Hal Roach's Rascals

Tommy Bond and Dorothy DeBorba watch in awe as Matthew "Stymie" Beard plays the harmonica in this promotional photo for MUSH AND MILK (1933). https://www.instagram.com/p/CniEM_svgjo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Happy heavenly birthday to Janet Burston! 🎂🌟 Born Janet Elizabeth Burston on January 11th, 1935 in Oakland, California. Janet made her screen debut in the 1940 MGM Our Gang short, ALL ABOUT HASH, in which she plays a radio contestant who performs “Tippi Tippi Tin”. Janet spent the next few years freelancing in Hollywood, while also receiving bit parts in several Our Gang shorts. After Darla Hood left the series in 1941, Janet took over as the new leading lady of Our Gang. Janet is often criticized for her over-the-top performances on the series. Although she was quite a talented singer and dancer, her hammy personality stood in stark contrast to previous Rascals who were encouraged to give natural performances. However, she wasn't really to blame for this, as it was what MGM Studios wanted from her. She appeared in 16 shorts total and would remain on the series until its end in 1944. Janet received just a few more roles after Our Gang was canceled, and retired from acting in the late 1940s. She maintained a relatively low profile after leaving the entertainment industry, so very little is known about her personal life. During her lifetime, she was married four times and had two children. She did not appear to have left show business voluntarily, but she was able to look back on her short-lived career with fondness. On March 3rd, 1998, Janet sadly passed away from cancer in Fresno, California at age 63. She would've been 88 today. 🙏❤️ {January 11, 1935 - March 3, 1998} https://www.instagram.com/p/CnTHXSxrzsm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Tommy Bond, Matthew "Stymie" Beard, Scotty Beckett and George "Spanky" McFarland photographed on the set of FOR PETE'S SAKE (1934). https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmw6UbLPqXZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

George "Spanky" McFarland, Darla Hood and Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer photographed for ALL ABOUT HASH (1940). https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm7W3vGy_ll/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Joe Cobb, Harry Spear, Allen "Farina" Hoskins, Jean Darling, Mary Ann Jackson, Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins and Pete the Pup pose for a publicity photo in 1929. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnAfMxbSX2O/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Dorothy DeBorba, Shirley Jean Rickert, Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins and Matthew "Stymie" Beard photographed during the filming of HELPING GRANDMA (1931). https://www.instagram.com/p/CnFZtqjvzTK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Gilbert Hullett, Matthew "Stymie" Beard, Marilyn Bourne, George "Spanky" McFarland, Jerry Tucker and Scotty Beckett on the hunt for hidden treasure in this promotional photo for MAMA'S LITTLE PIRATE (1934). https://www.instagram.com/p/CnKq74aPmlg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Dorothy DeBorba, Shirley Jean Rickert, Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins and Matthew "Stymie" Beard photographed during the filming of HELPING GRANDMA (1931). https://www.instagram.com/p/CnFZtqjvzTK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

George "Spanky" McFarland, Darla Hood and Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer photographed for ALL ABOUT HASH (1940). https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm7W3vGy_ll/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer and Eugene "Porky" Lee in a promotional photo for HIDE AND SHRIEK (1938). https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmhf1E7vsYx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=