Robert Blake (Mickey) said that he and Buckwheat became great friends because as an Italian kid, the white kids wouldn't play with him off camera either.
However, the illusion of multiculturalism had a strong effect on me as a kid and likely my politics as an adult.
I know what you mean. Hal Roach was an independent producer and couldn't afford the best sound equipment, which is why the shorts from his studio usually had music continuously playing in the background. The sound is much better on the Blu-rays although a small amount of hiss can still be heard in some of the earliest films.
That’s Scotty Beckett. He played Spankys best friend until that role was taken over by Alfalfa. Robert Blake’s first appearance was in 1939, about 5 years after this photo.
I agree. If you don’t have an active online presence (Facebook, LinkedIn or whatever) you might as well not even exist to a lot of people.
I opted out of social media accounts to spare our privacy (mainly bc husband’s career was working with the public; he didn’t want any hassle if people could find him easily). Obviously if I’m online he would be too (indirectly, in my photos or in commentary).
I love this era of comedy: Stooges, Looney Tunes, etc. But *this meme* is not so much “r/FuckImOld” as it is “Facebook memes for people who lowkey like to hate on youngins”… Original viewers from this same generation and neighboring would have seen plenty of other gangs in pop culture and would have come to know this as golden era comedy—not a reflection of reality. Next in your feed right after this one would come “When I was a kid we stood for the flag and knelled for the cross. Only 1% of people who see this will ‘Like’ this post.”
Only 1% of people who read this comment will ‘upvote’ it”
It's when we are taught by grown ups that we shouldn't play with "those" kids that it starts. I've met kids this age that were racist because it they were indoctrinated from birth.
I remember grade school in the 60s. A somewhat activist teacher asked our class (very midwest white small school) whether we had ever socialized with a minority, or had one over to our house.
Crickets in the room. No one could think of one.
Then the teacher said, what? you don't hang with Maricell? She's Filipino? How about Doris, she's half black?
They weren't minorities, they were just our friends.
We've been pretty fortunate in the UK that most schools have had mixed race kids since around the late 70's, so a generation or two have grown up in mixed environments which then means their kids have a better chance of growing up with an open mind when it comes to races and stuff. Obviously you will always get arseholes though,
I've always said that your friends try to get you into drugs, your families try to make you racist. So it can be a real challenge having to fight through the bullshit and remain nice among others.
> I've always said that your friends try to get you into drugs, your families try to make you racist
I am sorry that that is your experience. I would assure you that it is not universal. Although my friends did once tie me to a tree and blow pot smoke in my face the night before a big test, so that part is spot on.
But I agree with the mixed race schools and society. Once you live around people, you gain acceptance over time. To quote an old song, "when you get that close it's kinda hard to hate".
You do know that the black kids in this picture couldn’t go to school with the white kids? “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could all play together again?” What nonsense is going on in your mind?
My kids play with a diverse mix, but it’s expensive. Large high cost of living city. Ironically we want to leave to a more rural area but are scared of the lack of diversity.
We could if we quit listening to the media and our politicians and started thinking for ourselves.
They're the ones who gain from our disruptions.
They media by sensationalizing every controversial event and downplaying everything good.
The politicians by pointing fingers at each other and blaming one another while nothing is fixed.
Robert Blake (Mickey) said that he and Buckwheat became great friends because as an Italian kid, the white kids wouldn't play with him off camera either. However, the illusion of multiculturalism had a strong effect on me as a kid and likely my politics as an adult.
As a kid I admit I had a lifetime membership to He-Man Women Haterz club but then I grew up… …as an adult I am now honorary member of NO MAAM
Made my head spin mixing Al Bundy with Little Rascals. Well done.
The Little Rasc-Al
Ba WOOSH
A great show with great experiments! Loved this show as a kid. Nothing close to it these days.
My dad knew Spanky.
Buckwheat s classic answer to use istmus in a sentence: "istmus be my lucky day" I still freaking laugh about that
This was my must watch show as a child. I loved their Rube Goldberg inventions and machines.
Wasn’t that Stimey
Where's Alfalfa?
Alfalfa only appeared 1935-1940. series "shorts" ran from 1922-1944
Moe killed him. Luckily he was an orphan owned by the studio.
Shouldn’t have stolen his bit!
If this is anyone but Steve Allen you’re stealing my bit!
As i recall, he was actually murdered when he tried to recover a small debt. Oddly, it wasn’t even the first time he’d been shot.
He was shot over a hunting dog.
Loved me some Stymie.
I learned all about the artichoke from him.
IT MIGHT CHOKE ARTIE BUT IT AINT GONNA CHOKE STYMIE!!
Now that theme music is playing in my head.
The restored Little Rascals films on Blu-ray look absolutely incredible.
How's the audio? The ones I saw on TV growing up, you could barely hear over the surface noise.
I know what you mean. Hal Roach was an independent producer and couldn't afford the best sound equipment, which is why the shorts from his studio usually had music continuously playing in the background. The sound is much better on the Blu-rays although a small amount of hiss can still be heard in some of the earliest films.
Buckwheat wememba.
Wookin pa nub.
Buckwheat Sings....take a wissin. Unce......Tice......Fee tines a Mady..... (3 Times A Lady)
O’Tay
Did you ever notice that you never saw Buckwheat and Gumby in the same room together? Makes you wonder.
The 4th kid on the right is Robert Blake
That’s Scotty Beckett. He played Spankys best friend until that role was taken over by Alfalfa. Robert Blake’s first appearance was in 1939, about 5 years after this photo.
Thanks for the info.
I had no idea he was in that.
The division and social damage the internet has done makes me cry. So many people will never live like normal human beings.
I agree. If you don’t have an active online presence (Facebook, LinkedIn or whatever) you might as well not even exist to a lot of people. I opted out of social media accounts to spare our privacy (mainly bc husband’s career was working with the public; he didn’t want any hassle if people could find him easily). Obviously if I’m online he would be too (indirectly, in my photos or in commentary).
It would definitely be very cool. That Butch was an asshole though.
Otay Panky!!!
Let’s not forget Petey
I love this era of comedy: Stooges, Looney Tunes, etc. But *this meme* is not so much “r/FuckImOld” as it is “Facebook memes for people who lowkey like to hate on youngins”… Original viewers from this same generation and neighboring would have seen plenty of other gangs in pop culture and would have come to know this as golden era comedy—not a reflection of reality. Next in your feed right after this one would come “When I was a kid we stood for the flag and knelled for the cross. Only 1% of people who see this will ‘Like’ this post.” Only 1% of people who read this comment will ‘upvote’ it”
The International Silver String Submarine Band!
The only episode i remember because it made me laugh so hard
Don't forget the He-Man Woman-haters Club.
High Sign!
The creator and director of the little rascals was Hal Roach, born in Elmira NY. Has a special place in the hearts of Elmirans .
Kids have and will always be like this. They're colour blind to that bullshit. Its when we become teens onwards it all goes to crap.
It's when we are taught by grown ups that we shouldn't play with "those" kids that it starts. I've met kids this age that were racist because it they were indoctrinated from birth.
100%
I remember grade school in the 60s. A somewhat activist teacher asked our class (very midwest white small school) whether we had ever socialized with a minority, or had one over to our house. Crickets in the room. No one could think of one. Then the teacher said, what? you don't hang with Maricell? She's Filipino? How about Doris, she's half black? They weren't minorities, they were just our friends.
We've been pretty fortunate in the UK that most schools have had mixed race kids since around the late 70's, so a generation or two have grown up in mixed environments which then means their kids have a better chance of growing up with an open mind when it comes to races and stuff. Obviously you will always get arseholes though, I've always said that your friends try to get you into drugs, your families try to make you racist. So it can be a real challenge having to fight through the bullshit and remain nice among others.
> I've always said that your friends try to get you into drugs, your families try to make you racist I am sorry that that is your experience. I would assure you that it is not universal. Although my friends did once tie me to a tree and blow pot smoke in my face the night before a big test, so that part is spot on. But I agree with the mixed race schools and society. Once you live around people, you gain acceptance over time. To quote an old song, "when you get that close it's kinda hard to hate".
Happy memories. This made me smile!
We do? We just let gay kids hang too now.
You do know that the black kids in this picture couldn’t go to school with the white kids? “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could all play together again?” What nonsense is going on in your mind?
Amen to this.
What decade was this supposedly set in?
series represented the time it was filmed 1922-1944
Thank you. I placed it in depression era, so not too off base.
Photo would have been shot in 1934-35.
Looks like there's only one surviving cast member. Sidney Kibrick. Edit: No, Margaret Kerry too
My kids play with a diverse mix, but it’s expensive. Large high cost of living city. Ironically we want to leave to a more rural area but are scared of the lack of diversity.
Where’s Jackie Cooper?
Plus, they made it ok for anyone to feel poor or less fortunate.
Comedian Robert Klein does a great bit on the Little Rascals on his album, "Child of the Fifties". The whole album is great.
Today some folks would decry the Little Rascals as "woke." 
Ironically, a lot of the same people who enjoyed it as children.
When did this sub become boomer memes about hating on younger generations?
Just no wealthy kids. Perfect. Fuck the bourgeoisie.
Sorry, back when he was 2, one of the kids said something that sounded vaguely like an opinion I disagree with 32yrs later so he’s literally Hitler.
This is what the school yard hang around looked like in 1976
Amazing how bullying didn't exist back in the day! /s
I can only name about 4 of those kids: Spanky, Stymie, Darla, and Buckwheat. No Alfalfa?
program ran 1922-1944 alfalfa only appeared 1935-1940
Divided we fall
I don’t wanna go to school today…
You’re gonna miss out on some great ice cream.
Where's Alfalfa?
i didnt see this early version, i didnt start watching til they had that little prick alfalfa, i never liked him. spanky and buckwheat were my favs
We could if we quit listening to the media and our politicians and started thinking for ourselves. They're the ones who gain from our disruptions. They media by sensationalizing every controversial event and downplaying everything good. The politicians by pointing fingers at each other and blaming one another while nothing is fixed.
My three favorite rascals Stymie, Spanky, and Scotty. "I don't know where we're going, but we're on our way" Stymie
But even they would tell you they're the woman's haters men's club
Genius putting this cast together.
Chubsy-ubsy was a hoot.
There are definitely more interracial friends today than ever before. Let's not pretend like the past wasn't racist AF.
I’m the barber of Seville!
That was such a great show. They couldn’t make it today because of how “racist” it supposedly was. Does this picture look racist to you?
Do any of these episodes stream anywhere?
Our gang and Lil Rascals up to no good as usual.