Eugene "Porky" Lee

original name: Eugene Lee
early childhood nickname: Gene
childhood professional nickname: Porky
full adult name: Gordon Eugene Lee
born Oct. 25, 1933, in Fort Worth, TX
died Oct. 16, 2005, in Minneapolis, MN, of lung cancer and brain cancer

Special note: Porky's name was originally Eugene Lee (I've yet to find any reference to a middle name in his pre-Our Gang days). The payroll ledgers initially listed his first name as Gene, which is presumably what his adoptive parents called him. Around 1938, they began to call him Gordon, due to his (and their) fondness for Our Gang director Gordon Douglas. It isn't clear when this became his legal name, but a birth certificate calling him Gordon Eugene Lee was filed on June 25, 1954, perhaps indicating that the legal name-change happened on this date. He's often listed as Eugene Gordon Lee, but the birth certificate shows this to be incorrect.

1934

• On November 19th of this year, Gene got his photo published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX). The newspaper ran a regular "Birthday Club" column for kids, which resulted in the child's birthday being announced in the newspaper. They also included Gene on the list in 1935, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940 and 1941, but without photos. The 1936 issue for the relevant date wasn't available for research. In each case, his first name is listed as Eugene.

1935

• Sometime during the first half of this year, Eugene's mother sent a photo of her son to the Hal Roach studio. As he told The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise in a June 26, 1985, article: "I got in by my mother sending a picture to Hal Roach. There was a striking resemblance between myself and Spanky, who was already in at that time. They said send a screen test out, and we just jumped on a train and went to L.A. - and that was that. Mother was a really impulsive person." The Sun of San Bernardino described it this way in a Feb. 3, 1987, article: "The studio replied, agreeing about the likeness and suggesting that some movie film be shot of the toddler by a local camera man. Instead, the Lee family moved to Hollywood." In their book, Maltin & Bann state that it was a telegram from the studio that prompted the family to move to California, simply announcing upon arrival that they had come all the way from Texas. The studio provided them with temporary accomodations at the Culver City Hotel.
• On July 8th, Porky worked with the Our Gang unit for the first time. The payroll ledger indicates that he acquired his nickname by the end of his first week. As he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in a July 30, 2005, article: "I didn't know I was making movies at the time. I had no idea. The big car would come and pick me up, and I would go to the movie lot and play with the same kids every day. We were just playing and having fun on the greatest playground in the world."
• On July 29th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "Watch for Spanky McFarland's kid brother in the next 'Our Gang' comedy. If they call him Porky and he looks enough like Spanky to have McFarland blood in his veins, it'll be Eugene Lee, 21-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee of 4628 Birchman street. Mrs. Lee sent young Gene's picture to Hal Roach when someone told her he looked like a small edition of Spanky McFarland. Back came an invitation from the studio. 'Bring the boy out.' She took him to Hollywood and he got a part right off as Spanky's little brother. Mrs. Ethel Allen, Worth cashier, who is just back from Hollywood, watched the Lee infant at work on the Gang comedy. She saw him in the act of devouring a vase full of daisies and a raw fish, for one thing. It was a trick, that raw fish business. The fish he really ate was candy. They handed him a fish skeleton when he got through; persuaded him to throw it away for climax by promising him chewing gum. The Lees hope for a movie contract for the boy. Papa Lee left Friday (the 26th) for a vacation in Hollywood."
• On August 7th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "Local boy (aged 2) makes good in Hollywod: Eugene Lee, pudgy little son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee of 4628 Birchman Street, got a contract with the Hal Roach Studios this week after a preview of the Our Gang Comedy 'Little Sinners' in which he made his debut. The 2-year-old hereafter will be known as 'Porky' Lee and will show up in Our Gang Comedies as Spanky McFarland's little brother...As much like Spanky as though he really were his brother, Porky got his chance through a photograph mailed to Hal Roach. His mother took him to Hollywood in June. That makes it a Texas family starring in Our Gang. Spanky hails from Dallas."
• On September 9th, Porky's longterm contract took effect, starting at $40 a week.
• On September 25th, the Hollywood Citizen-News included the following in Dallas MacDonnell's column: "We'd like to squeeze one young actor toddling past...he is Porky Lee, rotund 19 months old tot just placed under contract here...he is so amiable and calm of temperament that they utterly failed to make him look frightened in a scene for 'The Little Sinner'...they tried everything and scared everyone on the set except Porky, including the grownups...finally when they fired a gun, Porky looked up at the camera and smiled."
• On September 28th, the first newspaper ads for the Jane Withers film "Ginger" popped up in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. At the bottom of the ads, it reads: "Extra! Porky Lee, Fort Worth's Member of 'Our Gang' in 'Little Sinner'."
• On October 1st, the Associated Press reported the following: "Hardly more than a year old, Eugene 'Porky' Lee already has had his day in court. He came to Superior Judge Alvin Wood's court for approval of a new movie contract with Hal Roach Studios. It provided a graduating salary-scale, starting at $40 a week and moving up to $500 a week in five years. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee, Fort Worth."
• On October 2nd, the Los Angeles Times published a photo of Porky, with the following caption: "Eugene (Porky) Lee, 19 months of age, succeeded after much effort in placing his X on a new contract with Hal Roach Studios, Inc., in court yesterday. He will receive from $40 to $400 a week." On October 4th, the St. Louis Daily Globe-Democrat reported that it was a five-year contract. So presumably, if Porky had lasted with the series for the full five years, his salary would have eventually made it to $400 a week. Or perhaps it would have been $500 a week, if the Associated Press got the story right.
• On November 27th, Porky, along with Alfalfa, Darla and Buckwheat, made a personal appearance at the Four Star Theater in Los Angeles for the western premiere of "Our Gang Follies Of 1936."

140. Little Sinner (featured role: Porky)

Oct. 26, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-33 - Our Gang series

Filmed July 8 to 16, 1935. ©Sep. 4, 1935.

141. Our Gang Follies Of 1936 (supporting role: Porky)

prem. Nov. 27, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-34 - Our Gang series

Filmed Sep. 9 to 14, and Sep. 23 to 28, 1935. ©Oct. 29, 1935. Released Nov. 30, 1935.

Hearst Metrotone News (appearance)

Dec. 1935 - Hearst - 1 reel - newsreel

Featuring the Our Gang kids.

1936

• On January 23rd of this year, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published the following article: "Eugene (Porky) Lee of Fort Worth is Texas' youngest contribution to this fabulous land of celluloid and make-believe. At the age of 2 years and 3 months, he is on the payroll at Hal Roach Studios at a figure sufficient to furnish a comfortable income for himself and family and to lay away a nest egg of Government bonds. He takes it all very calmly. Born in Fort Worth Oct. 25, 1933, he came out to Hollywood with his mother last summer, and already has toddled off with high honors in five 'Our Gang Comedies.' He got the job with Hal Roach by looking remarkably like Spanky McFarland, the Dallas boy now heading Hal Roach's gang of loveable rascals.
  "Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee, his parents, insisted for months that Eugene was the image of the pudgy, wide-eyed and precocious Spanky. They sent his picture to Hal Roach and Roach thought so, too. The resemblance struck him so forcefully that he conceived the idea of giving Spanky a little brother and letting Eugene Lee be it. Mrs. Lee quit her stenographic job with the Rock Island Railroad, bundled up the baby and brought him to Hollywood. He made his triumphant debut in 'Little Sinners,' the 'Our Gang Comedy' in which he waddles along at the heels of Spanky, pausing to gnaw at daisies, sunflowers or raw fish.
  "He was a natural for the cameras and director. They had no trouble at all getting him to devour daisies and raw fish. They made 'em out of candy. They had not trouble at all getting him to flash a wide smile for the cameras. Anything at all amuses him. He was only 19 months old when they started making 'Little Sinners.' At the age of 2, he has developed as an actor but is still without quirks of temperament. He blew out the kerosene footlights in 'Our Gang Follies of 1936' and loved it. He toddles along to the discomfort of big brother Spanky and other young actors and actresses in 'The Pinch Singer,' 'Second Childhood' and 'Divot Diggers' and still is a natural. With large brown eyes, brown hair and a winning smile, he blows kisses to any and all who meet him for the first time.
  "An excellent mixer, he is afraid of nobody in the world except Santa Claus. He finally made up with Santa Claus before the recent holiday season was over and pulled his whiskers good-naturedly. The boy's father is in Hollywood now (he wa an embalmer with Harveson & Cole in Fort Worth) and is seeing to it that his money is invested wisely. His mother is seeing to it that he wears his rubbers when it rains and gets his orange juice and milk every day. His money is being invested in Government bonds and Porky is living a normal child's life, with no fine automobiles or yachts to give him wrong ideas. His hobby is stripping down five-and-ten-cent automobiles and tearing out after 'Pete,' the 'Our Gang' dog.
  "He romps with his father in day time, but won't sleep anywhere but at his mother's side. He always awakens with a smile and the word 'eat.' It's never failed since he first learned to talk. He weighs 44 pounds, and is considered the picture of health. Orange or pineapple juice and plenty of milk are included in his daily diet. He has never been ill a day. He can twist his Grandmother Gray, aged 79, around his chubby little finger - and anybody else, for that matter. For exercise he does trick riding on a tricycle. His relatives in Texas include Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Gray, aunt and uncle, of Waco, and Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Williams, aunt and uncle, of Rosebud."
• On March 26th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "Eugene (Porky) Lee, the little brother of Our Gang Comedy's Spanky, was scheduled to arrive in Fort Worth Thursday afternoon (the 26th) for his first visit home since his triumphs in Hollywood. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee, were expected to accompany him."
• On March 27th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "A young man who went to Hollywood at the age of 19 months came back to his home city yesterday a full-fledged star, now 2 years and 5 months old. He is Eugene (Porky) Lee, member of Our Gang, the screen rascals, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee, formerly of 4628 Birchman Avenue. Porky (he doesn't answer to Eugene) submitted to an interview last night. It began like this: 'How do you like being back home, Porky?' 'Fine,' said Porky, pointing at a boar on a tapestry and exclaiming 'Bow-wow.' He admitted a romance with 'Baby Doll,' the Darla of the Gang; hiccoughed that 'ha cha cha' (hot chocolate) was his favorite drink; said 'mama spant me' if he disobeyed orders and clutched the appropriate place when asked where. Mrs. Lee and Porky are at the home of Mrs. J. T. Williams, 3219 Avenue L. Mrs. Lee is Mrs. Williams' aunt. Mrs. Lee and Porky arrived by train at 2 p.m. for an indefinite stay while the rest of the Gang is on a tour."
• Also on March 27th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "Porky Lee Friday was having traditional Hollywood difficulties with his love affairs. Three times before noon he placed 'long distance' calls for Doll Baby, a fellow member of the 'Our Gang' comedy troupe and a 'lady' on which Porky is particularly high. Three times he was told that the 'lady' of the dark eyes who had promised to be true was out making mud pies with the little boy who has the shiniest scooter in the neighborhood. Porky - whose name originally was Eugene - is on temporary leave from Hollywood and arrived here Thursday with his mother, Mrs. Roland Lee, for a visit with Mrs. Lee's niece, Mrs. J. T. Williams of 3219 Avenue L. Porky is 2 years old and weighs 44 pounds. He's a little sensitive about his waistline, however, and usually gives his weight as 'free pounds.' He thinks 'Fort Wuff' is some fine town, likes the 'hot cars' that run around all night with their sirens open and is getting bored with saying 'Pardon me, please' to a floor pillow he stumbles over 10 times every hour. One thing he would like to have left in Hollywood is the 'pabble' his mother carries around for disciplinary measures. When does his mother use the paddle? 'At 3 o'clock,' says Porky."
• On May 1st, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "Two-year-old Porky Lee went to the Worth last night to see himself and his pals in the Our Gang Comedy. 'Spanky!' he cried when the chubby gang leader came on to do his take-off on Major Bowes. ''Falfa,' he gooed when the pepper-nosed Alfala got up to sing. But it wasn't until Darla Hood came on the screen that little Porky got really excited. 'Baby Doll,' he cried, clapping his hands and beaming all over. 'It's Baby Doll.' You may have heard before. It's Our Gang's latest romance."
• On May 3rd, The El Reno Daily Tribune (OK) reported the following: "Porky Lee, who plays the part of 'Spanky' McFarland's brother in 'Our Gang' comedies, and his mother, Mrs. Eva Lee of Fort Worth, Tex., were guests of Mrs. Kathleen Stewart, 601 South Miles avenue, Saturday night (the 2nd). Young 'Porky' was nicknamed for Maurice 'Porky' Stewart."
• On May 6th, the Denton Record-Chronicle (TX) reported the following: "Denton had a movie star as a guest Tuesday (the 5th) in the person of 'Porky' Lee, two-year-old member of Our Gang comedy series of Hal Roach. Here with him visiting Mr. and Mrs. Verne Carrington were his mother, Mrs. Eva Lee of Culver City, Calif., and Mrs. John A. Cooper of Oklahoma City, a relative of Mrs. Carrington's. They are expected back this week-end. The youngster is as energetic in real life as in pictures, everything coming within his reach being matters of interest and investigation. He wears a junior detective badge and a sports sweater marked with his name."
• On May 14th, The Daily Oklahoman of Oklahoma City reported the following: "Complimentary to 'Porky' Lee, Fort Worth, a member of Hal Roach's 'Our Gang,' Billy Ray Howell and Elsie Mae and Juanita Cooper entertained in the Cooper home, 106 Northwest Twenty-seventh street, Tuesday afternoon (the 12th). The honored guest is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee and with his mother is visiting here."
• On May 19th, the Shawnee Morning News (OK) reported the following: "The home of Mrs. Florence Laird, 649 North Kickapoo street, was in a flurry of preparation Monday night (the 18th) for the reception of a real Hollywood movie actor - for 'Porky,' two and a half year old 'Our Gang' comedy star will arrive Tuesday afternoon for a short visit. 'Porky,' who in the popular comedy series is 'Spanky's' little brother, is Eugene Lee of Fort Worth, Tex. His mother, Mrs. Roland Lee, was a former business associate of Mrs. Laird in Fort Worth, hence the visit. Official host to the plump little star during his few days here will be Hi Roberts, Mrs. Laird's son and popular young tap dancer. A party is being planned, with admittance by invitation only.
  "'Porky' has been with the 'gang' a year, but is too young for stage appearances. He is on a vacation while the rest of the Hal Roach youngsters are appearing in vaudeville. Mrs. Lee and her son have been visiting relatives in Oklahoma City and had planned to come to Shawnee sooner, but decided to wait until the scarlet fever epidemic was clearly on the wane. A son and especially one under a seven-year contract, is too valuable an article to take chances with."
• On May 20th, The Shawnee Evening Star (OK) reported the following: "'That' said Porky in the Aldridge hotel Tuesday night (the 19th), pointing at a negro porter, 'is Buckwheat's daddy.' With this sage observation on racial resemblances, Eugene 'Porky' Lee, member of the popular Our Gang comedy team of the Hal Roach studios, opened a brief 24 hours visit to Shawnee during which he was the center of attention of a group of local youngsters. The plump two and a half year old plays the part of Spanky's younger brother in the Our Gang comedies, and is easily recognizable from his moving picture appearances. A large group of Rock Island employees served as a welcoming committee Tuesday afternoon for Porky and his mother, Mrs. Roland Lee of Fort Worth, Tex., as they arrived for a visit with Mrs. Florence Laird, 649 North Kickapoo street.
  "Clad in a sweater outfit lettered with his name and Our Gang connections, the plump, round eyed child comedian, in a visit to the downtown section Wednesday morning, displayed the interest in peanut vending machines expected of any two and a half year old. He was an honored guest at a Shawnee store, although he made no formal public appearances, which are forbidden by his seven-year contract. Prearranged engagements in Oklahoma City produced an element of disappointment for Shawnee children, however. A party planned by Hi Roberts, Mrs. Laird's son, for Tuesday, at which Porky was to be the honoree and to which a selected group of thrilled local youngsters had been invited, was called off when the star and his mother announced that they must return to Oklahoma City Wednesday night.
  "Porky is on vacation while the older members of the gang are on a stage appearance tour. With the group, Mrs. Lee said Wednesday, is Joe Cobb, formerly of Shawnee and original fat boy of the comedy group. Mrs. Lee and her son arranged the visit to Shawnee to see Mrs. Laird, who was a former business associate of Mrs. Lee in Fort Worth."
• On May 21st, The Shawnee Evening Star reported on a special "picnic day" for the various grades at St. Benedict's school. Porky was a special guest at the Elks Country Club, where the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades had their festivities. He was also a guest at a picnic for the 7th and 8th grades at Glendale Lake.
• On May 26th, the Blackwell Morning Tribune (OK) reported the following: "'Porky' Lee, age 2 1-2 years weight 45 pounds, and his mother, Mrs. Eva Lee of Hollywood, were guests of Mrs. J. C. Sullivan and her little niece, Patricia Clark, over the week-end (the 23rd and 24th). The youthful 'Porky' acts the part of 'Spanky' McFarland's little brother. He appeared in a recent comedy at a theatre here. The youngster's real name is Eugene, but the reason for his nickname is fairly obvious when his weight is considered. Mrs. Lee is a friend of Mrs. Sullivan, and has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Lloyd Hunter, in Oklahoma for the last six weeks. She plans to return to Hollywood Friday, where Porky will start work again in the comedies."
• By late June, Porky's salary had been increased to $65 a week. This raise could easily have taken effect back on March 9th (the 6-month anniversary of his signing), since he had been making his $20-a-week between-films rate since prior to that date.
• During this year, an ad for Royal Cherry Gelatin included an Our Gang comic strip. Among the characters was Porky.
• From a press release by Fred A. Purner: "Producer Hal E. Roach has appointed Dr. Henry Dietrich, Los Angeles pediatrician, to supervise the diet and direct the health of the children who enact the 'Our Gang' film comedies. Spanky McFarland, Darla Hood, Alfalfa Switzer and Buckwheat Thomas, who recently were taken down with the measles in Detroit and had their personal appearance tour terminated, will undergo individual examinations with recommendations to be made for essentials in their health and well-being. 'Baby Patsy' May and 'Porky' Lee, other 'little rascals' of 'Our Gang', will be included and there will be periodical inspections and medical treatments with the consent and co-operation of the parents. A special pediatrician for child actors is something new in Hollywood. The 'Our Gang' members have had their own school room and teacher right at the Roach Studios during the fifteen years the various members have been appearing on the screen and they have their own playgrounds and recreation periods."
• On July 18th, Hal Roach Studios held its 15th anniversary celebration of the Our Gang series. Needless to say, Porky was in attendance.
• On September 9th, Porky's salary was raised to $90 a week.
• On October 9th, ads began appearing in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for a Birthday Club at the Worth Theater. Porky was so popular in his home town that, instead of saying anything about Our Gang, the ads say that a "Porky Lee Comedy" would be shown.
• On October 11th, the Los Angeles Times included Porky on the list of guests at Spanky McFarland's recent birthday celebration at the Venice Amusement Pier.
• On October 23rd, Porky's 3rd birthday was celebrated at the Our Gang Cafe. In attendance were Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, Baby Patsy, Joe Cobb, Tommy McFarland, Harold Switzer, and Dickie DeNeut.
• During the making of "Reunion In Rhythm" in December, the Our Gang set was visited by Patience, Richard and Johnny Abbe, three young siblings who were gathering material for a book that would be published in 1937 called Of All Places!. They had this to say about Porky: "Porgy(sic) was dressed up as a West Point boy. His mother is always getting after him because he thinks he has a lot of things to do which takes him where he ought not to be. So his mother follows him around to keep him out of trouble."

143. The Pinch Singer (small part)

Jan. 4, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-35 - Our Gang series

Filmed Dec. 11 to 21, 1935. ©Feb. 6, 1936. Working title: King's Gong.

142. Divot Diggers (supporting role)

Feb. 8, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-36 - Our Gang series

Filmed Nov. 18 to 25, 1935. ©Feb. 6, 1936.

144. Second Childhood (small part: Porky)

Apr. 11, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-37 - Our Gang series

Filmed Jan. 1936. ©Mar. 17, 1936.

Fox Movietone News (appearance)

1936 - Fox - 1 reel - newsreel

Our Gang's fifteenth anniversary is featured in a Hollywood Spotlight segment with Jimmie Fidler.

146. Bored Of Education (small part)

Aug. 29, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-1 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Aug. 20, 1936. Filmed July 13 to 16, 1936. ©Sep. 3, 1936. Oscar winner for Best One-Reel Short Subject.

147. Two Too Young (supporting role: Porky)

©Oct. 21, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-2 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Sep. 26, 1936. Filmed Sep. 8 to 12, 1936.

148. Pay As You Exit (supporting role: Porky)

©Nov. 17, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-3 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Oct. 24, 1936. Filmed Oct. 14 to 19, 1936.

150. General Spanky (extra)

Dec. 11, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 8 reels - prod. F-12 - 'Spanky' McFarland feature

Filmed July 22 to Sep. 8, 1936, with retakes on Sep. 17 and Oct. 19 and 20, 1936. ©Dec. 4, 1936. Oscar nominee for Best Sound Recording.

149. Spooky Hooky (featured role: Porky)

©Dec. 28, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-4 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Dec. 5, 1936. Filmed Nov. 11 to 17, 1936.

1937

• As Porky told Richard Lamparski in 1986: "All the kids I knew were in pictures. I just thought it was something little boys and girls did when they weren't at home with their families. Because we played together, too. My very best friend then was 'Buckwheat.'" As he told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis for their Apr. 15, 1998, edition: "We were partners. I'm only sorry I didn't get to meet him as an adult."
• In mid-January, Porky was among the Our Gang kids that came down with the flu.
• On March 31st, the Hollywood Citizen-News reported that Porky had attended the recent birthday party of Baby Patsy May, which had been modified to include presents for Alfalfa Switzer and Buckwheat Thomas, both of whose parties had been cancelled due to a wave of influenza.
• On May 20th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Porky "is the pet of the Gang at the moment. He is shooting up so rapidly, he already reaches to Spanky's eyebrows - and he won't be four years old until Oct. 25. He dresses in immaculate little men's suits and has a suave, but mischievous confidence about him. He is so amenable to direction that he is the still star of the Roach lot. He strikes any pose they want and looks adorable. He has been with the Gang a year now. His mother, Mrs. Roland Lee, is determined that every penny he earns on the five-year contract with Roach goes into the bank or into government bonds for the boy. She won't even use the portion of his salary which the California law allows for the support of children who work in the movies. It all belongs to the round-faced, black-eyed, mischievous little Porky. She gives him an allowance of 25 cents a week, all of which he spends on ice cream cones and nickel phonograph machines. Leave him to his own devices and he'll wander off to a phonograph, drop in a nickel and amuse himself with a Stepin Fetchit version of the Susie Q."
• On May 24th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Porky was "coming home to Fort Worth" during a June vacation.
• On June 30th, the Hollywood Citizen-News reported on the recent birthday party of Fred Purner, Jr. Among the guests were all of the contract players of Our Gang, including Porky.
• During this year, a comic book featuring the Our Gang kids called The Dandy debuted. Among the characters was Porky.
• The caption on a 1937 press photo reveals that Porky was making $200 a week.
• On August 16th, The Detroit Free Press (MI) reported the following: "With 'Spanky' McFarland, Darla Hood and 'Porky' Lee recovered from tonsil operations, Director Gordon Douglas is getting ready to start the new series of 'Our Gang' comedies in their seventeenth year." Looking over the shooting dates, it would seem that these operations took place in July.
• On October 20th, the Portland Press Herald (ME) reported the following: "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!"
• From a press release: "Mr. and Mrs. R. E. McFarland and their sons Spanky and Tommy are entertaining members of the Our Gang comedy troupe and some of their younger friends at a Hallowe'en dinner Sunday evening. Grouped about a table illuminated with jack o'lanterns and decorated in orange and black will be Pat Ross, Penny Laws, Dickie Jones, Clark Flake, Darla Hood, Baby Patsy May, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, Billie 'Buckwheat' Thomas, Eugene 'Porky' Lee, Harold Switzer and their parents."
• On November 17th, Porky attended a luncheon at the Roach studio honoring Darla's 6th birthday.
• On December 11th, the Our Gang kids were afternoon guests of the city of Hermosa Beach, CA, officially welcomed at a civic reception, as part of a Christmas extravaganza. They also took part in a subsequent parade. A press release from the Roach studio read as follows: "Hermosa Beach welcomes 'Our Gang' today, when the famous Hal Roach screen youngsters will be guests at the beach city in a gala luncheon, parade, and theater party that has occasioned Mayor Al Schupner to declare a civic holiday for the affair. More than 2000 school children will take part in the festivities, which will honor the formation of an 'Our Gang' club to include youngsters from Hermosa, Manhattan, and Redondo Beach. A luncheon attended by 50 civic officials and dignitaries will be held this morning at 11:30 at the Hermosa Beach city hall. City Councilman, Harold Matthews, will preside. Following the luncheon, a parade headed by the forty-piece band of Redondo High School will take the famous screen youngsters and their escorts from the City Hall to the Fox Hermosa theater, where a special matinee showing will be held. Also taking part in the parade will be troops of Girl and Boy Scouts, and representatives from the Parent-Teacher Association. Spanky McFarland, Alfalfa Switzer, Darla Hood, Porky Lee, Buckwheat Thomas, and Baby Patsy of 'Our Gang,' will appear in person on the stage of the theater, to be introduced to the audience by their director, Gordon Douglas."
• On December 23rd, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "Porky Lee, Fort Worth's contribution to Hal Roach's gang of rascals, will be here with his mother, Mrs. Roland Lee, for vacation next week. They will be in Oklahoma City for Christmas."

151. Reunion In Rhythm (supporting role: Porky)

Jan. 9, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-5 - Our Gang series

Filmed Dec. 9 to 14, 1936. ©Jan. 14, 1937.

152. Glove Taps (supporting role: Porky)

©Mar. 9, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-6 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Feb. 20, 1937. Filmed Jan. 11 to 30, 1937.

153. Hearts Are Thumps (bit part)

Apr. 3, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-7 - Our Gang series

Filmed Feb. 2 to 10, 1937. ©Mar. 24, 1937.

155. Rushin' Ballet (supporting role: Porky)

Apr. 24, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-9 - Our Gang series

Filmed Mar. 9 to 13, 1937. ©Apr. 22, 1937.

154. Three Smart Boys (supporting role: Porky)

May 13, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-8 - Our Gang series

Also listed as Mar. 13, 1937. Filmed Feb. 15 to 19, 1937. ©Mar. 31, 1937.

156. Roamin' Holiday (featured role: Porky)

June 12, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-10 - Our Gang series

Filmed Apr. 22 to May 3, 1937. ©June 24, 1937.

157. Night 'N' Gales (featured role: Porky)

July 24, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-11 - Our Gang series

Filmed June 22 to 30, 1937. ©Aug. 18, 1937. Porky takes part in singing "Home, Sweet Home."

158. Fishy Tales (supporting role: Porky)

Aug. 28, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-12 - Our Gang series

Filmed July 26 to Aug. 2, 1937. ©Sep. 8, 1937.

159. Framing Youth (supporting role: Porky)

©Sep. 21, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-13 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Sep. 11, 1937. Filmed Aug. 19 to 25, 1937.

News Of The Day (appearance)

c. Oct. 1937 - MGM - 1 reel - newsreel

Vol. 9, No. 204. Featuring Our Gang and Vittorio Mussolini, who visited the studio in late September.

160. The Pigskin Palooka (small part: Porky)

Oct. 23, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-14 - Our Gang series

Filmed Sep. 18 to 25, 1937. ©Nov. 2, 1937.

161. Mail And Female (supporting role: Porky)

Nov. 13, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-15 - Our Gang series

Filmed Oct. 22 to 27, 1937. ©Nov. 17, 1937.

News Of The Day (appearance)

Dec. 1937 - MGM - 1 reel - newsreel

Vol. 9, No. 229. Featuring Our Gang. Porky takes part in singing "Happy New Year To You."

162. Our Gang Follies Of 1938 (featured role: Porky)

Dec. 18, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-39 - Our Gang series

Filmed Nov. 3 to 15, 1937. ©Dec. 21, 1937. Marketed by MGM as a "special" two-reeler, independent of the regular Our Gang series. Porky takes part in singing "The Love Bug Will Bite You (If You Don't Watch Out)."

1938

• On January 14th of this year, the United Press reported the following: "Porky Lee, of the Our Gang comedies, was ill with influenza today and the script of a short picture in which he was scheduled to work was re-written to leave him out." This refers to "Canned Fishing," in which Porky appears only at the beginning, after which an explanation is given for his absence.
• On February 6th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "'Our Gang,' America's most famous bunch of kids, complete with Fort Worth's own 'Porky' Lee, will be the guest of George Jessel on his Thirty Minutes In Hollywood program at 5 this afternoon on KTAT-MBS. 'Porky,' who is Eugene to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Lee, left Fort Worth a couple of years ago to make good in Hal Roach's comedies. He is the cute little youngster who always is getting the gang into trouble. Spanky McFarland, who hails from Dallas, will lead the group to the mike, and 'Alfalfa' Switzer and 'Buckwheat' Thomas will be around the latter to lend 'color' to the proceedings. Another guest will be Johnny Downs of the films."
• On June 20th, filming began for "The Little Ranger," the first Our Gang short produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
• On July 28th, the Associated Press published a photo of Porky during a recent vacation to Catalina Island.
• On August 26th, the Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA) reported the following: "Porky, who will be the Gang's next star, is almost as tall as Spanky and twice as wiggly. Porky loves Spanky devotedly - not with a passive admiration, but with a violent affection that prompts him to fling his chubby arms around the older boy whenever they are near each other, which is most of the time. In return, Spanky is teaching Porky how to talk correctly. Some of the lessons are excrutiating. Today Spanky was putting the pupil through a course of learning how to pronounce 'idiosyncrasy.' It was terrific! Porky is 'a lot past four.' He'll be five in October; his real name is Gordon Eugene Lee. I asked him whether he'd rather be called Porky or Gordon and he said, 'Dordon! Dordon is a good name' - but I can't write it the way he said it!"
  Elsewhere, it says: "Porky likes to look at pictures, and any library set is bound to suffer, for he makes a bee-line for the books after each scene and has them all over the floor."
• On November 18th, The Macon Telegraph (GA) reported the following: "Five-year-old Porky Lee won the domino championship of Our Gang when he beat three-year-old Leonard Landy in a hectic 12 minute struggle, between scenes of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Football Romeo."
• On December 20th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "Porky Lee, the baby blimp of Our Gang comedies and Fort Worth's healthiest contribution to Hollywood, made Who's Who Tuesday (the 20th) (The Hollywood Children's Edition.) His name is listed along with Shirley Temple, Jane Withers, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, the Dead End boys and other movie wonder children. Most outstanding item in Porky's biography is the staggering statement that at 5 he's so strong he can push a lawn mower by himself. We're forwarding a copy to Baby Hercules Gough."

163. Canned Fishing (small part: Porky)

Feb. 12, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-16 - Our Gang series

Filmed Jan. 10 to 25, 1938. ©Feb. 16, 1938.

164. Bear Facts (supporting role: Porky)

Mar. 5, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-17 - Our Gang series

Filmed Jan. 26 to Feb. 4, 1938. ©Mar. 8, 1938.

165. Three Men In A Tub (supporting role: Porky)

Mar. 26, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-18 - Our Gang series

Filmed Feb. 9 to 18, 1938. ©Apr. 1, 1938.

166. Came The Brawn (supporting role: Porky)

Apr. 16, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-19 - Our Gang series

Filmed Feb. 21 to 25, 1938. ©Apr. 12, 1938.

167. Feed 'Em And Weep (supporting role: Porky)

May 7, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-20 - Our Gang series

Filmed Apr. 4 to 7, 1938. ©May 11, 1938.

168. The Awful Tooth (supporting role)

May 28, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-21 - Our Gang series

Filmed Apr. 12 to 16, 1938. ©May 26, 1938.

169. Hide And Shriek (featured role: Porky aka X6)

June 18, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-22 - Our Gang series

Filmed May 11 to 14, 1938. ©June 16, 1938.

170. The Little Ranger (supporting role: Porky)

Aug. 6, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2566 - Our Gang series

Filmed June 20 to 25, 1938. ©Aug. 10, 1938.

171. Party Fever (supporting role)

Aug. 27, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2568 - Our Gang series

Filmed July 5 to 9, 1938. ©Aug. 25, 1938.

172. Aladdin's Lantern (supporting role)

Sep. 17, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2573 - Our Gang series

Filmed July 20 to 26, 1938. ©Sep. 14, 1938. Along with Buckwheat, Porky sings "While Strolling In The Park One Day (The Fountain In The Park)."

173. Men In Fright (supporting role: Porky)

Oct. 15, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2580 - Our Gang series

Filmed Aug. 15 to 20, 1938. ©Oct. 21, 1938.

174. Football Romeo (supporting role)

Nov. 12, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2589 - Our Gang series

Filmed Sep. 19 to 24, 1938. ©Nov. 16, 1938.

175. Practical Jokers (supporting role: Porky)

Dec. 17, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2595 - Our Gang series

Filmed Oct. 24 to 27, 1938. ©Dec. 20, 1938.

1939

• On May 19th of this year, filming finished for "Auto Antics," Porky's final appearance in the Our Gang series. According to the 1986 edition of Richard Lamparski's Whatever Became Of... book series, Porky's mother offered his services to other studios, but there were no offers made. The family initially moved to Oklahoma City, but soon returned to Texas. As Gordon told The Tennessean of Nashville for their Jan. 3, 1982, edition: "I outgrew it. I was beginning to get height. I was completely out at the age of five, and I left California with little interest in returning." The article states that Porky was making around $400 a week ($50 a week when not filming) at the time of his departure. "We came back to the Depression in Texas," he said. Later, he told The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise for their June 26, 1985, edition: "I hit a growth spurt at some point along there and suddenly became the tall kid instead of the little kid." And, as he told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for their July 30, 2005, edition: "I wondered why the attention went away. Just my luck. I lost my job for getting too tall." A recent growth spurt had also had the effect of making him too thin to go around being called "Porky."
• June was declared June Dairy Month by the milk industry. Helping to promote it was Porky, as well as Alfalfa and Darla. Presumably, this promotional activity took place a month or two earlier.
• On July 28th, the Oklahoma City Advertiser reported the following: "Sunbeam Home Children played baseball with a movie star Thursday. It was the first game of baseball that Gordon Eugene Lee, Hollywood child star, ever played, but he learns fast. He also makes friends fast, and the thirty-six Sunbeam Home children can hardly wait until next week, when he will come for another visit and a swim with them. Master Lee won't be six until next October, but he is a veteran of dozens of movie shorts. From his debut with Hal Roach's 'Our Gang' at the age of nineteen months, until last May, when he and his mother started on an extended vacation, he never missed a single 'Our Gang' comedy. But four years of stardom didn't give Gordon Eugene Lee a Hollywood temperament. Although he meets strangers boldly and is unusually perceptive for his years, he is a courteous fellow and pays strict attention to what Mama (Mrs. Eva Lee) says.
  "In the movies Gordon Eugene Lee is known by a nickname, but the mysterious intricacies of his contract prevent its use in print except in connection with the picture in which he appears. Nevertheless when he arrived at Sunbeam Home, all thirty-six Sunbeams recognized him and gasped in unison that famous nickname which we must not print. Sunbeam Home is one of the seventeen social agencies supported by the Oklahoma City Community Fund, and Gordon Eugene Lee liked it so well that before he and his mother end their Oklahoma City visit they hope to visit four more Community Fund children's agencies: Children's Welfare League Home, U. P. A. white day nursery, U. P. A. colored day nursery, St. Joseph's orphanage, and the Neighborhood Club center at St. Mark's Methodist church. The Lees are visiting at the home of Mrs. Lee's sister, Mrs. Nelle Hunter, northwest of the city. They probably will remain until September, when the Our Gang star must start his first year of school and prepare to work in feature pictures.
  "Only one Hollywood cliche popped out of Master Lee's mouth during his Sunbeam Home visit. Asked about the repective merits of Oklahoma City and Hollywood, he replied: 'I like Oklahoma City pretty nice. I like Hollywood pretty nice, too.' Aside from that Hollywood bromide, he was just a happy American boy. Right now he is feeling mighty proud of a Sunday School promotion, and mighty excited over the prospect of school. Thursday (the 27th) he saw his first June bug. At the Hunter home he is making all sorts of animal, insect, and bird acquaintances. Mrs. Lee explains that he has been so busy making movies that he hasn't had time for much of the fun that a normal boy has. He likes movies, but has difficulty producing tears when necessary, he revealed. Mrs. Lee said that the only sure way to make him cry is to threaten to cut off his ice cream supply."
• On July 29th, the Associated Press reported the following out of Oklahoma City: "Gordon Eugene Lee, 5-year-old film actor, has become one of the youngest applicants for unemployment compensation under the federal and state social security laws. The recent player in juvenile ('Our Gang') comedies climbed upon a chair in district offices of the Oklahoma state department of labor's compensation division, stated he has been unemployed since last May 12 and scrawled an 'X' upon his application. His mother, Mrs. Eva Lee, Hollywood, Calif., also affixed her signature and explained her son has been a child actor in Hollywood since he was 19 months old and has paid social security taxes in California since December, 1936. Mrs. Lee, who said her son had reached the $300-a-week bracket in Hollywood, wasn't certain what compensation he would receive, but added that the California maximum is $18 a week for either 18 or 20 weeks. Under reciprocal arrangements between states, Gordon's claim may be filed here although his legal residence is in Hollywood. California authorities may send the payments here for clearance through the Oklahoma bureau. Mrs. Lee came to Oklahoma City to visit her mother, Mrs. E. A. Gray, who is seriously ill. She said she plans to return to Hollywood in September."
• On August 23rd, The Seminole Producer (OK) reported the following: "At a children's party - Louis Richard Powell and Shirley Ann Pemberton got a large sized thrill Monday afternoon (the 21st) when they attended a party in Oklahoma City where Porky Lee of Our Gang Comedy fame was the honored guest - Porky, who is visiting relatives there, was entertained by Billy Tom Lunsford, who at the same time was celebrating his birthday."
• On October 8th, the Miami Daily News-Record (OK) reported the following: "Johnny Dell Durnil, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Durnil, had the pleasure of meeting and eating dinner with Porky Lee, six-year-old member of 'Our Gang,' Hollywood screen artist, while with her parents in Oklahoma City during the convention of funeral directors last week. She brought home Porky's autograph and his photograph."
• On October 14th, Porky was scheduled to attend a barbecue event at Hayman field in Picher, OK, but was unable to appear due to his grandmother's illness.
• On October 27th, The Shawnee Morning News (OK) reported the following: "Jack Love, 1430 North Park street, will be among the guests at a party at Oklahoma City Saturday (the 28th), in honor of Porky Lee of Hollywood, Calif., one of the actors in Our Gang comedies, which will be given by his mother, Mrs. Gordon Eugene Lee, of Hollywood, at his aunt's country home."

176. Alfalfa's Aunt (supporting role: Porky)

Jan. 7, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2600 - Our Gang series

Filmed Nov. 14 to 17, 1938. ©Dec. 31, 1938.

177. Tiny Troubles (supporting role: Porky)

Feb. 18, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2606 - Our Gang series

Filmed Jan. 9 to 13, 1939. ©Mar. 1, 1939.

178. Duel Personalities (supporting role)

Mar. 11, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2610 - Our Gang series

Filmed Jan. 22 to 26, 1939. ©Mar. 9, 1939.

179. Clown Princes (supporting role: Porky)

Apr. 15, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2613 - Our Gang series

Filmed Feb. 13 to 17, 1939. ©Apr. 12, 1939.

180. Cousin Wilbur (supporting role: Porky)

Apr. 29, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2618 - Our Gang series

Filmed Mar. 13 to 17, 1939. ©May 4, 1939.

181. Joy Scouts (supporting role)

June 24, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2630 - Our Gang series

Filmed Apr. 17 to 21, 1939. ©June 24, 1939.

182. Dog Daze (supporting role: Porky)

July 1, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2631 - Our Gang series

Filmed May 1 to 5, 1939. ©July 13, 1939.

183. Auto Antics (supporting role: Porky)

July 22, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2632 - Our Gang series

Filmed May 15 to 19, 1939. ©July 26, 1939.

1940

• According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram of July 30, 2005, Gordon and his family moved from Fort Worth to Alvarado, TX, where he attended 2nd grade.

1941

• According to the same Fort Worth Star-Telegram article, Gordon and his family moved to Lubbock, TX, after he completed 2nd grade. This began several decades in which Gordon was pretty well under the radar, preferring to put his celebrity past behind him.

1948

• According to the 1986 edition of Richard Lamparski's Whatever Became Of... book series, Gordon had become resentful of his "Porky" past. "Kids can be very mean. About that time, boys don't take well to teasing. So I left Porky behind completely. My wife knew about my background, but by then the shorts were no longer in the theaters and not yet on TV. Our son knew the little boy on the screen was his daddy, but he didn't seem to much care about it." He later told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for their July 30, 2005, edition that he got into some fights in high school over his old nickname, with "guys who gave me trouble about that."

1950

• During this year, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer travelled through Lubbock and left a phone message for Gordon, who was out at the time.

1951

• According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram of July 30, 2005, Gordon graduated from Lubbock High School. He then worked with auto racing legend Carroll Shelby for a year in Dallas. According to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis on Apr. 15, 1998, he held several jobs during this period. According to The Tennessean of Nashville on Jan. 3, 1982, Gordon attended college at Texas Tech University and then finished his degree at the University of Houston. He then returned to Texas Tech to complete his master's degree. He went on to teach high school and college courses for several years. According to the Los Angeles Times of Oct. 23, 2005, he then got a teaching job in Post, a town in West Texas. According to the Associated Press of Apr. 1, 1984, he graduated from Texas Tech University and then taught high school history and political science.

1956

• On November 18th of this year, The Sacramento Union mentioned that entertainer Don Marlowe had played "Porky" in the Our Gang Comedies as a kid. This is the earliest reference I've found in which he's credited with playing that role, but he had already been claiming to be an Our Gang kid as early as Jan. 20, 1950, in The Advertiser of Oklahoma City. In the interim, he made various related claims. Since he travelled from one small city to another, he would give variations on his story to different newspapers, none of which seemed to want to bother with any fact-checking. For instance, in the Nov. 8, 1951, Daily Journal of Rapid City, SD, he claimed to have appeared in "Babes In Toyland." Hal Roach liked him, and this led to him playing "Slim" in the Our Gang series from 1924 to 1938. As Marlowe said, "All of us were getting a little old for the parts but our faces were so familiar they couldn't change us." According to the Manhattan Mercury-Chronicle (KS) of May 20, 1953, he made over 400 shorts in the series. According to the San Angelo Evening Standard (TX), he played "Wilson" in the series, having joined at the age of 4 "as an accident while visiting my aunt." He did "Babes In Toyland," and then Roach put him into the Our Gang series. "I did a song, 'Little Girl,' during one of the Gang comedies. It was the song's first time out, and Russ Colombo heard it, recorded it, and the song hit the top, way back there." And finally, back on July 3, 1950, the Courier-Post of Camden, NJ, reported that Marlowe had been one of the original Dead End Kids.
• On December 23rd, The Oregon Statesman of Salem reported the following: "A good cry played an important part in the career of Don Marlowe...the crying spell, delivered as a child of four, directly steered the 38-year-old Marlowe into an acting career that has included supporting roles in more than 300 film and TV features plus 426 Our Gang productions. In 1924, the four-year-old Marlowe heard that a neighbor boy was to be allowed to answer an ad seeking 40 tots for a Los Angeles stage revue "Babes in Toyland." When told he couldn't go along, he cried so hard his mother changed her mind, and he was hired for a small role. 'But more important, I was spotted by a scout for Hal Roach, producer of the Our Gang films.'" The article states that he played Porky for 11 years.

1957

• On July 20th of this year, the Telegram-Tribune of San Luis Obispo, CA, reported that Marlowe had played Porky in 218 Our Gang shorts. He was part of the "talkie" cast, along with Spanky, Alfalfa, Darla, and Gene(sic) Darling. He also mentioned that Eddie Bracken and Jackie Cooper had played in a few of them. Oddly, the article states that he was 40 at the time of writing, but according to IMDb, he would have been 37. Either way, he would have been well over a decade older than the real Porky.

1958

• On May 11th of this year, the Sunday World-Herald of Omaha, NB, published an article about Don Marlowe, who was now apparently 37. Still claiming to have played Porky, he said, "I was born in Duluth, Minn., but my family and I were visiting in Los Angeles when it happened. I was about three years old and playing with a kid next door when his mother came out of the house and told him (they tell me) to come along. She was going to take him downtown to answer an ad for children needed in Frank Fay's stage show, 'Babes in Toyland.' My mother told me later I started to cry, and they let me go along to the audition to calm me down. We both got jobs." Hal Roach caught the show and put him in a Laurel & Hardy film. A few months later, he was put into a new series called "Our Gang," making 284 of them between 1924 and 1936. He also appeared in some Charley Chase comedies.
• On July 6th, The Sedalia Democrat (MO) reported that Marlowe played "Butch" in the Our Gang series.
• On July 25th, The Courier-Journal of Louisville, KY, published an article on Marlowe, in which he said, "I made 176 of them. Actually I made 150. Some they tried in double length, but the longer episodes didn't go, so they cut each in half and made two episodes out of each." When asked if he remembered Nanette Fabray from the Our Gang days, he said, "Sure, but she wasn't one of the regulars, you know. She only did 25 or 30 of them."
• On August 15th, the Winston-Salem Journal (NC), reported that Marlowe was in the series for 12 years, and that whenever Laurel & Hardy needed a boy, they called on him.

1959

Little Rascals Varieties (archival)

May 5, 1959 - Allied Artists - 63 min. - compilation feature

1960

• By this time, newspaper ads for Marlowe's stage act routinely included a reference to his Our Gang past.

1961

• On January 9th of this year, The Abilene Reporter-News (TX) published an article on Don Marlowe. He was said to have a non-speaking role in "Babes In Toyland," after which he and his family returned to their home in Duluth for three months. Then he got the role of "Porky," which he played for nine years. He also claimed that, during his "Porky" years, he played the little boy that was drowned by Boris Karloff in "Frankenstein," obviously forgetting that it was a little girl. For several years, his Our Gang salary was $35. "Before I left the series, I got up to $60. There wasn't a Screen Actors' Guild back then."
• On July 23rd, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that Marlowe was currently 36 years old, meaning he was born in 1924 or 1925, which would still make him nearly 10 years older than the real Porky. IMDb lists his birthdate as Oct. 23, 1919.

1962

• On April 6th of this year, the Wichita Falls Times (TX) reported that Marlowe had played Porky for 9 years. "He once had breakfast with Franklin D. Roosevelt, simply because the late President wanted to meet 'Porky.'" Elsewhere, it said, "One of the numbers which will be included in his hour-long act is 'Little Girl,' a song he introduced into the series." It also describes how he started at the age of 4, and how initially there would be four shorts made, but this ended up being 283.
• On April 12th, The Albuquerque Tribune (NM) reported that Marlowe had appeared on an Albuquerque vaudeville stage in 1927 as one of the "little rascals." He had played Porky for 7½ years. "Marlowe was about six years old in 1927 when he, Spanky McFarland, Alfalfa, Farina and the rest of the Our Gang rascals appeared on the stage of a local vaudeville theater. 'According to my scrap book,' Marlowe said, 'the master of ceremonies was a little-known humorist by the name of Jack Benny.' "
• On April 14th, The Albuquerque Tribune (NM) reported that M. D. McKibbin, who played "Spanky McFarland" in the Our Gang series, had just left town after attending an Albuquerque convention of service-station managers on the 10th. He just missed a potential reunion with Don "Porky" Marlowe, who had just arrived for a week's engagement.
• On July 5th, The Sacramento Union (CA), reported that Marlowe had started in the Our Gang series in 1929 and worked in it for 9 years.

1964

• On November 15th of this year, the St. Joseph News-Press (MO) carried the following quote from Don Marlowe: "I was from Duluth. When I was about two and one-half years old, my mother took me out West on a visit. A baby next door was being taken for an audition and when they separated us we cried. They took us both. I got a job sitting on the floor in Victor Herbert's 'Babes in Toyland,' with Frank Fay. Hal Roach saw me and hired me for a part in a Laurel and Hardy comedy. Then he had me do some 'Our Gang' comedies. We made 11 at first. Roach wasn't sure that the films would go. We went back to Duluth. When the films were a hit, he asked us to come back. I was paid $35 a week. Roach said he would pay the same to an adult taking care of me. My aunt took the job. I went back for two months at the studio and stayed nine years. I never moved back to Duluth. We made 380 comedies in those nine years. They ran only 12 minutes on the films and sometimes we made a whole comedy in one day. We didn't have any lines to learn. One line was shot at a time. We were told each time what to do and what to say. At first we didn't know we were acting. The director would say, 'I'll give you a soda if you will go over there and say this for me.' We used three dogs in the show. They had to learn new tricks and there wasn't time to teach them all to one dog. Those comedies were worldwide. They were translated into 11 different languages."

1966

• On June 11th of this year, The Evening News of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, reported the following about Marlowe: "At the age of three, his first line of dialogue in the movies was 'yup,' and Marlowe 'yupped' his way through 283 'Our Gang Comedies' during the eight year life of the series."

1969

• On April 4th of this year, the Philadelphia Daily News published an article on Spanky McFarland, who had this to say about Porky Lee: "I never did find out where he truly was or went. Although there's a man who claims to be Porky. He didn't show up on several instances when I was scheduled to come too."
• During this year, Branch & Smith published a book written by Don Marlowe called The Hollywood That Was. It was reported to be due out in April, but the earliest reference I've found for it is from July 27th.

1970

• The Los Angeles Times of Oct. 23, 2005, said the following about this period of Gordon's life: "By the early 1970s, the 6-foot-4 former child actor had a four-inch beard and shoulder-length hair, and he kept his Hollywood past a secret from most of his friends."

1971

• According to The Tennessean of Nashville from Jan. 3, 1982, Gordon moved to Colorado during this year. As they reported: "While working in the educational system near Denver he met his wife, Patricia, who was working with a high school dropout program." The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported the following on Apr. 15, 1998: "It took a fellow teacher and friend to persuade him in 1971 that it was time for him to come clean about his film career. 'My friend called me over and said, "Damn it, Gordon. You can't do this,"' Lee recalled. It wasn't long before he was appearing on local radio shows as the real Porky and going to reunions with his old costars."

1972

• On September 29th of this year, the Lancaster New Era (PA) published an article on Spanky McFarland, who had this to say: "Porky's a school techer now, but he wants privacy. He's alive, well, and thriving, but I won't tell you where he is."

1973

• On May 25th of this year, the Times-News of Burlington, NC, referred to Don Marlowe as Porky (Porky Lee) Marlowe. So as the real Porky was slowly creeping back into the public awareness, Marlowe would rather quickly disappear from lists of Our Gang kids.

1976

• On April 18th of this year, The South Bend Tribune (IN) reported the following about Gordon: "Spanky, who apparently keeps in contact with Lee, volunteered that he is a schoolteacher 'somewhere here in Texas.' " Apparently, Spanky hadn't spoken with Gordon in a few years.
• According to the Associated Press on Apr. 1, 1984, Gordon moved to Boulder, CO, during this year. According to Richard Lamparski in his 1987 edition of Whatever Became Of...: "In 1971, Gordon, his wife and son moved to Colorado. Until recent years, not even his best friend knew he was Porky. After some local publicity, that friend talked him into appearing, along with Spanky McFarland, at the Trivia Bowl, held annually by the University of Colorado at Boulder." According to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis on Apr. 15, 1998, Gordon "was an instructor at an alternative school in Colorado. In later years, he worked as an emergency services trainer for the state of Colorado."

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 "Little Sinner," "Second Childhood," "Bored Of Education," "Two Too Young," "Pay As You Exit," "Spooky Hooky," "Reunion In Rhythm," "Hearts Are Thumps," "Rushin' Ballet," "Roamin' Holiday," "Framing Youth," "The Pigskin Palooka," "Mail And Female," "Our Gang Follies Of 1938," "Bear Facts" and "Three Men In A Tub."

1979

• On December 3rd of this year, an animated TV special called "The Little Rascals' Christmas Special" was first aired. Providing the voice of Porky was Robby Kiger.

1980

• During this year, PSAs featuring the animated characters from the previous year's Christmas special were aired. Included in the cast of characters was Porky.

1982

• On January 3rd of this year, The Tennessean of Nashville published an article about Porky. He was still married to Patricia at this time. "Presently in private business in Boulder, Lee said that he had kept a low profile until of late. He has spoken to several student assemblies but other than that, very few, even close friends, know of his former life. 'My mother saved everything about me. I have boxes and boxes of memorabilia. Just recently I found an autographed picture of Judy Garland. I imagine my mother had requested it.'" The article also mentions that he chatted on the telephone with Spanky a few years earlier.
• On September 5th, an animated TV series called "The Little Rascals" debuted, and continued for roughly the next year. Porky was voiced by Julie McWhirter Dees.

Hollywood's Children (archival)

Feb. 24, 1982 - Wombat/Janson - 60 min. - TV documentary

Includes footage from "Divot Diggers."

1984

• On March 31st of this year, The Sacramento Bee reported the following: "The man who played the role of Porky as a child actor in 'The Little Rascals' and 'Our Gang' in the 1930s in suing Hanna-Barbera Corp. for $2 million. Gordon Lee of Boulder, Colo., has accused the firm of improperly using his Porky character in a cartoon series known as 'Little Rascals.' Lee's suit says the cartoon character is depicted 'in a manner so as to unmistakably portray (him) with the same mannerisms and characterizations he used in the original "Our Gang" serial.' He's accusing the company of making an 'unauthorized appropriation' of the character and 'invasion of privacy.' "
• On April 1st, the Associated Press reported the following out of Boulder, CO: "The actor who played the Our Gang character Porky has filed suit against Hanna-Barbera Corp. for $1.95 million over its cartoon version of 'The Little Rascals.' Gordon Lee, 50, said the Saturday morning cartoon series includes a 'Porky' character that is an obvious copy of the Porky character he played in 43 film serials from 1935 to 1939, beginning when he was 19 months old...The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Denver on Thursday (Mar. 29th), seeks $700,000 in compensatory damages and $1.25 million in punitive damages from the California company...Lee, a resident of Boulder, said he filed the suit because The Little Rascals has made millions of dollars, 'and I think I have a legitimate claim for something of value.' Richard Sigler, the vice president of business affairs for Hanna-Barbera, said he has 'no reason to think (Lee's) a bogus claimant. But I'm sure our attorneys will have lots of questions.'"
• Also on April 1st, the Associated Press mentioned that Gordon currently owned a company that restored sports cars. The Charlotte Observer (NC) of April 2nd reported that he was a "former high school teacher," though if so, later sources indicate that he subsequently returned to being an educator for a while.
• On April 9th, the Associated Press published the following quote from Gordon: "I suppose anyone would have liked to become a famous movie star. Very few kids made it from child actor to adult actor...I guess it is a difficult thing to grow up with all that goes with being a movie star and then become just a run-of-the-mill kid in east Texas."

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (interview appearance/archival)

May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary

Includes footage from "Bored Of Education," "Two Too Young," "Pay As You Exit," "Spooky Hooky," "Glove Taps," "Rushin' Ballet," "Night 'N' Gales," "Framing Youth," "The Pigskin Palooka," "Mail And Female," "Three Men In A Tub" and "The Little Ranger."

1985

• Gordon was interviewed for an article in the June 26th edition of The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise (TX). Contrary to the previous year's reportage, it was reported that he was currently a high school history teacher in Boulder, CO. "Nowadays, during the summer when he has no classes to teach, Lee is working on a campaign to get state legislatures to enact laws furthering the marketing rights of celebrities. Joining him in the battle are figures such as Billie Thomas Jr., whose father played the role of 'Buckwheat,' the children of the late John Wayne and the grandson of comedian W. C. Fields. Lee was in the San Antonio area for several days, until Tuesday (the 25th), appearing as a guest of honor at a charity dance for St. Gerard Regional Catholic High School (raising roughly $25,000), visiting old friend and former Texas Tech roommate Lee Boyd Montgomery of Seguin and pushing for those rights he feels celebrities and their families deserve. Lee's complaint, he says, is that the images and names of stars are used in profit-making endeavors without their permission or that of surviving family members. According to Dennis DePriest, who is the development-public relations director for St. Gerard and current collaborator with Lee in public releations considerations and in preparation of a screenplay, none of the child actors from the famous series have received monetary residuals from it despite the fact that the features have been sold many times to television stations and profits have reached into the millions. 'As it now stands,' Dupriest says, 'because they're public figures, whoever owns the rights to their old films or anything has the right to do anything they want to.' 'It's an issue of fairness,' says Lee. 'That's all that it is.' According to Lee, celebrities were successful in 1984 in getting such protective legislation passed in California. He and others have been looking into the legal ramifications for several years, and are targeting their efforts on a nationwide basis. 'Our primary concern is to attempt to get it passed on a national level,' Lee says. To that end, Lee held a press conference Thursday (the 20th) in San Antonio to announce the nationwide effort to enact the legislation in Congress to protect the marketing rights and images of both movie and television stars, both alive and deceased, in the U.S.
  "And the future for the former 'rascal'? Well, Lee has also announced the development of a screenplay for a TV movie based upon and starring some of the remaining major 'Little Rascals' characters, 'Spanky,' 'Butch' and 'Porky.' The screenplay is being developed by Lee and DuPriest, who are also collaborating on a book about the 'Little Rascals.'
• According to Richard Lamparski in his 1986 edition of Whatever Became Of..., Gordon "screened some of his films and talked about them to one of his classes in late 1985. It all went well until the students began asking the whereabouts of the other members. When told of those who were deceased, they seemed, to Gordon, 'shocked and depressed.' "

1986

• On January 25th of this year, Porky attended the Our Gang reunion organized by Sid Kibrick at his Desert Shadows R.V. Resort in Cathedral City, CA. Among the activities was the placing of handprints in concrete. As he told Richard Lamparski: "The more of these get-togethers I go to, the more I understand what those comedies meant to people. Aside from seeing the old friends, I've made a new one in Bill Thomas Jr., Buckwheat's son. We've formed a company that licenses the Buckwheat and Porky images for commercial purposes. The sole regret I have about all that happened is that over the years I lost touch with his dad, who had died before Porky was 'found.'"
• On June 21st, the Associated Press reported the following: "Two grown men who once played 'Little Rascals' and the son of another are suing a New York company for $9 million, charging exploitation of the 'Our Gang' characters. King World Productions Inc. of New York owns the distribution rights to all 'Our Gang' comedy films. Gordon Lee, 52, of Boulder, who played Porky in the 1930s films, joined in the suit against King World with Sidney Kibrick of Beverly Hills, Calif., known to Rascals fans as The Woim, and William Thomas Jr., whose late father, William Thomas Sr., was Buckwheat. The suit in Boulder District Court asks for a jury trial and seeks $3 million in compensatory and another $6 million in punitive damages."
• On December 17th, the News-Pilot of San Pedro, CA, reported on a recent event at the Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, celebrating the tenth edition of Richard Lamparski's book series, Whatever Became Of... Gordon "Porky" Lee was among the many celebrities present, as were Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison and Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson.
• The tenth edition of Richard Lamparski's Whatever Became Of... book series was copyrighted during this year, though it may not have been published until early 1987. Included was an entry focusing on Gordon "Porky" Lee. At the time, he was teaching "sociology, modern European history, and political science at an alternative school for high school dropouts near his home in Longmont, Colorado. His hobby is buying, rebuilding, and selling postwar European sports cars. He is actively involved in the Democratic Party in his state."

Classic Comedy Teams (archival)

1986 - Bergamn-Harris/Movietime/GoodTimes - 108 min. - video

Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1938."

1988

Hollywood Scandals And Tragedies (use of photo)

1988 - Gorgon - 87 min. - video documentary

Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1938."

1989

• During this year, Gordon was awarded at the 25th annual Cinecon convention held by the Society for Cinephiles, and posed for a picture with Tommy Bond.
• On July 22nd, The State of Columbia, SC, reported that Gordon was still teaching in Colorado.

1990

• On February 25th of this year, Porky was featured at The 15th Annual South Florida Autograph Show & Sale at the Grand Palms Golf and Country Club in Pembroke Pines, FL.
• From April 26th to 28th, the Knoxville Western Film Caravan took place at the Knoxville Convention Center - Holiday Inn (TN). Porky was among the celebrity guests, along with Tommy Bond.
• On June 16th, Porky took part in the Midwest Autograph and Manuscript Show at the Holiday Inn in Hillside, IL.
• On October 28th, Porky took part in an autograph show at the San Franciscan Hotel in San Francisco, CA.

1992

• With the release of Maltin & Bann's updated book during this year, we got a snapshot of Gordon's life circa 1992. He now owned a company for the licensing of merchandise called Otay Products (elsewhere referred to as O'Tay Productions), which he operated out of his home in Denver. He also frequently travelled with Tommy Bond to Our Gang reunions and was still involved in joint business activities with Bill Thomas, Jr.

1993

• According to Gordon's obituary from Knight Ridder Newspapers on Oct. 22, 2005, he moved to St. Paul in 1993 to live near his son, Douglas. He then became closely affiliated with the Block-Heads, which was the "tent" of Sons of the Desert that served the Twin Cities area. It was around this time that he hooked up with his partner of 13 years, Janice McClain. The Apr. 15, 1998, Star Tribune of Minneapolis indicates that Douglas was no longer living in the area by that time.
• On November 28th, Porky, along with Tommy Bond, appeared at the 8th Annual Fall Sports Collectors Show at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, MI.

1994

• On August 5th of this year, a feature film called "The Little Rascals" was released, with Porky being played by Zachary Mabry. In spite of the name, this Porky was visually more similar to Scotty Beckett.

Hal Roach: Hollywood's King Of Laughter (appearance/archival)

Apr. 7, 1994 - RHI/Disney Channel - 49 min. - TV documentary

Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1938."

The Our Gang Story (archival)

1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary

Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1936," "The Pinch Singer," "Fox Movietone News," "Reunion In Rhythm," both "News Of The Day" clips and "Our Gang Follies Of 1938."

1998

• On April 15th of this year, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, MN, published an article on Porky. At the time, he was single, twice divorced, and had lived in south Minneapolis for the past five years. He was described as a retired history teacher transplanted from Denver, and an ex-Democratic precinct committeeman. He was no longer in business with Bill Jr. "Now retired, he appears at various autograph shows nationwide. He has also started to sell autographed pictures and other Our Gang memorabilia. He says his current financial situation is not ideal and it still bothers him that the television distribution company has made a fortune off the Rascals while he and his co-stars have had to struggle. Several years ago, Lee reached a settlement in a lawsuit seeking $1.9 million over the unapproved use of his character in a cartoon series, but he says the payoff was 'not stupendous.' He keeps in touch with some of the Gang, occasionally attending reunions. And he talks regularly to Tommy Bond. 'I'm much prouder of my record as a teacher and educator than having been in movies as a child.'"
• On April 26th, Porky was a guest signer at the Midwest Autograph and Manuscript Show at the Chicago Marriott.
• On September 4th, Porky, along with Tommy Bond, appeared at DD Collectables shop at the St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, FL.
• On September 5th, Porky and Tommy appeared at the rotunda at the St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg.

1999

• On May 23rd of this year, Porky, along with Tommy Bond, appeared at the BabyBoombazaar Collectibles Show at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg, FL.
• On May 29th and 30th, Porky and Tommy made repeat appearances at the BabyBoombazaar Collectibles Show in St. Petersburg.

Laugh? I Thought I'd Die! (archival)

1999 - Reader's Digest - 112 min. - video compilation

Includes footage from "Pay As You Exit" and "Hearts Are Thumps."

2001

• From April 20th to 22nd of this year, the Del Mar Antique Show took place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA. Porky, along with Tommy Bond, appeared at this event with an updated version of Pete the Pup.
• On May 19th, Porky attended the Laurel and Hardy Film Festival at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL, along with Dorothy DeBorba.

2002

• On February 5th of this year, a children's novel by Dav Pilkey called The Adventures Of Super Diaper Baby was published. This was a spin-off of Pilkey's popular "Captain Underpants" series of novels. Included in the cast of characters for the new novels are the two main characters of the series, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, named after Stymie and Wheezer of the Our Gang films. Super Diaper Baby's real name is Billy Hoskins, a reference to Farina. In this novel, it's also revealed that George owns two cats, named Porky and Buckwheat.
• From July 11th to 14th, the Sons of the Desert held their convention at the Nashville Marriott. In attendance was Porky, along with Jean Darling, Dorothy DeBorba and Jerry Tucker.

Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (archival)

Feb. 5, 2002 - Jones/TCM - 89 min. - TV documentary

Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1938," "Alfalfa's Aunt" and "Clown Princes."

E! True Hollywood Story episode: Curse Of The Little Rascals (archival)

Nov. 24, 2002 - E! Entertainment Television - 60 min. - TV documentary

2005

• Around June of this year, Porky attended the Hollywood Collectors Show in Burbank. Joining him was Tommy Bond. Both died within the next few months.
• On July 30th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the following: "The childhood resentment between McFarland and Lee, hired as a potential 'Spanky' successor, has never faded." Regarding Alfalfa, Gordon had this to say: "Alfalfa was a sociopath. But overall, you go back and look at Our Gang and most of us lived functional adult lives...I think we grew up about as well as any set of kids." He was currently living in St. Paul, but said "I am a Texan. I was born in Fort Worth and West Texas. I lived awhile in Dallas. But that was East Texas. I consider myself a West Texan." About Our Gang, he said: "It was not a big deal to me. It was just another part of my life. I'm much more proud of what I did as an educator than of Our Gang."

2014

• On March 25th of this year, a feature film called "The Little Rascals Save The Day" was released, with Porky being played by Camden Gray.

Hollywoods Spaßfabrik - Als die Bilder Lachen lernten (archival)

May 29, 2014 - Exit Film-und Fernsehproduktion-ZDF/ARTE - 90 min. - TV documentary

Also released in English as Hal Roach - The Lot Of Fun: Where The Movies Learned To Laugh. Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1938."

Porky Lee's payroll history

The following is a list of some of Porky's history at the Roach studio, with the amounts he 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.

• July 13, 1935 - 30.00 charged to prod. G33 (Little Sinner)
   Starting as a day player, Porky was paid $7.50 a day for six days. The ledger lists his name as Porky Lee for the first three days, but as Gene Lee for the remainder. The first check was cancelled, in spite of the amount being put to the total spent that day on Our Gang day players. This suggests that perhaps Porky was paid in cash in order for his first paycheck to serve as a memento.
• July 20, 1935 - 15.00 charged to prod. G33
   Porky, still listed as Gene Lee, was given $7.50 checks on the 15th and the 16th.

After this, it would be about two months before Porky returned to the studio.

• Sep. 14, 1935 - 40.00 charged to prod. G34 (Our Gang Follies Of 1936)
   Porky, listed as Eugene Lee, was now under longterm contract, which took effect on Sep. 9th.
• Sep. 21, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G34
• Sep. 28, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G34
• Oct. 5, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G34
• Oct. 12, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G34
• Oct. 19, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G35 (Divot Diggers)
• Oct. 26, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G35
• Nov. 2, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G35
• Nov. 9, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G35
• Nov. 16, 1935 - 40.00 charged to prod. F9 (Three On A Bench)
   This film was shelved after only a few days of filming, and the production number was later repurposed for "Mr. Cinderella."
• Nov. 23, 1935 - 40.00 charged to prod. G35
• Nov. 30, 1935 - 40.00 charged to prod. G35
• Dec. 7, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G35
• Dec. 14, 1935 - 40.00 charged to prod. G36 (The Pinch Singer)
• Dec. 21, 1935 - 40.00 - 20.00 charged to prod. G35, 20.00 charged to prod. G36
• Dec. 28, 1935 - 20.00 charged to prod. G36

The last time I researched the payroll ledgers, I was going through the 1936 ledger, which starts at the end of the year and works its way back. Unfortunately, time was up on my last day before I got to the beginning weeks of the year, so for the time being, they are missing from this list. It was during this time that Second Childhood was filmed.

• Feb. 15, 1936 - 40.00 charged to prod. G38 (Arbor Day)
• Feb. 22, 1936 - 40.00 charged to prod. G38
• Feb. 29, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. G38
• Mar. 7, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. G38
• Mar. 14, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. G38
• Mar. 21, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. G38
• Mar. 28, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. G39
   This production number was in anticipation of the next film, but the numbering system was changed before it was made. G39 was eventually used as the production number of "Our Gang Follies Of 1938," but this was a year and a half later.
• Apr. 4, 1936 - 20.00 charged to Gang Tour
• Apr. 11, 1936 - 20.00 charged to Gang Tour
• Apr. 18, 1936 - 20.00 charged to Gang Tour
• Apr. 25, 1936 - 20.00 charged to Gang Tour
• May 2, 1936 - 20.00 charged to Gang Tour
• May 9, 1936 - 20.00 charged to Gang Tour
• May 16, 1936 - 20.00 charged to Gang Tour
• May 23, 1936 - 20.00 charged to studio overhead
• May 30, 1936 - 20.00 charged to studio overhead
• June 6, 1936 - 20.00 charged to studio overhead
• June 13, 1936 - 20.00 charged to studio overhead
• June 20, 1936 - 20.00 charged to studio overhead
• June 27, 1936 - 65.00 charged to studio overhead
   This increase in salary may have taken effect on Porky's 6-month anniversary back on March 9th, but his between-films rate of $20 during the Gang Tour obscures it.
• July 4, 1936 - 65.00 charged to studio overhead
• July 11, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. K1 (Bored Of Education)
• July 18, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. K1
• July 25, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. F12 (General Spanky)
• Aug. 1, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. K2 (Two Too Young)
• Aug. 8, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. K2
• Aug. 15, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. F12
• Aug. 22, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. F12
• Aug. 29, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. F12
• Sep. 5, 1936 - 65.00 charged to prod. F12
• Sep. 12, 1936 - 81.67 charged to prod. K2
   Porky's salary was raised to $90 a week on Sep. 9th.
• Sep. 19, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. K2
• Sep. 26, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. K2
• Oct. 3, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. K3 (Pay As You Exit)
• Oct. 10, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. K3
• Oct. 17, 1936 - 90.00 charged to prod. K3
• Oct. 24, 1936 - 90.00 charged to prod. K3
• Oct. 31, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. K3
• Nov. 7, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. K4 (Spooky Hooky)
• Nov. 14, 1936 - 90.00 charged to prod. K4
• Nov. 21, 1936 - 90.00 charged to prod. K4
• Nov. 28, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. K4
• Dec. 5, 1936 - 20.00 charged to prod. K4
• Dec. 12, 1936 - 90.00 charged to prod. K5 (Reunion In Rhythm)
• Dec. 19, 1936 - 90.00 charged to prod. K5

As of the present time, I haven't had a chance to research the ledgers subsequent to 1936, so this list ends here.

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

© Robert Demoss and Matthew Lydick.

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