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The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang
When originally published in 1977 as Our Gang , this book sold more than 52,000 copies. This new edition, with an extensive amount of fresh material, will prove irresistible to all fans of the most popular TV series of all time. Illustrations.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
About the author
Leonard Maltin
163 books66 followersLeonard Maltin, is an American film and animated-film critic and historian.
Maltin began his writing career at age fifteen, writing for Classic Images and editing and publishing his own fanzine, Film Fan Monthly, dedicated to films from the golden age of Hollywood. After receiving a journalism degree at New York University, Maltin went on to publish articles in a variety of film journals, national news-papers, and magazines, including Variety and TV Guide.
Maltin in 1990
As an author, Maltin is best known for Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, (some editions titled as his ...Movie and Video Guide), a compendium of synopses and reviews that first appeared in September 1969 and has been annually updated since October 1987. (It was published under the title TV Movies until the 1990s, and in 2005 spawned a spin-off, Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, limited to films released in 1960 and earlier to allow the regular book to cover a larger number of more recent titles.) He has also written several other works, including Behind the Camera, a study of the art of cinematography, The Whole Film Sourcebook, Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia, Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals, and Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons.
Since May 29, 1982, Maltin has been the movie reviewer on the syndicated television series Entertainment Tonight. He also appears on the Starz cable network, and hosted his own syndicated radio program, Leonard Maltin on Video, as well as the syndicated TV show Hot Ticket with Boston film critic Joyce Kulhawik (originally E! personality and game show host Todd Newton). He currently hosts a television show entitled Secret's Out on ReelzChannel movie network. He also spearheaded the creation of the Walt Disney Treasures collectible DVD line in 2001,[4] and continues to provide creative input and host the various sets.
He appeared on Pyramid twice as a celebrity player, in 1987 on the CBS $25,000 version and in 1991 on the John Davidson version. He appeared on Super Password as a celebrity guest in 1988.
In the mid-1990s, he became the president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and is on the Advisory Board of the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. For nearly a decade, Maltin was also on the faculty of the New School for Social Research in New York City. He currently teaches in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.
In 1998, Maltin settled a libel suit brought by former child star Billy Gray, of Father Knows Best fame, whom Maltin identified as a drug addict and dealer in his review of the film Dusty and Sweets McGee for the movie guide book. The statement appeared in print for nearly twenty-five years before Maltin publicly apologized for the error.[5]
He currently hosts "The Maltin Minute" for DirecTV customers. Maltin also teaches at the University of Southern California.
Maltin began his writing career at age fifteen, writing for Classic Images and editing and publishing his own fanzine, Film Fan Monthly, dedicated to films from the golden age of Hollywood. After receiving a journalism degree at New York University, Maltin went on to publish articles in a variety of film journals, national news-papers, and magazines, including Variety and TV Guide.
Maltin in 1990
As an author, Maltin is best known for Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, (some editions titled as his ...Movie and Video Guide), a compendium of synopses and reviews that first appeared in September 1969 and has been annually updated since October 1987. (It was published under the title TV Movies until the 1990s, and in 2005 spawned a spin-off, Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, limited to films released in 1960 and earlier to allow the regular book to cover a larger number of more recent titles.) He has also written several other works, including Behind the Camera, a study of the art of cinematography, The Whole Film Sourcebook, Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia, Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals, and Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons.
Since May 29, 1982, Maltin has been the movie reviewer on the syndicated television series Entertainment Tonight. He also appears on the Starz cable network, and hosted his own syndicated radio program, Leonard Maltin on Video, as well as the syndicated TV show Hot Ticket with Boston film critic Joyce Kulhawik (originally E! personality and game show host Todd Newton). He currently hosts a television show entitled Secret's Out on ReelzChannel movie network. He also spearheaded the creation of the Walt Disney Treasures collectible DVD line in 2001,[4] and continues to provide creative input and host the various sets.
He appeared on Pyramid twice as a celebrity player, in 1987 on the CBS $25,000 version and in 1991 on the John Davidson version. He appeared on Super Password as a celebrity guest in 1988.
In the mid-1990s, he became the president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and is on the Advisory Board of the Hollywood Entertainment Museum. For nearly a decade, Maltin was also on the faculty of the New School for Social Research in New York City. He currently teaches in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California.
In 1998, Maltin settled a libel suit brought by former child star Billy Gray, of Father Knows Best fame, whom Maltin identified as a drug addict and dealer in his review of the film Dusty and Sweets McGee for the movie guide book. The statement appeared in print for nearly twenty-five years before Maltin publicly apologized for the error.[5]
He currently hosts "The Maltin Minute" for DirecTV customers. Maltin also teaches at the University of Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 19, 2022
It took Maltin and Bann 20 years to put together this marvelous tribute to “Our Gang”. The time spent researching, collecting, organizing, and writing was well worth it for any fan of these wonderful short films of the 20s, 30s, and 40s. We get a full chronology and celebration of these comedies, along with an account of the lives and times of the actors and staff of Hal Roach studios.
From the introduction:
“Specifically, what this book offers is a complete, illustrated Our Gang filmography, with selected production credits, comprehensive cast listings and character roles, plot synopsis, gag highlights, critical evaluations, related esorterica, interviews, pertinent and impertinent anecdotes, tidbits, transitional material, and now and then some published contemporary reviews.”
They give us all that--And, How!
The book opens and closes with a series of fantastic photographs. In between, along with the abundance of information, you’ll find film stills corresponding to the episode being discussed. There are only a few of the 292 pages without a photo and caption.
The authors provide us with a nice write-up of every film from the silents of 1922-29, (88 films) through the talkies of 1929-44 (133 films). The synopsis of each film is very detailed and accurate, though I disagreed with some of the critiques. I’m usually turned off by “professional” film critiques, so they didn’t add anything to my otherwise utter enjoyment here, but if you like such reviews, they will only enhance your reading pleasure.
There’s a nice section of biographies of some of the main actors. They run from one-half to two pages each, and are fairly detailed.
Other interesting additions include a short history of Hal Roach studios, the genesis of the idea for the films, and a treasurer’s report of what the films cost and earned. Small sections on merchandising, the television revival, and the Our Gang Cafe are bonuses. There’s also a chapter on where to find the films, although this information is dated, so not so reliable. For those interested in seeing a lot of these gems once more, you can find some nice, affordable collections on Amazon. You can also watch quite a few for free on Tubi.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Our Gang, and would like to learn the history and behind-the-scenes stories. It’s a keeper for just the photos alone.
This is a review of the updated 1992 edition.
From the introduction:
“Specifically, what this book offers is a complete, illustrated Our Gang filmography, with selected production credits, comprehensive cast listings and character roles, plot synopsis, gag highlights, critical evaluations, related esorterica, interviews, pertinent and impertinent anecdotes, tidbits, transitional material, and now and then some published contemporary reviews.”
They give us all that--And, How!
The book opens and closes with a series of fantastic photographs. In between, along with the abundance of information, you’ll find film stills corresponding to the episode being discussed. There are only a few of the 292 pages without a photo and caption.
The authors provide us with a nice write-up of every film from the silents of 1922-29, (88 films) through the talkies of 1929-44 (133 films). The synopsis of each film is very detailed and accurate, though I disagreed with some of the critiques. I’m usually turned off by “professional” film critiques, so they didn’t add anything to my otherwise utter enjoyment here, but if you like such reviews, they will only enhance your reading pleasure.
There’s a nice section of biographies of some of the main actors. They run from one-half to two pages each, and are fairly detailed.
Other interesting additions include a short history of Hal Roach studios, the genesis of the idea for the films, and a treasurer’s report of what the films cost and earned. Small sections on merchandising, the television revival, and the Our Gang Cafe are bonuses. There’s also a chapter on where to find the films, although this information is dated, so not so reliable. For those interested in seeing a lot of these gems once more, you can find some nice, affordable collections on Amazon. You can also watch quite a few for free on Tubi.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Our Gang, and would like to learn the history and behind-the-scenes stories. It’s a keeper for just the photos alone.
This is a review of the updated 1992 edition.
February 7, 2017
Who doesn't like The Little Rascals? I loved them as a kid and I love them even more now, and this book is an excellent companion for people who want to know the history of the series, the actors, and a list of each short. It is filled with information and pictures and is a lot of fun to read.
Maltin released an update to his original book with more accurate biographical information about the rascals. Unfortunately, many of them have since passed away, so another update might be in order.
I have an autographed copy of this book signed by both authors who I had the pleasure of meeting at the final Cinefest in Syracuse. I treasure it. This book was instrumental in introducing me the world of classic movies.
Maltin released an update to his original book with more accurate biographical information about the rascals. Unfortunately, many of them have since passed away, so another update might be in order.
I have an autographed copy of this book signed by both authors who I had the pleasure of meeting at the final Cinefest in Syracuse. I treasure it. This book was instrumental in introducing me the world of classic movies.
June 2, 2013
For the film nostalgia buff, you can't do better than this. Many of us have seen the Little Rascals films on Saturday morning television but some of these have never been shown. The series started in 1922 and of course the films are silent......but they have some really endearing players. My favorites from this era are pouty-faced Jackie Condon and Mickey Dolan. These kids could act and many were not professionals. Then came the second group of kids crossing the line between the silents and sound: Wheezer, Jackie Cooper, Farina, and Chubby Chaney. Again, children that could act; the book explains that the films were shot in very short takes so the youngsters could keep on track with dialogue. The series officially ended in 1944 and starred some of the more well known characters; Spanky, Buckwheat, and Alfalfa.
There is a plethora of interesting information here about the players, the directors and the studio and a short synopsis of each episode. I have to say that my favorite Little Rascals' episode is "Pups is Pups" starring the cutest of them all, Wheezer. When Wheezer loses the clapper of the little bell he uses to call his pups, he walks around saying "jingle, jingle, jingle". So endearing. This is a very entertaining book.
There is a plethora of interesting information here about the players, the directors and the studio and a short synopsis of each episode. I have to say that my favorite Little Rascals' episode is "Pups is Pups" starring the cutest of them all, Wheezer. When Wheezer loses the clapper of the little bell he uses to call his pups, he walks around saying "jingle, jingle, jingle". So endearing. This is a very entertaining book.
September 10, 2015
Fans of Entertainment History and The Little Rascals will treasure the information in this book. Each episode is recapped chronologically with backstory tidbits of trivia about castings, plots, settings, production, and reviews. A gem I truly enjoyed!
October 16, 2007
"Little Rascals: The Life And Times Of Our Gang" is the ultimate book for fans of the wonderful old series of short films. Reading about the misfortune and early deaths that so many of the Little Rascals encountered really makes you question the whole "child star" industry. Ironically, George "Spanky" McFarland, one of those who didn't really encounter misfortune and lived to be 64 (still young, but not one of the early deaths) was perhaps the most tragic Little Rascal of them all, in my opinion. Spanky's nickname became completely associated with him, yet he never received a penny from all the decades of merchandising that sprung from it. All the Little Rascals were paid well for children, at that time, but when the shorts were sold to television some twenty five years after their heyday, in the late 1950s, and became a suprise hit with a new generation of kids, none of the surviving actors were paid any royalties at all. Spanky became especially bitter as he grew older; it must have been unbearable to watch his name and likeness (there was a restaurant around the corner from us some years ago named "Spanky's Clubhouse," with a logo bearing his likeness) on so many financial ventures, while he earned nothing himself. There was even a pop band in the 1960s, with a couple of huge hits, named Spanky and Our Gang. Ironically, the creator of the Our Gang, Hal Roach, lived to be over 100, surviving most of the children he cast in his short films.
June 19, 2009
Not long ago I watched a "marathon" television showing of the Our Gang/Little Rascals comedy shorts. These were made in the USA in the late 1920s-mid 1940s. The stars were children who were funny, inventive, cute, and always entertaining. It is true that some unpleasant racial jokes were made on afew occasions. but one of the things I like about these comedies was their almost 100% evenhanded treatment of chldren as children, above and beyond race.
I wondered what became of the children who starred in these comedies. I also wondered about the adult cast members, the directors, and so on. This book filled in many of the blanks. It made me wish I could watch the silent comedies, too; those are not shown in television if they do, indeed, still exist.
The bad parts: the book is more than fifteen years out of date. It was updated in the early 1990s after original publication in 1977. I wish the authors would provide a new or updated book. Also, I noticed discrepancies in the information, such as different years given for the same occurence and flat out wrong information given for other things. Aside from those irritating problems, I enjoyed reading this book. There were lots of publicity stills in it, and a few, rare candid photos, too. Included with the children's biographies was a biography of Petey the pup, who was a favorite with everyone. Now I know how Petey got his trademark bullseye marking.
I wondered what became of the children who starred in these comedies. I also wondered about the adult cast members, the directors, and so on. This book filled in many of the blanks. It made me wish I could watch the silent comedies, too; those are not shown in television if they do, indeed, still exist.
The bad parts: the book is more than fifteen years out of date. It was updated in the early 1990s after original publication in 1977. I wish the authors would provide a new or updated book. Also, I noticed discrepancies in the information, such as different years given for the same occurence and flat out wrong information given for other things. Aside from those irritating problems, I enjoyed reading this book. There were lots of publicity stills in it, and a few, rare candid photos, too. Included with the children's biographies was a biography of Petey the pup, who was a favorite with everyone. Now I know how Petey got his trademark bullseye marking.
July 22, 2015
I was never a great fan of Leonard Maltin's annual film guides, not because I disagree with his ratings (though I often did and do), but because of the low grades he tends to give to silent films, even as he champions them in his other writings and commentaries. That said, this is the definitive book on the Our Gang/Little Rascals films. It was written at a time when the general viewer only had access to heavily edited versions and also when many of the cast members were still alive. And while it's not a particularly deep or thought-provoking book, it is certainly an enjoyable read. I love those late-1920's silents and early-to-mid 1930's talkies. Yes, there are many cringe-worthy racist bits running throughout them, and I'm so so sure I'd agree with Maltin that these white and black kids were always portrayed as equals, but I would argue that Matthew "Stymie" Beard often came across as one of the smartest and certainly the most interestingly complex of all the Rascals. And by the way, it wasn't Buckwheat who started saying, "Otay," it was Porky! So until another book appears with a deeper, more sensitive 21st century take on these films, this is currently the only book you need to read on the Our Gang/Little Rascal films.
October 3, 2021
An unbelievably comprehensive - almost overly comprehensive - bible of the beloved series. Every child actor who was part of the series is covered and every single episode is reviewed, with cast and crew listings for each included. It's also loaded with photographs. Just a warning - it was published in 1992, so a lot of the players who were still alive then are now gone.
February 3, 2019
LOVED IT!!! Learned so much about them, and found out there were many others who aren't well known.
Want to read
September 17, 2019Blast it all good reads. I clicked on the wrong title and now I can't delete this book. Haven't read it, didn't really want to read it. . . . probably won't read it. Sigh.
January 25, 2023
If you're a fan of the series it's a great reference book.
October 4, 2010
I grew up watching the Our Gang (aka The Little Rascals) shorts at my grandparent's house. I'm not old enough to have seen the in the theater but my grandmother would share stories about how she knew the kids who acted in the Our Gang shorts. I wish I had paid more attention to her stories because I've forgotten most of what she's told me and she's no longer living.
Around the time that I was first watching the Our Gang shorts while lying on my stomach and coloring in oversized coloring books, Leonard Maltin wrote The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang. It was published in 1977 and he must have been working on it throughout the 1970s. It was a decade when film historians were coming to the realization that a lot of the old films and television shows were being lost to poor storage and general laziness on the part of the studios.
Maltin has written a number of excellent film compendiums which I've referenced many times (especially when I was in film school). The Little Rascals book is one of his earliest ones and it shows. The analysis and annotations of the films isn't as robust. Instead of analysis we get a lot of moaning and groaning about how under appreciated the films are. Maltin's newer books are sometimes prone to emotional outbursts but he has matured as a writer over the years.
The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang will still make a good reference for anyone studying the shorts. It does have all the release dates, original titles and new titles that were sometimes used for the televised versions. But I recommend that it be used with other books that must have been written about the series in the last thirty years.
Around the time that I was first watching the Our Gang shorts while lying on my stomach and coloring in oversized coloring books, Leonard Maltin wrote The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang. It was published in 1977 and he must have been working on it throughout the 1970s. It was a decade when film historians were coming to the realization that a lot of the old films and television shows were being lost to poor storage and general laziness on the part of the studios.
Maltin has written a number of excellent film compendiums which I've referenced many times (especially when I was in film school). The Little Rascals book is one of his earliest ones and it shows. The analysis and annotations of the films isn't as robust. Instead of analysis we get a lot of moaning and groaning about how under appreciated the films are. Maltin's newer books are sometimes prone to emotional outbursts but he has matured as a writer over the years.
The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang will still make a good reference for anyone studying the shorts. It does have all the release dates, original titles and new titles that were sometimes used for the televised versions. But I recommend that it be used with other books that must have been written about the series in the last thirty years.
September 20, 2014
Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals by Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Benn (Random House Value Publishing 1980)(791.437). The “Little Rascals” comedy shorts were filmed by Hal Roach from the 1920's to the 1940's. In the early shorts, the kids in the films were just kids acting like kids. Rather than being given lines to speak, the kids were told what was to happen in a scene, and the kids would ad-lib the action and the dialog as the cameras rolled. The results were often hilarious. Simply stating the names Spanky, Alfalfa, and Buckwheat often causes people's faces to light up as they remember these delightful films. My rating: 7.5/10, finished 1980.
May 23, 2014
A marvelous book on the short films made in the "Our Gang" series by Hal Roach. There is much information and neat little sidelights throughout the book. If you like old movies or are a fan of the Little Rascals, this book is a must.
September 13, 2013
This is a very thorough look at the Little Rascals franchise. What else would you expect from Leonard Maltin?
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews