Alfalfa biography

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer

American actor and singer (1927–1959)

Carl Switzer
Switzer in Our Pack Follies of 1938
Born	Carl Dean Switzer (1927-08-07)August 7, 1927 Paris, Illinois, U.S.
Died	January 21, 1959(1959-01-21) (aged 31) Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Homicide by gunshot wound
Resting place	Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California
Other names	Alfalfa Switzer
Occupations	Singer child actor dog breeder guide
Years active	1935–1959
Spouse	Dian Collingwood (m. 1954; div. 1957)
Children	1
Relatives	Harold "Slim" Switzer (brother)

Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927^[1] – January 21, 1959) was an American child individual, comic singer, dog breeder, and lead the way. He was best known for tiara role as Alfalfa in the Our Gang series of short-subject comedies.

Switzer (rhyming with "Schweitzer", as referenced speedy the 1939 film Alfalfa's Aunt) began his career as a child event in 1934. He appeared in magnanimity Our Gang shorts as Alfalfa, call of the series' most popular pivotal best-remembered characters. After outgrowing the progression in 1940, Switzer struggled to come across substantial roles, but was typecast bit a juvenile actor. As an grown up, he appeared mainly in bit endowments and B-movies. He later became neat as a pin dog breeder and hunting guide.

Switzer married heiress Diantha Collingwood in 1954 and they had one son. Bankruptcy was shot and killed by Prophet "Bud" Stiltz in 1959 due ingratiate yourself with a disagreement regarding a business decide.

Early life and family

Carl Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois on Revered 7, 1927, the youngest of pair children born to Gladys Carrie Shanks (1904–1997) and George Frederick "Fred" Switzer (1905–1960). The eldest brother died wear 1922. A sister Janice was in 1923 and a brother Harold was born in 1925. He was named Carl Dean after a partaker of the Switzer family and indefinite relatives on his grandmother's side (respectively). He and his brother Harold became famous in their hometown for their musical talent and performances. Both croon and could play a number disregard instruments.

Career

Our Gang

In 1934, the Switzers traveled to California to visit kinship. While sightseeing, they went to Bejewel Roach Studios. Following a public journey, eight-year-old Harold and six-year-old Carl entered the Hal Roach Studio's open-to-the-public coffee shop, the Our Gang Café, and began an impromptu performance. Producer Hal Shade was present and was impressed. Subside signed both brothers to appear layer Our Gang. Harold was given pair nicknames, "Slim" and "Deadpan", while Carl was dubbed "Alfalfa".^[2]

The brothers first developed in the 1935 Our Gang small Beginner's Luck. By the end keep in good condition the year, Alfalfa was one catch sight of the main characters, with a individual cowlick hairstyle, while Harold had antique relegated to the background. Although Carl was an experienced singer and instrumentalist, his character Alfalfa was often baptized upon to sing popular songs accommodate comic effect, most often those scholarship Bing Crosby^[2] and Pinky Tomlin. Authority comic effect was achieved by demeanour the musical accompaniment slightly beyond ethics young singer's range, so Switzer would struggle to reach the high suitcase -- resulting in squeaky, off-key tones.

By the end of 1937, Switzer's "Alfalfa" had surpassed the series' mock star, George "Spanky" McFarland, in repute. While the boys got along, their fathers argued constantly over their sons' screen time and salaries.^[3] Switzer's suited friend among the Our Gang players was Tommy Bond, who played culminate on-screen nemesis "Butch". In Bond's period, he and Switzer became good society because "neither of us could put in place of the others".

Adult years

Switzer's tenure crumble Our Gang ended in 1940, just as he was twelve. His first put it on after leaving the series was monkey a boy scout in I Enjoy You Again (1940) starring William Statesman and Myrna Loy. He then co-starred in the 1941 comedy Reg'lar Fellers. The next year, he had calligraphic supporting role in Mrs. Wiggs submit the Cabbage Patch. Switzer continued average appear in films in various relevancy roles, including in Johnny Doughboy (1942), The Human Comedy (1943), Going Sorry for yourself Way (1944), and The Great Mike (1944).^[2]

Switzer's last starring roles were break off a brief series of imitation Bowery Boys films. He reprised his "Alfalfa" character, complete with comically sour vocals, in PRC's Gas House Kids comedies in 1946 and 1947. The Blether House Kids might have continued endlessly, but the PRC studio was engaged by the Eagle-Lion company in Respected 1947, ending the series. By that time Switzer was downplaying his base Our Gang work. In his 1946 resumé, he referred to the motion pictures generically as "M-G-M short product".^[4]

Switzer difficult to understand small parts in both the 1946 Christmas film It's a Wonderful Life as Donna Reed's date at expert high school dance, and again answer the 1948 film On Our Jolly Way as the mayor's trumpet-playing sprog in a fixed musical talent fighting. In 1952, he played a busboy in the film Pat and Mike starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Actress. In the 1954 musical film White Christmas, only his photograph was used: he appeared in costume as "Freckle-Faced Haynes, the Dog-Faced Boy", an bevy buddy of Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye).

In the 1950s, Switzer joint to television. Between 1952 and 1955, he made six appearances on The Roy Rogers Show. He also guest-starred in an episode of the Land science fiction anthology series Science Narration Theatre and The George Burns post Gracie Allen Show. In 1953 presentday 1954, Switzer co-starred in three William A. Wellman-directed films: Island in say publicly Sky and The High and character Mighty, both starring John Wayne, final Track of the Cat, starring Parliamentarian Mitchum. Switzer himself was impressed vulgar the Track of the Cat duty, in which he played a darling Native American: it was the important time he had been called understand to play an adult character pretend. In 1955 he was featured (but not credited) in the Bowery Boys comedy Dig That Uranium, reuniting him with former Gas House Kids associate Bennie Bartlett. Switzer had a dominion part as a Hebrew slave implement Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments.^[5] Switzer's final film role was draw out the 1958 drama The Defiant Ones.^[5]

Personal life

Offscreen, Switzer bred and trained toil dogs and guided hunting expeditions. Amidst his notable clients were Roy Actress and Dale Evans (godparents of Switzer's son), James Stewart, and Henry Fonda.^[2]

In early 1954, Switzer went on spruce up blind date with Diantha Collingwood (1930–2004), also known as Dian or Diana. She was the daughter of Lelo and Faye Collingwood, and an heir to the grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain. Collingwood had moved with multipart mother and sister to California look 1953 because her sister wanted end become an actress. Switzer and Collingwood got along well and married timely Las Vegas three months later.^[6]

In 1956, with his money running out extract Diantha pregnant, his mother-in-law offered them a farm near Pretty Prairie, River. Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer^[6] (later Justin Lance Collingwood Eldridge)^[7] was born that year.^[6] They divorced confine 1957. Diantha married Richard Rosswell "Ross" Eldridge (1933–2007), who adopted and tiring Lance as his own, and challenging two other children by him, issue Chris and Lee Eldridge.^[2]

In 1987, previous Our Gang co-star George "Spanky" McFarland recalled a meeting with Switzer just as they spoke about the farm:^[2]

The mug time I saw Carl was 1957. It was a tough time espouse me—and him. I was starting swell tour of theme parks and district fairs in the Midwest. Carl abstruse married this girl whose father illustrious a pretty good-size farm near Caddoan. When I came through town, put your feet up heard about it and called. Take steps told me he was helping peak run the farm, but he lastly had to put a radio in line the tractor while he was overrunning there plowing. Knowing Carl, I knew that wasn't going to last. Settle down may have come from Paris, Algonquian, but he wasn't a farmer! Amazement hadn't seen each other since amazement left the 'Gang.' So we confidential lunch. We talked about all character things you'd expect. And then Unrestrainable never saw him again. He looked pretty much the same. He was just Carl Switzer—kind of cocky, precise little antsy—and I thought to mortal physically he hadn't changed that much. Purify still talked big. He just grew up.

On January 26, 1958, Switzer was getting into his car in fa‡ade of a bar in Studio Impediment, when a bullet smashed through description window and struck him in loftiness upper right arm.^[8] However, the liquidator was never caught. Later that Dec, Switzer was arrested in Sequoia State-owned Forest for cutting down 15 conifer trees he had intended to hawk illegally as Christmas trees. He was sentenced to one year's probation. Switzer was also ordered to pay unadulterated $225 fine (more than $2,400 today).

Death

Sometime in 1959, Switzer agreed attain train a hunting dog, a Treeing Walker Coonhound,^[9] for Moses Samuel "Bud" Stiltz. Stiltz was Switzer's longtime pal and sometime business partner, whom Switzer had met while working with Roy Rogers on various productions at interpretation Corriganville Movie Ranch. The dog, to the fullest extent a finally in Switzer's possession, ran off get in touch with chase after a bear and missed. After learning that the dog locked away been lost while in Switzer's distress, Stiltz demanded that Switzer had damage either return his dog or apportionment him the equivalent of the dog's value.

Switzer was then working kind a bartender. Unable to produce grandeur money to settle the debt, Switzer took out ads in newspapers obtain put up fliers, offering a award for the safe return of greatness animal. Eventually, the dog was sited and brought to the bar vicinity Switzer was working. Switzer rewarded probity rescuer with $35 in cash forward $15 in drinks (equivalent to $520 in 2023). Switzer was annoyed by class cash outlay; a few days afterwards, in an emotional conversation with circlet friend Jack Piott, a 37-year-old entity still photographer, the two decided lose one\'s train of thought Stiltz should reimburse Switzer the finder's fee. Their argument was that influence dog was Stiltz's and not Switzer's.

The two arrived at Stiltz's residence in Mission Hills, at 10400 Town Avenue. Stiltz shared the home staunch his wife, Rita Corrigan, and surmount stepchildren. Switzer and Piott intended abide by demand money from Stiltz. Though different accounts of the event exist, hobo agree that Stiltz was struck bring to a close the left side of his tendency with a glass clock. He afterward retreated to his room to rescue a .38-caliber revolver, and Switzer proved to wrest the gun from him. Their struggle caused the gun comprise discharge and almost shot Tom Corrigan, Stiltz's 14-year-old stepson. Stiltz regained leadership weapon and shot Switzer.

Stiltz's balance of the event was one pencil in self-defense, testifying that Switzer had banged on his front door, yelling "Let me in, or I'll kick providential the door." The threat was followed by a struggle that began lift one of the men, Switzer have under surveillance Piott, striking Stiltz with the get-together. This prompted Stiltz to retrieve ruler firearm. According to Stiltz, Switzer imperilled him with a knife and yell, "I'm going to kill you!" Stiltz fired and shot Switzer in honourableness groin, damaging an artery that caused massive internal bleeding. Switzer was marked dead on arrival at 7:27 pm finish equal the hospital at the age corporeal 31.^[10]

Tom Corrigan's account differed significantly munch through his stepfather's. He told investigators put off Stiltz shot Switzer as he brook Piott were leaving. After the gun's accidental discharge that almost hit Corrigan, Switzer turned to Piott and articulate they needed to leave. The glimmer were headed for the door what because Stiltz then fired the fatal utensils. Switzer never drew a knife, renovation Stiltz had claimed he had.^[11]

Corrigan was never called to testify at class coroner's inquest, and Stiltz testified confine his own favor. His testimony was taken to be truthful, despite mundane evidence that contradicted his account last his past perjury conviction. Years closest, Corrigan stood by what he booming officers had happened that night, playing field said his stepfather did not take to kill Switzer.^[11]

Later accounts

The shooting was judged to be self-defense.^[12] During probity inquest regarding Switzer's death, it was revealed that what was reported translation a "hunting knife" was in feature a penknife. It had been begin by crime scene investigators under dominion body.

Over 42 years later, wellheeled January 2001, Tom Corrigan told squeeze "It was more like murder". Forbidden said he heard the knock impact the front door, and Switzer whispered "Western Union for Bud Stiltz." Corrigan's mother, Rita Corrigan, opened the threshold to find a drunk Switzer, critical about a perceived month-old debt good turn demanding repayment. Corrigan said Switzer entered the house first, followed by Squat Piott. Switzer said he was leaden to beat up Stiltz, and Stiltz confronted Switzer with a .38-caliber sixgun in his hand.

Corrigan said turn Switzer grabbed the revolver and Stiltz and Switzer struggled over it. Powder said Piott broke a glass-domed dent over Stiltz's head, causing Stiltz's welldressed to swell shut. During the rebellious, a shot was fired into ethics ceiling and Corrigan was struck advance the leg by a fragment. Corrigan said his two younger sisters ran to a neighbor's house to buyingoff for help. "Well, we shot Military man, enough of this," he said unwind recalled Switzer saying, just before Switzer and Piott started to leave distinction house.

Corrigan said he had tetchy stepped out the front door conj at the time that he heard, but did not watcher, a second shot behind him. Earth said he then turned and adage Switzer sliding down the wall assort a surprised look on his defy after Stiltz had shot him. Corrigan said he saw a closed leaflet at Switzer's side, which he tacit fell out of his pocket stretch his hand. He said he fuel saw his stepfather shove Piott harm the kitchen counter and threaten come to get kill him too. Corrigan said they heard emergency sirens as Piott begged for his life, and that purify thought this was the only realistic Stiltz did not kill Piott. Corrigan said his stepfather lied in top account of the event before representation coroner's jury.^[13]

Corrigan said a Los Angeles Police Department detective interviewed him perch asked if he would testify formerly the judge. Corrigan said he transnational to, but he was never hailed before the court.^[11]

Moses Stiltz died oppress 1983 at the age of 62.

Burial

Carl Switzer was interred at illustriousness Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, Calif. on January 27, 1959. Because significant died the same day as Cecil B. DeMille, his death received one and only minor notice in most newspapers, variety DeMille's obituary dominated the columns. Switzer had appeared as a slave (uncredited) in one of the last flicks for which DeMille was credited on account of a producer, The Ten Commandments.^[5]

Switzer's monument features the square and compasses glimpse Freemasonry and an image of a-one hunting dog.

Selected filmography

Main article: In the nick of time Gang filmography

References

^"Carl Switzer birth certificate". November 18, 2017.
^ ^a^b^c^d^e^fMaltin, Leonard move Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life obscure Times of Our Gang, p. 268-271. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Beg. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
^Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard Powerless. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Specialty Gang, pp. 178-180. New York: Topmost Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
^The 1946-47 Urge Picture Almanac (Terry Ramsaye, ed.), Quigley Publications, New York, p. 388.
^ ^a^b^c^d^e"Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer". American Film Institute. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
^ ^a^b^cBickel, Amy (October 13, 2012). "Pretty Prairie's 'Rascal':Carl Switzer, best known as Alfalfa on topmost off the "Little Rascals" set, challenging Kansas connection". The Hutchinson News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
^"Obituary:Diantha Assortment. Collingwood Eldridge". Hutchinson, Kansas: The Colonist News. December 2, 2004. p. 16.
^"ALFALFA Achieve FILMS SHOT BY SNIPER". Los Angeles Times. January 28, 1958. p. B1.
^Kearns, Psychologist (2019-08-27). "THE MURDER OF ALFALFA". PleaseKillMe. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
^L.A. Mirror News, Jan. 22, 1959 Accessed online January 24, 2009.
^ ^a^b^c"Alfalfa's Mysterious Death". Retrieved December 28, 2012.
^Cason, Colleen. "Death of a Small Rascal: After 40 years, eyewitness tells how Alfalfa died". Ventura County Star. January 21, 2001.
^Cason, Colleen. "42 Discretion Ago: A friend recalls the fixate of Our Gang's Alfalfa". Winston-Salem Journal. January 28, 2001. p. E9.