
Jan. 9, 1932 - 37.50 charged to prod. G6
Jan. 16, 1932 - 37.50 charged to prod. G7 (Choo-Choo!)
Jan. 23, 1932 - 37.50 charged to prod. G7
Jan. 30, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G7
Feb. 6, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G7
Feb. 13, 1932 - 25.00 charged to prod. G7
Feb. 20, 1932 - 25.00 charged to prod. G7
Feb. 27, 1932 - 25.00 charged to prod. G8 (The Pooch)
Mar. 5, 1932 - 25.00 charged to prod. G8
Mar. 12, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G8
Mar. 19, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G8
Mar. 26, 1932 - 25.00 charged to prod. G8
Apr. 2, 1932 - 25.00 charged to prod. G8
Apr. 9, 1932 - 25.00 charged to prod. G8
Apr. 16, 1932 - 25.00 charged to prod. G9 (Hook And Ladder)
Apr. 23, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G9
Apr. 30, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G9
May 7, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G9
May 14, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G9
May 21, 1932 - 75.00 charged to prod. G9
May 28, 1932 - 82.50 charged to prod. G9
The Our Gang unit worked on Sunday the 22nd, presumably to compensate for having Decoration Day off, resulting in a 7-day week. This was Dorothy's final week as a salaried player, and she earned a check for $62.50 for working five days under that salary. She was then given two $10 checks on May 27th and 28th as a day player.

After this, it would be over a month and a half before Dorothy returned to the studio.

July 23, 1932 - 50.00 charged to prod. G10 (Free Wheeling)
Dorothy was given $10 checks on July 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
July 30, 1932 - 40.00 - 30.00 charged to prod. G10, 10,00 charged to prod. G11 (Birthday Blues)
Dorothy was given two $10 checks on July 26th, one of which to have presumably covered the previous day, and a third $10 check on July 27th. Each of these were charged to prod. G10. On July 30th, she was given another $10 check, this one charged to prod. G11.
Aug. 6, 1932 - 50.00 charged to prod. G11
Dorothy was given two $10 checks on Aug. 1st, one of which to have presumably covered July 31st, which was a rare Sunday shooting date. She was then given $10 checks on Aug. 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

After this, it would be about a month before Dorothy returned to the studio.

Sep. 3, 1932 - 10.00 charged to prod. G12 (A Lad An' A Lamp)
Dorothy was given a $10 check on Sep. 3rd for one day of work.
Sep. 10, 1932 - 60.00 charged to prod. G12
Dorothy was given $10 checks on Sep. 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th. Apparently, work was done on Sunday to compensate for the Labor Day holiday.

After this, it would be over a month before Dorothy worked at the studio again.

Oct. 22, 1932 - 60.00 charged to prod. G13 (Fish Hooky)
Dorothy was given $10 checks on each day from Oct. 17th to 22nd.

After this, it would be about a month and a half before Dorothy worked at the studio again.

Dec. 10, 1932 - 60.00 charged to prod. G14 (Forgotten Babies)
Dorothy was given $10 checks on each day from Dec. 5th to 10th.

After this, it would be about a month before Dorothy worked at the studio again.

Jan. 14, 1933 - 60.00 charged to prod. G15 (The Kid From Borneo)
Dorothy was given $10 checks on each day from Jan. 9th to 14th.

After this, it would be two weeks before Dorothy worked at the studio again.

Jan. 28, 1933 - 20.00 charged to prod. G16 (Mush And Milk)
Dorothy was given $10 checks on Jan. 27th and Jan. 28th.
Feb. 4, 1933 - 50.00 charged to prod. G16
Dorothy was given $10 checks on each day from Jan. 30th to Feb. 3rd.

After this, it would be about 6 and a half months before Dorothy worked at the studio again.

Aug. 26, 1933 - 15.00 charged to prod. G18 (Wild Poses)
Dorothy was given $7.50 checks on Aug. 21st and 22nd.

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.