The Life and Death of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer 

Its just too bad he scammed a guy. His last days must have been so lonely.

Nice comment. Thanks, Mario SirSirReal Villarreal. Love&Peace from CentralCoastCalifornia 💙💜💕

My Grandma's parents are from Germany I love people from wherever they are from ❤

Qa😊​@@mariovillarreal8647

I whole heartedly agree this is an outstanding documentary about Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer whom I only remember in The Little Rascals. I looked forward to every episode, even repeats. I had lost track of Alfalfa because in 1959 I was only 11 and didn't read newspapers or tabloids. It's sad how his life unfolded and of course with his final demise. We can learn from reflecting on mistakes of others. Was Carl's life void of a true relationship with Jesus Christ? That's what I get from this solum story. Thank you for your documentary.

My favorite in the Early Fifties. Dear Mr Carl.....U are back on OUR PLANET.......but....U Must quiet those Previous Life moments that haunt U so terribly when U R under the effects of combo ETOH and Sneaky ingestions......

Wow, that was a good, maybe the best documentary on Carl Seizer.....little bit of a tear jerker. Sad to learn about his brothers demise as well. It also sobering to see how much the times have changed but also how some things never change

He was a good person. But he did play a cool character. But I guess he was a little weak-minded He just wasn't able to deal with so many up and down emotions. That has happened many times before and after his death. Truly Sad issues of Hollywood and it's disturbing effects on individuals that really never make it . Because of the Highs and Low' in there careers . They somehow become desperate putting themselves at risk. Or took there own lives. 😢

​@@sabrinaselmer5766 My brother was a child actor in 1970. Parents didn't have a right to be on set to protect their children. Even if they were blessed to have avoided the extreme abuse most child actors experience, their minds can easily split due to pretending to be other people before they even know who they are. The entertainment industry has always been a horrible place for kids and it always will be.

​@@jenynz5334and sadly, parents still sacrifice their children to Hollywood.

Yes it was, well written well researched. The narrator was not over the top. Just spoke plain and clear

You got stucked here?

@@GorillaCrewWarGaming .... and that is all you have to contribute? I guess it is true - there is always at least one moron in the interwebs crowd willing to open his mouth and prove it..

You have lots of company my friend. No one will even produce that magic again.

Sad, rest in peace Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer!🎥🎥🎥🎥🇺🇸♥️

The mysteries of the RU-vid alogarithm.

They don't give academy awards to RU-vid videos 🤣 it doesn't work that way. 🤣

@@au_barb WTF I put this comment up 3 years ago regarding my admiration of this fine documentary and all I get is a smart ass reply!!!😠😠😠

You got 51 upvotes! Make that 52, I'll up vote it right after I send this reply ❤

@@gorgeousgabrielle4u Hey thank you for your kind reply and upvote

@@bivio1It was a good comment, and I agree. I’m glad to see you’re still kickin after 3 years, I was afraid you had tanked on us in the meantime. May the academy awards recognize the toils of man, before our lifetimes are up.

Agreed

Perhaps "enjoyed it" is a wrong word here - but it is a very good documentary of a sad story. Who would have guessed what destiny had in store for this charming young kid.

Really

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Me also

That’s really interesting. Is your dad still around? That would be interesting to hear more.

😎

Thats COOL😃

Indeed

John Ryan , I have a lot of trouble sleeping, so I listen to Reddit..bc a lot of the stories last up to almost an hour lol. I fall asleep with my ear plugs in lol

Same.

I do this every night! How funny! Here’s to easier nights where we can fall asleep without an Audible aid👍🏼

That’s crazy cause I woke up at 4am today and listened to this with my eyes closed figuring I’ll fall asleep and now it 7am and reading all the comments.

WOW !!!

tldr

Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Jim Widener: what a great memory for u to have!!

What a great memory! Thank you for sharing!

Felt the same way wanting to know more so what happened.. love this narrator he is a great deliverer of information that keeps your attention thanks for producing this

@@georgeplagianos6487 it appeals to the emotions, too!

Hate this narrator 🤬🤯😡

@@Curls105anarm Jealous much.

Narrator is fine. I watched til it was over. Can't ask for more from a narrator.

Soooo true. Saturday's were very magical.

I grew up at the same time and remember watching the same shows. But after the cartoons ended on Saturdays I was allowed to watch one (or maybe it was two?) Tarzan movies starring Johnny Weissmuller. I wish I could go back to those days.

Also for kids in the 50’ and 60’s too!

I looked forward to Saturday mornings, we would wake up early to do chores so we could have our bowl of cereal 🥣 and watch Saturday morning 📺, great innocent humble beginnings ❤️

@@valariest.pierre5308 Was the best thing getting up early on Saturday to watch cartoons, sometimes before your parents were up. There was something about getting a bowl of cereal and sneaking back to the living room to watch cartoons.

😏O'WOW....My thoughts EXACTLY. The way he's narrating, really makes me feel as though I'm right there. U know there's always either, a smell, song, movie,food, or a place, that can take u back 2 certain memories, from your childhood/teenage years & now listening 2 this, is bringing A LOT OF GOOD MEMORIES!! 😊 (Those were the days.😉)

Good point! This narration is easy to follow, an appealing voice, and not at all like the hushed, breathless, urgetn and overly (fake) dramatic voiceovers one hears on so many TV productions.

Excellent. Hints of profundity.

Carl Switzer’s mother, Pamela, was my ballet teacher.

The narrator's voice reminds me of the movie "Stand By Me."

I live in Appalachia. I grew up in a town of three hundred people. One channel if your Dad could twist the antenna right. Then we moved to the BIG CITY, eight thousand people, three tv stations and one showed the Little Rascals for two hours a day. Heaven.

Alfalfa

Same. Regarding the watch later

The studio execs made a ton of royalties from Switzer's work as a member of the rascals but didn't share it with the actors, which is why Switzer was upset about a $50.00 debt.

Charlie Charlie Lame

Anna please tell us your favourite movies and actors

*Whoever*

Agreed, he's definitely talented. Clear, concise, easy to understand. So rare.

I suppose you mean, "I useD to."

You wouldn't know this unless your Parents would have told you.

I had no idea either, and I was born the next year!

Same hear

I watched them while growing up in the late 60’s, early 70’s. Had no idea till around 10 yrs ago that he died before I was even born.

Not really according to his own cousin, Dave Stephens, who has already commented what his parents and Uncle Bob knew about Alfalfa from a family's POV. Dave Stephens father almost joined the gang but his mother stopped him

@@ZoomZoomBoom24 kazaa

Ooo

Red sky ... in almost all cases , when good money was paid to child actors , the parents took it all ... almost 100%. Parents are always disgusting when it comes to Hollywood.

Most Black songwriters from that time were treated the same way.

For film it would be residuals, not royalties.

@@dme1016 So we're most child actors no matter the race.

Jeff Goff , Sadly, tragedy & price paid was brought upon self, or so, it seems.

freemasonic symbols on the gravestone. Says all i need to ever know without bothering to waste time watching. THUMBS DOWN!!!!!

Missy Moonwillow Irony. Your request for thumbs down got thumbs up

You just don’t hear about them to people who lack fame

Must have a contingency plan when you are an actor. Either a college degree or a trade. Look at Harrison Ford. He was a carpenter and because of that skill he became an actor. Have to have a backup plan or you live a life of desperation.

Go to hell freemasons. "Our particular chapter in history unfolds at a time of physical transformation in Europe that was almost as momentous as the first discovery of fire must have been in the mists of antiquity. The industrial revolution was permitting men to leash fire to machines-and to unleash fire power on each other-with a force undreamed of in earlier ages. In the midst of those fires appeared the more elusive flame that Dostoevsky described in the most searching work of fiction ever written about the revolutionary movement: The Possessed. He depicted a stagnant (tranquil?) provincial town that was suddenly inspired (infected?) by new ideas . Shortly after a turbulent literary evening, a mysterious fire broke out; and a local official shouted out into the nocturnal confusion : "The fire is in the minds of men, not in the roofs of buildings ." Dostoevsky was writing under the impact of two great fires that disturbed him deeply and heralded the transfer of revolutionary leadership from France to Russia. These fires had broken out in imperial St. Petersburg in the spring of 1861 (where the emancipation of the serfs seemed to have inflamed rather than calmed passions ), and in imperial Paris ten years later (where the flaming defeat of the Paris Commune ended forever the era of romantic illusions ). The flame of faith had begun its migrations a century earlier, when some European aristocrats transferred their lighted candles from Christian altars to Masonic lodges. The flame of occult alchemists, which had promised to turn dross into gold, reappeared at the center of new "circles" seeking to recreate a golden age : Bavarian Illuminists conspiring against the Jesuits, French Philadelphians against Napoleon, Italian charcoal burners against the Hapsburgs. When the most important anti-Napoleonic conspiracy was ridiculed for attempting "to use as a lever something which is only a match," its leader replied that With a match one has no need of a lever; one does not lift up the world, one burns it." -James H Billington

Damani Scott Jackie cooper and Robert Blake also managed to get work after little rascals

@today is not yesterday Would not suprise me if he was one, incarnated into flesh by the Masons. Wouldn't put anything past them. Time will tell, truth will out. These child actors are extremely suspect to me.

Bug Hall, who play Alfalfa in the 90s, is like that too he is actually the only who has got parts since then really.

EGPMH Ross Elliot who plays Buckwheat has also been cast in other roles as well

@@gr8fulone384 ah cool did not know that

I really appreciate your kind words, thank you!

@@graveexplorations Well done! Sad at times, yes, but it is comforting to family and friends to know that many people still care. Thank you for sharing this documentary and also your written memories on here. I look forward to watching many more!

I just wrote that comment. Yes, it was very impressive and the research for all the artifacts, newspaper clippings, etc must have taken a long time

It's largely excellent! The presentation gets better as it goes along. Very in depth.

They are not social workers they are greedy people who just want to use people and throw them away.

@@gwenscott535 have you ever had a social worker? Hahaha

SO SAD !!!! HOOLYWOOD IS TO BLAME TO THE YOUNG

All child-actors have parents, don't they?. It's not Hollywood's responsibility to protect them. It's the parents responsibility, with the help of laws that have been passed by the State and Federal governments since Carl Spitzers days in film. There is no such thing as Hollywood, just like there is no such thing as "The Left" and other non-specify, amorphous blobs. It Dennis wants to blame the "entertainment industry"? Good luck Dennis getting compensation in a court of law for the kids you about whom you feel so strongly if you try to prosecute the "entertainment industry".

@@edwardj.dougherty9164 Assigning blame on RU-vid comments is a fruitless endeavor. But your argument doesn't convince me to accept how "Hollywood" and the entertainment industry handles their affairs. I just happen to disapprove in a general sense because they play on the senses of their viewers through misdirection of emotional stimulus. But I do appreciate your position Edward. Thanks for commenting!

Didn't know him personally...but, he is my cousin! 🙂

@@zachswitzer0408 Thanks for sharing this. No one should die at such a young age, and in such a preventable way -- what a shame. Anyway, condolences to you and your family. Take it easy.

I feel the same sense of sadness. Only 31 years old. Such a shame.

@@watchman1178 yeah it is a shame.

he chose to having affairs, playing with fire

Thanks. I was wracking my brain trying to figure who he was.

Alfalfa was??

JumboJetPilot What was their time?

@@kasperkjrsgaard1447 Good question! Nobody know when they goin 7feet under. Only the Cyclops in the movie Krull.

they should all be dead by now

take solace in the fond shorts and timeless laughs and not their bittersweet endings.

@@judewilliams3911 They're not all dead.

Truth Indeed

Yes sadly I watched this as a child with my siblings and parents

Parents should never have to bury their children. Very sad. . .

Island man That’s so true! I know all to well the pain they went through, losing their son. I lost my son in 2018 and it’s hardest thing I’ve ever been through. The pain will be there for the rest of my life. 😥

@@naomilopez4219 not sure why I’m here but sorry for your loss. My mom and dad both lost brothers at a very young age before they met. Tore both families apart. I’ve buried many young family the same. Watched my family implode. Wish you well and strength.

@@TriTones_Music Thank you for your kind words. When I lost my son it too tore our family apart, so sad. I’m so sorry for all the pain you and your parents have experienced in losing loved ones. Best wishes to you and your family.

actually unless I'm very wrong, I think that picture is of Lana Turner's boyfriend Johnny Stonpanato who was fatally stabbed by her daughter

@@nikkikivett6886 You are correct. I became curious & Googled Johnny Stompanato (Date of death April 4, 1958), and sure enough, the photo presented in the above video as Carl Switzer (Date of death January 21, 1959) laying fatally injured on the floor is the same photo under Johnny Stompanato's name. Correct you are!! It's a pity since the research for this story otherwise seems legit.

I"ll drink to that!

I just smoke pot

@@michaello7635 Amen to that and it always makes a bad situation better 🔥💨💨💨😚👌😤😁

That’s why I huff jenkem

God I know.....I wish I could just smoke pot....but it makes me feel like I'm going to die......

Oh dear

Sounds like Michael Moore, the famous documentarian.

Go to hell freemasons. "Our particular chapter in history unfolds at a time of physical transformation in Europe that was almost as momentous as the first discovery of fire must have been in the mists of antiquity. The industrial revolution was permitting men to leash fire to machines-and to unleash fire power on each other-with a force undreamed of in earlier ages. In the midst of those fires appeared the more elusive flame that Dostoevsky described in the most searching work of fiction ever written about the revolutionary movement: The Possessed. He depicted a stagnant (tranquil?) provincial town that was suddenly inspired (infected?) by new ideas . Shortly after a turbulent literary evening, a mysterious fire broke out; and a local official shouted out into the nocturnal confusion : "The fire is in the minds of men, not in the roofs of buildings ." Dostoevsky was writing under the impact of two great fires that disturbed him deeply and heralded the transfer of revolutionary leadership from France to Russia. These fires had broken out in imperial St. Petersburg in the spring of 1861 (where the emancipation of the serfs seemed to have inflamed rather than calmed passions ), and in imperial Paris ten years later (where the flaming defeat of the Paris Commune ended forever the era of romantic illusions ). The flame of faith had begun its migrations a century earlier, when some European aristocrats transferred their lighted candles from Christian altars to Masonic lodges. The flame of occult alchemists, which had promised to turn dross into gold, reappeared at the center of new "circles" seeking to recreate a golden age : Bavarian Illuminists conspiring against the Jesuits, French Philadelphians against Napoleon, Italian charcoal burners against the Hapsburgs. When the most important anti-Napoleonic conspiracy was ridiculed for attempting "to use as a lever something which is only a match," its leader replied that With a match one has no need of a lever; one does not lift up the world, one burns it." -James H Billington

Aroha Uea me too

August 7 is my late moms birthday too, what a coincidence.

@@jcadaver7327 Why is your mom late? Why can't she be early?

@@prezidenttrump5171 is that an attempt at humor? you failed miserably.

Thank you for watching! Alfalfa took whatever job he could get. Whenever he turns up in a movie I can't help but notice how hard he worked. He really poured his heart into every scene.

Yea he was in freaking Defiant Ones. Still, if he was taking drugs and alcohol it was only a matter of time before health problems would start.

I think he should have stayed on the farm, he had a wife and daughter. I suppose it wasn't fun but hard work never hurt anyone!

But for the grace of God, I've not had a drink in over 22 years.

31 actually

Don’t arguing with you but he was 31 and he did I do agree with you for everything else

I think the point was that the media was more interested in the cautionary tale than investigating into if it was murder or not. Too late now that everyone connected with it are gone. RIP Alfalfa.

Switzer was in someone else’s house trying to extort money from him. He was told to leave at gun point and then attempted to grab the gun. Sorry, he caused his own death. I don’t care if he decided to leave after the gun accidentally went off. Switzer would have kept harassing Stiltz if had survived. Switzer was his own enemy his whole life.

weißer Ritter Money he perceived he was owed. I‘m just saying, if anyone showed up in my house, trying extort money from me then attack me, I can’t guarantee what will happen. Carl put himself in that situation. And he got what you would expect if you put yourself in that situation. If Carl would have just chalked it up to a lesson learned he would have survived that night. But the way he lived his life he probably wouldn’t have lived much longer anyway.

@@kv4n You don't know how long he would have lived, don't pretend you do.

Such is ones life

Didn't she become a U.N. ambassador or somesuch thing?

Damn thats a special thing there

Are you Furly?

Truth

Adrienne Robinson no

Her*

William Nelson Just like Judy Garland in Wizard of Oz.

No no.

Twilight zone : as i read your comment i glance at the clock ... 3:21am °•~

321 is the most played n a lucky number in pick or cash 3 play it sometimes

@@LowLuvR117 it's 1:11 on my clock lol. I always see that number-

If I had a dollar for every time I thought the same thing... I would have a lot of dollars at 3:21am

Bahahahaaaaha it takes u down the rabbit hole

Thank you for watching!

Robert Blake had greater success, and almost as sad story.

Stymie had a tragic life

Darla Hood didn’t have as much post “Our Gang” success in film/television but she had a tragic & untimely death as well, dying @ 47y/o of heart failure stemming from receiving a bad blood transfusion during an earlier operation... I haven’t yet made it to 40y/o, or even 36 for that matter, but I know I Do want to make it to 48y/o & beyond. To me it seems a thing of tragedy whenever Anyone dies before their time,.. especially when it comes about from something that could’ve been prevented. So many, too many, child ⭐️’s leave this 🌎 before their time or have lives that are filled with horrible circumstances, experiences & events. So Sad.

P0 p0

hollywood always uses and spits you especially if you are a kid.

Nothing wrong with pimping !!! You ho's do it everyday !!! 😂❤️😂❤️😂❤️😂❤️😂❤️

Back in those days the parents usually took all the money too.

Yep - just look at Gary Coleman's Life

Well, back then you have to consider the financial benefits for poor families.

100%... That's why the most famous child stars either go in "a bad way", die young or they live to tell tales of abuse, molestation, drugs and alcohol at very young ages. They give the kids drugs to stunt their growth so they can appear as kids longer.

Thank you for your service

Me too

I’m from 1960. TV sucks these days so I watch the oldies

@@SMaamri78 Yes, A lot of TV shows today 👎 strike out

Thank you for watching and your very kind works!