It’s always a distinct pleasure to meet a newly-discovered indentifiable performer from the Our Gang series. Although admittedly only playing a minor role in the Little Rascals, Hugh Chapman is my latest example this. He appeared in three of the Hal Roach one-reelers in 1937: The Pigskin Palooka, Glove Taps, and Mail and Female. He subsequently made a return to the Our Gang in 1939 after the series had been sold to M-G-M, appearing in Time Out for Lessons and Clown Princes.
Bob had run into this former child star at an earlier Hollywood Collectors Show and I was excited that he would be appearing at the February 2007 that I attended. He turned out to be a very cordial gentleman. His daughter did most of the talking for him as he was rather hard of hearing. She and Bob spoke about the possibilty of him attending some Way Out West tent events in the future. One interesting item he had with him was a casting directory from the late 1930’s which not only included his entry, but that of another elusive child actor, Buz Buckley, who had appeared with Laurel and Hardy in A-Haunting We Will Go.
Hugh’s entry in a casting directory
I purchased – and had him autograph- the portrait at the top of this entry and the one below from Pigskin Palooka. As always, it’s great to meet a new Rascal, and even more so when they are this pleasant.
Hugh Chapman is far left in this shot from The Pigskin Palooka
Hugh Chapman, former Rascal, and me, current rascal
Bob, Hugh, and me
Celebrities from the February 2007 HCS will continue…
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