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"Alfalfaddendum" is the section
of our site in which we try to explode the myth that Alfalfa could
not get any acting roles after the Little Rascals.
When we began research on Alfalfa's grownup career, we didn't know
exactly what to expect. Like many film fans, our main point of reference
for Alfalfa's grownup career was his role in "It's a Wonderful
Life": Alfalfa was the one who pushed the button that opened
up the gymnasium floor and exposed the large swimming pool, into
which fell most of the assembled dance attendees. He was goaded
into doing this by his buddy, after his attempts at impressing Donna
Reed were aborted the minute Jimmy Stewart showed up.
Beyond
this, we weren't sure how many roles he really had as a grownup.
Thanks in large part to the resources of the Internet Movie Database
(IMDb), we were able to identify over fifty non-Rascals roles, which
is about forty-nine more than many film fans—even Little Rascals
afficionados— thought Alfalfa could claim. Some Alfalfa films
were easier to find than others, and many that we were able
to find are in poor condition. There are a handful of films that
we still haven't been able to track down, and these are noted below.
We are requesting the help of Alfalfanatics everywhere in locating
these missing films; if you have a screening copy (preferably VHS
format), or know of where we can obtain one, please contact us at
the link on this page and throughout 4alfalfa.com. Our goal is to
provide a complete filmographic compendium of Alfalfa's grownup
and non-Rascals film work. As long as there are gaps in this filmography,
our mission can't be considered complete.
Another
source of worry concerned the type of roles Alfalfa took as a grownup.
We had visions of him playing adult-sized versions of "Alfalfa
from the Little Rascals", in desperate attempts to exploit
his childhood fame. To be sure, Alfalfa took on his share of sophomoric
roles, especially early on in his grownup career. But we were surprised—pleasantly—
to learn that, almost invariably, Alfalfa's grownup career was remarkably
free of references to his Little Rascals persona. For example, in
none of the films we screened were there any references to, or appearances
of, his famous cowlick. And of his forty-six film and TV appearances
following his departure from the Little Rascals, he sang in only
five, of those we have so far been able to locate (a total of thirty-five):
Reg'lar Fellers, Johnny Doughboy, Gas House Kids Go West, Gas House
Kids In Hollywood, and Redwood Forest Trail. And of these five,
only one (Redwood Forest Trail) were filmed later than 1947, when
Alfalfa turned twenty years old.
Darla
Hood was once quoted as saying that Alfalfa was frustrated by film
producers asking him to "sing off-key for us" when he
auditioned for roles. Since he sang in a small fraction of grownup
films, as described above, it is not known how many "off-key
singing" roles he turned down out of hand, and how many straight
non-singing acting roles he won after acceding to the wishes of
these enlightened men of Hollywood during the audition process.
Recent interviews with members of Alfalfa's surviving family have
revealed that Alfalfa was not as desperate to find acting jobs as
legend has it. Instead, he was more interested in purchasing a hunting
lodge in the northern California area. Alfalfa's love of the outdoors
was such that he was known to skip screenings and premieres of some
of the films in which he appeared, to instead go hunting with friends.
One
more general comment about Alfalfa's grownup career has to do with
the actual quality of his performances. Of all we have seen so far,
we can state confidently that not one of them was ever "phoned
in". Alfalfa's performances have absolutely none of the sad,
beaten-down quality that one might expect of a so-called faded child
star. In all of his grownup work— in particular, the much-maligned
"Motorcycle Gang"— Alfalfa's
energy and enthusiasm rises above even the most mediocre of material.
We were also impressed by the fine physical shape in which he kept
himself. In "Motorcycle Gang", he displays a wiry, athletic-looking
frame, not at all like either the 98-pound weakling persona of the
Little Rascals, or the bloated physicality that characterizes many
older child stars over the years.
Finally,
we would love to hear from any 4alfalfa.com visitors and friends
who may have access to additional information on any of Alfalfa's
grownup acting career, no matter how mundane or trivial (all information
must be credible, though). With your help, we can continue to document
the life and career of this amazing performer.
Click on each title
for film data, synopsis, exclusive 4alfalfa.com commentary, and
related images/photos.
Titles
in red indicate that we have not yet
been able to locate a screening copy.
65.
The Defiant Ones (1958)
One of Alfalfa's best roles was also his last. He plays a mostly
silent member of a posse searching for escapees Poitier and Curtis.
Amusing running gag throughout involves loud music blaring from
his transistor radio.
64.
Motorcycle Gang (1957)
Along with the "Gas House" series over ten years previous,
this was Alfalfa's most significant role in terms of screen time.
Standard 50's era "teen" exploitation fare in which thirty-year
old Alfalfa plays harmless food- and girl-crazy cycler. He appears
in almost every scene.
63.
Between Heaven and Hell (1956)
Robert Wagner vehicle that features Alfalfa in a three-second appearance
as a military prisoner.
62.
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Alfalfa plays a slave who is being freed by Moses. He is carrying
his family's cart when he receives news from a midwife that he has
just become a father.
61.
Dig That Uranium (1956)
Bowery Boys vehicle featuring Alfalfa as "Shifty" Robinson,
who dupes the boys into going in for a uranium
mine scheme.
60.
Go For Your Guns (195?)
59. Dead End Trail (1955)
58. Quick Draw (1955)
57. And Sudden Death (1955)
Four appearances Alfalfa made on the Roy Rogers TV show (in addition
to #46, below), recently "discovered" by 4alfalfa.com,
thanks to Alfalfa fan Luis Brown. 4alfalfa
summary coming soon!
56.
Francis In the Navy (1955)
Sixth installment of "Francis the Talking Mule" series,
starring Donald O'Connor, Jim Backus, Martin Milner, David Janssen,
and, in his second film role, Clint Eastwood.
55.
Not As a Stranger (1955)
Blink and you'll miss Alfalfa in this one. He plays a man who reacts
with shock at an unspecified diagnosis given by his doctor.
54.
The Negative Man; episode from Science Fiction Theatre
(1955)
Alfalfa appears in an episode from the critically-acclaimed 50's
TV series. 4alfalfa.com has not been able to locate a screening
copy. Can you help us? If so, please let us know.
53.
White Christmas (1954)
Alfalfa is the subject of a snapshot shown to Bing Crosby during
a break in a cabaret show.
52.
Track of the Cat (1954)
This is undoubtedly Alfalfa's most unusual film appearance. He plays
a taciturn, mysterious 100-year old Indian scout, Joe Sam. Co-stars
with Robert Mitchum, Tab Hunter, William Hopper.
51.
This Is My Love (1954)
Linda Darnell stars in this one about two sisters with guy trouble.
Alfalfa plays a patron at a lunch counter. Jerry ("Beaver Cleaver")
Mathers also makes his first film appearance!
50.
The High and the Mighty (1954)
Alfalfa
appears as co-pilot in this John Wayne air disaster vehicle.
4alfalfa.com summary coming soon!
49.
Island In the Sky (1954)
Nondescript role as a navigator in a squad of search planes looking
for a stranded John Wayne and crew. Alfalfa's tag line throughout
is "Whatever's customary!"
48.
The Kid With the Map;
episode of the Roy Rogers Show (1952)
Alfalfa plays a young man who has one-half of his dead father's
treasure map. His mean stepmother has the other half. Roy Rogers
and Dale Evans help him dodge some bad guys who are after Alfalfa's
half. One of seven appearances on Roy's TV show.
47. Pat Brady,
Outlaw; episode of the Roy Rogers Show (1952)
Alfalfa portrays Elmer Kirby, a young photographer from back east
whose attempts to drum up some business gets him involved with the
Opal gang. One of seven appearances on Roy's TV show.
46.
Ghost Town Gold, episode of the Roy Rogers Show (1952)
Alfalfa role recently discovered by 4alfalfa.com, thanks to Alfalfa
fan Luis Brown. 4alfalfa.com summary coming
soon!
45.
The WAC From Walla Walla (1952)
WAC Judy Canova and raw recruit Alfalfa get
mixed up while both of them are on separate obstacle course missions.
44.
I Dream of Jeannie (1952)
Alfalfa as a clerk in the same office in which soon-to-be songwriter
Stephen Foster works.
43.
Pat and Mike (1952)
Alfalfa plays a busboy who witnesses a melee involving Hepburn,
Tracy, and two tough guys (one of whom is a young Charles Bronson,
still billed as Charles Buchinksi). Later, at police station, he
re-enacts the fight for the local police chief. More than holds
his own in this lively scene with Hepburn, Tracy, Bronson, and Chuck
Connors.
42.
Two Dollar Bettor (1952)
Alfalfa plays supporting role as typical mid-century teenager (he
was actually twenty-five at the time!) who frequents the home of
a respectable banker secretly turned compulsive gambler. Alfalfa's
character is an All-State high school fullback. Hopefully his play
has improved since "Pigskin Palooka". This film also features
Barbara "Leave It To Beaver" Billingsley in a small role.
41.
Here Comes the Groom (1951)
One of two "mystery roles" in Alfalfa's filmography. This
film features Bing Crosby angling to marry Jane Wyman. Alfalfa receives
a credit in IMDb, but we'll be darned if we can spot him. We'll
keep trying...
40.
Cause For Alarm!
(1951)
Alfalfa has a small role as a grease monkey working on a car with
his buddy Tex. He gives directions to a frantic Loretta Young, whose
husband is slowly driving her to a nervous breakdown.
39.
Belle Le Grande (1951)
4alfalfa.com
has not been able to locate a screening copy. Can you help us? If
so, please let us know. Alfalfa
plays a messenger who delivers a telegram to John Carroll.
38.
Redwood Forest Trail (1950)
Alfalfa
co-stars with Rex Allen in this film set in the California forests.
It concerns a kind of western-themed Boys Town compound that needs
the help of Rex and Alfalfa to save it from some bad guys.
The
final time Alfalfa sang in a film appearance (of the films which
we have screened so far).
37.
House by the River
(1950)
Lightning-fast appearance as an office boy working for a successful
accountant.
36.
A Letter to Three Wives (1949)
Alfalfa is a messenger who delivers a telegram. Plays opposite Thelma
Ritter.
35.
Underworld Scandal
(1948)
Another turn as a member of an at-risk youth gang, this time implicated
in stolen furs and murder. Co-stars with Tommy "Butch"
Bond, who plays a deaf mute named (ouch!) "Dum-Dum".
34.
State of the Union
(a.k.a. "The World and His Wife") (1948)
Brief appearance as a bellboy in a scene with Spencer Tracy and
Katherine Hepburn.
33.
On Our Merry Way (a.k.a. "A Miracle Can
Happen") (1948)
Alfalfa turns in a good comic performance as a hep-cat trumpeter
for whom Jimmy Stewart and Henry Fonda try to rig an amateur talent
contest. Substantial screen time with future legends Stewart and
Fonda.
32.
Gas House Kids in Hollywood
(1947)
Silly but harmless comedy-thriller about Alfalfa and pals getting
mixed up with a mad scientist while on a Hollywood pilgrimage to
meet their film hero. Substantial screen time throughout for scene-stealing
Alfalfa, much of it with Tommy "Butch" Bond. Alfalfa sings
"My Old Kentucky Home"; have earplugs at the ready.
31.
Gas House Kids Go West
(1947)
More Gas House shenanigans. They get involved in breaking a car-theft
ring while vacationing on a western-style ranch. Alfalfa sings a
lengthy version of "West of the Pecos".
30.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Along with "Going My Way", this is Alfalfa's most widely-known
post-Rascals role. He plays the suitor that Donna Reed ditches for
Jimmy Stewart, prompting him to throw the switch on a retractable
gymnasium floor that sends Stewart, Reed, and other Lindy-doers
plunging into a swimming pool.
29.
Courage of Lassie (1946)
Alfalfa appears with an adolescent Elizabeth Taylor in a scene that
sees him accidentally shoot a faux Lassie while deer hunting with
his buddy. One of the few times we see Alfalfa in color.
28.
Gas House Kids (1946)
First of the "Gas House" trilogy. Film is surprisingly
effective early on, then evolves into standard chronicle of local
street gang wrongly implicated in a murder. Alfalfa seen in co-starring
role throughout. Answers to the name of Sammy Levine in this one,
but to "Alfie" in the two subsequent Gas House entries.
27.
Man Alive! (1945)
Pat O'Brien vehicle.
4alfalfa.com has not been able to locate a screening copy. Can you
help us? If so, please let us know.
26.
She Wouldn't Say Yes (1945)
Alfalfa
plays a talkative messenger who delivers a lilac arrangement to
Rosalind Russell.
25.
Together Again (1944)
Alfalfa, as an elevator operator, flirts briefly with Irene Dunne.
24.
The Great Mike (1944)
Mild, inoffensive fluff with Alfalfa playing sidekick to a youth
who trains a champion racehorse.
23.
Going My Way (1944)
Alfalfa has a nice role in this Academy Award winner as member of
a group of hooligans that Bing Crosby molds into a boys' choir (imagine,
Alfalfa in a church choir!) Best scene: Getting slapped around by
his pal Stanley Clements when he originally resists joining the
choir.
22.
Rosie the Riveter (1944)
4alfalfa.com has not been able to locate a screening copy. Can you
help us? If so, please let us know.
21.
The Human Comedy (1944)
One of Alfalfa's very best post-Rascals appearances. He has a small
but memorable role as Auggie, the nominal leader of a group of neighborhood
kids who plot to steal some apricots from an elderly neighbor's
yard. A delightful, beautifully-filmed sequence.
20.
Dixie (1943)
Alfalfa has a small role as a local kid who asks someone from Bing
Crosby's street-parading musical comedy revue to play a tune on
his trumpet
19.
Shantytown (1943)
4alfalfa.com has not been able to locate a screening copy. Can you
help us? If so, please let us know.
18.
Johnny Doughboy (1942)
This film features a fascinating "art imitates life" theme.
Alfalfa is a member of the "Twenty-Minus Club", a collection
of former child stars—all playing themselves—who are viewed
as has-beens despite not having reached the age of twenty. Spanky
McFarland also appears as a member of "Twenty-Minus",
marking the final Alfalfa/Spanky teaming ever, as well as Spanky's
next-to-last film role until his cameo appearances on such shows
as "Cheers" in the 1980's. Alfalfa is featured in a 4-part
rendition (including Spanky) of "All Done, All Through",
and does a screeching solo of "All My Life".
17.
Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1942)
4alfalfa.com has not been able to locate a screening copy. Can you
help us? If so, please let us know. Not to be confused with an earlier
version of same story with W.C. Fields.
16.
The War Against Mrs. Hadley (1942)
4alfalfa.com has not been able to locate a screening copy. Can you
help us? If so, please let us know.
15.
There's One Born Every Minute (1942)
Liz Taylor's debut, co-starring with Alfalfa as a pair of siblings.
Comedy involving a family of pudding industrialists who get involved
with local politics.
14.
Henry and Dizzy (1942)
This is one of our favorite Alfalfa post-Rascals appearances. He
plays the bratty son of a conniving boat slip owner. Memorable line:
his taunting, sing-song threat of "My pop's gonna put you in
ja-il !".
13.
My Favorite Blonde (1942)
Alfalfa appears opposite Bob Hope. He plays a young boy who has
a compulsion for spitting bee-bees.
12.
Reg'lar Fellers (1940)
One of Alfalfa's first post-Rascals role. He is a new member of
a neighborhood club (the "Reg'lar Fellers") and gets hazed
throughout—often cruelly—by his more senior club mates.
Will somebody please give him a hug already? The poor kid just wants
to belong. Alfalfa sings "The Last Rose of Summer".
11.
I Love You Again (1940)
Alfalfa co-stars with William Powell as a boy scout desperate to
earn his First-Class Ranger medal, and winds up covered with oil
bubbling up from the bottom of a lake. Mickey Gubitosi (Robert Blake)
plays Alfalfa's smaller fellow scout.
10.
Ice Follies of 1939 (1939)
IMDb and other sources list Alfalfa as having appeared in this film,
but even after two careful viewings, 4alfalfa.com can't spot him
anywhere. One of three films in the official Alfalfa filmography
that seems to not, in fact, include him ("Here Comes the Groom"
and "Pick A Star" are the others.)
9.
Scandal Street (1938)
4alfalfa.com has not been able to locate a screening copy. Can you
help us? If so, please let us know.
8.
General Spanky (1937)
Hal Roach's feature-length Rascals film with Alfalfa, Spanky, and
Buckwheat in the Civil War. Alfalfa sings "Just Before the
Battle, Mother". 4alfalfa.com summary coming soon!
7.
Pick a Star (1937)
One of two "mystery films" in Alfalfa's filmography: We
can't find him anywhere, even though several filmographies credit
him as appearing. One possible reason: His older brother Harold
makes a brief appearance in a crowd scene. Could the Switzers have
been mixed up? Even without Alfalfa, this film has plenty of Hal
Roach players familiar to Little Rascals fans, not the least of
which are Laurel and Hardy.
6.
Wild and Woolly (1937)
Alfalfa stars opposite adolescent Jane Withers in this comedy-adventure
about the goings on in a western-style locale called Mesa City.
Alfalfa sings "When Did You Leave Heaven, Angel?"
5.
Too Many Parents (1936)
Alfalfa ("Cactus Bill") makes brief appearance with his
brother Harold as singers in a musical comedy revue staged by a
boys military academy. They do a song called "White Gardenia".
4.
Easy To Take (1935)
4alfalfa.com has not been able to locate a screening copy. Can you
help us? If so, please let us know.
3.
Life Hesitates at 40
(1935)
Small role with Charley Chase as a youngster enjoying an ice cream
at a carnival soda fountain.
2.
Kelly the Second (1935)
Charley Chase/Patsy Kelly film. Alfalfa plays a Dondi-ish moppet
who runs into Chase's drug store seeking a remedy for having swallowed
twenty-five cents (two dimes and a buffalo nickel.)
1.
Southern Exposure (1935)
This Charley Chase vehicle featured Alfalfa's first non-Rascals
role. He plays a pint-sized telegram messenger, riding on his horse
("Whoa, Jenny!") into a small town in the Deep South.
Very cute sequence.
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