Star of the Our Gang comedy serial until 1940. After Our Gang, he continued to appear in movies in various supporting roles. His final film role was in 1958’s The Defiant Ones. Switzer’s nasty reputation and his typecasting made it difficult for him to find work. While not acting, Switzer bred hunting dogs and led guided hunting expeditions. At the age of thirty-one, he was shot and killed in Los Angeles during an altercation over the reward money for a lost dog. The murder was ruled as justifiable homicide; Switzer had apparently pulled a knife on his attacker. Switzer’s death was largely ignored, due in large part to Cecil B. DeMille’s death on the same day. Vintage 5 x 7 photo of Alfalfa in western duds holding a guitar, signed and inscribed in fountain pen “Love to Dorothy, Alfalfa Switzer, Our Gang 1937.” Some light rippling to right side from mounting remnants on reverse, small spot to lower right and a bit of scattered silvering, otherwise fine condition. PSA/DNA Auction LOA and R&R COA.
