Equally emotional and uplifting, Frank Capra's classic Christmas film is the one that many viewers return back to again, and again. The film isn't just a great Christmas movie, but a time capsule of the anxieties and moments of the time. Classics are classics because they ignite something inside of you, something that reignites every time you watch them, whether that ignition is nostalgia, happiness, wonder or sadness it's these strong emotions that make up the metaphorical fire in our heart that will keep us loving these films for all time. Carl Dean "Alfalfa" Switzer, who was born in Paris, Illinois, on August 7, 1927, is best remembered as "Alfalfa" on The Little Rascals (originally known as Our Gang)--Spanky's skinny, freckle-faced sidekick with the irrepressible cowlick, and off-key singing voice. Capra loved the performance, finding it the most captivating work Stewart had done. No pinholes or tape and has never been hung or displayed. He’s buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. When Stewart is handing out money to members of the savings and loan, Ellen Corby approaches the counter and asks for $17.50. His performance impressed producer Hal Roach a lot. In the latter he played Donna Reed’s date until James Stewart’s George Bailey shows up. By this definition, It's a Wonderful Life is very much a Classic. Carl Dean Switzer, the actor who as a child played Alfalfa in the Our Gang comedy film series, dies at age 31 in a fight, allegedly about money, in a Mission [in a trance, Mary hands Othello her drink, and George and Mary start dancing]. Constructed over the course of two months, it was one of the longest movie sets ever made at the time. Character: Alfalfa Switzer Birthday: August 7, 1927 Place of Birth: Paris, Illinois Date of Death: January 21, 1959 Place of Death: Mission Hills, California First Short: Beginner's Luck Last Short: Kiddie Kure Number of Shorts: 61 History: Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was lucky to be one of the most famous Little Rascals in the Our Gang series. : In 1934, the Switzers traveled to California to visit family. ... We also have It’s a Wonderful Life and I had no idea that was him. Carl Dean Switzer (Alfie, Alfadoofus, Carl Switzer) was born on 7 August, 1927 in Paris, Illinois, USA, is an Actor, Soundtrack. The reaction Stewart gives is all genuine. Though a majority of the movie has nothing to do with Christmas, that final act turns the film into a holiday film without a doubt. When pumped at high pressure through a wind machine, it created the perfect visual and texture for snow. In reaction to what he believed to be an oppressive work atmosphere, Carl tried to sabotage a few Our Gang films. Company Credits The Story: Carl Dean "Alfala" Switzer was an actor, best known for his childhood work in Our Gang, though he also appeared as an adult in films including It's a Wonderful Life and Island in the Sky. It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas family fantasy drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra, based on the short story and booklet The Greatest Gift, which Philip Van Doren Stern self-published in 1943 and is in turn loosely based on the 1843 Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol. Peter Billingsly, who plays Ralphie in A Christmas Story, for example, makes an appearance in the movie Elf. Freddie Othello The setting of Bedford Falls, the fictional hometown of George Bailey, is the perfect small-town location. Carl Switzer (Alfalfa) was shot and killed at the age of 31. Bloopers happen on every set. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) WORST MOVIE The Ice Follies of 1939 (1939) Carl Switzer was an American actor-turned dog breeder and guide. Oh, why don't you stop annoying people. Carl Switzer : biography August 7, 1927 – January 21, 1959 In 1946, Switzer had a small part in the 1946 Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life as Mary Hatch’s (Donna Reed) date at the high school dance in the beginning of the film. His performance impressed producer Hal Roach a lot. | The paper size is approximately . James Stewart is one of the most iconic movie stars of all time. The following year, he starred as Alfalfa in the comedy films ‘Gas House Kids Go West’ and ‘Gas House Kids in Hollywood’ respectively. Reply. There really is no other Christmas film quite as uplifting as It's A Wonderful Life, let alone one that has been shared by multiple generations. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) WORST MOVIE The Ice Follies of 1939 (1939) Carl Switzer was an American actor-turned dog breeder and guide. He was married to Dian Collingwood. Carl Dean Switzer, best known as Alfalfa from The Little Rascals, appears in the film as Mary's date to the graduation dance. He was an actor, known for Night 'n' Gales (1937), Feed 'em and Weep (1938) and Rushin' Ballet (1937). Shot in glorious black and white, the Frank Capra movie still enchants and inspires, even though it initially did poorly at the box office when it was released on December 20, 1946. Following a public tour, 8-year-old Harold and 6-year-old Carl entered the Hal Roach Studio's open-to-the-public cafeteria, the Our Gang Café, and began an impromptu performance. Before It's A Wonderful Life, these artists would utilize cornflakes as snow substitute, dropping them onto sets and soundstages. Biography. Carl ‘Alfalfa’ Switzer in Pay As You Exit (1936)/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Like so many child actors, Switzer had a tough time in Hollywood after his tenure at The Little Rascals ended. He was married to Dian Collingwood. In the 1954 musical film White Christmas, his picture is used […] : Character: Alfalfa Switzer Birthday: August 7, 1927 Place of Birth: Paris, Illinois Date of Death: January 21, 1959 Place of Death: Mission Hills, California First Short: Beginner's Luck Last Short: Kiddie Kure Number of Shorts: 61 History: Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was lucky to be one of the most famous Little Rascals in the Our Gang series. Now, to get back to my story, see? Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer was born on August 7, 1927 in Paris, Illinois, USA as Carl Dean Switzer. Official Sites He was an actor, known for Night 'n' Gales (1937), Feed 'em and Weep (1938) and Rushin' Ballet (1937). He died on January 21, 1959 in Mission Hills, California, USA. Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer was born on August 7, 1927 in Paris, Illinois, USA as Carl Dean Switzer. The story usually goes that on the night of January 21, 1959, Alfalfa and a friend named Jack Piott came to the ranch-style Los Angeles home of Bud Stiltz and angrily started pounding on his door. Though we all know the movie by heart, here are some behind the scenes facts you might not have known about this classic Hollywood Christmas tale. Wonderful :-) Covering four acres of RKO's Encino Ranch in California, the set included over 70 buildings, an industrial district, and an entire suburb. Without him, the entire town would have gone to greedy developers, and many of his friends and family members might not have even been around. George Bailey 6. But, apparently, George Bailey's kindness alone wasn't enough to keep Nick the bartender around. Carl Switzer (Alfalfa) was shot and killed at the age of 31. RELATED: Best Christmas Movies Of All-Time. Some of his credits include Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1942), Johnny Doughboy (also 1942, co-starring Spanky), The Great Mike (1944) and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). It worked so well, the Effect Department received special Awards recognition for their work. In actuality, the movie was filmed in July in the middle of one of the worst heat waves on record. It shows the happy days of the 20s turn into the Depression of the 30s, and finally the unification of the 40s and the war effort. https://www.neatorama.com/2012/10/16/The-Strange-Death-of-Alfalfa Few films have touched the hearts of the masses as much as It's A Wonderful Life. Well, well, well. George and Mary meet each other for the first time since childhood. This wasn't the first time Bondi had played Jimmy Stewart's mother in a film, though. When Uncle Billy waltzes off from the party drunk, you can hear him fall into a bunch of trash cans. George Bailey Release Dates Sheldon Leonard, who played the friendly neighborhood barman, had no intention of joining the film out of actual interest.