Carl Switzer was the cute freckle-faced boy with a cowlick who played Alfalfa in the Our Gang/Little Rascals series back in the 1930's. Each episode lasted approximately 20 minutes. Have you ever watched an Our Gang short?

After his run with the Little Rascals, Carl got some work on movies and tv shows including some Christmas movies. Did you know he was the prankster who opened up the floor in "It's a Wonderful Life" causing Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed to fall backwards into the swimming pool?

Carl worked as a bartender and hunting dog breeder in between acting gigs. He borrowed a dog from Moses "Bud" Stiltz to train. When the dog ran off, Carl put up notices offering $35 for the dog's safe return. Someone found the animal and brought it to the bar that Carl was tending. Carl gave him the $35 plus $15 in free drinks. Unfortunately, the saga didn't stop there. Carl and another friend started drinking and Carl got it into his head that Moses Stiltz owed him the money for the dog. Do you think Carl had a right to ask Moses for the money since the dog was clearly in Carl's possession when it got lost?

My father always told me that Carl passed away in a barroom brawl back in 1959 but it was more complex than that. At approximately 7 pm, Carl and his friend went over to Bud's Mission Hills home and starting banging on the door. Carl threatened to knock it down. When Bud finally opened it, Carl started demanding the $50 in total that he felt was entitled to him. Of course, Bud said no and a fight ensued. Bud came out of his bedroom with a .38 revolver and shot Carl in the groin area. He died en route to the hospital. He was only 31 years old. At the inquest, Bud said he was was defending himself because Carl came at him with a knife. Years later, Bud's stepson claimed there was no knife. Also, there was an account that Carl and his friend were already headed out the door when he was shot. Moses Stiltz was cleared, claiming justifiable homicide. Do you think he should have got off?

Not saying that I condone his actions but just wondering how far his career could have taken him if he hadn't made that fateful decision to over to the house that night over 62 years ago. Will you watch some of Carl's movies now?