Alfalfa's Aunt
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Alfalfa's Aunt is a one-reel comedy short subject; part of the Our Gang (Little Rascals) series. It was produced by Jack Chertok for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by George Sidney, and originally released to theatres by MGM on January 7, 1939.
It is considered one of the best shorts in the Our Gang series' post-Hal Roach period, generally considered a subpar era for Our Gang.
The film stars Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, with co-stars George "Spanky" McFarland, Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas, Eugene "Porky" Lee, Leonard Landy, and Gary "Junior" Jasgar. Adult actors in the film include William Newell as Alfalfa's father John Switzer, Barbara Bedford as Alfalfa's mother Martha, and Marie Blake (sister of MGM star Jeanette MacDonald; also known as Blossom Rock) in the title role of Martha's sister Penelope.
[edit] Plot
Alfalfa's Aunt Penelope sends the Switzers a telegram that says that she's coming to visit. She has given up her pursuits of being a sculptress and has turned to writing murder mysteries. Just before Alfalfa's parents leave to attend a meeting that night, Penelope reads to John a page of her story, which is written in the form of a letter:
"Dear X,
I have discovered that only my nephew stands between me and the Switzer millions! So like the others, he shall die in agony - tonight - at the stroke of nine!"
After John and Martha go out and leave Alfalfa in Penelope's care, Alfalfa stumbles upon the page that Penelope read to John. He becomes horrified, believing that his own aunt is plotting to murder him. He tells Penelope that he is going to bed and then summons the gang to help prevent him from being murdered. While dumping out poisons in the bathroom, Porky causes a sudden loud, long noise, which leads Penelope to believe that the house is being burglarized.
Eventually, Alfalfa's parents return home and the gang proudly tell the adults that they saved Alfalfa from being killed by his aunt. Angered by the insanity and misunderstandings, Penelope decides to pack up and leave immediately ("How can an author write in a madhouse like this?!"). The entire situation is explained and all the misunderstandings are cleared up. Before Alfalfa is given a chance to apologize to his Aunt Penelope, John rewards him with a dollar bill just for getting rid of her.
