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Rating: 
Summary: "THE authority on the longest short-subject comedy series!"
Review: RE-MARK-ABLE! Bann and Maltin uncover the history of Hal Roach Studios' brainchildren, known today as "The Little Rascals", originally known as Our Gang. This book is the definitive authority. The authors have gone to great detail in covering the history of this film series and it's endless cast of kiddie actors, including Spanky, Buckwheat, Alfalfa, Stymie, Wheezer and others including Jackie Cooper, probably the most successful of the series' child actors, who grew up to be one of the most influential directors in Hollywood during the Advent of TV and Baby boomer era. Scores of interview material (including interviews with Hal Roach who just died in 1992, and Stan Laurel) are included in this hefty paperback volume, worth more than the list price! Most of the book is dedicated to the 220 or so short subject films (and one major motion picture) of Roach's Rascals, from Our Gang's inception with their first silent two-reeler in 1922 with Pathe (I believe) to the final MGM sound one-reeler film during the War (WW2) in 1944. Uh-huhhhh! That's a lot of celluloid over a 22 year period! The film documentaries are divided into 3 sections: The Silent Years (Pathe and Hal Roach Studios), The Sound Years at Hal Roach Studios (The "Talkies", Our Gang's Golden Era), and the MGM years (when The Rascals really declined). You can find out all you need to know about the Little Rascals in this book by Richard Bann and Leonard Maltin (of Entertainment Tonight). This book is a must for comedy buffs who love the black and white era of film (especially Laurel & Hardy fans!). Also, for video collectors, the Little Rascals' best sound (and some silent) films are available from Cabin Fever Entertainment in 21 volumes. So in the words of Spanky:
"Step up kids, if you want to know
'Bout the swell stuff in the show
There's singin', dancin' and hotcha, too
It's only $14.40
It won't break you!" (Reviewed by Andrew Kercher)
Rating:
Summary: A warm and wonderful book!
Review: As a life-long fan of The Little Rascals and owner of the complete set of "Cabin Fever" videos from the early 90's, this guide is an indispensable source of information and nostalgia. I was fascinated by the background information, particularly the biographies of EVERY ONE of the Little Rascals and how they lived the rest of their lives. Be prepared for some tragic, tear-jerking stuff! The information makes viewing the classic episodes even more poignant in hindsight. I am not familiar with ANY of the "silent era" episodes, but I appreciate the information nonetheless. It was interesting to see how so MANY ideas for later episodes were either inspired by or directly picked up from the silent era. I also appreciated Maltin's candor as he reviewed the declining later years of the Our Gang franchise. What was obvious to any fan, Maltin confirms with honest (yet never mean-spirited) criticism. Highlights: The information-packed episode guides, the aforementioned actor biographies and the wonderful collection of Our Gang photos (I only wish there were MORE)! Warning: If you are only a casual fan of the Rascals or if you're someone who's only watched the 90's "Little Rascals" motion picture, you should probably skip this book. Devoted "Our Gang" fans need only apply!
Rating:
Summary: NEEDS SERIOUS UPDATING, But Great for Newbies
Review: I bought Maltin and Bann's book in hardcover when it first came out in 1977, and then two years later when it came out in paperback (with updated information--mostly on the cast members who'd died since Maltin/Bann wrote the first edition).
Getting this book in the early 1990s was like manna from Heaven. It was completely updated in all the right places but kept the same user-friendly format for those who'd missed out on the earlier editions (BTW, all three versions of the book have slight differences, so a true collector needs all three!).
But now 12 years and counting, I hope that Maltin will not just update the book for the sake of including the cast members who died since 1992, but clear up a lot of the insipid rumors about curses on the Gang (and Petie) that have lately been so much in the tabloid media (including a ridiculously speculative special on the E! network a couple years back).
I wrote to Leonard Maltin in the early 1980s when he was still at "Film Fan Monthly" about some of the urban myths and rumors I'd heard about OG when I was growing up. He was kind enough to reply with a short letter that dismissed literally all of the rumors I asked him to clear up, including Pete being poisoned or killed by someone (It never happened, folks). Anyone notice that Maltin did not appear on the E! special? Why would THE authority on OG not even be asked to give at least a sound byte? Go figure.
In the meantime, buy this book if you are just getting into the Gang or if you're looking for an exhaustive yet fascinating book of reference and film criticism about this immortal film series.
Rating: 
Summary: Good companion to the films
Review: Like some reviewers, I bought this when it first came out in the 70s when I was a kid and a fan of the (edited) rascals episodes on TV. Good stuff as a whole, the only book you'll ever really need on the Rascals. You may disagree with some reviews and some of your favorite rascals films might get trahsed (in my case-Shiver My Timbers). But it does introduce you to the world of the Silent Our Gangs and it's safe to say this book may have created the market that exists for the Silent Gang films that are out on VHS and DVD. In either case-get the book and you'll see what I mean. An addendum may be needed since quite a few of the lost Silent Gang films have surfaced since the 1992 updating of this book (especially Hal Roach's favorite "Your Own Back yard" and the very first Our Gang film from 1922).
Rating:
Summary: One of the best film books of all time!
Review: Originally published in the late 1970s, this updated (1992) Little Rascals edition has many attractive features. A film by flim synopsis is featured, along with Maltin and Bann's personal reviews of each film. A comprehensive cast listing is included, along with release dates for each film, copious photos, information about Rascal "impostors," and detailed biographies of the major "Rascals." A background of Hal Roach Studios, where the Rascals movies were made, is also included. The updated edition features information about film production costs, and even has a section on the Our Gang Cafe! If you grew up watching the Little Rascals on television, you will love this book. Thoroughly researched and written, Maltin and Bann have concocted a book for every Rascals fan and movie buff. This is truly one of the best film books of all time. The book's only drawback are the constant gripes about two people: Director Anthony Mack and Rascals wartime leading lady Janet Burston. It is clear that their films are weak, but the constant griping about them wears thin after awhile. All in all, however, this is a book I could not put down; I am on my third copy, having worn out the first two. Last updated in 1992, this book begs for a 21st Century revision, considering that several "lost" Rascals have been located, along with a few of the previous "lost" films. A must have for every movie buff. 5 Stars.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best film books of all time!
Review: Originally published in the late 1970s, this updated (1992) Little Rascals edition has many attractive features. A film by flim synopsis is featured, along with Maltin and Bann's personal reviews of each film. A comprehensive cast listing is included, along with release dates for each film, copious photos, information about Rascal "impostors," and detailed biographies of the major "Rascals." A background of Hal Roach Studios, where the Rascals movies were made, is also included. The updated edition features information about film production costs, and even has a section on the Our Gang Cafe! If you grew up watching the Little Rascals on television, you will love this book. Thoroughly researched and written, Maltin and Bann have concocted a book for every Rascals fan and movie buff. This is truly one of the best film books of all time. The book's only drawback are the constant gripes about two people: Director Anthony Mack and Rascals wartime leading lady Janet Burston. It is clear that their films are weak, but the constant griping about them wears thin after awhile. All in all, however, this is a book I could not put down; I am on my third copy, having worn out the first two. Last updated in 1992, this book begs for a 21st Century revision, considering that several "lost" Rascals have been located, along with a few of the previous "lost" films. A must have for every movie buff. 5 Stars.
Rating:
Summary: The best biographical book on The Little Rascals!
Review: This has to be the best book I've ever seen on the history of The Little Rascals.Everything you ever want to know about the Rascals,their careers,and their films.Every single film from the 1920s all the way up to the 40s is so remarkabley detailed.No major fan of The Little Rascals should be without this precious gem!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK
Review: This is the first real book to take a look into the creation,development and success of a popular movie comedy series:"The Little Rascals!".Noted film historians:Leonard Maltin And Richard Bann give the readers insight into the creation of the earliest films,the choosing of the kids that appeared in the series.Plot synopsis,Air dates,behind the scene facts about the incidents that occured during the filming of the shorts and biographies of the cast members.the book also looks at the creation of the other film series that were shot at the studio and about the Man who started it all:Mr.Hal Roach.Maltin and Bann also include a look at "The Our Gang"series successful revival on local and network kids tv shows and two new chapters that were not in the original l977 manuscript:A look at the merchandising of "The Little Rascals"that occured long before the series tv revival and a bio about the series other guiding genius:Robert McGowan. Along with an entire new collection of rare photos and an updated of the book's text."The Little Rascals:The Life & Times Of The Our Gang!" is a must for fans of movie comedies,kids tv and for the history of truly talented and funny kid actors.
Rating:
Summary: Not just Little Rascals
Review: This is the most exhaustive treatment available of the Our Gang comedy shorts. The synopses of each episode, the biographies, and the photos are excellent. If you want an entertaining and informative read about this excellent series, this is the book. The bigger accomplishment is the picture Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann paint of the early days of Hollywood. Hal Roach oversaw some of the comedy greats...Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd, and of course Our Gang. We can almost feel what it must have been like to work on the Hal Roach lot in the new and burgeoning film industry. Maltin and Bann are able to evoke the atmosphere, the family of Hal Roach studios. So, more than being just an excellent history of the long running Our Gang series, it is a Hollywood history. Our Gang successfully bridged the silent and talking eras of film, and had as its creator one of Hollywood's seminal geniuses. For this reason, Our Gang is particulary suited to serve as a segue into great film history. This book accomplishes much more than its title implies.
Rating:
Summary: JUST THANKS FOR OUR GANG.
Review: What can I say, this is one excellent book. It gives detailed information behind the scenes on the Little Rascals. It also give information on how there were many impostors trying to pose as being on the Little Rascals. According to the book there was never a "Freckles", "Fatso", etc. I also have all 21 volumes of the Cabin Fever which restored the films. I wish there was more information on the Jackie Condon from the silent era, he was my favorite Rascal. But overall if out of 5 stars I give it a 10!
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