Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer

This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.

full name: Carl Dean Switzer
born Aug. 7, 1927, in Paris, IL
died Jan. 21, 1959, in Mission Hills, Los Angeles, CA, of gunshot wound

Special note: There's some controversy over Alfalfa's birthdate, with August 7th being the date shown on his gravestone. However, his birth certificate says August 8th. Nevertheless, it was reported during the making of "Track Of The Cat" that Carl shared his birthday with Robert Mitchum, with the two of them celebrating on the 7th. Pending any further information on this matter, I'm going to go with the 7th.

Also of note: So what did Carl Switzer prefer to be called by his family and friends? Carl? Alfalfa? Alfie? His post-Our Gang screen credits vary mostly between Carl and Alfalfa, with at least one instance where it was Alfy. However, near the end of his career, it was Carl more often than not. It's also worth mentioning that, when he died, both Spanky McFarland and Charles McGraw (from "The Defiant Ones") referred to him as Carl, with McGraw going as far as to say that Carl considered "Alfalfa" to be a childhood name. So does that settle it? Not by a long shot. The News-Pilot of San Pedro, CA, published an article about Carl's niece, Shirlee Dalton Kealy, on February 14, 1979, and she stated that the family had been calling him Alfalfa and Alfie since he first acquired his screenname. There were also a couple of letters sold on eBay some years ago in which Carl signs them off with "Your pal, Alfie." These letters were sent to friends of his and had something to do with a hunting dog, which would have had some connection to his business. His mother always addressed him as Carl Dean, but began calling him Alfie when speaking about him after his death. So it may be that whether he preferred Carl or Alfie depended on what point he had reached in his life, and who exactly it was that was addressing him. On this page, I will refer to him as Alfalfa during his Our Gang years, but since I'm firmly not in the "family and friends" category, I'll called him Carl the rest of the time.

1934

Carl's entry into show business happened in and around Paris, IL (the family lived on a nearby farm), though the year in which this happened isn't clear. He and his brother Harold would sing together while Harold strummed a mandolin. They variously performed at church functions and auctions. Carl was also quoted in 1935 as saying that they had won several musical contests and broadcast over a radio station in Terre Haute, IN, as well as other places. The Daily Times of Davenport, IA, on Oct. 2, 1937, published an article on Arthur McMurray, and had this to say: "He has discovered many of the stars that appear on the well-known WLS National Barn Dance broadcasts every Saturday night over the NBC networks. He also has a representation in Hollywood with Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, star of Our Gang comedies. He was discovered in a community talent barn dance at Paris, Ill." I can't, however, vouch for the veracity of this claim.
The Switzers traveled to California in November of this year to visit the boys' grandparents.

1935

Alfalfa's entry into the Our Gang series has been reported in varying ways, so I'm going to favor the description given by his mother, Pamela Doerr (she had remarried after the death of Carl's father), in a Sep. 1, 1985, article for the Times-Advocate of Escondido, CA. As the article says: "In 1935, while visiting their grandparents in Los Angeles, the boys decided to audition, and the family motored over to Hal Roach Studios in Culver City. But they could not get past the guard at the gate. 'You had to have a pass, and naturally we didn't,' she recalled. 'Harold Frederick said, "Let's go into the restaurant (beside the studio) and sing for 'em." ' So the brothers, with Harold strumming the mandolin, serenaded the lunchtime studio crowd with Carl's favorite tune: 'She'll be Coming 'Round the Mountain When She Comes.' Gordon Douglas, the director of 'Our Gang' comedies (he was actually assistant director at this point), heard the performance and signed them up on the spot to appear in 'Beginner's Luck.' " Other versions of the story place Roach himself in the cafe, with Roach putting the boys into the latest film within half-an-hour. The location of the grandparents has also been specified to be Santa Ana. According to Carl's niece, Shirlee Dalton Kealy, Roach had seen Alfalfa playing in a field with some other kids and signed him up. According to Gloria Serafano (a family friend), his mother was approached by a talent scout, who recommended she take him to the Roach studio for a screen test, after which he was hired on the spot.
In a syndicated article from May 16, 1936, Cam Rawlens gave what is probably a very inaccurate account of Alfalfa's entry into the Our Gang series: "'Alfalfa' is a hillbilly crooner. The freckle-faced lad walked into the studio cafe one day at lunch-time and began singing 'You're the Object of My Affections.' His facial contortions were so funny and his singing so surprisingly good, he was hustled over to the casting office, where a contract was offered his parents, who accompanied him." The Buffalo Courier-Express of September 6, 1936, described it this way: "Little Carl is one child who did reward his mama's efforts to inveigle him into films through a maneuver to catch attention; she sent him into the Roach lunchroom one noon with a mandolin under his arm and the kid plinked some notes and began to sing. Director Gus Meins heard him and invited him for a screen test. That was nearly a year ago, and Carl is now affectionately called 'The Greatest Off-Key Singer in the Movies' at the Roach plant." Of course, we always see Harold playing the mandolin, and this was almost certainly the case on this February day, but according to Maltin & Bann, Carl played several musical instruments.
On March 9th of this year, the Illustrated Daily News of Los Angeles reported the following: "Carl Switzer, aged 6, a hillbilly recruit from the Ozarks, is to play in 'Our Gang' comedies, starting in 'Beginner's Luck.' " The studio initially gave him the nickname "Hayseed," but switched to "Alfalfa," reportedly because Spanky started calling him that.
As described in the Times-Advocate article: "The family had two weeks to pack up their belongings in Illinois and head back to California. Carl was signed to a seven-year contract, which later was purchased by Metro Goldwyn Mayer. Mrs. Doerr said it was not difficult for her and her husband to decide to transplant the family to the West Coast. 'We were both young,' she explained. 'We knew we would always have a place to go back to.' Carl's fame was sparked by an unruly clump of hair that seemingly refused to stay down. Mrs. Doerr explained how Carl's trademark cowlick was created: 'If I can remember rightly, it was cool on the set. A fan kinda blew his hair up like this,' said Mrs. Doerr, holding up a tuft of reddish hair on her head. 'They used Vaseline at first, but the lights were so hot, it melted it. Then they used moustache wax to hold it stiff.' Carl found out that Hollywood wasn't all bright lights and glamour. He was required to slick down his naturally curly hair with Vaseline, and 'he'd be so mad,' his mother said. 'He'd say, "I'll bet I'm the only kid in the United States who has to wash his head every night."'
"The freckled Alfalfa was also famous for his atrocious off-key singing, although he actually had a lovely voice. 'Hal - I call him Mr. Roach - wanted Alfie to sing off-key,' explained Mrs. Doerr. One day on the set, Alfalfa accidentally sang a few sour notes. 'The director shouted, "That's it!" exclaimed Mrs. Doerr, waving her hand up and down. ' "He's going to be our off-key singer!" I never did forget that.' "
On March 28th, Alfalfa's contract was court-approved, in which his weekly salary would ascend from $50 to $275. This according to the July 18, 1937, Chicago Tribune, which incorrectly gives the year as 1934.
On April 2nd, The Evening Sun of Baltimore, MD, reported the following: "A shrill childish cry of glee interrupted solemn procedure recently in Superior Judge Marshall F. McComb's court in Los Angeles. Attendants found Bailiff Sur Soren, red of face and puffing, playing horse in an adjoining office with Carl Switzer, 6-year-old youngster who plays the film role of 'Alfalfa' in a children's movie comedy unit. Young Switzer, whose case a few minutes previously had been marked off calendar when he failed to appear, was brought into court and his contract with a film studio was approved. It calls for a salary ranging from $50 to $275 a week."
On April 5th, Movienews of Chicago reported the following: "There's something new under the cinema sun - a hillbilly 'gangster!' Hal Roach has signed six-year-old Carl Switzer, product of the Ozarks, for membership in 'Our Gang.' With his older brother, Harold, the freckle-faced, semi-toothless kid arrived in Hollywood recently, after working his way across the country. They were accompanied by their father and mother. The youngsters are accomplished mandolin players and harmony singers. Carl, who with his brother, will be seen in a small part in 'Beginner's Luck,' a current comedy, will be given a featured spot in the next 'Our Gang' fun film."
On Septebmer 11th, Alfalfa's salary was raised to $75 a week.
On September 21st, Alfalfa, along with Spanky, Buckwheat, Darla and Scotty, hosted an event at the California Pacific International Exposition at Balboa Park in San Diego, in which droves of young kids could gain admission for only a nickel and meet their heroes. The kids were also scheduled to lead a parade of home-made cars.
On October 12th, the Parade of Youth syndicated supplement reported the following: "Two Paris, Ill., brothers have made good in the movies. A year ago they were known only in Paris as 'Fred Switzer's boys.' They fought each other a lot and knew how to sing and play musical instruments. Today they are known all over the country as stars of the famous 'Our Gang' comedies. Their names are Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, 6, and Harold, 8. They still fight a lot, 'Alfalfa' says. 'I'm 6 years old and have a five-year contract with Hal Roach, and I love it,' writes 'Alfalfa.' 'I came from Paris last November and made my first picture in February of this year. I have made eight pictures in all and am now working on my ninth one. Harold also plays in "Our Gang" pictures, though he's not under contract. He plays the guitar, banjo and mandolin and sings, and says he's going to make a great musician some day. He has played in the movies. We have always been on local programs in Paris and won lots of musical contest prizes. We have broadcast over the radio station at Terre Haute, Ind., and other places. We went home this summer with my mother and father and sister, and everybody said they were mighty proud of us. While we were there we played on a local stage program. Our uncle took us fishing at Williamsport, Ind., and I'm sending a picture of the fish we caught.' "
On November 27th, Alfalfa, along with Buckwheat, Darla and Porky, made a personal appearance at the Four Star Theater in Los Angeles for the western premiere of "Our Gang Follies Of 1936."
On November 30th, the Y.M.C.A. Older Boys' Conference took place at Whittier College. In the evening, the conference moved on to the Wardman Theater, where a 25-minute stage show was given. Fahy Johnson introduced the two Switzer brothers, along with Darla Hood, the latter of whom did some singing and tapdancing. This was followed by a screening of "Little Sinner."
As the Times-Advocate reported: "Carl's arrival apparently sparked some envy in George 'Spanky' McFarland, said Mrs. Doerr. 'Before we came, Spanky was the head one. But after Alfalfa went in they began writing more and more lines for Alfie. That hurt George McFarland's feelings. But laughs was what they were after, and Alfalfa was the one who got the laughs.' Carl was popular with the cast, according to his mother. Darla Hood, the sole female member of the gang, developed a crush on him. 'Darla sure liked him, she would always be making like this,' said Mrs. Doerr, touching a visitor on the shoulder. 'Carl Dean just couldn't take that.' "

135. Beginner's Luck (small part): ©Apr. 8, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-28 - Our Gang series; Also listed for Feb. 23, 1935. Filmed Feb. 20 to 28, 1935. Carl was one-half of Tom and Jerry, the Arizona Nightingales, who sing "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain."
136. Teacher's Beau (featured role: Alfalfa): Apr. 27, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-29 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 13 to 20, 1935. ©May 1, 1935. Alfalfa, along with Harold, sings "Ticklish Reuben." Earlier in the film, he tries to keep up with the Cabin Kids, as they sing "Old MacDonald Had A Farm."
137. Sprucin' Up (lead role: Alfalfa): June 1, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-30 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 2 to 9, and May 7, 1935. ©June 12, 1935. Alfalfa sings "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain" as he fixes his hair. Working title: Good Night Ladies!
Southern Exposure (small part): early June 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. C-31 - Charley Chase series; Filmed in late April 1935. ©June 3, 1935. The published release date of Apr. 6th is in error.
139. Little Papa (featured role: Alfalfa): Sep. 21, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-32 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 3 to 10, 1935. ©Aug. 20, 1935. Alfalfa sings the baby to sleep with "Emmet's Lullaby."
140. Little Sinner (small part): Oct. 26, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-33 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 8 to 16, 1935. ©Sep. 4, 1935.
Life Hesitates At 40 (bit part): Nov. 18, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. C-36 - Charley Chase series; Also listed for Jan. 18, 1936. Filmed around Oct. 26 to Nov. 4, 1935. ©Dec. 11, 1935.
141. Our Gang Follies Of 1936 (supporting role: Alfalfa): 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. Alfalfa sings "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain" and "The Object Of My Affection."
Hearst Metrotone News (appearance): Dec. 1935 - Hearst - 1 reel - newsreel; Featuring the Our Gang kids.

1936

In mid-March of this year, Alfalfa's salary was raised to $100 a week.
On April 4th, Alfalfa, along with Spanky, Buckwheat, Darla, Harold Switzer, Pete the Pup and MC Joe Cobb, appeared at the Fox Arlington theater in Santa Barbara for afternoon and evening performances.
On April 8th, the Evening Vanguard of Venice, CA, reported the following: "Culver City loses part of its population tonight when the members of 'Our Gang' leave on their private car for a personal appearance tour. They open in Duluth Sunday (Apr. 12th). Those going include Spanky McFarland, Darla Hood, 'Alfalfa' and Harold Switzer, Buckwheat Thomas, and Pete the dog. Joe Cobb the former fat boy will act as master of ceremonies. They will be accompanied by their parents, their teacher Mrs. Fern Carter, who has been the Gang teacher for fifteen years and Jack Sidney, company manager. All of the old-timers of the Gang who are in Southern California will be on hand to wish them luck including Johnny Downs, Mary Kornman, Farina and Mickey Daniels." On April 12th, The Davenport Democrat and Leader (IA) added that the kids would have their own special "play-car" on the train.
On April 9th, the Our Gang entourage stopped in Ogden, UT, on their way to the first stop in their personal appearance tour: Duluth.
On the evening of April 10th, the Our Gang entourage stopped briefly at the Union Station in Omaha, NB, where they took questions from reporters.
On April 12th, the Our Gang kids opened their personal appearance tour in Duluth, MN, where they performed for three days. As the Sayre Daily Headlight-Journal (OK) reported on Apr. 22nd: "The group makes five appearances daily, in a vaudeville act of 23 minutes. During this short time each member of the cast makes three changes in costumes."
Also on April 12th, The Minneapolis Journal published an article about the kids' plans for the future, with this to say about Alfalfa: "'Alfalfa' is of a more bucolic nature. When he's grownup, he's going to hie himself 'back to the farm' in Paris, Ill., and be an honest-to-goodness farmer. He watches the sunrise and sunset to see whether or not the weather is going to be right for crops."
On April 14th, Louella Parsons reported the following in her syndicated column: "Even Greta Garbo herself could not have brought a bigger crowd to the Duluth movie theater than the members of the Our Gang comedy troupe who are making a personal appearance. The Duluth youngsters were so delighted with Spanky McFarland, Darla Hood, Alfalfa Switzer, Billy (Buckwheat) Thomas and Fatty Joe Cobb, master of ceremonies, that they came to the theater early and stayed late. Hal Roach's celebrated infants will be gone most of the Summer on tour."
On April 17th, the Our Gang kids arrived in Minneapolis in the morning for a week's engagement at the Minnesota Theater. The act was described as mostly consisting of songs by the various kids, with Alfalfa and Harold singing hillbilly songs.
On April 19th, The Daily Oklahoman of Oklahoma City reported that the Gang's 2-month tour was being extended to three months.
On April 22nd, The Minneapolis Journal published a version of Merle Potter's column in which the various Our Gang kids filled in for him. This is what Alfalfa had to say: "I'd rather be a hill-billy than a columnist but Mrs. Carter, our teacher who travels with us, told me that if I'd write a column for you, I didn't have to learn any lessons today. So, I'd rather write a column. With I could do that every day on account of I don't like to go to school - even if I do like Mrs. Carter. I like to be in the movies, but when I grow up I want to be a farmer. My uncle is taking care of my goats where we used to live in Paris, Ill. When my brother and me went to Hollywood, I only had two goats but now my uncle says I have sixteen. Afterwhile I'm going back to our farm and raise thousands of goats and give all the milk to poor kids who haven't got any."
It appears that the Our Gang kids arrived in Chicago on April 24th and stayed until the end of the month. The Chicago Daily Tribune ran ads during the week for the Chicago State theater, which featured the kids in person. Oddly, one of these ads was for May 1st, but it's pretty clear that they were no longer in town on that date.
On May 1st, the Our Gang kids arrived in Detroit in the morning for a week's engagement at the Michigan Theatre. Spanky stayed in his hotel bed this evening with a cold, according to reports. Turned out it was the measles.
On May 4th in Detroit, the Associated Press reported the following: "Measles invaded 'Our Gang,' child motion picture troupe making a personal appearance at a theater here, and three members were in quarantine today. 'Spanky' McFarland, the 7-year-old 'leading man,' has the disease, and Darla Hood, 4, and William (Buckwheat) Thomas Jr., 4, were quarantined for lack of immunity. The remainder of the cast, including the dog, Pete, will continue their performance." There's some conflicting information on this matter. In Julia Lee's Our Gang book, she states that the Chicago Defender, having previously noted that Buckwheat was required to stay at a "colored hotel" while in Detroit, had thusly avoided coming down with the measles. She also states that the Baltimore Afro-American reported that all three kids had come down with the disease.
On May 5th, The Detroit Free Press ran an ad for their Michigan theater engagement, mentioning Alfalfa, Harold, Pete, Buckwheat and Joe, but not Spanky or Darla.
The next stop on the Gang's tour was Cleveland, but it appears that they never honored this engagement. Spanky was reported to be in Cleveland visiting an aunt, and was shown in a newspaper photo doing some fishing there, but apparently, the others remained behind to finish up their Detroit engagement, and then returned home.
On May 8th, Movienews of Chicago, IL, published an article on Our Gang, with this to say about Alfalfa: "Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer is another of the 'Gang' members who stirs up the old laughter when you see him on the screen with that terrifically serious look on his face, his hair parted in the middle, a big collar on, funny little coat and trousers and biggest freckles ever. To know him personally, you find he is just as serious looking and acting off the screen as on and is extremely quiet and gentle in disposition. When he is studying his lessons you can't tell whether he is acting or not because he conducts himself exactly as he does on the screen."
On May 26th, the Journal Gazette of Mattoon, IL, somewhat inaccurately reported the following: "Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sweitzer and their sons, Harold and Carl, of Hollywood, Cal., were guests over the week-end of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Smith, 2120 Marion avenue. The Sweitzer boys are members of the famous 'Our Gang' of moving pictures. They are now on their way to Hollywood. In pictures Harold is known as 'Alfalfa' and Carl is known as 'Hard Pan.' One of the boys is said to receive $150 a week for his services, the other $100 a week. Their father is paid for 'keeping the boys fit.' The Sweitzers left Hollywood several weeks ago with other members of 'Our Gang' on a road tour. The tour stopped when 'Spanky' McFarland of the gang became ill and was quarantined. Fred Sweitzer, the father, a number of years ago resided in this city a short time. Mrs. Sweitzer, formerly Miss Gladys Shank, is a native of Ashmore township."
During this year, an ad for Royal Cherry Gelatin included an Our Gang comic strip. Among the characters was Alfalfa.
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, Alfalfa was in attendance.
On September 11th, Alfalfa's salary was raised to $125 a week.
On September 18th, Movienews of Chicago, IL, published an article written by Jackie Cooper. In it, he mentions a Screen Boys' Club that had recently formed, with Alfalfa among its members.
On October 11th, the Los Angeles Times included Alfalfa on the list of guests at Spanky McFarland's recent birthday celebration at the Venice Amusement Pier.
On October 23rd, Alfalfa attended Porky Lee's 3rd birthday party at the Our Gang Cafe.
On November 1st, Alma Whitaker reported that Spanky and Alfalfa were both half a grade ahead in school.
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 Alfalfa: "Alfalfa has a long stick of hair sticking up on his head and every minute somebody like the painter or the carpenter or the photographer or someone working around would stick it up again for him...Alfalfa was a traffic cop directing the traffic on Broadway and 42nd Street, New York City, and he did it over and over again while these other kids made mistakes because they didn't get around the scenery in time on the scooters. But the director never got mad once. And Alfalfa's stick of hair was always being stuck up for him. He says he would like to cut it off. When Alfalfa sang, 'I'm through with love,' he sounded like a lunatic, but this is his art. He is a comedian."
Later in the book, the kids were asked what they wanted to be when they grew up: "Alfalfa gave us five guesses. Garbage man? No. Truck-driver, camera man, milkman, aviator? No. He is going to be a cowboy. He has now ten goats on his farm in Illinois to start this ranch and be a cowboy. He is called Alfalfa because he came off a farm in Illinois. He will probably be good because he collected money for the Christmas fund in the studio for an orphan asylum down on a certain boulevard, and he collected the money in his hat. He did this on his own, so he would be able to collect rent on his farm. He seems to be a good business man and had ten cents in his pocket. He said his grandmother was dying and there was no hope and he said he thought his grandfather would grieve to death. If he sticks to this idea of being a farmer he will know where he gets off, and so life won't just begin for him when he gets another movie job. If most people had good ideas like Alfalfa about what they're going to do when they get old Hollywood would be worth while."
On December 17th, the Chicago Daily Tribune published an article about Our Gang, with this to say about Alfalfa: ""The Switzer youngster has one of the most infectious smiles in Hollywood. His father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Switzer, brought him and their other two children to Hollywood from a farm near Paris, Ill., not quite two years ago, and Alfalfa proved just the kid that the Hal Roach comedy scouts had been hunting. When this observer went over to shake hands with Alfalfa the latter was carrying an unloaded air rifle. 'You know where I can get some bee bees?' Alfalfa asked with disarming casualness of Miss Kolma Flake of the studio staff, who was making the introductions to the young people. 'No, I don't know about buying bee bees, and if I did know I wouldn't dare tell you,' Miss Flake told Alfalfa, looking hard at his air-rifle." The kids were currently doing some fundraising for a Los Angeles orphanage, and Alfalfa had this to say: "I want to save up and buy 100 goats. I already have 28. (He really has 28 goats on a farm near Hollywood.) The goats will give a lot of milk and I'll give the milk to orphans and they will get enough to eat."

143. The Pinch Singer (lead role: Alfalfa): 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. Alfalfa sings "On The Road To California" and "I'm In The Mood For Love."
142. Divot Diggers (supporting role: Alfalfa): Feb. 8, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-36 - Our Gang series; Filmed Nov. 18 to 25, 1935. ©Feb. 6, 1936. Alfalfa sings "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain."
138. The Lucky Corner (featured role: Alfalfa): Mar. 14, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-31 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 13 to 20, 1935. ©Feb. 19, 1936. Alfalfa, along with Harold, sings "Little Brown Jug."
Too Many Parents (small part: Cactus Bill): Mar. 20, 1936 - Paramount - 8 reels - feature; Credited as Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. Also starring Frances Farmer, Lester Matthews, Henry Travers, Porter Hall, George Ernest, Douglas Scott, Buster Phelps and Billy Lee. ©Mar. 20, 1936. Alfalfa sings "A Little White Gardenia," accompanied by Harold on guitar.
144. Second Childhood (featured role: Alfalfa aka Carl): Apr. 11, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-37 - Our Gang series; Filmed Jan. 1936. ©Mar. 17, 1936. Alfalfa, along with Spanky and Zeffie Tilbury, sings "Oh! Susanna."
145. Arbor Day (featured role): May 2, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-38 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 12 to 18, 1936. ©Apr. 9, 1936. Alfalfa sings "Trees."
Fox Movietone News (appearance): 1936 - Fox - 1 reel - newsreel; Our Gang's fifteenth anniversary is featured in a Hollywood Spotlight segment with Jimmie Fidler.
Kelly The Second (small part): Aug. 21, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 7 reels - prod. F-10 - All Star feature; Starring Patsy Kelly, with Charley Chase and Guinn Williams. Filmed around Apr. 1936. ©July 27, 1936. Previewed at 85 and 82 minutes. Re-released in Jan. 1948.
146. Bored Of Education (lead role): 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. Alfalfa sings "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms." He also briefly sings "Good Morning To You," first on his own and then with the class.
147. Two Too Young (lead role: Alfalfa): ©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. Alfalfa recites "The Charge Of The Light Brigade."
Easy To Take (role: Alfred Bottle): Nov. 6, 1936 - Paramount - 7 reels - feature; Filmed early Sep. 1936. ©Nov. 6, 1936. Starring Marsha Hunt, John Howard, Eugene Pallette, Richard Carle, Douglas Scott and Jan Duggan. Working title: Right In Your Lap.
148. Pay As You Exit (featured role: Alfalfa): ©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 (supporting role: Alfalfa): 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. Alfalfa sings "Just Before The Battle, Mother."
149. Spooky Hooky (featured role: Alfalfa): ©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

On January 23rd of this year, The Progress-Bulletin of Pomona, CA, reported the following: "Alfalfa Switzer, popular player in 'Our Gang' comedies produced in the Hal Roach studios, will play and sing tomorrow evening at 7:30 o'clock at the evening service of the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 10th street and Garey avenue, it was announced today by A. D. Switzer, pastor. His selections will include 'Mother's Picture on the Wall' and other request numbers."
On March 19th, Jimmie Fidler wrote the following in his syndicated column: "At Hal Roach studio, freckled-faced Alfalfa Switzer of 'Our Gang' (he does the off-key singing: once heard, never forgotten) boasted that he now has 28 goats. Knowing what one goat smells like, and caring not at all for the idea of sampling the blended odors of 28, I declined Alfalfa's invitation to visit the Switzer ranch. But this number of goats, plus the kid's statement that some day he will have 500, prompted investigation. Alfalfa's parents gave out the information that these goats are milked daily by an employee of the county, and the rich fluid is given to poor children who suffer from malnutrition."
On March 31st, the Hollywood Citizen-News reported that the recent birthday party of Baby Patsy May 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 April 17th, an ad for the Bud Murray School for Stage, Screen & Radio appeared in the Hollywood Citizen-News, which included Alfalfa as among the Our Gang kids who had studied dancing there.
On May 6th, the Evening State Journal of Lincoln, NB, published an article on the recent annual sales convention at M-G-M, which was attended by the newspaper's own Barney Oldfield, the writer of the article. Also in attendance were Spanky, Alfalfa and Darla.
On May 20th, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) reported the following: "Alfalfa Switzer is by all odds the homeliest and cutest of the Gang. The 'greatest off-key singer in the world,' he is freckled, snaggle-toothed. Snookum-haired and lovable. His age is 8. Unlike Spanky, who is a juvenile lady-killer, Alfalfa finds only one fault with his means of earning a livelihood. 'This'd be more fun than anything,' he says, 'if they didn't have little old girls around, spoiling everything.' "
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 Alfalfa.
During this year, a comic book featuring the Our Gang kids called The Dandy debuted. Among the characters was Alfalfa.
On July 2nd, the United Press reported the following: "Little Jane Withers, 11, and Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, held a regular potlache on a Fox sound stage in honor of Alfalfa's pet hen, 'Annabelle,' now deceased. Alfalfa presented Annabelle to Jane, but Jane's dog promptly had Annabelle for lunch. To make matters right Jane presented Alfalfa with a red wagon, to which Alfalfa replied with a turtle and a pair of skates. Jane, still not to be outdown, gifted Alfalfa with a toy automobile."
On September 15, the Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK) reported the following: "Children of (nearby) Pryor received a real thrill Monday morning (the 13th) when they learned that Carl Switzer, 'Alfalfa' of the 'Our Gang' comedies, was having breakfast at the Coffee shop. 'Alfalfa' was accompanied by his parents and a brother and a sister. They were on their way to Hollywood from Illinois, where the children had visited grandparents during the summer. Pryor youngsters rushed for autographs. 'Alfalfa' obliged. Mrs. Switzer said that the family was returning to Hollywood as hurriedly as possible, since she had received two telegrams requesting that 'Alfalfa' return at once to start work on a new picture." Apparently, the studio was impatient to start shooting "The Pigskin Palooka."
In a questionnaire from October of this year, St. Louis moviegoers ranked Alfalfa as the 18th most popular child star with 57 votes out of 57,599. Shirley Temple received almost 20,000 of the votes.
On October 20th, the Portland Press Herald (ME) reported the following: "Alfalfa Switzer is that funny boy of the comedies, whose hair, on the screen, stands up in a funny little corkscrew curl, whose face is simply laden with freckles and whose film humor is really unusual. He is eight years old and is in the third grade. He really isn't a bad looking lad, and he wears his hair neatly combed, although it refuses to stay that way long."
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 4th, the Greenville News (NC) included this tidbit in Bill Gaines' column: "For the funniest character in the movies today, we present Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, a kid comic who can arouse more laughter than grandpa did the time he got his nose too close to the clothes wringer."
On November 17th, Alfalfa 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 '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 18th, the following was reported: "Santa Claus paid an early call at the Hal Roach Studios. He arrived at eleven o'clock Saturday morning, early enough to escort Spanky McFarland, Alfalfa Switzer, Porky Lee, Buckwheat Thomas, Darla Hood and Baby Patsy May, members of 'Our Gang,' to the studio's annual Christmas party for these popular young players. Stage 4 was given over entirely to the festivities, with a mountain setting providing a background for a huge and elaborately decorated tree. Learning through Santa Claus of the contents of the children's letters, Mr. Roach gave each of them what he or she most desired. There was a pony, saddled and ready to be ridden off the stage, for Alfalfa; a gold trumpet for Spanky; bicycles for Porky and Buckwheat and identical playhouses, large enough to let them carry on their housekeeping duties, for Darla and Patsy. Mr. Roach, his associate producers, Milton H. Bren and S. S. Van Keuren, other studio executives, members from other companies on the lot and almost the entire studio personnel attended the party."
On December 19th, Spanky and Alfalfa served as mascots for the M-G-M Lions juvenile football team, which lost the game to the Sequoia Panthers.

151. Reunion In Rhythm (featured role: Alfalfa): Jan. 9, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-5 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 9 to 14, 1936. ©Jan. 14, 1937. Alfalfa sings "I'm Through With Love," and joins the other kids for "Auld Lang Syne."
152. Glove Taps (lead role: Alfalfa): ©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 (lead role: Alfalfa): Apr. 3, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-7 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 2 to 10, 1937. ©Mar. 24, 1937. Alfalfa sings "Let Me Call You Sweetheart."
155. Rushin' Ballet (featured role: Alfalfa): 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 (featured role: Alfalfa): 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: Alfalfa): June 12, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-10 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 22 to May 3, 1937. ©June 24, 1937.
Wild And Woolly (supporting role: Zero): July 19, 1937 - 20th Century-Fox - 7 reels - Jane Withers feature; Credited as Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. Filmed in late spring 1937. ©Sep. 10, 1937. Also starring Walter Brennan.
157. Night 'N' Gales (featured role: Alfalfa): July 24, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-11 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 22 to 30, 1937. ©Aug. 18, 1937. Alfalfa takes part in singing "Home, Sweet Home."
158. Fishy Tales (lead role: Alfalfa): 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 (lead role: Alfalfa Switzer): ©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. Alfalfa sings "Just An Echo In The Valley."
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 (lead role: Alfalfa): 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 (lead role: Alfalfa): 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. Alfalfa takes part in singing "Happy New Year To You."
162. Our Gang Follies Of 1938 (lead role: Alfalfa): 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. Alfalfa sings "Learn To Croon" and "Barber Of Seville."

1938

On January 30th of this year, Alfalfa, along with Spanky, served as a mascot for the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Lions, a football team made up of juvenile stars, which played the Wilmar Tech Bengals on this date at the Union High School Stadium in El Monte, CA.
On February 6th, Alfalfa, along with other members of the Our Gang troupe, guested on the MBS radio program Thirty Minutes In Hollywood with George Jessel.
On April 4th, the Daily News of Los Angeles reported on Dickie Jones' 10th birthday party, held recently in the diner of the Santa Fe Chief. Among the guests was Alfalfa.
On April 9th, the Los Angeles Times reported the following: "Today will be father and son day at Wrigley Field, and as an added attraction Hal Roach's famous 'Our Gang' troupe, headed by Director Gordon Douglas, will turn out to watch their little singing star 'Alfalfa' Switzer - act as mascot for the Hollywooders." Hollywood took on the San Francisco Seals in this game.
May 15th to 21st was National Ice Cream Week, sponsored by the National and Southern Ice Cream Manufacturers' Association. Ice cream was promoted as the King of Foods, so appropriately enough, a button showing a crowned "King" Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer of Hal Roach's Our Gang was available.
On June 4th, Alfalfa's photo was included with those of a number of other child performers, with each drinking from a glass or a bottle of milk, in several newspapers. This was all tied in with the milk industry's National Dairy Month.
On June 20th, filming began for "The Little Ranger," the first of 52 Our Gang shorts produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
On August 26th, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported the following: "Alfalfa is the crooner. Actually he isn't cross-eyed, but he can make faces like Frankenstein." Elsewhere, it says: "Alfalfa thinks he is grown up; he tries to make a date with every girl who comes on the set. The day he asked a 15-year-old visitor to dinner capped the climax."
On September 2nd, the Buffalo Courier-Express (NY) reported the following: "Alfalfa Switzer, Our Gang leading man, has a new horse...and a new director...and they're both named George Sidney. George, whose pop was quite an actor way back when, has been directing the caper kids in Men With Fright...and in the middle of the comedy, Alfalfa was informed that his riding mare had given birth to a coal black colt. 'They're both swell,' says Alfalfa, who has been idolizing his new camera maestro...'and besides, they both have black hair...so I named the horse after Mr. Sidney.' "
On October 14th, Lauretta Butler's Annual Brevities took place at the Lincoln Theater. Among the many entertainers were Alfalfa and his brother, Harold.
On December 26th, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) shared this tidbit: "Darla Hood and Alfalfa Switzer, of the 'Our Gang' comedies, get featured roles in 'Ice Follies of 1939' at M-G-M." Neither of the kids turned up in the finished film.

Scandal Street (role: Bennie Nordkudder): Feb. 11, 1938 - Paramount - 7 reels - feature; ©Feb. 11, 1938. Starring Lew Ayres, Louise Campbell, Roscoe Karns, Porter Hall, Edgar Kennedy, Elizabeth Patterson and Virginia Weidler.
163. Canned Fishing (featured role: Alfalfa): 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 (lead role: Alfalfa): 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 (lead role: Alfalfa): 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 (lead role: Alfalfa aka Wild Cat Alfalfa): 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 (featured role: Alfalfa): May 7, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-20 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 4 to 7, 1938. ©May 11, 1938. Alfalfa sings "Many Happy Returns Of The Day." Also, along with Porky Lee and Philip Hurlic, he whistles "Yankee Doodle," which is then sung by the three as "Happy Birthday, Mr. Hood."
168. The Awful Tooth (lead 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 (lead role: Alfalfa aka X-10, Sooper-Slooth): 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 (lead role: Alfalfa aka Fearless Alfalfa): Aug. 6, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2566 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 20 to 25, 1938. ©Aug. 10, 1938. Alfalfa sings "A Melody From The Sky."
171. Party Fever (lead role: Alfalfa): Aug. 27, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2568 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 5 to 9, 1938. ©Aug. 25, 1938.
172. Aladdin's Lantern (featured role: Alfalfa): Sep. 17, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2573 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 20 to 26, 1938. ©Sep. 14, 1938. Alfalfa sings "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen," which has been modified into "I'll Take You Home Again, Darling."
173. Men In Fright (lead role: Alfalfa): Oct. 15, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2580 - Our Gang series; Filmed Aug. 15 to 20, 1938. ©Oct. 21, 1938.
174. Football Romeo (lead role: Alfalfa aka Alf): Nov. 12, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2589 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 19 to 24, 1938. ©Nov. 16, 1938.
175. Practical Jokers (lead role: Alfalfa): Dec. 17, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2595 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 24 to 27, 1938. ©Dec. 20, 1938. Alfalfa sings "Because It's Your Birthday Today (The Birthday Song)."

1939

On April 2nd of this year, The Woman's Tribune of Tulsa, OK, reported the following: "Alfalfa Switzer, 'Our Gang's' off-key crooner, who has been singing in pictures for almost three years, yesterday took his first vocal lesson. Alf's mother says she hopes 'to tone his voice up a bit.' "
On June 7th, The Modesto Bee (CA) reported the following: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, 10, of Our Gang Comedy fame, his brother, Harold, also a member of the gang, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Switzer, and daughter, Janice, were weekend visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hurley Sears near Modesto. The parents brought the young actors to Modesto for a vacation. While they were here the youngsters were allowed to go fishing with just their family along. This, according to Mrs. Sears, was a rare treat for the Hollywood children. Alfalfa has been in all of the Our Gang comedies for several years. In addition to this he has played in a number of full length pictures, including Wild And Woolly, with Jane Withers; Too Many Parents, with Frances Farmer, and Easy To Take, with Marsha Hunt and John Howard. He has just finished working in Mickey The Kid, which will be out soon. Bruce Cabot and Zasu Pitts also play in this picture." Apparently, Alfalfa didn't wind up in the released version of "Mickey The Kid."
June was declared June Dairy Month by the milk industry. Helping to promote it was Alfalfa, as well as Darla and Porky.
On August 2nd, The Indianapolis News reported the following: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, Paris (Ill.) child movie star who appears on the screen in 'Our Gang' comedies, is being treated at a Paris hospital today for a broken left arm. Alfalfa, who was taking a final romp at the home of his uncle, Clarence Switzer, of nearby Marshall, before returning to Hollywood, put on an act with a horse and goat. The horse kicked the boy when it was frightened by the goat."
On August 3rd, the Beckham County Democrat of Erick, OK, reported the following: "Erick received high honors this week when it was visited twice in one week by Hollywood celebrities. Little Darla Hood, who holds the feminine lead in the 'Our Gang Comedy' visited relatives here the first of the week to be closely followed by none other than her leading man 'Alfalfa.' He with his parents ate breakfast in Aunt Carrie's Cafe Thursday morning. They had been visiting in Illinois and were returning to Hollywood."
On September 16th, the Oakland Post-Enquirer (CA) reported the following: "Eleven-year-old Alfalfa Switzer's attempt to save his pet goat from the boots of a maddened horse will hold up the Our Gang production for six weeks. Vacationing on his father's farm near Paris, Ill., the Gang's star had taken his pet goat out into pasture. The goat charged the horse which retaliated with a flurry of hoofs. Trying to rescue his pet, the boy star was tossed about and suddenly felt his wrist snap." The film that was delayed was "Time Out For Lessons."
On September 25th, The State Journal of Lansing, MI, reported the following: "Alfalfa Switzer, Our Gang 'leading man,' reported to M-G-M with the splints removed from his broken arm, ready to go to work in the new Gang one-reeler, 'Learn to Play.' "
In mid-November, Alfalfa began to be featured in newspaper ads for a new candy bar called Nestle's Crunch.

176. Alfalfa's Aunt (lead role: Alfalfa aka Alf aka Alfie): Jan. 7, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2600 - Our Gang series; Filmed Nov. 14 to 17, 1938. ©Dec. 31, 1938.
177. Tiny Troubles (featured role: Alfalfa aka Alf): Feb. 18, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2606 - Our Gang series; Filmed Jan. 9 to 13, 1939. ©Mar. 1, 1939.
178. Duel Personalities (lead role: Alfalfa): Mar. 11, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2610 - Our Gang series; Filmed Jan. 22 to 26, 1939. ©Mar. 9, 1939.
179. Clown Princes (featured role: Alfalfa): Apr. 15, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2613 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 13 to 17, 1939. ©Apr. 12, 1939. Alfalfa sings "The Man On The Flying Trapeze."
180. Cousin Wilbur (lead role: Alfalfa aka Alf aka Cousin Alfie): Apr. 29, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2618 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 13 to 17, 1939. ©May 4, 1939.
181. Joy Scouts (featured role: Alfalfa aka Alfie): June 24, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2630 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 17 to 21, 1939. ©June 24, 1939. Alfalfa sings "Listen To The Mockingbird."
182. Dog Daze (featured role): July 1, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2631 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 1 to 5, 1939. ©July 13, 1939.
183. Auto Antics (featured role: Alfalfa): July 22, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2632 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 15 to 19, 1939. ©July 26, 1939.
184. Captain Spanky's Show Boat (featured role: Alfalfa): Sep. 9, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2640 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 19 to 23, 1939. ©Sep. 6, 1939. Alfalfa sings "I Hear You Calling Me."
185. Dad For A Day (supporting role): Oct. 21, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2645 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 10 to 13, 1939. ©Oct. 24, 1939.
186. Time Out For Lessons (lead role: Alfalfa aka Alf): Dec. 2, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2655 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 25 to 28, 1939. ©Dec. 5, 1939. Alfalfa takes part in singing "Boola Boola." Working title: Learn To Play.

1940

On January 13th of this year, Alfalfa attended, along with numerous other screen children, a baby shower for Mrs. Vincent Conniff. The party took place at the home of Mrs. W. S. Deems at 1528 N. Hayward Ave. Also receiving gifts for an expectant child was Mrs. Donna Smith, the mother of Darwood "Waldo" Kaye. Darla Hood also attended. This is according to the January 17th Hollywood Citizen-News.
On May 31st, "Kiddie Kure" reached its final day of shooting, and Alfalfa made his departure from the Our Gang series.
On November 1st, Alfalfa arrived as part of an Our Gang vaudeville act at the El Fidel Hotel in Albuquerque, NM. The act consisted of Alfalfa, Shirley Coates (as Muggsy), Darwood Kaye (as Waldo), Anita Gordon (as Darleena), Marilyn Kay (as Sugar), Harry Lucenay's "original" Pete, and master of ceremonies Jack Pepper. Performances were given at the KiMo Theater on Nov. 2nd to 5th.
On November 2nd, the Albuquerque Journal (NM) reported the following: "If the audiences like the personal appearances staged by the 'Our Gang' kids as well as the children enjoy giving them, the KiMo Theater is going to be a very happy spot the next four days. Four of the quintet arrived early Friday evening, with 8-year-old Sugar Marilyn Kay, youngest of the company, due to arrive with her parents later. Alfalfa Carl Switzer, with freckles as large as his movie ones - and twice as natural - headed the group at El Fidel Hotel, which included Muggsy Shirley Coates, Waldo Darwood Kay and Darleena Anita Gordon. They love personal appearances, because they mean travel."
On November 6th, The Amarillo Globe (TX) reported the following: "Gang way, boys and girls! Amarillo will be invaded by Hollywood's most famous gang of movie stars headed by that great screen lover, Alfalfa Switzer. They are none other than the celebrated Our Gang comedy kids who have left the great Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios in Hollywood to appear here in person on the stage of the Paramount Theater for three days beginning today. Yes, sir! folks, carrot-topped, abundantly freckled Alfalfa has practically all of his famous gang with him. There's Waldo, Sugar, Darleena, Muggsy and the celebrated Hollywood canine, Pete. And as all followers of the Our Gang boys and girls know, Pete is just about one of the cleverest dogs in the world.
"Genial Jack Pepper, only adult member of the troupe, will act as master of ceremonies. Jack, a native of Dallas, Texas, has headlined hundreds of vaudeville bills throughout the country and also has appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies. The M-G-M Our Gang Comedy series in its eighteenth year is perhaps the most successful in the history of the motion picture industry. For eighteen years various groups of the inimitable little pranksters have delighted audiences, young and old alike, throughout the world whenever motion pictures are shown.
"The famous juvenile funsters who are starred in the present series need little introduction. Alfalfa Switzer has just about achieved stardom and is considered by many to be the outstanding boy comedian of the screen. In addition to his work in the Our Gang comedies he has played in several full length features. One was 'Wild and Woolly' in which Jane Withers was starred. Then there's Muggsy, the little Sis Hopkins; Waldo, the poor little rich boy; Darleena, Our Gang's baby vamp; Sugar, sweet and cute, and Pete the pup. Pete is a veteran of Hollywood and has been seen in many hundreds of pictures for the past eighteen years. According to advance reports received by Manager Fred Palterson of the Paramount Theater, the youngsters have put together a great show that is sure to please everyone from six to sixty."
On November 21st, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) reported the following: "Alfalfa, Waldo, Darleena and Muggsy, who at 11 are too old to play in the Our Gang movies any longer, hated to go back to work Thursday (the 21st) after having a romping good time on Pete Coffield's ranch near Rockdale over the weekend. 'Going back to work' would be the stage show which they will put on at the Palace Theater through Saturday (the 23rd). Alfalfa, headliner of the quartet, killed three possums and a swamp rabbit when he went hutning on the ranch. Saturday (the 16th), the kids went into College Station, where they watched the Rice Owls and the Aggies play football. After the game, All-American John Kimbrough gave Alfalfa the ball used in the game, and is he thrilled? Like Mickey Rooney, Johnny Downs and Shirley Temple, alumni of the Our Gang comedies, these four kids hope to go ahead to bigger and better careers in the movies.
"Alfalfa - the freckle-faced one, is Carl Switzer from Paris, Ill. Waldo, the spectacled one, is Durwood(sic) Kaye from Fort Collins, Colo. Darleena, the pretty curl-haired one, is Anita Gordon of Corsicana. Muggsy, the pig-tailed one, is Shirley Coates of Toronto, Canada. Her mother, Mrs. W. J. Coates, accompanied the youngsters, who also travel with a tutor to keep them up on their studies while away from home. The youngsters all dance and sing. Waldo plays the piano and Muggsy does a solo dance. Jack Pepper, the singing master of ceremonies, is a former Grand Prairie boy."
Also on November 21st, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) reported the following: "'Alfalfa,' the personable freckled youngster whose portrayals of the typical unkempt American moppet have enlivened gang doings for the past seven years, is Carl Switzer to his friends. He hails from Paris, Ill. Carl was enthusiastic over Texas hospitality, which all the members of the group sampled last weekend as guests of Pete Coffield, an East Texas oil man, who took them hunting at his ranch near Rockdale. Carl killed three 'possums and something he described as a 'swamp rabbit.' The biggest thrill, though, was being given the football with which the A. & M.-Rice game was played. Coffield was their host at the game and John Kimbrough was donor of the football."
On December 16th, The Corsicana Daily Sun (TX) reported the following: "It was our unexpected pleasure to have a visit and a brief interview with the four captivating Hollywood stars of 'Our Gang' Comedy Sunday afternoon (the 15th), between appearances at the Palace theater, at the home of Mrs. R. H. Harwell, aunt of 'Darleena,' who in every day life, is Anita Gordon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Gordon of Hollywood, former residents of this city. Besides Anita's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Gordon, and her cousins Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Collins of Houston, who drove up to see her while in Corsicana, there were a number of friends of the Harwell girls, who came to meet 'Darleena' and her co-stars, 'Alfalfa,' or Carl Switzer, who hails from Paris, Ill.; 'Waldo,' or Darwood Kaye, whose home is Fort Collins, Colorado; and 'Muggsie,' or Shirley Coates, of Toronto, Canada.
"The children with their sponsors arrived in Corsicana from Waco in the wee small hours Sunday morning, and are stopping at the Navarro Hotel. They appeared four times Sunday on the Palace Theater stage, and are appearing the same number of times today. From Corsicana they go to Paris and several other towns for public appearances, and are returning to Dallas for a second appearance during the Christmas holidays - December 24-25 and 26. 'Darleena' has held a regular reception at the Palace each afternoon after her's and the groups stage appearance, greeting her former school mates and friends, and many have gone back stage to meet the other members of the gang."
On December 17th, the Our Gang entourage opened a 2-day engagement at the Grand Theatre in Paris, TX.
On December 19th, the Our Gang entourage opened a 3-day engagement at the Majestic theater in Wichita Falls, TX.

187. Alfalfa's Double (lead roles: Alfalfa aka Alfie aka Alf, and Cornelius Smythe III aka Corny): Jan. 20, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2656 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 2 to 6, 1939. ©Dec. 29, 1939. Alfalfa whistles a variation of "Pizzicato Polka."
189. The Big Premiere (featured role: Alfalfa): Mar. 9, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2669 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 11 to 14, 1939. ©Mar. 13, 1940. Alfalfa sings "Lorena."
190. All About Hash (featured role: Alfalfa): Mar. 30, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2674 - Our Gang series; Filmed Jan. 10 to 13, 1940. ©Apr. 5, 1940.
191. The New Pupil (featured role: Alfalfa): Apr. 27, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2677 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 7 to 10, 1940. ©Apr. 22, 1940. Alfalfa, along with Spanky, sings "Emmet's Lullaby."
188. Bubbling Troubles (lead role: Alfalfa aka Alf): May 25, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2668 - Our Gang series; Filmed Nov. 8 to 17, 1939. ©May 29, 1940. Working title: In Love Again.
I Love You Again (small part: Harkspur, Jr.): prem. Aug. 2, 1940 - MGM - 10 reels - William Powell & Myrna Loy feature; Filmed in late spring 1940. ©Aug. 5, 1940. Released Aug. 9, 1940. Also featuring Mickey Gubitosi.
193. Good Bad Boys (lead role: Alfalfa Switzer): Sep. 7, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2684 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 1 to 4, 1940. ©Aug. 28, 1940.
194. Waldo's Last Stand (featured role: Alfalfa): Oct. 5, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2686 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 22 to 25, 1940. ©Oct. 2, 1940. Alfalfa takes part in singing "How Dry I Am" and "Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes."
Barnyard Follies (supporting role: Alfalfa): Oct. 6, 1940 - Republic - 8 reels - Mary Lee feature; ©Dec. 6, 1940. Credited as "Alfalfa" Switzer. Also featuring Darwood Kaye, Shirley Coates, and Pete the Pup.
192. Goin' Fishin' (featured role): Oct. 26, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2680 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 22 to 26, 1940. ©Oct. 16, 1940.
195. Kiddie Kure (featured role: Alfalfa): Nov. 23, 1940 - MGM - 1 reel - prod. 2687 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 27 to 31, 1940. ©Nov. 11, 1940.

1941

On January 7th of this year, the Los Angeles Times reported the following: "Alfalfa Switzer, Darwood Kaye, Shirley Coates and Anita Gordon have made an unusally successful personal appearance tour through New Mexico and Texas. They broke a three-year record at a theater in San Antonio."
On February 5th, Jimmie Fidler included the following in his syndicated column: "Bells: To Kid Stars Shirley Coates, Alfalfa Switzer, Darwood Kaye and Jack Pepper, who on their recent p.a. tour made it a point to visit one orphanage or children's hospital in each city and present their act for its shut-ins."
On August 20th, The Record-American of Mahanoy City, PA, reported the following: "Many persons have often wondered about the private life of a child movie star. Unlike the general belief, most screen moppets lead perfectly normal lives when not before the cameras. Take the case of Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, who has a leading role with Billy Lee in Producers Releasing Corporation's 'Reg'lar Fellers'...Alfalfa has been in pictures or vaudeville for seven of his twelve years, despite this, he is every much of an American boy as the kid next door. While not attending school, or appearing before the cameras, Alfalfa spends a good deal of his time playing baseball with the neighborhood kids. In addition to pitching thirty-five games with the Marvin Avenue Public School team of Hollywood, he also twirled an additional twenty games with his own team, 'The California Eagles,' during the past few months. In fact the day that his contract was approved in court, his chief worry was that he might be unable to get to the field in time for one of these contests."
On August 27th, The Richmond News Leader (VA) reported the following: "Carl Switzer, originally one of the Our Gang kids, today was cast by Paramount in his first featured role on the screen."
On September 9th, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) reported the following: "Carl Switzer, Alfalfa of the 'Our Gang' comedies, has been spotted in the next Aldrich Family picture." This is presumably the Paramount film referred to in the August 27th item.
On December 21st, Carl was among many celebrities who took part in the annual Christmas Party Show for Paramount at the Wilshire-Ebell Theater.

The Singing Lesson (lead role: Alfalfa): 1941 - Minoco/Soundies - 1 reel - Soundie; Also starring Charles Judels.
Come Home, Father (lead role: Alfalfa): c. 1941 - Minoco/Soundies - 1 reel - Soundie; Also starring Snub Pollard.
Reg'lar Fellers (featured role: Bump Hudson): Sep. 5, 1941 - PRC - 7 reels - feature; ©Aug. 15, 1941. Starring Sarah Padden and Roscoe Ates. Also featuring Billy Lee and Henry Lee.

1942

On January 17th, the Citizen-News of Hollywood reported that the Screen Children's Guild had recently secured a commercial photography contract for Carl with General Foods.
On March 18th, the Max Reinhardt Junior Workshiop gave a public preview performance at the Max Reinhardt Theater of a stage production called Camera Angles, which was staged for the Anne Lehr Milk Fund. Several kids were featured in the cast, including Carl.
On March 20th, the Max Reinhardt Junior Workshop gave a performance of Camera Angles at the KFWB Theater. In spite of the location, it was not broadcast over the radio.
On April 4th, the Screen Children's Guild gave a performance of The Top O' Hollywood at the Woman's club at Eleventh and Gaffey Sts. in San Pedro. Included in the cast of children was Carl.

My Favorite Blonde (small part: Frederick): prem. Apr. 2, 1942 - Paramount - 8 reels - Bob Hope & Madeleine Carroll feature; ©Mar. 16, 1942.
Henry And Dizzy (supporting role: Billy Weeks): prem. May 20, 1942 - Paramount - 7 reels - Aldrich Family feature; Starring Jimmy Lydon. Filmed around late summer/early fall 1941. ©Mar. 13, 1942. Released June 5, 1942.
There's One Born Every Minute (small part: Junior Twine): June 26, 1942 - Universal - 7 reels - Hugh Herbert feature; Credited as "Alfalfa" Switzer. ©Feb. 27, 1942. Working title: Man Or Mouse. Carl sings "Lemuel P. Twine For Mayor," along with Elizabeth Taylor.
The War Against Mrs. Hadley (small part: messenger boy): prem. Sep. 23, 1942 - MGM - 9 reels - feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Starring Edward Arnold and Fay Bainter. ©Aug. 6, 1942. Released Nov. 25, 1942. Carl sings "Happy Birthday To You."
Mrs. Wiggs Of The Cabbage Patch (supporting role: Billy Wiggs): Oct. 1942 - Paramount - 9 reels - feature; Filmed around late winter/early spring 1942. ©Oct. 1, 1942. Starring Fay Bainter, Hugh Herbert, Vera Vague and Carolyn Lee.
Johnny Doughboy (supporting role: Alfalfa): Dec. 31, 1942 - Republic - 7 reels - Jane Withers feature; Credited as "Alfalfa" Switzer. Filmed in late summer 1942. ©Dec. 31, 1942. Also featuring Spanky McFarland.

1943

The Human Comedy (small part: Auggie): prem. Mar. 2, 1943 - MGM - 12 reels - Mickey Rooney feature; Filmed in late 1942. ©Mar. 10, 1943. Also starring Frank Morgan.
Shantytown (supporting role: Bindy): Apr. 20, 1943 - Republic - 7 reels - Mary Lee feature; ©Apr. 12, 1943. Also starring John Archer, and Marjorie Lord.
Dixie (bit part: boy in street): prem. June 23, 1943 - Paramount - 9 reels - Technicolor - Bing Crosby & Dorothy Lamour feature; ©June 24, 1943.

1944

After his 17th birthday in August, Carl appeared in the Players casting directory. Under "qualifications," it read: Drama, Dancing, Sings, Swims, Rides, Uke, Natural Comedian. Under "credits," it read: Motion Pictures - over 100 pictures - featured for six years in 'Our Gang,' at MGM - featured during past year at several major studios (including 'Going My Way'), having developed one of the best known characters and names in the movie industry. Commercial Photography includes picture on school tablets, clothing labels, pictures in ads for fruit juices, etc. Characterized in Comic Strip, Radio (networks), personal appearance tours."

Rosie The Riveter (supporting role: Buzz Prouty): Apr. 9, 1944 - Republic - 8 reels - feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. ©Feb. 27, 1944. Starring Jane Frazee, Frank Albertson, and Vera Vague.
Going My Way (supporting role: Herman Langerhanke): prem. May 3, 1944 - Paramount - 14 reels - Bing Crosby feature; ©Feb. 25, 1944.
The Great Mike (featured role: Speck): Nov. 15, 1944 - PRC - 8 reels - Stuart Erwin feature; Credited as Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. ©Nov. 15, 1944. Later released to TV as 25 min. featurette called Great Mike Wins.
Together Again (bit part: elevator boy): Dec. 22, 1944 - Columbia - 10 reels - Irene Dunne & Charles Boyer feature; Filmed in summer 1944. ©Dec. 22, 1944. Working title: A Woman's Privilege.

1945

On April 12th of this year, Virginia Vale reported the following in her syndicated column: "RKO's studio school has been moved to a showboat, currently in use by the troupe filming 'The Amorous Ghost.' Sixteen-year-old Donna Lee and Alfalfa Switzer, formerly of 'Our Gang,' are in the picture so the school came to them."
On June 13th, Sheilah Graham reported the following in her syndicated column: "Remember Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer of 'Our Gang' comedies? He has a grownup role with Rosalind Russell in 'Some Call It Love' - and then reports to the army."
On August 10th, Carl registered for the Draft.
On October 12th, the Daily Journal-Gazette of Mattoon, IL, reported the following: "Carl Dean Switzer, 18, better known as 'Alfalfa' of the 'Our Gang' comedies, registered as a junior at the Mattoon High School Thursday (the 11th) afternoon. He will begin attending classes Monday. Young Switzer is making his home with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Smith, 1020 Shelby avenue. His mother, Mrs. Gladys Switzer, also is residing in Mattoon." Apparently, Carl hadn't finished his education prior to turning 18. There is some indication that he was already in the U.S. Army by this time, so perhaps he was allowed to earn his high school diploma while in the service.

Primary Flight Training: Before You Fly (featured role: Mac): 1945 - Wilding/US Navy - 35 min. - prod. MN3474B - training film; Featuring Robert Taylor.
Primary Flight Training: First Flight, Part II (supporting role: McDribble aka Mac): Nov. 16, 1945 - Wilding/US Navy - 14 min. - prod. MN3474E - training film; Featuring by Robert Taylor.
Man Alive (role: Ignatius): prem. Nov. 16, 1945 - RKO - 70 min. - feature; Starring Pat O’Brien, Adolphe Menjou, and Ellen Drew. Filmed around Apr. 1945. ©Oct. 19, 1945. Working titles: The Amorous Ghost and The Passionate Ghost.
Primary Flight Training: Taxiing And Take-Offs (supporting role: Cadet Sylvester McDribble aka Mac): Nov. 24, 1945 - Wilding/US Navy - 19 min. - prod. MN3474H - training film; Featuring Robert Taylor.
She Wouldn't Say Yes (bit part: delivery boy): Nov. 29, 1945 - Columbia - 9 reels - Rosalind Russell & Lee Bowman feature; Filmed around June 1945. ©Nov. 10, 1945. Working title: Some Call It Love.
Primary Flight Training: Landings (small part: McDribble): 1945 - Wilding/US Navy - 14 min. - prod. MN3474I - training film; Featuring Robert Taylor.
Primary Flight Training: Keep It Flying, Part II (small part: Cadet Sylvester McDribble aka Mac): 1945 - Wilding/US Navy - 15 min. - prod. MN3474M - training film; Featuring Robert Taylor.

1946

Apparently, Carl was released from the Army near the end of this year. According to the Toledo Union Journal of Nov. 28, 1947, he had spent 14 months in the service.
On December 5th of this year, the Shamokin News-Dispatch (PA) reported the following: "Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, of the plaintive look and the off-key voice, who will be remembered by many as a popular favorite in the 'Our Gang' comedies of several years back, will be seen in a more mature role in 'Gas House Kids'...Recently released from the army, Carl is shown playing an older part than he has ever played before: that of a tough boy from New York's Lower East Side."
Carl's family lived in Ramona, CA, for three years during the late 1940s, then returned to Los Angeles.

Courage Of Lassie (small role: first youth): prem. July 24, 1946 - MGM - 10 reels - Technicolor - Lassie feature; Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Morgan and Tom Drake. ©Apr. 25, 1946, as Blue Sierra. Released Nov. 8, 1946. Working title: Hold High The Torch.
Gas House Kids (featured role: Sammy Levine): Oct. 9, 1946 - Neufeld/PRC - 7 reels - Gas House Kids feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Starring Robert Lowery, Teala Loring and Billy Halop. ©Oct. 7, 1946. Working title: East Side Rascals.
It's A Wonderful Life (small part Freddie Othello): prem. Dec. 20, 1946 - Liberty/RKO - 129 min. - feature; Starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. Released Jan. 7, 1947. ©Feb. 6, 1947. Working title: The Greatest Gift.

1947

On March 27th of this year, the Daily News of New York reported the following: "PRC is building a new 'Gas House Kids' series around Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, formerly of 'Our Gang' comedies. The first picture will be 'The Gas House Kids Go West.' "
On June 15th, the Los Angeles Times reported the following: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, formerly of Our Gang comedies, has signed to portray a juvenile delinquent in 'Big Town Scandal,' the Pine-Thomas movie."
On November 10th, the Valley Times of North Hollywood reported the following: "Big game hunters can take a tip from Carl Switzer (formerly Alfalfa of 'Our Gang'). He bagged a three hundred pound bear near Porterville, California."
During this period, Carl also did some coon-hunting with Tommy Bond in Topanga Canyon.

Gas House Kids Go West (featured role: Alfalfa): July 1947 - PRC - 62 min. - Gas House Kids feature; Credited on poster as Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. Filmed in April 1947. ©June 28, 1947. Release date published as June 12, 1947, but earliest verified screening was July 20, 1947. Also featuring Tommy Bond.
The Gas House Kids In Hollywood (featured role: Alfie): Sep. 1947 - PRC - 62 min. - Gas House Kids feature; Credited as Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. Filmed in May 1947. Release date published as Aug. 23, 1947, but earliest verified screening was Sep. 3, 1947. ©Sep. 8, 1947 as The Gas House Kids In Hollywood. Also featuring Tommy Bond. The opening title card puts quotations around the words "In Hollywood." The film is usually referred to by its copyright title. Working titles: It's Moider! and Help, Moider, Police.
Driftwood (bit part: messenger): Sep. 15, 1947 - Republic - 90 min. - feature; Starring Ruth Warrick, Walter Brennan, Dean Jagger, Charlotte Greenwood and Natalie Wood. ©Sep. 17, 1947.

1948

On Our Merry Way (supporting role: Leopold "Zoot" Wirtz): prem. Feb. 3, 1948 - Miracle/UA - 12 reels - feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Starring Paulette Goddard, Burgess Meredith, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour, Victor Moore, and Fred MacMurray. Filmed in early 1947. Premiered as A Miracle Can Happen, then re-edited for general release with new title. Released in June 1948. Working title: Along Came Baby.
State Of The Union (small part: bellboy): prem. Apr. 7, 1948 - Liberty/MGM - 122 min. - feature; Credited as Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. Starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Van Johnson. Filmed around Nov. 1947. ©Mar. 23, 1948. Released Apr. 30, 1948.
Big Town Scandal (supporting role: Frankie Snead): prem. Apr. 1948 - Pine-Thomas/Paramount - 7 reels - feature; Credited as Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. Starring Philip Reed and Hillary Brooke. Filmed in June/July 1947. Earliest verified screening Apr. 20, 1948. Released May 27, 1948. ©July 30, 1948. Reissued as Underworld Scandal. Also featuring Tommy Bond.

1949

On April 25th of this year, the Brooklyn Eagle reported the following: "Remember the clever kid comic of a few years ago, Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer? He's turned out to be a whiz of a dog trainer, and has gone professional at it."
On December 8th, Carl was a special guest for a meeting of the Amacita Lodge of the Rebekahs in Murphys, CA.
On December 17th, The Durham Sun (NC) reported the following: "Carl ('Alfalfa') Switzer, one-time kid star in the 'Our Gang' comedies, is being treated in a Northern California hospital for lacerations and broken bones incurred when he tangled with a bear during a hunting trip."

A Letter To Three Wives (role: Leo): prem. Jan. 20, 1949 - 20th Century-Fox - 11 reels - feature; Starring Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell and Ann Southern. ©Jan. 20, 1949. Released Feb. 3, 1949. Working titles: A Letter To Five Wives, A Letter To Four Wives and Three Wives.
Alias The Champ (bit part: newsboy): Oct. 15, 1949 - Republic - 60 min. - feature; Starring Robert Rockwell, Barbara Fuller, Audrey Long and Gorgeous George. ©Oct. 5, 1949. Working title: Pardon My Toe-Hold.

1950

On May 4th of this year, the Los Angeles Times reported the following: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, former member of 'Our Gang' comedies, now 20 years old, will play a hot-rod enthusiast who causes trouble in 'Cause for Alarm,' with Loretta Young at Metro."
On June 6th, Louella Parsons included this tidbit in her syndicated column: "Attention, members of the old Hal Roach 'Our Gang' Alumni! Monogram is making a picture, 'Hot Rod,' and wants 'Farina' (Eugene Jackson), Barbara O'Brien, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, Darla Hood and the others."
Sometime during this year, Carl traveled through Lubbock, TX, and left a phone message for Porky, who wasn't home at the time.

House By The River (role: Walter Herbert): prem. Mar. 23, 1950 - Fidelity/Republic - 9 reels - feature; Starring Louis Hayward, Lee Bowman, and Jane Wyatt. ©Mar. 23, 1950. Released Mar. 25, 1950. Working title: Floodtide.
Redwood Forest Trail (featured role: Alfie Donahue): Sep 18, 1950 - Republic - 67 min. - Rex Allen feature; Credited as Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. Filmed around Dec. 1949. ©Oct. 23, 1950.

1951

On March 6th of this year, a stageplay called The Great Man opened at the Century Theater in Los Angeles. Among the supporting cast was Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer.
On September 27th, the Daily News of Los Angeles reported the following: "Horn-blowing, contests, coon races and cat races will be among events run off Oct. 6-7 at the second annual Hollywood coon hound field trials at Kelly ranch, Newberry Park, on highway 101 near Camarillo. Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer sponsors the field trials. Roy Rogers and Spade Cooley, entertainers, will donate $900 in prizes, part of which Rogers will try to recover with some fine dog entries, including 'Ghost,' California state coon trial champion. Other dogs from Texas, Washington and Oregon will compete."
On October 12th, The Terre Haute Tribune (IN) reported the following: "Three-year-old Gary Shanks, who sang for his supper at the Young Democrats wiener roast Wednesday (the 10th), today is looking forward to a Hollywood audition. His father, Harold Shanks, 2430 South Sixth street, said a special delivery letter from Hal Roach, Jr., offers the boy a screen test at the Roach studios in Culver City, Calif. Shanks has a nephew who made good in the movies. He is Carl Switzer, formerly of Paris, Ill., known as the 'Alfalfa' in Our Gang comedies. Little Gary and his father will leave for California immediately following the youngster's appearance on WFBM television in Indianapolis at 3 o'clock in the afternoon Sunday, Oct. 21. It is his second TV performance."

Belle Le Grand (bit part: messenger boy): Jan. 27, 1951 - Republic - 90 min. - feature; Starring Vera Ralston and John Carroll. ©Feb. 15, 1951. Working title: The Story Of Belle Le Grand.
Cause For Alarm! (bit part: guy with Tex): prem.Feb. 2, 1951 - MGM - 74 min. - Loretta Young feature; Filmed in mid-1950. ©Jan. 23, 1951 (in notice: 1950). Released Mar. 30, 1951.
Two Dollar Bettor (supporting role: Chuck Nordlinger): Sep. 9, 1951 - Broder/Realart - 8 reels - feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Starring John Litel, Marie Windsor, and Steve Brodie. ©Aug. 29, 1951.
Here Comes The Groom (bit part: messenger): Sep. 20, 1951 - Paramount - 114 min. - feature; Starring Bing Crosby, Jane Wyman, Alexis Smith, Franchot Tone and James Barton. ©Sep. 2, 1951. Working title: You Belong To Me.

1952

On March 2nd of this year, The Portsmouth Star reported the following: "Remember 'Alfalfa,' of the Our Gang Comedy series of other days? Now 28 years of age, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer is a familiar featured player on NBC radio and TV programs. He was the freckle-faced star of the rib-tickling comedies. He has averaged an acting role for every week of his 25-year career. His latest movie escapade is as a busboy in 'Pat and Mike' with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn."
On March 9th, the Democrat and Times of Davenport, IA, made mention of Carl, stating that he was on both the radio and TV versions of Roy Rogers' show. According to Gloria Serafano (family friend of the Switzers), Roy Rogers at some point hired Carl to take care of his horses and hunting dogs.
On June 21st and 22nd, the All Sportsman's Roundup was held four miles east of Sacramento. Among the western movie actors attending was Alfalfa Switzer.
On November 15th, the Stockton Record (CA) reported the following: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, up at Avery's, reports two cinnamon bears taken this week, both by Roy Rogers, he of the cowboys that attracts the mighty mites to the TV sets. Floyd Close of Stockton was one of those along on the trip and he stated Rogers got one of the bruins with a bow and arrow and the other with a .38. The kills were made near Blue Mountain."

The Roy Rogers Show episode: The Treasure Of Howling Dog Canyon (role: Clyde Stockton): Jan. 27, 1952 - Rogers/NBC - 30 min. - TV episode; Credited as Alfalfa Switzer.
The Roy Rogers Show episode#58; Shoot To Kill (role: Elmer Kirby): Apr. 27, 1952 - Rogers/NBC - 30 min. - TV episode; Credited as Alfalfa Switzer.
Pat And Mike (bit part: busboy): prem. June 5, 1952 - MGM - 95 min. - Spencer Tracy & Katharine Hepburn feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Filmed early 1952. ©May 12, 1952. Released June 13, 1952. This was publicized as Carl's 200th role.
I Dream Of Jeanie (small part: Freddie): June 15, 1952 - Republic - 90 min. - Trucolor - feature; Credited as Carl Dean Switzer. Starring Ray Middleton, Bill Shirley, and Muriel Lawrence. ©May 1, 1952.
The WAC From Walla Walla (role: Pvt. Cronkheit): Oct. 10, 1952 - Republic - 83 min. - Judy Canova feature; ©Sep. 4, 1952.
The Roy Rogers Show episode: Go For Your Gun (role: Bob): Nov. 23, 1952 - Rogers/NBC - 30 min. - TV episode; Credited as Alfalfa Switzer.

1953

On January 2nd of this year, the Stockton Record (CA) reported the following: "Three Hollywood movie players, including a former child star, narrowly escaped possible injury or death yesterday when the fuselage fabric peeled from their small plane, forcing a landing here. A passenger in the ship was Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, who starred in more than 100 'Our Gang' comedies as a child actor. The plane, a three-place Piper Cub, was being flown by Pilot Joe Espitallier, Glendale, who has played small parts in the films. The third passenger was Donn Pera, a television and motion picture bit player. The men had been bear hunting near Averys and had just taken off for Glendale after refueling at Columbia Airport when the incident occurred. 'Everything was working fine,' said Switzer, 'but all of a sudden we began to feel cold air coming in all around us. I was scared. This was my first ride in one of these small planes and it will be my last.'
"An avid bear hunter, Switzer had bagged a brown bear about two miles from Averys on New Year's Eve and had the skin in the baggage compartment of the plane. He said this was his thirtieth bear kill. The pilot, who had reached an altitude of 3000 feet, said he turned back to Columbia Airport when he realized 'something was wrong.' 'There was no danger,' he said, 'but it would have been a different story if the fabric had peeled from the control surfaces.' The fabric was sliced from the back of the fuselage, extending from the cabin all the way to the tail of the plane.
"Espitallier said the fabric was new but mechanics had allowed the plane to stand in the sun too long before the canvas was 'doped' with a protective coating, allowing the covering to become brittle. Switzer is scheduled for a part in the John Wayne movie, 'Island in the Sky,' which is slated to go into production immediately. The location sites have not been named, he added. The three flew to Hollywood last night in another plane which was ordered to the airport here by Espitallier, who said he would return this week end to repair his craft and ferry it home."
On February 24th, the Associated Press reported the following: "Ever have the yen to be a bear hunter? Carl Switzer did, and he left behind a movie career to become one. Movie fans will remember 'Alfalfa' Switzer as the wild-haired, freckle-faced kid of the 'Our Gang' series. He also appeared with Jane Withers in 'Wild and Wooly' and in other pictures. But in 1940, the 'Our Gang' series was discontinued and Carl found himself in the awkward age for film juveniles. 'Don't get me wrong - I didn't quit Hollywood,' he remarked with amazing candor. 'I'm a guy who likes to eat, and I found I couldn't do it without working. I would have stayed in Hollywood if I could have gotten picture jobs.'
"So he turned to his favorite pastime - hunting. 'I had been hunting bears since I was 14 years old,' said Carl, who is now 26. 'I had some of my own hounds, and I became acquainted with Roy Rogers at various dog workouts. He staked me to a set of hounds so I could go in business as a bear hunter.' Carl set up headquarters at Averys, a tiny community in the mountains about 60 miles from Stockton, Calif. He soon had a thriving business of leading bear-hunting parties during the fall open season. He has been responsible for 400 pelts. During other seasons, he hunts for mountain lion, deer, wild boar and raccoon.
"His return to the movies happened because of an amazing coincidence. Recently, one of the members of his hunting party was film director 'Wild Bill' Wellman. 'Say - who the blankety-blank are you?' Wellman demanded. Carl answered with his name. 'Didn't you used to be in pictures - in the "Our gang"?' Carl admitted he was. 'Well, you're just the blankety-blank I've been looking for.' And the director said he wanted him for a role in the John Wayne picture, 'Island in the Sky.' Carl is here doing the picture, but said he would be returning to his game hunting. 'I wouldn't mind doing more pictures,' he said. 'But I'd like to keep up my other business too. I don't say I make a lot of money; but it's a good living and I'm booked up for nearly all the time.' "
On July 29th, The Mirror of Los Angeles reported the following: "Lions don't just happen only in story books and the funny papers, 7-year-old Forrest de Butts, who lives at a ranch house at 6231 S De Butts Terrace, Malibu, knew today. A hungry raiding mountain lion invaded the premises of her home and killed a registered nanny goat and one kid goat. This afternoon The Mirror arranged for a veteran lion hunter and western movie star to help catch and kill the marauding lion. Carl Switzer, known as 'Alfalfa' in the movies, plans to take two of his trained dogs to the Malibu area to join in the search. 'I'd surely like to have a crack at catching this lion,' he said. 'I've done some lion hunting and if there's a trail there, I think my dogs will pick it up.' "
On August 30th, the United Press reported the following: "Carl Switzer, remembered by older fans as Alfalfa in the 'Our Gang' series, thought life was so peaceful hunting mountain lions in the High Sierra - but he had to run into a movie director. Switzer, now 25, spent 11 years guiding hunters in and out of various wilderness spots in California's rugged mountains. He was doing okay, operating from Averys, in Calaveras county, and then last winter he took out a party that included William Wellman, the director. Wellman stared at Switzer from time to time during the first two days of the trip by horseback into the mountain wilderness. On the third day, Wellman suddenly whirled about while on horseback, a smile of triumph on his face. 'I know who you are!' he yelled at Switzer. 'You're the little ---- in the Our Gang pictures.'
"Before the trip was over, Switzer had wound up with a part with John Wayne in 'Island In The Sky,' Wellman's next picture. He even brought his 12 hunting dogs here in his 'break' with his old life. But there was one problem in Switzer's return to the cameras. He got so interested in the idea of making money that he located an agent, fully expecting to have lots of offers. He got at least one. The California Fish and Game Commission heard he was in Hollywood and wanted him to track down a mountain lion that had been killing livestock in the area inland from Malibu."
On September 13th, The Atlanta Journal (GA) reported the following: "Actor and big-game hunter Carl Switzer sadlly admits it's less nerve-wracking to track down mountain lions in the California Sierras than to track down acting jobs in the Hollywood movie studios. Switzer, 25, a former child star who has been a professional hunting guide for the past eleven years, is returning to the screen as John Wayne's fellow pilot in 'Island in the Sky.' 'The life of a hunter is more carefree than the life of an actor,' said Switzer. 'But I can make as much acting in one picture as I can in a season as a guide. I've got to think of my future. Besides, I was bitten by the acting bug early in life and now it's come back on me strong.' "

Schlitz Playhouse Of Stars episode: Vacation For Ginny (undermined role): May 15, 1953 - Meridian/CBS - 30 min. - TV episode
Island In The Sky (supporting role: Sonny Hopper): prem. Sep. 3, 1953 - Wayne-Fellows/Warner Bros. - 109 min. - John Wayne feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Filmed in early 1953. Released Sep. 5, 1953. ©Sep. 17, 1953.
Flight Nurse (role: rifleman): prem. Nov. 4, 1953 - Republic - 90 min. - feature; Starring Joan Leslie and Forrest Tucker. ©Sep. 23, 1953. Released Nov. 15, 1953. Working titles: Angels Over Korea and Angels Take Over.

1954

On February 26th of this year, The Bakersfield Californian reported the following: "Screen actors Ronnie Page and Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer were guests in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Herman Dargatz for the past week. Page, Switzer and Dargatz left over the week end to do some hunting in the Eureka area. They plan to return to Buttonwillow some time this week."
On May 22nd, Carl married Diantha Musette Collingwood.
On June 18th, Erskine Johnson reported the following in his syndicated column: "Freckle-faced Alfalfa, kid star of the old Our Gang comedies now on TV, said, 'I do' in Las Vegas under his real name of Carl Sweitzer. His bride is Diana Collingwood. He's now 26."
On July 8th, Harrison Carroll reported the following in his syndicated column: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, once of 'Our Gang' comedies, won't waste any time putting the final touches to his brief marriage to Dian Collingwood. He'll go to Reno to establish residence as soon as he finishes his role in 'Track of the Cat.' Meanwhile, he is living with Bob Morrison, brother of John Wayne, who was best man at his wedding five weeks ago." Carl and Dian were living in Benedict Canyon at the time.
On July 9th, Louella Parsons shared this tidbit in her syndicated column: "Carl Switzer, known as Alfalfa when he was a child star, is so broken up over the failure of his marriage that he'll get it over as soon as possible in Reno."
On July 10th, The Battle Creek Enquirer and News (MI) reported the following: "Augie Gomez, 77-year-old Mohawk, has been signed to coach Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer in his role as a 100-year-old Piute in 'The Track of the Cat,' CinemaScope picture for Warners, which William A. Wellman is directing."
Also on July 10th, Hedda Hopper shared this tidbit in her syndicated column: "I wish all our feuding couples would reconcile as quickly as Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer and his wife. They were separated 48 hours. Congratulations, kids!"
On July 15th, Harrison Carroll reported the following in his syndicated column: "True love is running smoothly again for Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, once of 'Our Gang' comedies, and his bride of a few weeks, Diana Collingwood. The estranged pair reconciled and Diana has moved out of the Beverly Hills home of her mother, Mrs. Fay Collingwood, of Garden City, Kan. She and Carl have taken a small apartment near Warner Brothers, where Carl is playing a 90-year-old Indian in 'Track of the Cat.' And Carl, a professional hunter between pictures, has agreed to get rid of his three dogs."
On July 18th, The Wichita Sunday Eagle (KS) reported the following: "Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, professional guide and hunter when he isn't acting, took at least five years off Bob Mitchum's life on 'The Track of the Cat' location one night last week when he caught a raccoon alive and tossed it into the star's cabin on Mt. Rainier. Unable to see the animal in the dark, and remembering warning signs about hungry bears, Mitchum departed hurriedly through the door - with the startled 'coon only seconds behind him."
On July 19th, Harrison Carroll shared the following tidbit in his syndicated column: "Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer was spending too much time on the phone with his newly-reconciled bride, Dian Collingwood, so director Bill Wellman handcuffed him to an iron stove on the set of 'Track of the Cat.' "
On July 27th, the Los Angeles Times reported the following: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer is rated so good in his portrayal of Joe Sam, the 102-year-old character, in 'Track of the Cat' that he has been put under term contract by the Batjac organization."
On August 12th, Erskine Johnson reported the following in his syndicated column: "The bad luck that dogs the footsteps of former kiddie stars has lost the scent in the case of Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, the freckled-faced, toothy-grinned kid of the Our Gang comedies. With a minor role in 'The High and the Mighty' and a bigger one - an ancient Indian in 'Track of the Cat,' he's rubbing his eyes about film emoting again and wondering what happened. 'I look just like I did when I was a kid,' he says. 'It's hard for a child actor to start working again. I've never played a part over 19. I'm always a teen-ager and there haven't been many jobs until recently.' For the last seven years, Carl's been a bear hunting guide in Sonora County and up around Mount Shasta. He has 18 hound dogs and a couple of movie star customers, Roy Rogers (who got two bears last year) and Henry Fonda. Says the one-time kid star of his newest role: 'I'll see how this turns out. If this doesn't do it for me, nothing will. I go all the way through the picture.' "
On August 14th, the North American Newspaper Alliance reported the following: "Remember Carl ('Alfalfa') Switzer, one of the most comical members of the popular 'our gang' comics? You'd never guess his identity today. Alfalfa's playing a 100-year-old Indian in Warner's 'Track of the Cat.' Peeling off the rubber aging patches from his wrinkled face, neck and hands, Alfalfa sat down to reminisce about his days as a kid star. 'I still see some of the old gang,' he said. 'Spanky McFarland is now working at the curb hot-dog stand in Hollywood. Tommy Boyd, that surly little fellow with the butch haircut, is a prop man at CBS-TV and Darla hood is married and dabbling around in television. Scotty Beckett, I haven't seen for sometime. He's in jail.' Alfalfa got his start in TV via Roy and Dale Rogers when he appeared in some of their shorts. They became such good friends that he moved in and lived in their home for two years."
On August 18th, Harrison Carroll reported the following in his syndicated column: "The reconciliation is working out fine for Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer and his bride, Kansas City heiress Dian Collingwood. The pair, who eloped, separated and went back together, now are expecting a baby in the spring."
On August 19th, the United Press reported the following: "Visitors at the Warners' set of 'Track of the Cat' are getting quite a thrill these days. The 'corpse' of a 100-year-old Indian which apparently is lying in a rough wooden casket suddenly springs to life with an ear-shattering warwhoop. It's Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer in the role of Indian Joe Sam."
On September 11th, The Charlotte News (NC) reported the following: "Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, the 26-year-old former member of the 'Our Gang' comedies who just finished a role as a 100-year-old Indian in 'Track of the Cat,' for Warners, declared he is eternally grateful to director William A. Wellman for giving him a chance to do character parts. 'It is a chance and a challenge,' he says, 'but there is one slight drawback. Just how often are there calls for guys who can play 100-year-old Indians?' "
On September 21st, Hedda Hopper reported the following: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, one of the original 'Our Gang' comedy kids, is recuperating from an emergency appendectomy in the Temple Hospital. Taken from his home when his appendix burst, he was operated on at 6:30 p.m. Sunday (the 19th). Surgery was successful and he is due to be released by Thursday (the 23rd). When I talked with him in the hospital Switzer said he was very fortunate the attack did not occur while he was on a hunting trip near Mt. Shasta only a few days ago. He complained of severe pains during the trip but was determined to get himself a bear and refused to come home. He bagged three animals but in the process lost one of his prize $500 hunting dogs. Because of his pain he was unable to stick with the dogs and one of them got tangled up with a bear. Under contract to John Wayne and Bob Fellows, the actor just finished playing a 65-year-old Indian in 'Track of the Cat' at Warners and is all set for parts in two more Wayne-Fellows productions."
On October 2nd, the Los Angeles Times reported the following: "Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer, one-time film juvenile, was named defendant yesterday in a divorce suit filed in Superior Court by his bride of four months, Mrs. Diane Collingwood Switzer, Kansas heiress. Mrs. Switzer charged cruelty and asked the court to restrain Switzer, now a professional bear hunter, from disposing of community property pending trial. She also requested the return of separate property of hers she contends he converted to his own use. They were wed in Las Vegas, Nev., last May 22 and parted Sep. 9."
On October 8th, Ed Reardon reported the following in his syndicated column: "Warner Bros. tested a 77-year-old Indian to portray 'Joe Sam,' the 100-year-old Piute in 'Track of the Cat,' but gave the role to non-Indian Carl Switzer, 26. Switzer (a) acted better than the Indian and (b) and (c) looked older than the Indian and just as much like an Indian, as a result of startling makeup that took two hours every day to apply."
On October 14th, Harrison Carroll reported the following in his syndicated column: "The battling Carl Switzers have reconciled again. Mrs. Switzer, the former Dian Collingwood, says she is withdrawing the divorce suit. Unfortunately, however, she has lost the baby that was expected in the spring."
On October 21st, The Charlotte News (NC) reported the following: "It's a long hop from the freckles of the teens to the wrinkles of 100 but Carl Switzer made the jump in just 20 years. You remember Carl in the Our Gang Comedies. He was the grinning kid with the tooth knocked out, with a wisp of hair standing up like a candle wick. Only no one called him Carl. He was just plain Alfalfa. Audiences loved him, but he outgrew his kid roles and stretched his gangling frame into the awkward stage. That's when Hollywood closed the door on him and the bewildered kid turned to other things. That was 20 years ago. Now he runs a hunting lodge 'way up in the mountains.
"The other day Bill Wellman, who's directing 'Track of the Cat,' called him and offered him a part in the picture. 'I practically fell off a bear I'd just shot,' said Switzer. 'Wellman said he wanted me to play a 100-year-old man.' That's a pretty tough pill for a former child star to swallow. Just 20 years after he's tossed out on his beard, he's back playing old men. At this rate he'll age himself right out of pictures before he's had time to establish himself. Switzer hasn't been a complete stranger to the movie lots since being washed out of his kid parts. Wellman worked him in 'Island in the Sky' and 'High and the Mighty.' 'They were my first grown up parts,' he said. 'And after them I didn't get a nibble. So I went back to my bear lodge. Now this...'
"He was pretty dubious about the job, but decided to tackle it anyway. He turned his lodge over to an 86-year-old Indian, the same who taught him the living graces of the aged, how to walk, sit, stand, gesture. Switzer is working with Robert Mitchum, Teresa Wright, Diana Lynn, Beulah Bondi and a handful of others. He's a long way from being the star, but - 'It's a key part,' he says. 'I'm the character who brings the cat to this family - the cat that every man must carry on his back and lick, if he is to be a man.'
"After this role, Switzer hopes maybe he can shed a few years and grow old gracefully in the movies. But he still wants to play character roles. 'I'm not the young romantic type,' he admits. 'I want to play the characters and if I come off well in this picture I think it will prove I can. But I hope I am through with this centenarian type makeup. It takes three hours to put on each morning and more than an hour to take off each night.' "
On October 24th, the Portland Sunday Telegram (ME) reported the following: "Between-scenes recreation proved rewarding during the filming of 'Track of the Cat' on Mt. Rainier in Washington. Carl Switzer, a member of the cast who is also a professional hunter and guide, took Director William A. Wellman, Robert Mitchum and Tab Hunter on a bear hunt. The bag (by Wellman): one brown grizzly, weighing 750 pounds."
Also on October 24th, the Rocky Mount Sunday Telegram (NC) reported the following: "Carl Switzer is not only a professional hunter and guide between pictures, but Carl makes his own gun stocks, bores his barrels and repairs his own guns and the guns of his clients."
On November 22nd, Jimmie Fidler shared the following in his syndicated column: "Now it is Bob Mitchum who has returned from a hunting trip in Wyoming. The only trophy he carried was a new rifle for his friend Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer."
On December 5th, The Ogden Standard-Examiner (UT) shared the following tidbit: "Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer moved into a new Hollywood apartment and ordered two trunksful of books to fill up the shelves."

The High And The Mighty (small part: Ensign Keim): prem. May 27, 1954 - Wayne-Fellows/Warner Bros. - 147 min. - WarnerColor - feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Starring John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Laraine Day, Robert Stack, Jan Sterling, Phil Harris, Robert Newton and David Brian. Filmed around late 1953. ©July 3, 1954. Released July 3, 1954. Released in CinemaScope and 4-Track Stereo.
White Christmas (role: Bennie Haynes): prem. Oct. 14, 1954 - Paramount - 13 reels - Technicolor - feature; Starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. ©Oct. 14, 1954. Released in VistaVision.
This Is My Love (role: customer): prem. Nov. 3, 1954 - Dowling/RKO - 91 min. - Pathécolor - feature; Starring Linda Darnell, Rick Jason, Dan Duryea, and Faith Domergue. ©Oct. 24, 1954. Released Dec. 9, 1954. Working titles: Night Music, Night Without End and People Like Us.
Track Of The Cat (supporting role: Joe Sam): Nov. 12, 1954 - Wayne-Fellows/Warner Bros. - 102 min. - WarnerColor - Robert Mitchum & Teresa Wright feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Filmed in mid-1954. ©Nov. 27, 1954. Released in CinemaScope and 4-Track Stereo. Working title: Drum Beat. According to Carl's niece, Shirlee, this was his favorite film role.
The George Burns And Gracie Allen Show episode: George Gets Call From Unknown Victor (small part: Victor the delivery boy): Dec. 13, 1954 - McCadden/CBS - 30 min. - TV episode; Credited as Carl Switzer.
The Donald O'Connor Show episode (guest appearance): Dec. 25, 1954 - O'Connor/NBC - 30 min. - TV episode; Credited as Carl Switzer.

1955

In addition to big-game hunting and the occasional film role, Carl also made ends meet during this period by tending bar at The Wolfe's Den in Studio City.
With the debut of The Little Rascals on television, Alfalfa became a star to a whole new generation of kids. One of these was his niece, Shirlee (the daughter of older sister Janice), who was a big fan of the show. The only time she missed watching it was when Uncle Alfie was at the house. As he told her, "I don't want you watching that. I look silly and I sound silly." This according to an article she did for News-Pilot in San Pedro, CA.
During this year, Carl took part in an Our Gang reunion for TV Guide, which was the subject of an article in the May 14th to 20th issue, complete with photos. The article states that Carl was a hunting and fishing guide, and also tended bar.
On September 15th, Mike Connolly reported the following: "Spanky Productions, Inc., has been set up here to merchandise products tied in with TV's 'Little Rascals,' formerly 'Our Gang.' Merchandising rights have been secured from such former 'Gangsters' as Spanky McFarland, Alfalfa Switzer, Darla Hood, Buckwheat Thomas..." The kids never saw each other while all of this was going on. The event reported in this article probably took place a couple of months earlier. According to the Associated Press on September 23rd: "Alfalfa had become a bear hunting guide in Northern California, then returned to Hollywood for a couple of roles. He married and retired to a farm in Kansas. Schlank located him there through a casting director who knew him."
A press photo from September 20th carried a caption that partially read: "(Mel) Schlank hopes the name 'Little Rascals' soon will be on comic books, clothes, puppets and toys." Elsewhere, dolls and coloring books were added to the list of items to be sold. Contracts with two major companies were signed.
Shortly after this, Spanky Products went out of business. Another group with the rights to the Little Rascals name went to the same companies and offered a better deal.

The Roy Rogers Show episode: Dead End Trail (role: Timmy Horton): Feb. 20, 1955 - Rogers/NBC - 30 min. - TV episode; Credited as Alfalfa Switzer.
The Roy Rogers Show episode: Quick Draw (role: Dunc Wright): Mar. 20, 1955 - Rogers/NBC - 30 min. - TV episode; Credited as Alfalfa Switzer.
Lux Video Theatre episode: Eight Iron Men (role: mailer): May 12, 1955 - Thompson/NBC - 60 min. - TV episode
Not As A Stranger (bit part: expectant father): prem. June 28, 1955 - Kramer/UA - 135 min. - feature; Starring Olivia de Havilland, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Grahame, Broderick Crawford and Charles Bickford. ©June 29, 1955. Released July 1955.
Francis In The Navy (bit part: timekeeper): prem. Aug. 5, 1955 - Universal-International - 80 min. - Francis the Talking Mule feature; Starring Donald O'Connor and Martha Hyer. ©May 10, 1955. Released Aug. 24, 1955.
Science Fiction Theatre episode: The Negative Man (small part: Pete): Sep. 6, 1955 - ZIV - 30 min. - color - TV episode; Credited as Carl Switzer. Released to syndication. Filmed in mid-1955. IMDb lists the release date as Sep. 10, but I've found a TV listing in Los Angeles for the 6th.
The Roy Rogers Show episode: And Sudden Death (role: Mike Moore): Oct. 9, 1955 - Rogers/NBC - 30 min. - TV episode; Credited as Alfy Switzer.
Dig That Uranium (small part: Shifty Robinson): Dec. 25, 1955 - Allied Artists - 61 min. - The Bowery Boys feature; Starring Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall. ©Nov. 21, 1955.

1956

On April 25th of this year, Carl made a personal appearance on the opening night of the Kansas Sports, Boat and Travel show put on by The Wichita Eagle, distributing photos of himself to the children in attendance.
On April 26th, The Wichita Eagle (KS) reported the following: "Wichitans from 50 to 5 years of age turned out to see Alfalfa at The Wichita Eagle sponsored Kansas Sports, Boat and Travel Show Wednesday night (the 25th) at the Forum. The 50-year-olds remembered Alfalfa as the lovable freckled face kid who appeared in Our Gang Comedies in the movies about 20 years ago. 'He still has all those freckles,' remarked one oldster at the personal appearance of Alfalfa, now 29. 'Wonder if he still has that lock of hair in back,' mused another. 'He used to call it his personality.' Their grandchildren look at Alfalfa as a current television personality, for films of the old Our Gang Comedies are being released in the 'Little Rascals' series. 'We have lunch with them every day,' remarked some 8-year-olds.
"Alfalfa at present is a Kansas farmer raising alfalfa among other crops at his Pretty Prairie farm. He is Carl Switzer, who currently sounds like a Kansas farmer as he discusses his wheat, maize and alfalfa crops. 'In that dust storm about a month ago,' he remarked, 'I lost about 80 acres of wheat - it just blew away.' But the wheat fields haven't lured Switzer away from Hollywood, where he has been appearing in films for 23 years. He returned last Friday from Hollywood after discussing his next film, 'Stairway to the Stars.' Switzer said he will play the comedy lead in this production, which is scheduled to begin about September. In the meantime, he expects to stay around his farm.
"The comedy star also owns an interest in a Hutchinson sporting goods store and is exhibiting merchandise at the current show in the Forum. He expects to remain at the show Thursday and Friday night before going to Kansas City, Mo., for a personal TV appearance. Alfalfa has managed to keep in contact with several of the Our Gang stars, who played together for seven years. 'I just saw Spanky last week,' he related. 'He runs a service station and has started in acting again.' Darla, the little blonde sweetheart of Our Gang, has been singing in Las Vegas, Nev., he added. Alfalfa has played a variety of parts in some of his more recent pictures. He was a co-pilot in 'The High and the Mighty' and in 'Island in the Sun' and played the part of a 100-year-old Indian in 'Track of the Cat.'
"Switzer's farming experience marks his first visit to Kansas. He came to the state because his wife, Dian Collingwood, is a Kansan, the daughter of Mrs. Faye Collingwood, of Hutchinson. The couple was married two years ago. They are the parents of a 3½-month-old son, Justin Lance, whose godparents are Dale Evans and Roy Rogers of movie fame. Although Justin Lance isn't aware of his future now, his father has decided that his son should be a wheat farmer instead of a movie star. 'None of that for him,' Alfalfa grinned, still showing every one of the freckles that had made him famous as a boy."
Apparently, "Stairway To The Stars" didn't pan out for Carl. The sporting goods store in Hutchinson may have actually been in Cunningham, which also had a sporting goods store with which he was affiliated in 1957. Or maybe he had an interest in two stores.
During this year, Dell Publishing debuted a new comic book called The Little Rascals, which continued until 1962. Included in the cast of characters was Alfalfa.
On August 11th and 12th, Carl made a personal appearance at Kiddieland Park. As The Wichita Eagle reported, 'He will entertain children, give autographed photos of himself and join youngsters in the many rides at Kiddieland."

Between Heaven And Hell (role: Savage): prem. Oct. 11, 1956 - 20th Century-Fox - 93 min. - DeLuxe - feature; Starring Robert Wagner, Terry Moore and Broderick Crawford. Filmed in mid-1956. ©Oct. 10, 1956. Released in CinemaScope and 4-Track Stereo. Working title: The Day The Century Ended.

1957

On April 12th of this year, The Ottawa Herald (KS) reported the following: "A movie star of years gone by has accepted an invitation to attend the grand opening of the new Pepsi-Cola plant in Ottawa. He is Carl Switzer, Hutchinson, the 'Alfalfa' of the Our Gang comedies. Switzer will be accompanied to the open house by Willis Shaffer, former Ottawa theater operator. They will join a gala assembly of entertainers headlined by Hollywood movie star Joan Crawford..."
On April 30th, Spanky and Alfalfa were reunited for an appearance on Ollie Henry's local Little Rascals show on KAKE-TV in Wichita, KS. Alfalfa was, at the time, living on a farm near Wichita, and Spanky was coming through town on his latest tour, so Alfalfa rang him up and the two of them had lunch together. Whether this happened the same day as the TV appearance isn't clear.
On September 19th, the Garden City Telegram (KS) reported that Dianna Collingwood had filed for divorce from Carl Switzer, charging cruelty and gross neglect. Dian soon remarried and their son didn't realize who his father was until he came of age.
On September 28th, Carl put in an appearance at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque.
On October 3rd, the Albuquerque Journal reported the following about the previous night's activities at the State Fair Rodeo: "Alfalfa Switzer, star of motion pictures, made a surprise visit to the arena and ended up in one of the clown's barrels. One of the bulls did not follow the script and Switzer took a rather bad spill but was not injured."

Motorcycle Gang (supporting role: Speed): Oct. 22, 1957 - Golden State/AIP - 78 min. - feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Also starring Anne Neyland, Steven Terrell, and John Ashley. Filmed around Aug. 1957. ©Oct. 10, 1957.

1958

By the end of January of this year, the now-divorced Carl was back in California working as a hunting guide again. He also went back to working at the Wolfe's Den.
In October, Carl's employment at the Wolfe's Den came to an end.

The Defiant Ones (small part: Angus): prem. June 29, 1958 - Curtleigh-Lomitas/UA - 97 min. - Tony Curtis & Sidney Poitier feature; Credited as Carl Switzer. Filmed Mar. to Apr. 1958. ©Aug. 13, 1958. Released Sep. 27, 1958.

1959

At the time of his death on January 21st of this year, Carl was living in Van Nuys.
On February 15th, United Press International published an article about Spanky, who talked about the difficulties child actors have in continuing a career in films, and how the studios had no use for them in later life. He had this to say about Alfalfa: "Carl could have used a few favors. I went through several years of confusion until I realized what a brick wall I was faced with. I'm not saying that I was smarter than Carl in that I started over again. I'm saying that possibly his confusion was greater than mine."

Little Rascals Varieties (archival): May 5, 1959 - Allied Artists - 63 min. - compilation feature

1960

On May 1st of this year, Carl's father, George Frederick Switzer, died at the age of 55.

1962

On October 30th of this year, an episode of "The Jack Benny Program" called "The Story Of My Gang Comedy" was aired. This involved the regular cast, plus Darla Hood, impersonating the Our Gang kids, with Jack himself in the role of Alfalfa.

1967

As the Times-Advocate of Escondido, CA, explained in a Sep. 1, 1985 article: "Mrs. Doerr (Alfalfa's mother) suffered a third tragedy when her son Harold, who had also played in the Our Gang films, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Harold had been suffering from a painful brain tumor. 'He'd say, "Oh, my head is on fire," ' Mrs. Doerr recalled. 'He went berserk and shot himself,' she said." This differs from what Maltin & Bann learned from Harold's daughter. According to her, Harold had some kind of dispute with another man and murdered him. He then entered a remote area of Inglewood and shot himself.

1971

During this year, a book called Those Endearing Young Charms by Marc Best was published. One of its entries is devoted to Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer.

1976

During this year, a book called Great Child Stars by James Robert Parish was published. One of the entries focused on Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer.

1977

During this year, two pilots were made for "The Little Rascals," aka "Norman Lear's New Little Rascals." They were never picked up. Included in the cast of characters was Alfalfa.

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 "Beginner's Luck," "Sprucin' Up," "The Lucky Corner," "Little Papa," "Our Gang Follies Of 1936," "Divot Diggers," "The Pinch Singer," "Second Childhood," "Bored Of Education," "Two Too Young," "Spooky Hooky," "Reunion In Rhythm," "Hearts Are Thumps," "Rushin' Ballet," "Roamin' Holiday," "Fishy Tales," "Framing Youth," "Mail And Female," "Our Gang Follies Of 1938," "Bear Facts," "Three Men In A Tub," "Came The Brawn" and "Feed 'Em And Weep."

1979

On December 3rd of this year, an animated TV special called "The Little Rascals' Christmas Special" debuted. Included in the cast of characters was Alfalfa, voiced by Jimmy Gatherum.

1980

On January 20th of this year, the Newspaper Enterprise Association published the latest in their Hollywood Questions series. One of the questions had to do with an evanlegist from Berkeley named Hubert Lindsey claiming to be Alfalfa and signing autographs. This wasn't the only Alfalfa imposter over the years, but because of the news coverage following his 1959 death, it was relatively rare for people to claim to be him.
During this year, several PSAs were made for television using the animated characters from the previous year's Christmas special, including Alfalfa.

1982

On September 5th of this year, an animated TV series called "The Little Rascals" made its debut, and continued for roughly one year. Alfalfa was voiced by Julie McWhirter Dees.
On November 13th, "Saturday Night Live" aired the latest of their Buckwheat sketches featuring Eddie Murphy. This one involved a Little Rascals reunion, complete with guest host Robert Blake. Mary Gross impersonated Alfalfa, who was currently doing an act in Vegas.

Hollywood's Children (archival): Feb. 24, 1982 - Wombat/Janson - 60 min. - TV documentary; Includes footage from "Divot Diggers."
Hollywood: The Gift Of Laughter (archival): May 16, 1982 - Wolper/Haley/MPA/ABC - 135 min. - TV movie; Includes footage from "Hearts Are Thumps" and "The Big Premiere."
Henry Fonda: The Man And His Movies (archival): 1982 - RKO-Nederlander - 60 min. - TV documentary; Includes footage from "On Our Merry Way."

1983

On March 13th of this year, "Saturday Night Live" aired the "Death Of Buckwheat" sketch, with Mary Gross again impersonating Alfalfa.
On April 9th, Mary Gross again impersonated Alfalfa on "Saturday Night Live," in a sketch lampooning the National Enquirer.
On October 22nd, "Saturday Night Live" aired a sketch called "The Village Of The Damned Little Rascals," with Mary Gross again impersonating Alfalfa.

1984

On January 14th of this year, "Saturday Night Live" aired a sketch in which two publishers try to force Alfalfa, impersonated again by Mary Gross, into writing a tell-all book.
During this year, TV ads for Jell-O Gelatin Pops began to be aired, featuring a group of kids playing the Little Rascals. Among them was Alfalfa, played by Seth Green.
On November 17th, "Saturday Night Live" aired a sketch in which Julio Iglesias, played by Gary Kroeger, does a series of duets with other celebrities, including Alfalfa, who is again impersonated by Mary Gross.
On December 14th, "Saturday Night Live" aired a sketch in which it turns out that Buckwheat has been alive all along. He had been in hiding because he'd heard that somebody wanted to kill him. This turned out to be Alfalfa, again impersonated by Mary Gross.

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (archival): May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary; Includes footage from "Teacher's Beau," "Sprucin' Up," "The Lucky Corner," "Little Sinner," "Our Gang Follies Of 1936," "The Pinch Singer," "Second Childhood," "Bored Of Education," "Two Too Young," "Spooky Hooky," "Reunion In Rhythm," "Glove Taps," "Hearts Are Thumps," "Rushin' Ballet," "Night 'N' Gales," "Framing Youth," "The Pigskin Palooka," "Canned Fishing," "Three Men In A Tub," "The Little Ranger," "Aladdin's Lantern," "Alfalfa's Aunt," "The Big Premiere" and "Kiddie Kure."
Alfalfa Lives! An Our Gang Spectacular (archival): May 13, 1984 - 120 min. - TV special
Going Hollywood: The '30s (archival): 1984 - Castle Hill - 76 min. - TV documentary

1986

Classic Comedy Teams (archival): 1986 - Bergamn-Harris/Movietime/GoodTimes - 108 min. - video; Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1938."

1987

During this year, a stage musical called "The Little Rascals" made its debut. Alfalfa was played by Kevin Reid Joseph.

1988

Hollywood Scandals And Tragedies (archival): 1988 - Gorgon - 87 min. - video documentary; Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1938" and "The Roy Rogers Show" episode "Shoot To Kill."
Samsung advertisement (archival): 1988 - 30 sec. - TV advertisement; Includes footage from "The Pinch Singer."

1990

When The Applause Died (archival): May 6, 1990 - Golden West/Rentertainment/Simitar - 87 min. - video documentary

1993

The Joan Rivers Show episode (use of photo): Feb. 23, 1993 - PGHM/Tribune - 60 min. - TV episode; Syndicated program.

1994

On April 16th of this year, an episode of the animated TV series "Duckman" called "Ride The High School" was aired. In it, Duckman encounters two gangs, one of which is the Jets from "West Side Story," and the other of which is Our Gang, with Alfalfa among them.
On August 5th, a feature film called "The Little Rascals" was released. Alfalfa was played by Bug Hall.

Hal Roach: Hollywood's King Of Laughter (appearance/archival): Apr. 7, 1994 - RHI/Disney Channel - 49 min. - TV documentary; Includes footage from "Divot Diggers," "Hearts Are Thumps" and "Our Gang Follies Of 1938."
The Our Gang Story (archival): 1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary; Includes footage from "Beginner's Luck," "Our Gang Follies Of 1936," "Fox Movietone News," "General Spanky," "Reunion In Rhythm," both "News Of The Day" clips, "Our Gang Follies Of 1938," "Waldo's Last Stand," "The Singing Lesson," "Reg'lar Fellers," "Going My Way," "It's A Wonderful Life," "The Gas House Kids In Hollywood" and "The Roy Rogers Show."

1995

On September 24th of this year, an episode of "The Simpsons" called "Radioactive Man" was first aired. Within it was a brief parody of The Little Rascals in which Moe the bartender, as a child, played the character Smelly. When Alfalfa steals his bit, Moe kills him.

1999

E! Mysteries & Scandals episode: Alfalfa And The Gang (archival): Jan. 4, 1999 - E! Entertainment - 30 min. - TV episode
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."

2002

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."
8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (archival): Mar. 10, 2002 - Margolis-SAG/TNT - 120 min. - TV special
E! True Hollywood Story episode: Curse Of The Little Rascals (archival): Nov. 24, 2002 - E! Entertainment Television - 60 min. - TV documentary

2003

Biography episode: Elizabeth Taylor: Facets (archival): Mar. 16, 2003 - A&E - 60 min. - TV episode
Murders Of Hollywood (use of photos): May 27, 2003 - Farmhouse/Delta - 60 min. - video documentary; A segment of this documentary focuses on Alfalfa's death.

2014

During this year, a feature film called "The Little Rascals Save The Day" was released. Alfalfa was played by River Alexander.

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 "Sprucin' Up," "Pay As You Exit," "Our Gang Follies Of 1938" and the "News Of The Day" clip showing Vittorio Mussolini.

2024

On November 5th of this year, Alfalfa - The Rascal You Knew, The Character You Never Knew by James Tehrani was first published.

Alfalfa Switzer's payroll history

The following is a list of some of Alfalfa'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.

Feb. 23, 1935 - 22.50 charged to prod. G28 (Beginner's Luck)
Alfalfa, starting off as a day player, was given $7.50 checks on Feb. 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
Mar. 2, 1935 - 15.00 charged to prod. G28
Alfalfa was given $7.50 checks on Feb. 25th and 26th.

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

Mar. 16, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G29 (Teacher's Beau)
At this point, Alfalfa was under longterm contract, which seems to have taken effect on March 10th.
Mar. 23, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G29
Mar. 30, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G29
Apr. 6, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G30 (Sprucin' Up)
Apr. 13, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G30
Apr. 20, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. C31 (Southern Exposure)
Apr. 27, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G30
May 4, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G31 (The Lucky Corner)
May 11, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G30
May 18, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G31
May 25, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G31
June 1, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G32 (Little Papa)
June 8, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G32
June 15, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G32
June 22, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G32
June 29, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G32
July 6, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G33 (Little Sinner)
July 13, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G33
July 20, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G33
July 27, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G33
Aug. 3, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G33
Aug. 10, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G33
Aug. 17, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G34 (Our Gang Follies Of 1936)
Aug. 24, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G34
Aug. 31, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G34
Sep. 7, 1935 - 50.00 charged to prod. G34
A note in the payroll ledger mentions that Alfalfa's salary would be raised to $75 a week on September 11th.
Sep. 14, 1935 - 66.67 charged to prod. G34
This amount reflects the raise that took place on September 11th.
Sep. 21, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G34
Sep. 28, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G34
Oct. 5, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G34
Oct. 12, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G34
Oct. 19, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G35 (Divot Diggers)
Oct. 26, 1935 - 75.00 charged to prod. G35
Nov. 2, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G35
Nov. 9, 1935 - 75.00 charged to prod. F9 (Three On A Bench)
Nov. 16, 1935 - 75.00 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 - 75.00 charged to prod. G35
Nov. 30, 1935 - 75.00 charged to prod. G35
Dec. 7, 1935 - 25.00 charged to prod. G35
Dec. 14, 1935 - 75.00 charged to prod. G36 (The Pinch Singer)
Dec. 21, 1935 - 75.00 - 37.50 charged to prod. G35, 37.50 charged to prod. G36
Dec. 28, 1935 - 25.00 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 - 75.00 charged to prod. G38 (Arbor Day)
Feb. 22, 1936 - 50.00 charged to prod. A38
This was probably a clerical error, as it would have been easy to mix up G38 with A38.
Feb. 29, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Mar. 7, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Mar. 14, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Mar. 21, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. G38
Mar. 28, 1936 - 100.00 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 - 25.00 charged to Gang Tour
Apr. 11, 1936 - 100.00 charged to Gang Tour
Apr. 18, 1936 - 100.00 charged to Gang Tour
Apr. 25, 1936 - 100.00 charged to Gang Tour
May 2, 1936 - 100.00 charged to Gang Tour
May 9, 1936 - 100.00 charged to Gang Tour
May 16, 1936 - 25.00 charged to Gang Tour
May 23, 1936 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
May 30, 1936 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
June 6, 1936 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
June 13, 1936 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
June 20, 1936 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
June 27, 1936 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
July 4, 1936 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
July 11, 1936 - 100.00 charged to prod. K1 (Bored Of Education)
July 18, 1936 - 100.00 charged to prod. K1
July 25, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. F12 (General Spanky)
Aug. 1, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. K2 (Two Too Young)
Aug. 8, 1936 - 100.00 charged to prod. K2
Aug. 15, 1936 - 100.00 charged to prod. F12
Aug. 22, 1936 - 100.00 charged to prod. F12
Aug. 29, 1936 - 100.00 charged to prod. F12
Sep. 5, 1936 - 100.00 charged to prod. F12
Sep. 12, 1936 - 100.00 charged to prod. K2
Sep. 19, 1936 - 133.33 charged to prod. F12
A note in the ledger says "start last week," indicating that Alfalfa had gotten a raise the previous week, but it hadn't been reflected in his paycheck. This indicates that his raise took place on September 11th.
Sep. 26, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. K2
A note in the ledger states that Alfalfa's salary is now $125 a week.
Oct. 3, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. K3 (Pay As You Exit)
Oct. 10, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. K3
Oct. 17, 1936 - 125.00 charged to prod. K3
Oct. 24, 1936 - 125.00 charged to prod. K3
Oct. 31, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. K3
Nov. 7, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. K4 (Spooky Hooky)
Nov. 14, 1936 - 125.00 charged to prod. K4
Nov. 21, 1936 - 125.00 charged to prod. K4
Nov. 28, 1936 - 125.00 charged to prod. K4
Dec. 5, 1936 - 25.00 charged to prod. K4
Dec. 12, 1936 - 125.00 charged to prod. K5 (Reunion In Rhythm)
Dec. 19, 1936 - 125.00 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.