Information
Hal
Roach thought it would be fun to watch children behaving
like real kids rather than miniature adults, and that
audiences would be equally fascinated. He was right! The
first film in the series, Our Gang, was lensed in 1922.
Audiences loved it, so many more shorts were made. Under
the supervision of Robert McGowan, 88 silent Our Gang
two-reelers were produced, all greeted with squeals of
delight by young and old moviegoers alike.
The series had no trouble making the transition to sound
in 1929: 58 more two-reelers and 22 one-reelers would
emerge from the Roach's studio before 1938. The best-known
members of the troupe during the Roach days were George
"Spanky" McFarland, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, Mathew "Stymie"
Beard, Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas, Eugene Gordon "Porky"
Lee, Tommy "Butch" Bond, Darla Hood, Mary Ann Jackson,
Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins, Norman "Chubby" Chaney, Darwood
"Waldo" Kaye, Dickie Moore, Scotty Beckett and Wally Albright.
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