One day a newspaper ad appeared, stating that a Hollywood movie company was coming to town and that auditions for child actors would be held. I wish I could remember more of the details, but I do recall going to an "audition" along with a lot of other local kids (and their mothers) and also something about a "registration fee". I'm sure it wouldn't surprise you to hear that although only a few kids got speaking parts, none were turned away.
The next day, we all gathered at a local park and began shooting our movie. It was something about a kid being kidnapped, and later saved by his friends — a huge gang made up of all those who didn't have speaking parts (which included me). Our scene involved chasing the bad guy across the park until he fell down, and then piling on him, pounding him with our small fists.
I'm happy to report that apparently it wasn't a total scam. The movie people did come back to town at a later date and actually showed the movie at a local theater. On the other hand, since admission was charged and the place was jam-packed with the kids and their entire families, I guess it might have just been part two of what was probably a nice money-making endeavor. I'm sure these guys traveled the country, selling parents on the idea that Hollywood talent scouts would see their kids and make them stars, but of course that didn't happen. Still, it was kind of fun to see ourselves up on the big theater screen, and besides, going to Hollywood isn't always a good thing. Poor Alfalfa - who got acting parts later as just Carl Switzer - ended up dying young, shot in an argument over money.
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