“Butch” Bond was certainly the most memorable of the Our Gang ‘tough guys’. He and his partner Woim could often be found menacing Spanky and Alfalfa and Co. in the more-than dozen films that he appeared in as “Butch” at both the Hal Roach Studios and M-G-M. Three years prior to his stint as “Butch,” he had made another dozen films with the Our Gang, simply playing “Tommy” who wasn’t so tough – but an ally to our heroes. This made him effectively the only Little Rascal to return for two distinct roles and two distinct runs with Our Gang.
Butch signs my little blue autograph book
Butch addresses the crowd at the Our Gang reunion
Other notable films include his appearance as a bratty kid in Laurel and Hardy’s Block-Heads and his role as Jimmy Olson in the two Superman serials from 1948 and 1950. The first time I met Tommy Bond was on July 31 at the Hollywood ’80 convention during the Culver City parade at which time he and other celebs were being interviewed by his obnoxious son Tommy Jr. I plopped down next to him to listen in (seen here). That night at the Our Gang reunion mixer and autograph session, I approached the chain-smoking pre-denture former Gang member and had him sign my little blue autograph book. Tommy was kind enough, but I always had that glint of fear around him that was undoubtedly fostered by his convincing role as the neighborhood bully.
Tommy “Butch” Bond reunites with Sidney “Woim” Kibrick
Tommy Bond appeared at two additional Sons of the Desert Conventions in 1992 and 1996. I also greeted him during my visits to California in 1995 and 1997. Over the years I amassed several signed photos of Butch both from my personal encounters with him and from my friend Bob who had him sign some items for me. Butch in a handwritten letter also accepted an honorary membership to my A-Haunting We Will Go Tent in 1992.
Before he was “Butch”, he was simply Tommy
This concludes the Our Gang celebrity encounters from 1980.
Click here to continue with other celebrities from the Hollywood ’80 convention…
Click here to return to the Our Gang reunion posting…
Leave a Reply