Little Rascals, Volumes 1-2

Otay! A representative collection of eight vintage Hal Roach "Our Gang" comedies from the 1930s, this compilation underscores the fact that the secret to the series' enduring and universal appeal is that Roach cannily cast unstudied children who more than made up for in personality what they might have lacked as thespians. No American Juniors here: Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Stymie, and most of the rest, were naturals. And their mischievous adventures, from starting their own fire company in "Hook and Ladder" and going camping in “The First Round-Up" to foiling villains in "Fly My Kite," still ring true and inspire interest. Spanky, the series' breakout star, is seen to good advantage in "Beginner's Luck," in which he tries to throw, and then win, a talent contest; "Reunion in Rhythm," one of the better "let's put on a show" episodes; and the classic "Hearts Are Thumps," in which Spanky inaugurates the ill-fated "He-Man Woman Hater's Club." Avoiding the more racially insensitive shorts, this set is highly recommended. [Note: also newly available from Artisan is a completely different 10 episode compilation simply titled Little Rascals.] (K. Lee Benson)