Carl Switzer rose to fame as a freckle-faced alfalfa in the series “Our Gang,” but it couldn’t have been a great life for the actor.
At age 31, the former child star died in a fight that reportedly cost more than $50, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, today’s money would be $539.36.
“All hell breaks loose,” says James Tehrani, author of a new book. “Alfalfa – the villain you know. Characters you never knew” told Fox News Digital
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Carl Switzer plays Alfalfa from the series “The Little Rascals”, formerly known as “Our Gang” Photo dated Jan. 1 Nov. 1936. (CBS via Getty Images)
“I think there’s more to this story than 50 dollars,” he says, “but one thing that was important to me was not to spread too much misinformation. And stay away from rumors and rumours… I hope this is just the beginning and there will be many more to come.”
At the time of the deadly battle, Switzer was a bartender and hunting dog trainer. The success he once had in Hollywood appears to be long behind him as he takes on odd jobs. History.com It was also pointed out that he had argued with police several times.
A few weeks ago He was training one Moses “Bud” Stiltz’s dog while hunting. He ran away and Stiltz retrieved his dog. According to the said book Switzerland placed an announcement in the newspaper offering a $35 reward.
Carl Switzer stars in scenes opposite James. Stewart and Donna Reed in “It’s a Wonderful Life” (Everett)
Someone found the dog and came to receive the prize. The Swiss paid the prize money and bought the man several drinks as a thank you. It was reported that there was $15 in the bar, or $100 in today’s money. But when it comes to the evening The book shared Switzer felt Stiltz should return the $50 to him.
“Maybe it is a matter of principle. Or maybe he just really wanted the money,” Tehrani wrote.
James Tehrani’s book “Alfalfa – The Rascal You Knew, the Character You Never Knew” is now available. (Bear Manor Media)
“He was due in court a few weeks after his death with a woman I couldn’t track down,” Tehrani told Fox News Digital. “She lent him a small amount of money…that might be part of it. one of it I’ve heard other things. during research which I did not include in the book because I could not verify it.”
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Alfalfa is Carl Switzer’s best known role. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
“Carl should write a note in the newspaper with a $35 reward,” Tehrani said. “I spent many hours… Tried searching for this classified ad but couldn’t find it, so whether it’s real or not. But mysteriously, one day, the dog appeared along with the gentleman who brought the dog back… Carl is not in good financial position But buy the guy a $15 drink. That doesn’t add up when you think about it.”
Tehrani noted that Switzerland “Finally encountered a problem.”
As a child actor, Carl Switzer became a star, but as he grew up He also faced financial problems and clashed with police several times. According to reports, he never received any royalties. From the show (CBS via Getty Images)
“He had an up-and-down marriage,” explains Tehrani. “He and his wife (Diantha Collingwood) got married very quickly. After dating for a few months They have a son together. And they moved to Kansas. There is an opportunity for a better life there. But it didn’t last very long. He was therefore very distressed. Especially since he went back to Hollywood and was away from his son.”
“There were other incidents along the way,” Tehrani notes. “In 1958, he cut down a tree to make a Christmas tree. He was caught and fined. Because it is a difficult time financially.”
Fellow Swiss photographer Jack Piott offered to drive him to see Stiltz at night. When they arrived at the home of Stiltz’s girlfriend, Rita Corrigan, Switzer “got out and hurried to the front door.” house”
Corrigan is heard saying “Western Union for Bud Stiltz” when the door doesn’t open. Switzer is reported to have said firmly: “Will you let me in? Or I will break the door down.”
Carl Switzer appeared in the 1954 film The High and the Mighty, starring John Wayne. (Everett)
Stilz seemed unfazed. Tell Corrigan to let Switzer in. When the door opened, Switzerland was “heading for Stiltz.” Piott was putting out his cigarette outside and did not immediately pursue Switzerland.
“There was a confrontation upstairs,” Tehrani said. “It eventually resulted in Bud being attacked several times and Carl wrestling with Bud. Then Jack comes in and tries to destroy it as best he can. But it is expected that he will hit Bud with the watch as well… Then there was a shot.”
“What happened depends on who you believe,” Tehrani said. “Jack Piott said Carl’s hand was on the door as he was leaving when he was shot. Bud said he felt threatened. And Carl attacked him, perhaps with a knife. The problem with this case is that these were the words he said. -she-said the situation.”
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Carl Switzer played Alfalfa from the mid-1930s to the early 1940s, then in 1955 the comedy Our Gang became “The Little Rascals.” (CBS via Getty Images)
There are some things that everyone can agree on. A battered and bruised Stilz is hit in the head by a watch. and Switzer was shot in the abdomen. He reportedly told Stiltz, “What are you shooting me for?”
When the police arrived Switzer then knelt on the floor next to the door. stuck in life Although Switzerland’s wound didn’t bleed very much, But when arriving at the hospital He would have to succumb to his injuries.
Rescuers found a closed switch knife. But according to Tehrani, Piott claims he has never seen a Swiss knife.
“What we do know is that at one point Carl and Bud seemed like good friends,” Tehrani said. “Both of them are hunters. But at some point it fell south. It seemed like there had been a lot of phone calls months before this…but it was more than just he-said-her. -Say something.”
Carl Switzer as Alfalfa and George McFarland as Spanky in the 1938 film Canned Fishing. (John Springer/Corbis Collection/Corbis via Getty Images)
Stilz told reporters: Switzer entered the premises drunk? “Under the influence of something,” demanded $50 from the letter. Stiltz also claims Switzer took the gun from him. But he took it back. That’s when Switzer pulled out a knife and said, “I’m going to kill you,” Stilz said, saying he had no choice but to shoot the actor in self-defense.
Piott, on the other hand, said he had never seen Switzerland with a gun in his hand.
Even though there were many people in the home, there are “various and sometimes vastly different recollections of what happened that night,” the book emphasizes.
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A jury ruled Piott died of justifiable homicide in 1973, followed by Stiltz in 1983.
For decades, rumors persisted that Switzerland was a Hollywood native turned drug addict. Tehrani said this could not be further from the truth.
“It is believed that after he left ‘Our Gang’ he disappeared from Hollywood,” he said. “That’s true to some extent. He didn’t have the biggest parts after ‘Our Gang,’ but he was in a TV show or movie every year until before his death in 1959.”
Carl Switzer took on odd jobs in his later years before he was murdered. (Family photo courtesy of James Tehrani)
“Look at ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’ a movie that people watch every year during the holidays… He is not credited for this. But he has great dance scenes. And he danced with Donna Reed… He was in ‘The Defiant Ones’ and ‘The Ten Commandments,’ two important movies.”
“He deserves recognition,” Tehrani continued.
James Tehrani hopes his book will share the story of Carl Switzer’s short life in Hollywood. (Bear Manor Media)
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“He was one of the most famous child actors of the 1930s and one of the most famous actors of all time… Is he a perfectionist? No, he did something so bad that I said so. about in the book But he is still a child who is in a very difficult situation.”
