Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
Born	August 7, 1927(1927-08-07) Paris, Illinois
Died	January 21, 1959 (aged 31) Mission Hills, California

Carl Dean "Alfalfa" Switzer (August 7, 1927 – January 21, 1959) was an American child actor, professional dog breeder and expert hunting guide, most notable for appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Edgar County Courthouse in Paris, Illinois Paris is a city in Edgar County, Illinois, 19 miles (31 km) northwest of Terre Haute, Ind. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the community in Los Angeles, see Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The term child actor is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion the latter is also called a former child actor. ... A poster for the 1931 Our Gang comedy Love Business featuring depictions of (from left to right): Pete the Pup, Jackie Cooper, and Norman Chubby Chaney. ... A short film (also short or short subject) is a motion picture that is shorter than the average feature film. ...

Early life and family

Carl was born in Paris, Illinois, the second son, fourth and last child of G. Frederick Switzer and Gladys C. Shanks Switzer (Doerr). He was named Carl after the Switzer family and Dean after many relatives on his grandmother's family. He and his older brother, Harold Frederick Switzer, became famous around their hometown for their musical talent and performances; both sang and played a number of instruments. Edgar County Courthouse in Paris, Illinois Paris is a city in Edgar County, Illinois, 19 miles (31 km) northwest of Terre Haute, Ind. ...

Our Gang, shot to fame

The Switzers took a trip to California in 1934 to see if Carl and Harold could win a part in the Our Gang series. The Switzer brothers entered into the Hal Roach Studio's open-to-the-public cafeteria, the Our Gang Café, and began an impromptu performance. Producer Hal Roach was present at the commissary that day and was impressed by the performance. He signed both Switzers to appear in Our Gang. Harold was given two nicknames, "Slim" and "Deadpan", and Carl was dubbed "Alfalfa." ".^[1] Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Largest metro area Greater Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... A poster for the 1931 Our Gang comedy Love Business featuring depictions of (from left to right): Pete the Pup, Jackie Cooper, and Norman Chubby Chaney. ... Harold Eugene Roach, Sr. ... One of a number of cafeterias at Electronic City campus, Infosys Technologies Ltd. ...

The Switzer brothers first appeared in the 1935 Our Gang short, Beginner's Luck. By the end of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters in the series, while Harold had more or less been relegated to the role of a background player. 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ...

Although Carl Switzer was an experienced singer and musician, his character Alfalfa was often called upon to sing off-key renditions of pop standards and contemporary hits, most often those of Bing Crosby. Alfalfa also sported one of the most famous cowlicks in pop culture history, along with an ahoge. Harry Lillis Bing Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Skuld of Oh My Goddess! with ahoge near the front of the head. ...

Switzer (right) as "Alfalfa" in Our Gang Follies of 1938, with fellow Our Gang characters George "Spanky" McFarland and Darla Hood.

Switzer's country-boy sense of earthy humor could often be cruel. He enjoyed playing tricks on his fellow cast and crew members. One incident occurred when he put fishing hooks in the pants of George "Spanky" McFarland and Spanky suffered severe cuts that resulted in his receiving stitches. Switzer tricked Darla Hood into putting her hand in his pocket, telling her he had a ring for her, but in reality it was a switchblade knife. Darla almost lost her fingers from that incident. After Hal Roach sold the series to Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) in 1938, the now-adolescent Switzer's behavior was even more extreme. He often sabotaged the production of Our Gang films. Once, during a break in filming, Switzer urinated on the set's lights. When filming resumed, the lights heated up and filled the set with such a stench that filming had to be halted for the rest of the day. On another occasion, he put chewing gum inside one of the cameras. ^[2] A screenshot from Our Gang Follies of 1938, a 1937 Our Gang comedy. ... A screenshot from Our Gang Follies of 1938, a 1937 Our Gang comedy. ... A poster for the 1931 Our Gang comedy Love Business featuring depictions of (from left to right): Pete the Pup, Jackie Cooper, and Norman Chubby Chaney. ... George Robert Phillips McFarland (October 2, 1928 – June 30, 1993) was an American actor most famous for his childhood role as Spanky in the depression era childrens comedy movie series Our Gang, also known as the Little Rascals. ... Darla Jean Hood (November 8, 1931 – June 13, 1979) was an American child actress. ... George Robert Phillips McFarland (October 2, 1928 – June 30, 1993) was an American actor most famous for his childhood role as Spanky in the depression era childrens comedy movie series Our Gang, also known as the Little Rascals. ... Darla Jean Hood (November 8, 1931 – June 13, 1979) was an American child actress. ... For alternate meanings of MGM, see MGM (disambiguation). ... MGM logo Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer or MGM, is a large media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of cinema and television programs. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Both Switzers' tenures in Our Gang ended in 1940, when Carl was thirteen. Carl continued to appear in movies in various supporting roles, including I Love You Again (1940), Going My Way (1944), Courage of Lassie (1946), and It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and starred in the John Wayne film Island in the Sky where he coined the phrase "Whatever's customary", about the only line he spoke throughout the film, but one he repeated several times in it. ^[3] Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... I Love You Again is a comedy film released in 1940. ... See also: 1939 in film 1940 1941 in film 1940s in film 1930s in film years in film film // Events February 7 - Walt Disneys animated film Pinocchio is released. ... Going My Way is a 1944 film is a light-hearted comedy about a new young priest (Bing Crosby) taking over a parish from an established old veteran. ... // July 20 - Since You Went Away is released. ... See also: 1945 in film 1946 1947 in film 1940s in film years in film film // Events Top grossing films North America The Bells of St. ... Its a Wonderful Life is a 1946 film produced and directed by Frank Capra and based on the short story, The Greatest Gift written by Philip Van Doren Stern. ... See also: 1945 in film 1946 1947 in film 1940s in film years in film film // Events Top grossing films North America The Bells of St. ... John Wayne (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979) was an iconic, Academy Award-winning, American film actor. ... Island in the Sky is a Donald Duck story written by Carl Barks in March 1960. ...

Switzer's last starring roles were in a brief series of imitation-Bowery Boys movies; he reprised his "Alfalfa" characterization, complete with comically sour vocals, in PRC's "Gas House Kids" comedies of 1946-47. He returned to supporting roles, including a short stint as B-western sidekick "Alfalfa Johnson." Switzer preferred not to recall his "Our Gang" work; in his 1946 resume he referred to the gang films generically as "M-G-M short product." The Bowery Boys were a group of actors who made a series of films released by Monogram Pictures from 1946 through 1958. ...

He also did some acting for television. His final film role was in 1958's The Defiant Ones and on the television series, "The Roy Rogers Show," where he was called upon to reprise his off-key "Alfalfa-like" singing. Switzer's difficult reputation and his typecasting as Alfalfa made it difficult for him to find quality work. // Events February 16- In the Money is released on this date. ... The Defiant Ones is a 1958 film which tells about two escaped prisoners who are shackled together, one white and one black, who must co-operate in order to survive. ...

Switzer had a rather unusual cameo in the 1954 musical film White Christmas where his picture was used to depict an Army buddy (named "Freckle-Faced Haynes") of lead characters (Wallace and Davis) played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye and also the brother of the female leads (the Haynes Sisters) played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Harry Lillis Bing Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... Kaye entertaining U.S. troops at Sasebo, Japan, 25 Oct 1945 David Daniel Kaminsky, known as Danny Kaye (January 18, 1913 – March 3, 1987) was an American actor, singer and comedian. ... Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002) was an American popular singer and actress. ... Vera-Ellen Westmeyer Rohe (February 16, 1921 - 30 August 1981) was an American actress and dancer known best by just her hyphenated first name. ...

Marriage & family

In the early 1950s, Switzer moved to Kansas. He lived and worked on a farm at Pretty Prairie, west of Wichita. There he met and married Diane Collingwood, the heiress of grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain. The marriage only lasted four months, and resulted in a son. ^[4] Official language(s) English[2] Capital Topeka Largest city Wichita Area  Ranked 15th  - Total 82,277 sq mi (213,096 km²)  - Width 211 miles (340 km)  - Length 417 miles (645 km)  - % water 0. ... Pretty Prairie is a city located in Reno County, Kansas. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Kansas County Sedgwick Government  - Mayor Carl Brewer (D) Area  - City 359. ...

Professional dog breeding

While not acting, Switzer bred hunting dogs and led guided hunting expeditions. Some of his more notable clients included Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (Switzer's godparents), and Jimmy Stewart. ^[5] A hunting dog refers to any dog who assists humans in hunting, or whose breed was originally developed to do so. ... Dale Evans & Roy Rogers at the 61st Academy Awards. ... --162. ... Jimmy Stewart, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1934 James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American film actor beloved for his persona as an average guy who faces adversity and tries to do the right thing, an image which was largely reflected in his own...

Death

On January 21, 1959 Switzer arrived at Moses "Bud" Stiltz's home in Mission Hills, California, to settle an alleged debt owed to Switzer. Previously, Switzer had borrowed a dog from Stiltz which was lost, but eventually found, Switzer paying the man who returned the dog $50. Switzer went to Stiltz's house to collect the money "owed" him. He banged on Stiltz's front door, demanding that he let him in, flashing a fake police badge. Once Switzer got inside he and Stiltz got into an argument. Switzer informed Stiltz that he wanted the money he owed him. But when Stiltz refused to hand over the money the two engaged in a physical fight. Switzer bashed Stiltz in the head with a lamp, which caused Stiltz to bleed from his left eye. Stiltz retreated to his bedroom and returned holding a gun, but Switzer immediately grabbed the gun away from Stiltz, which resulted in a shot being fired but neither man being hit. Then Switzer forced Stiltz into a closet, despite Stiltz having gotten his hands back on the gun. Switzer then allegedly pulled out a knife and was attempting to stab Stiltz with it. But just as Switzer was about to charge Stiltz, Stiltz raised the gun and shot Switzer in the chest. Switzer died of intense blood loss while on his way to the hospital. He was 31 years old. is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the community in Los Angeles, see Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California. ... Look up Lamp in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... It has been suggested that Last Call Poker be merged into this article or section. ... Wall closet in a residential house in the U.S. It is common for a mirror to be placed on the inside of a closet door. ... A knife is a sharp-edged (single or double edged) instrument consisting of a thin blade used for cutting and fitted with a handle. ... Look up stab in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Bleeding is the loss of blood from the body. ... For the record label, see Hospital Records. ...

The killing was held to be a justifiable homicide. Switzer had allegedly pulled a knife; therefore, the shooting was judged to be self-defense. During the trial regarding Switzer's death, it was revealed that what was originally reported as a "hunting knife" was in fact a jack knife. It had been found by crime scene investigators under his body, but with no blade exposed. Switzer's death was largely ignored in the media, mainly because director Cecil B. DeMille had died on the same day. The concept of justifiable homicide in criminal law stands on the dividing line between an excuse and an exculpation. ... Self defense refers to actions taken by a person to defend onself, ones property or ones home. ... Bowie knife is a term commonly used in modern times to refer to any large sheath knife. ... A pocket knife is a type of folding knife with a blade that fits inside the handle. ... Cecil Blount DeMille (August 12, 1881 – January 21, 1959) was one of the most successful filmmakers during the first half of the 20th century. ...

Carl Switzer is interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood. Hollywood Forever Cemetery entrance Hollywood Forever Cemetery entrance Hollywood Forever Cemetery is located at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in the Hollywood district of the City of Los Angeles, California. ... Greetings from Hollywood Hollywood is a district of the city of Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., that extends from Vermont Avenue on the east to just beyond Laurel Canyon Boulevard above Sunset and Crescent Heights Boulevards on the west; the north to south boundary east of La Brea Avenue...

Notes

1. ^ Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 269. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
2. ^ Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 271. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
3. ^ Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 269. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
4. ^ Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 270. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
5. ^ Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 270. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9

Leonard Maltin (born December 18, 1950 in New York City) is a widely known and respected American film critic. ... Leonard Maltin (born December 18, 1950 in New York City) is a widely known and respected American film critic. ... Leonard Maltin (born December 18, 1950 in New York City) is a widely known and respected American film critic. ... Leonard Maltin (born December 18, 1950 in New York City) is a widely known and respected American film critic. ... Leonard Maltin (born December 18, 1950 in New York City) is a widely known and respected American film critic. ...

External links

• Carl Switzer at the Internet Movie Database
• Our Gang's Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer Killed over $50 and a Hunting Dog
• When Young Stars Burn Out MSN Movies
• More information on Carl's death
• 4Alfalfa.com biography
• Crime Library