The western movie "Fearless Bill Rides Again" has the "Our Gang" kids lining up at the cinema, and in the mood to date. Nerdy-looking Alfalfa (Carl Switzer) wants to go with pretty little Darla Hood, but she only has eyes for bad-boy Butch (Tommy Bond). After they hook up, Alfalfa reluctantly pairs up with spectacled Muggsy (Shirley Coates). While watching the movie, Alfalfa imagines the little rascals are in the story. The sequence amusingly helps him learn a lesson about potential girlfriends. "The Little Ranger" was the first "Our Gang" comedy short released by MGM, the series' new studio. We've clearly lost some of the appealing scruffiness present in earlier Hal Roach productions, but this one scores high on storytelling points.
****** The Little Ranger (8/6/38) Gordon Douglas ~ Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, Tommy Bond, Darla Hood, Shirley Coates
****** The Little Ranger (8/6/38) Gordon Douglas ~ Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, Tommy Bond, Darla Hood, Shirley Coates