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Post by gkdanko on Mar 18, 2021 9:51:46 GMT -5
I have 22 Our Gang / Little Rascals still alive. Spreadsheet is too large to attach.
If you want the Spreadsheet, please email me.... gkdanko@yahoo.com Sub: Our Gang / Little Rascals spreadsheet
Stage Name, Name, Birth
Eileen, Eileen Bernstein, 1929
Mickie, Robert Blake, 1933
Marilyn, Marilyn Bourne, 1930
Fatty, Clyde Demback, 1934
Effie, Betsy Gay, 1929
Happy, Dickie Hall, 1934
Frankie, Darryl Hickman, 1931
Dwayne, Dwayne Hickman, 1934
Payne, Payne Johnson, 1930
Peggy, Margaret Kerry, 1929
Woim, Sidney Kibrick, 1928
Mildred, Mildred Kornman, 1925
Jo Jo, Jo-Jo La Savio, 1932
Georgie, Georgie Jean LaRue, 1928
Marilyn, Valerie Lee, 1931
Billy, Billy Minderhout, 1931
Priscilla, Priscilla Montgomery, 1929
Beezer, Donnie Smith, 1924
Betta, Betta St John, 1929
Yonny, Leon Tyler, 1932
June, Laura June Williams, 1931
Clyde, Clyde Wilson, 1935
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Post by littlejoecobb on Mar 20, 2021 18:03:04 GMT -5
Between gkdanko's list and mine we came up with this list:
Donnie Smith: September 17, 1924
Mildred Kornman: July 10, 1925
Georgia Jean LaRue: March 14, 1928
Sidney Kibrick: July 2, 1928
Betsy Gay: February 2, 1929
Peggy Lynch: May 11, 1929
Eileen Bernstein July, 1920
Priscilla Montgomery: July 19, 1929
Betta St. John November 26, 1929
Ardith Dondanville: January 26, 1930
Marilyn Bourne February 1, 1930
Payne Johnson: June 2, 1930
Patsy Currier: November 4, 1930
Elaine Merk: December 19, 1930
Billy Mindy: February 26, 1931
Laura June Kenny: June 8, 1931
Darryl Hickman: July 28, 1931
Valerie Lee: December 14, 1931
Jo-Jo La Savio: July 2, 1932
Mickey Gubitosi: September 18, 1933
Dwayne Hickman: May 18, 1934
Clyde Demback August 8, 1934
Dickie Hall: September 15, 1934
Clyde Willson: May 7, 1935
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Post by mtw12055 on Mar 28, 2021 14:03:18 GMT -5
And Willie Mae Walton is still with us. Happy to say I got to interview her recently.
Donnie Smith: September 17, 1924
Mildred Kornman: July 10, 1925
Georgia Jean LaRue: March 14, 1928
Sidney Kibrick: July 2, 1928
Betsy Gay: February 2, 1929
Peggy Lynch: May 11, 1929
Eileen Bernstein: July, 1929
Priscilla Montgomery: July 19, 1929
Betta St. John: November 26, 1929
Willie Mae Walton: December 8, 1929
Ardith Dondanville: January 26, 1930
Marilyn Bourne: February 1, 1930
Payne Johnson: June 2, 1930
Patsy Currier: November 4, 1930
Elaine Merk: December 19, 1930
Billy Mindy: February 26, 1931
Laura June Kenny: June 8, 1931
Darryl Hickman: July 28, 1931
Valerie Lee: December 14, 1931
Jo-Jo La Savio: July 2, 1932
Mickey Gubitosi: September 18, 1933
Dwayne Hickman: May 18, 1934
Clyde Demback August 8, 1934
Dickie Hall: September 15, 1934
Clyde Willson: May 7, 1935
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Post by bigshotjones on Jun 9, 2021 16:02:30 GMT -5
[Sorry, redacting post. Realized I had a spelling error that caused some incorrect research!]
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Post by tboneator64 on Jun 16, 2021 9:39:16 GMT -5
And Willie Mae Walton is still with us. Happy to say I got to interview her recently. Donnie Smith: September 17, 1924 Mildred Kornman: July 10, 1925 Georgia Jean LaRue: March 14, 1928 Sidney Kibrick: July 2, 1928 Betsy Gay: February 2, 1929 Peggy Lynch: May 11, 1929 Eileen Bernstein: July, 1929 Priscilla Montgomery: July 19, 1929 Betta St. John: November 26, 1929 Willie Mae Walton: December 8, 1929 Ardith Dondanville: January 26, 1930 Marilyn Bourne: February 1, 1930 Payne Johnson: June 2, 1930 Patsy Currier: November 4, 1930 Elaine Merk: December 19, 1930 Billy Mindy: February 26, 1931 Laura June Kenny: June 8, 1931 Darryl Hickman: July 28, 1931 Valerie Lee: December 14, 1931 Jo-Jo La Savio: July 2, 1932 Mickey Gubitosi: September 18, 1933 Dwayne Hickman: May 18, 1934 Clyde Demback August 8, 1934 Dickie Hall: September 15, 1934 Clyde Willson: May 7, 1935 Two things.
First off, I must have missed Shirley Coates' passing on July 26 of last year, just 2 days shy of her 93rd Birthday (Similar to Annie Ross's passing away just 4 days shy of her 90th earlier in 2020!)! Bummer!! 
Second, I also noticed that Dwayne Hickman's sole 'Our Gang' appearance in MELODIES OLD & NEW (1942) is listed as unconfirmed. At this stage, I wonder whether it might still be possible to get a firmer confirmation from Dwayne Hickman himself, as he would have been 7 years old at the time, and I suspect a brief appearance (at best!) in a musical ensemble comedy short might not exactly register strongly in one's memory bank almost 80 years later!
Still, it wouldn't hurt to ask.
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Post by mtw12055 on Jun 17, 2021 0:36:50 GMT -5
I think I’m the one responsible for the ‘unconfirmed’ part. He’s listed in Maltin/Bann’s book, but I don’t know where he is in the film. It’s possible they had a casting directory on hand to confirm his appearance. I suppose he would have played one of the audience members since the only ‘additional’ kids are dancers, and I don’t believe Dwayne had a dance background.
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Post by littlejoecobb on Jul 21, 2021 7:03:41 GMT -5
Sorry to hear of the passing of Georgia Jean LaRue (March 14, 1928-July 18, 2021) who appeared in "The Our Gang Follies of 1938" and "Reunion in Rhythm". Had a very lovely lunch with her in Franklin, TN a number of years ago.
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Post by gisooo on Dec 19, 2021 7:13:53 GMT -5
Between gkdanko's list and mine we came up with this list: Donnie Smith: September 17, 1924 Mildred Kornman: July 10, 1925 Georgia Jean LaRue: March 14, 1928 Sidney Kibrick: July 2, 1928 Betsy Gay: February 2, 1929 Peggy Lynch: May 11, 1929 Eileen Bernstein July, 1920 Priscilla Montgomery: July 19, 1929 Betta St. John November 26, 1929 Ardith Dondanville: January 26, 1930 Marilyn Bourne February 1, 1930 Payne Johnson: June 2, 1930 Patsy Currier: November 4, 1930 Elaine Merk: December 19, 1930 Billy Mindy: February 26, 1931 Laura June Kenny: June 8, 1931 Darryl Hickman: July 28, 1931 Valerie Lee: December 14, 1931 Jo-Jo La Savio: July 2, 1932 Mickey Gubitosi: September 18, 1933 Dwayne Hickman: May 18, 1934 Clyde Demback August 8, 1934 Dickie Hall: September 15, 1934 Clyde Willson: May 7, 1935 Georgia Jean LaRue has passed away in 2021. Click link to see her blog made by her family. In the last comment it is said : Her grandson posted on YT that she left us about four weeks ago. R.I.P. Georgie (March 14, 1928-July 18, 2021) |
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Post by collibosher on Jan 9, 2022 18:36:03 GMT -5
Dwayne Hickman died today.
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Post by littlejoecobb on Feb 24, 2022 2:49:21 GMT -5
Calling all fans of the Our Gang Comedies:
The Hollywood Museum, near Hollywood Blvd and Highland Avenue in the heart of Hollywood, is now in the planning stages of a possible exhibit honoring the 100th Anniversary of the Our Gang Comedies for early this summer. During the 19th International Convention of the Sons of the Desert-Laurel and Hardywood in 2014, the museum had an amazing exhibit of 100 Years of the Hal Roach Studios. The exhibit was actually extended twice. The museum is very excited to take on this new task to honor The Little Rascals of the Our Gang Comedies.
We are looking for anyone willing to loan memorabilia relating to the Our Gang. This would include but not be limited to: Scripts, autographs, lobby cards, one-sheets, costumes, props, documents, rare photographs and as well as pieces relating to the co-stars of the Gang. Be assured the museum will take very good care of all materials. Items will be placed and kept behind glass and is fully insured.
We had some fantastic items for the Hal Roach Studio celebration. Items such as Mr. Roach’s Academy Award, the plaque from Lake Laurel and Hardy, costumes of Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd’s make-up suitcase, beautiful one-sheets and posters and contracts.
If you have any items you would be willing to loan or would like to discuss that possibility, please message me. I will get back to you the first possible opportunity. I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration in this adventure. It might very well be the only recognition the Gang will get in Hollywood on their centennial year. They deserve this and so much more.
Please sharing with anyone you feel might be interested-thank you. FYI-We hope to have several of the actors there on Open Night.
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Post by RJH on Aug 24, 2022 19:56:27 GMT -5
With the passing of Dwayne Hickman and Mildred Kornman I suppose this should be updated. I don't know if there are others.
Donnie Smith: September 17, 1924
Georgia Jean LaRue: March 14, 1928
Sidney Kibrick: July 2, 1928
Betsy Gay: February 2, 1929
Peggy Lynch: May 11, 1929
Eileen Bernstein July, 1920
Priscilla Montgomery: July 19, 1929
Betta St. John November 26, 1929
Ardith Dondanville: January 26, 1930
Marilyn Bourne February 1, 1930
Payne Johnson: June 2, 1930
Patsy Currier: November 4, 1930
Elaine Merk: December 19, 1930
Billy Mindy: February 26, 1931
Laura June Kenny: June 8, 1931
Darryl Hickman: July 28, 1931
Valerie Lee: December 14, 1931
Jo-Jo La Savio: July 2, 1932
Mickey Gubitosi: September 18, 1933
Clyde Demback August 8, 1934
Dickie Hall: September 15, 1934
Clyde Willson: May 7, 1935
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Post by dchord568 on Aug 24, 2022 22:31:03 GMT -5
Lord Heath's website reports that Donne "Beezer" Smith died at age 97 in Dade City, Florida on July 8, 2022.
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Post by mtw12055 on Aug 25, 2022 10:59:47 GMT -5
Funnily enough, I was going to mention Don's previously 'unconfirmed' status just a few days ago during all of the talk about Mildred, but opted not to for whatever reason. Donnie, from what I'm told, was rather aloof when it came to the 'Our Gang' thing, which likely explains why he kept a low profile for so long. Apparently, he didn't think much of being an ex-Rascal.
Georgie Jean LaRue should be taken off of the list too.
Sidney Kibrick: July 2, 1928
Betsy Gay: February 2, 1929
Peggy Lynch: May 11, 1929
Eileen Bernstein July, 1920
Priscilla Montgomery: July 19, 1929
Betta St. John November 26, 1929
Ardith Dondanville: January 26, 1930
Marilyn Bourne February 1, 1930
Payne Johnson: June 2, 1930
Patsy Currier: November 4, 1930
Elaine Merk: December 19, 1930
Billy Mindy: February 26, 1931
Laura June Kenny: June 8, 1931
Darryl Hickman: July 28, 1931
Valerie Lee: December 14, 1931
Jo-Jo La Savio: July 2, 1932
Mickey Gubitosi: September 18, 1933
Clyde Demback August 8, 1934
Dickie Hall: September 15, 1934
Clyde Willson: May 7, 1935
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Post by littlejoecobb on Aug 26, 2022 4:34:51 GMT -5
I had a recent letter from Jo-Jo La Savio: July 2, 1932, he stated he never appeared in any Our Gang short.
Also the recent 100 years of The Our Gang Comedies exhibit at the Hollywood Museum has proved popular enough to be extended through December, 2022. If you are in the Hollywood area check it out. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday.
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Post by littlejoecobb on Dec 15, 2022 5:43:21 GMT -5
Sadly, Ardith Dondanville: January 26, 1930 died on November 8, 2023. Her name should be removed. Also as I stated earlier I had a recent letter from Jo-Jo La Savio: July 2, 1932, he stated he never appeared in any Our Gang short.
FYI Hollywood Museum's wonderful exhibit on 100 Years of Our Gang will end on January 8th, 2023. Museum is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Sid Kibrick attended the red carpet opening of the exhibit and Bill Minderhout has visited the museum twice. Bill will also be attending the Hollywood Show in Burbank signing autographs for the Way Out West Tent of the Sons of the Desert on Feb. 3 & 4. Payne Johnson will be attending the Saps at Sea of the Sons of the Desert meeting this Saturday December 17th. Check out their Facebook page. Priscilla Montgomery is doing well.
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