Alfalfa's Double

Alfalfa's Double (1940)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Alfalfa is tired of being poor and pushed around so when he gets a chance to exchange lives with another kid who looks exactly like him he jumps at the opportunity. At first Alfalfa thinks it's going to be great being rich but he soon learns to appreciate his own life. If you're not a fan of Alfalfa then it's probably best to stay away from this film since Carl Switzer has two different roles here. I thought Switzer did a pretty good job with both roles and he gets the biggest laughs in the film when, as Alfalfa, he sees his double. The reaction to him seeing himself was just priceless and was certainly the biggest laugh in the picture. Another major plus is that he's given some fairly good things to do including a bit with some ice cream as well as another involving the rich kid eating soup. The supporting players really don't have anything to do outside a couple scenes so this baby here is all Alfalfa. Fans of the series should at least get a few laughs out of it and it's clearly better than the previous entry in the series.

This is an entertaining short!!, Carlos Switzer plays both roles. However, the two Alfalfa's get confusing. The kingdom version of Alfalfa has a very important schedule he has to take everyday, they include naps, dancing lessons and BATHS!!!! At the end of this episode, the real Alfalfa shows up at the other one's house to trade, the gang is furious at the end.

**********out of**********.

Alfalfa comes face to face with a lookalike boy named Cornelius, who lives on a rich estate. They decide to switch places, but discover there's no place like home, and then a flying saucer takes them both. Okay, I made that last bit up.

Okay, sure, it's trite, but it's kind of fun for all that. Alfalfa actually looks like he's enjoying his role for once. But it's still a bit stiff in that MGM fashion. MGM relies on undercranked cameras and weird ethnic caricatures to provide a lot of the humor. Alfalfa's "dance" is somewhat amusing but nothing remarkable.

And really, why do they keep referring to "Our Gang" as if it's a social club? It's not as bad as it got later when they began saying "The Our Gang" but it just shows how detached from the original concept this was becoming.

Still, better than "Time Out for Lessons," and in general, not a failure. The kids are still talented, even if those talents are becoming increasingly wasted.