|
|
Post by mtw12055 on Nov 15, 2010 16:44:03 GMT -5
I've noticed Roach seems to have told quite a few questionable stories, which leads me to this question: where was he the night that Thelma Todd was found dead?
|
|
|
|
Post by ymymeatemup on Nov 15, 2010 18:35:57 GMT -5
On a more serious note, I'm wondering about the whole "saw a group of kids outside my window fighting over a stick and came up with Our Gang" idea.
|
|
|
|
Post by littlerascal4891 on Nov 15, 2010 23:02:36 GMT -5
I didn't know that some of these "facts" weren't reliable. I always relied on that "Our Gang Story" video for my Our Gang info., but I found out that quite a few things from the tape are inaccurate. Thank goodness for you guys!  |
|
|
|
Post by mickeygubitosifan on Nov 16, 2010 2:25:40 GMT -5
The story of Shirley Temple being turned down is also questionable at best. It apparently comes from something Roach said and has been vehemently denied by Shirley herself. Roach seems to have played fast and loose with the facts over the years; he generally didn't let accuracy get in the way of a good anecdote. I've heard from a few different online sources the story about Shirley Temple being denied admittance to The Gang by Hal Roach, but I didn't know that the authenticity of the tale stood on such shaky ground. In that case, what is known in regard to whether or not the story about Mickey Rooney being turned down as an Our Gangster is true? I often hear that one mentioned in the same breath as the Shirley Temple story. |
|
|
|
Post by ymymeatemup on Nov 16, 2010 19:20:00 GMT -5
I think the Rooney story might actually be true. Roach said that Rooney auditioned and was turned down for being too hammy. I'm not aware that Rooney ever denied this one, but I'm sure there must be Mickey fans out there who know for sure.
|
|
|
|
Post by mtw12055 on Nov 16, 2010 21:15:31 GMT -5
A source I came across recently stated that Mickey (then known as Joe Yule Jr.) first came to Hollywood (and apparently auditioned for Our Gang) in 1924. www.moviefanfare.com/fanfare-guests/child-actor-success-stories-the-comeback-kids/(that ridiculous photo on this page that comes right before the "Our Gang Curse" video shows grown up Jackie Cooper and Mickey Rooney posing in their classic juvenile roles). I'm not sure how many of Roach's stories are true, but I can say that some of this stories about Stan Laurel (particuarly in regards to how his feud with Laurel began) seem to have the most inaccuracies in them. |
|
|
|
Post by myhomeo on Nov 17, 2010 17:53:26 GMT -5
Not a huge Mickey Rooney fan, but I do know some of his stories are suspect; among other things, he claimed at least once he inspired Mickey Mouse when he happened to meet Walt Disney on a train ride. (Other sources indicate Walt had the concept in mind for quite some time and it was his wife who suggested the name Mickey; Disney's original name was Mortimer).
That said, Mickey was definitely hammy; he started in vaudeville, and it showed, particularly in his early shorts.
As for the 'Kids with sticks' story, it's cute and for all we know there might be a glimmer of truth in at least how they approached the concept, but a more likely source of inspiration was Chaplin's 'The Kid,' which had just been a big hit.
|
|
|
|
Post by ymymeatemup on Nov 17, 2010 20:44:18 GMT -5
As for the 'Kids with sticks' story, it's cute and for all we know there might be a glimmer of truth in at least how they approached the concept, but a more likely source of inspiration was Chaplin's 'The Kid,' which had just been a big hit. Yeah, even though I've never read any published connection between "The Kid" and Our Gang, I find it almost impossible to ignore the timing. Back in 1919, when Roach first signed Ernie Morrison, Pathe wouldn't let him do a Sunshine Sammy series because of the lack of public interest in 'kid comedies.' Then, in 1921, they not only agreed to a Sunshine Sammy series (which quickly morphed into Our Gang), but allowed it to be made up of two-reelers (which were generally reserved for established stars). Hmmmm, now why would that have happened? Could it be because Jackie Coogan was the top box office draw of the year? |
|
|
|
Post by bigears on Nov 18, 2010 14:13:01 GMT -5
When I read Mickey Rooney's autobiography 'Life is Too Short', I took a lot of the things he said with a grain of salt, especially that business about him and Norma Shearer. When I read the part about him inspiring Mickey Mouse, I just shook my head and said, 'No way'. That's what I enjoy most about reading celebrity autobiographies, trying to determine what is truth and what are just tall tales. And yes, I'm sure that Hal Roach told a whopper or two in his day.
|
|
|
|
Post by mtw12055 on Nov 18, 2010 21:40:50 GMT -5
Another Our Gang knock-off "The Uh-Oh Kids" (one of whom is a young Jaleel White). Listen to the voice of the chubby kid. He sounds an awful lot like a Rascal that I think we all know... www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeHvNzmHHiI |
|
|
|
Post by littlerascal4891 on Nov 18, 2010 22:46:39 GMT -5
Urkel!
Yeah, I got "Our Gang" vibes from that commercial. Made me hungry for Speghetti-Os though...
|
|
|
|
Post by mtw12055 on Nov 21, 2010 11:02:09 GMT -5
I completely forgot about this one. Probably the most unusual (and random) Our Gang reference(s) in this 2000 cult/experimental film "Flipping the Whale-Underbelly. The entire film is up on youtube, but these parts are probably the most notable for Our Gang fans: Part 4: Makes direct references to three Our Gang shorts www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3vKkJTMVPAPart 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_qL4-p2cTwPart ?: Features characters who are evidently grown up versions of Jean Darling and Harry Spear. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVLTwX4jni0 |
|
|
|
Post by littlerascal4891 on Nov 21, 2010 17:29:35 GMT -5
^That was... odd.
|
|
|
|
Post by mtw12055 on Nov 21, 2010 21:06:47 GMT -5
As Scotty Beckett would say, "You took to words right out of my mouth". |
|
|
|
Post by mickeygubitosifan on Nov 21, 2010 23:31:30 GMT -5
I completely forgot about this one. Probably the most unusual (and random) Our Gang reference(s) in this 2000 cult/experimental film "Flipping the Whale-Underbelly. The entire film is up on youtube, but these parts are probably the most notable for Our Gang fans: Part 4: Makes direct references to three Our Gang shorts www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3vKkJTMVPAPart 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_qL4-p2cTwPart ?: Features characters who are evidently grown up versions of Jean Darling and Harry Spear. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVLTwX4jni0 Wow. It certainly caught my attention, even if I didn't understand all of it. If the boy in the bowler hat is supposed to be Harry Spear, then am I correct in assuming that the boy with the handkerchief wrapped loosely around his neck is supposed to be Wheezer? |
|
