Little Rascals

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TELETOON (ended 1944)
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Show Summary

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In 1922, Hal Roach inaugurated a new series of short film comedies called Hal Roach's Rascals. The series featured ordinary kids, usually poor, getting into the usual types of trouble that ordinary kids get into. There was no running plot throughout the series. Each film was an entity unto itself. For instance, in When The Wind Blows, Mary Ann has a crush on neighbor boy Jackie. But in Love Business, Jackie and Mary Ann are siblings. In most films, the kids have parents, but in at least a couple of films, they live in an orphanage. This provided the series with quite a wide range of potential situations. There were many fairly ordinary episodes, but also quite a few that are truly unique.''''The first film was titled Our Gang and was previewed in the early half of 1922. Reviewers at the time began referring to the series as Our Gang, and the studio adopted it as the official name soon thereafter. The Hal Roach Rascals name also continued on into the early '30s, so the series had two names for about a decade.''''In 1938, Roach sold the series (lock, stock and barrel) to MGM, which had been distributing the series since 1927. MGM ended up with the cast and crew, the rights to the name Our Gang, and all of the films they had distributed previously. This last item was eventually bought back by Roach, but he had to redo the titles to remove the Our Gang name and any reference to MGM. A new series name was selected for this batch of films: Hal Roach's Little Rascals. The home movie and video prints of these films carried this name. The TV prints, which debuted in 1955 (after having run in theaters starting in 1950), were known simply as The Little Rascals. For the earliest films in the series, distributed by Path from 1922 to 1927, the Our Gang name was variously replaced by the Mischief Makers and Those Lovable Scallawags With Their Gangs. Other silent kid comedies also contributed to these two series.''''At no point were there ever any new episodes produced for TV (unless you count the animated versions). In essence, all of the episodes were repeats even on their first airing. The series was primarily syndicated, giving individual TV stations the ability to mix and match Little Rascals titles with other material, most often The Three Stooges, or the MGM Our Gang titles - the only Our Gang films that retained that name.moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 22 :  Ep 5 Aired 4/29/44
S 22 :  Ep 4 Aired 4/15/44
S 22 :  Ep 3 Aired 4/1/44
S 22 :  Ep 2 Aired 10/23/43
S 22 :  Ep 1 Aired 9/18/43

Little Rascals News

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  • Brothers and Sisters Might Survive, But With Cuts 16

    Brothers and Sisters Might Survive, But With Cuts

    By Tim Surette, May 06, 2011

    ... ABC, like all the major networks, is currently making final decisions about its schedule, and one show that's dangling precipitously off the edge is Brothers & Sisters. But word is that ABC is trying to save the show... with… more

  • October 28, 2008 DVD Releases 7

    October 28, 2008 DVD Releases

    By Athena Karantzalis, Oct 28, 2008

    The 4400 The Complete Series Buy the DVD! Show Summary | Episode Guide | Forum NewsRadio The Complete Series Buy the DVD! Show Summary | Episode Guide | Forum Girlfriends Season Five Buy the DVD! Show Summary | Episode Guide… more

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Fan Reviews (9)

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  • Little Rascals is a one-of-a-kind classic show that is often misunderstood and unfortunately not so easily accessible for viewing due to crazy people's views on racism.

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By buaiight, May 21, 2011 Report Abuse
    I love the show The Little Rascals also known as "our Gang". The show is amazing and a true classic. It is important to realize that the show was filmed in the 1920's?..I think and I believe the lack of technology at that time contributed to the stupidity of those who view the sho as racist. Basically all the kids are one gang just trying to enjoy the day, make some money, skip school, and eat something good and all the adults seem to prevent their fun from happening. Now the quality of the film and the lack of high tech lighting contribute to a stereotypical image of the African-American children in the show. Their skin appears very dark and their eyes are contrasted also appearing overly white. This was not due to racial profiling but rather to the lack of technology at the time....Just like old Shirley Temple movies. All the kids had their quirks and personalities and one is funnier than the next. I grew up watching the Little Rascals and I can assure you that the only impressions I was left with was how incredible all the young actors & actresses were and how jealous I was to not have had a childhood gang so fun and diverse of my own. Pleqase make some time for a blast from the past if you have the opportunity to sit down and watch some shows for yourself and you can certainly enjoy them with both an older relative and any child today. Racism comes from the ignorance of a family usually past down from previous generations. It is a disease and a crime against all humanity and does not imply anti-black only. It is ignorance toward any race, religion, sexualorientation, etc... perpetuated by the hate or lack of understanding of any individual or group. The Little Rascals only promoted togetherness and a laugh. Bring the back!!moreless

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  • I wish they would bring The Little Rascals back.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By tcwjra, May 07, 2011 Report Abuse
    I always watched The Little Rascals when I was growing up and I always enjoyed it I once wore my hair like Alfalfa did. I have a book on the Little Rascals that talks about everything about The Little Rascals I hope that one day they bring The Little Rascals back on t.v. so the kids of today can see what their parents and granparents and even their great grandparents watched when they were little kids. It was almost always funny just about everything those Little Rascals did or said or all of the funny things the adults did too or even said.moreless

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    1 0

  • This show is and still will always make my day. I still remember waking on Sunday morings getting up to watch the little rascals. I even told some kids one time my name was spanky.moreless

    8.5
    "Great"
    By raiders065, Apr 20, 2010 Report Abuse
    Kids today need to learn how to make things on there own, Like skateboards, bikes, etc. Thats what the little rascals taught me make things on yuor own if you couldn't afford it.I'll always watch the little rascals and they must be in black & white no color it's just not the same.My friends and I watch and talk about the show and act out parts of the show. Parts like whats 3and 1 oil , I wanna be a street sweeper boy do they pick up those nickles, my best show is the shipping clerk(Spanky) when he a little boy.moreless

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    1 0

  • I love this episode and think back on it fondly.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By ruonetoo, Apr 11, 2008 Report Abuse
    I love this episode for two reasons. It is a slice of life story as well as containing some terrific comedic moments.

    We should keep in mind that this story was filmed in 1937 while much of America was still suffering from the Great Depression and many, many families did not enjoy even the humble pleasantry the Hoods seemed to. A fine looking home, well kept, with new appliances in the kitchen, everything seemingly in good condition, a piano in the parlor, a complete dinner meal served on a well set table. The children seemed healthy, well fed, polite and happy. Darla was accustomed to inviting her friends over and when the doorbell rang and the three Rascals entered they all removed their headgear at their earliest convenience.

    Then there are the presents and the squabble over who's the strongest, Tarzan or Flash Gordon and finally the mounting tension over what else can be done to spoil Mr. Hood's Birthday dinner.

    The two songs are classic. The one they sing as they make their gift presentations and then Alfalfa's more formal performance are just great.

    At the close of the story you have laughed and felt sympathy over the father's plight and been drawn into their concerns in a pleasant and entertaining manner. And it is remarkable that such a simple little story can remain fresh in your memory for decades and decades.

    When you go to youtube and watch it it will seem like only yesterday that you saw it the first time.

    A perfect 10.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8t0WfLQzLQmoreless

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  • Legendary

    10
    "Perfect"
    By LOSTismylife, Dec 31, 2007 Report Abuse
    Little Rascals will always be one of those classic shows. When you mention the Little Rascals people don't look confused and ask what it is. They recognize the name, even if they've never watched the show. I personally love this show. I wasn't alive during the time it was on television, but I've saw reruns. My papaw introduced me to the show and got me hooked on it. It's just so cute, and I love how innocent it was. Alf Alfa was my favorite! It really brings you back to the good old days. Little Rascals is one of those shows that has stood the test of time. And hopefully future generations will continue to watch the Little Rascals, and be able to appreciate the wonderful comedy it is.moreless

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