'Our Group' child star, still struggling financially, was killed for more than $50: a book

Carl Switzer became famous as the cakey-faced Alfalfa on the TV series “Our Team” – but it was not a good life for the actor.

At the age of 31, the former child star was killed in a fight that reportedly cost more than $50. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, that would be $539.36 in today's money.

“All hell broke loose,” James Tehrani, author of the new book, “Alfalfa – The Rascal You Knew, the Character You Never Knew,” told Fox News Digital.

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“I think there's a lot more to the story than $50,” he shared. “But one thing that was important to me was not to spread any more lies and stay away from rumors and hearsay… I hope this is just the beginning and more will come.”

During the deadly war, Switzer was a bartender and hunting dog trainer. The success he once had in Hollywood seemed to be behind him as he took on odd jobs. History.com also revealed that he had many complaints with the police.

A few weeks earlier, he had been training one of Moses “Bud” Stiltz's dogs during a hunting trip. It ran away and Stiltz wanted his dog back. According to the letter, Switzer placed an ad in the newspaper offering a $35 reward.

Carl Switzer appears in a scene opposite James Stewart and Donna Reed in “It's A Wonderful Life.” (Everett)

Someone found a dog and came forward to receive a reward. Switzer paid the reward and bought the man a few drinks to thank him, costing a $15 bar tab, or $100 in today's money. But at some point in the evening, the letter shared, Switzer realized that Stiltz should return the $50.

“Maybe it was a goal – or maybe because he really needed the money,” Tehrani wrote.

James Tehrani's book, “Alfalfa – The Rascal You Know, the Character You Never Knew,” is out now. (BearManor Media)

“He was going to appear in court a few weeks ago after the death of a woman that I couldn't find,” Tehrani told Fox News Digital. “He loaned her quite a bit of money… That might have been part of it. I heard some things during the investigation that I didn't put in my book because I couldn't confirm it.”

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Alfalfa was Carl Switzer's best known role. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

“Carl allegedly put a message in the newspaper with a $35 reward,” said Tehrani. “I spent many hours… trying to find this classified ad, but I couldn't find it. So whether that's true or not is unknown. But surprisingly, the dog showed up one day and the gentleman who brought the dog back… Carl was not in a good financial situation, but he bought boy $15 worth of drinks, which doesn't add up when you think about it.”

Tehrani noted that Switzer “had his problems at the end.”

As a child actor, Carl Switzer became a star. But as he grew up, he endured financial problems and had several conflicts with the police. According to reports, he never received any royalties from the show. (CBS via Getty Images)

“He had a marriage that was upside down,” explained Tehrani. “He and his wife [Diantha Collingwood] he got married very quickly. After a few months of dating, they had a son together, and moved to Kansas. There was a chance for a better life there, but it didn't last long. So he was struggling, especially when he was back in Hollywood and away from his son. “

“There were other incidents along the way,” noted Tehrani. “In 1958, he cut down a lot of Christmas trees. He was caught and fined. It was a tough time financially.”

Switzer's friend, photographer Jack Piott, offered to drive him to see Stiltz at night. When they arrived at the home of Rita Corrigan, Stiltz's girlfriend, Switzer “got out and immediately went to the front door.”

Corrigan heard a voice say, “Western Union for Bud Stiltz.” When the door wouldn't open, Switzer reportedly demanded, “Let me in, or I'll break down the door.”

Carl Switzer appeared in 1954's “The High and the Mighty,” playing John Wayne. (Everett)

Stiltz, seemingly unfazed, told Corrigan to let Switzer in. Once the door was open, Switzer “made a beeline for Stiltz.” Piott was putting out his cigarette and did not immediately follow Switzer.

“There was a scuffle upstairs,” Tehrani said. “In the end, it led to Bud getting hit multiple times and Carl wrestling with Bud. Then Jack came in and tried to break it up as best he could. But it's said, he hit Bud again with the clock… then he shot.”

“What happens depends on who you believe,” said Tehrani. “Jack Piott said Carl's hand was on the door as he was about to leave when he was shot. Bud said he felt threatened, Carl was attacking him, maybe with a knife. The problem with this case is that it's a word. -he said the situation.”

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Carl Switzer played Alfalfa from the mid-1930s to the early 1940s. Then in 1955, the comedy “Our Gang” was changed to “The Little Rascals.” (CBS via Getty Images)

There are a few things that everyone agrees on. A battered and bruised Stiltz was hit in the head with a clock. And Switcher was shot in the stomach. He reportedly told Stiltz, “What did you shoot me for?”

When police arrived, Switzer was crouched on the floor by the door, holding on for dear life. Although Switzer was not bleeding profusely from the wound, he would be dead by the time he arrived at the hospital.

First aid found a closed switchblade. But according to Tehrani, Piott said he never saw Switzer with a knife.

“What we do know is that Carl and Bud were once good friends,” Tehrani said. “They were both hunters. But at one point, it went south. It seemed like in the months leading up to this, there were a lot of calls back and forth… But it was more than what he was saying. something.”

Carl Switzer as Alfalfa and George McFarland as Spanky in the 1938 film “Canned Fishing.” (Collection of John Springer/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Stiltz told reporters that Switzer walked in drunk or “somewhat drunk” and demanded his $50, the publication shared. Stiltz also said Switzer wrestled the gun away from him, but recovered it. That's when Switzer pulled out a knife and said, “I'm going to kill you.” Stiltz said he had no choice but to shoot the actor in self-defense.

Piott said he never saw Switzer with a gun in his hand.

Despite the number of people in the home, “there were varied and sometimes very different memories of what happened that night,” the book emphasizes.

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The judge ruled that it was justifiable homicide. Piott died in 1973, followed by Stiltz in 1983.

For decades, rumors have persisted that Switzer was a Hollywood drug addict. Tehrani said that could not be further from the truth.

“There is a legend that after leaving the series 'Our Gang' he disappeared from Hollywood,” he said. “To a certain extent, that's true. He didn't have big parts after the 'Our Gang,' but he was in a TV show or movie every year until he died in 1959.”

Carl Switzer did odd jobs in his later years before he was killed. (Family photo courtesy of James Tehrani.)

“See 'It's a Wonderful Life.' It's a movie that people watch every year for the holidays… He had a role there, but he was in the main dance scene, and he was dancing with Donna Reed… He was in 'The Defiant Ones' and 'The Ten Commandments,' two important films.”

“He should be respected,” continued Tehrani.

James Tehrani hopes his book will share the full story of Carl Switzer's short life in Hollywood. (BearManor Media)

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“He was one of the most popular child actors of the 1930s, and he was arguably one of the most popular actors of all time… Was he perfect? ​​No, he did some of the worst things I've talked about in the book. But he was also a child in a very difficult situation.”