Alfalfa Was Kind of a Prick

Carl Switzer played “Alfalfa” in the Little Rascals.

In 1921, producer Hal Roach created the Our Gang series of short films. Later renamed The Little Rascals, Roach sought to depict real kids doing real things. The ensemble of memorable characters included Spanky, Darla, Buckwheat, Froggy, Stymie and Pete the dog. By far the most popular rascal was Alfalfa.

Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois in 1927. He grew up during the Depression and his parents were unemployed and…