Norman Chaney
Actor · 1914 – 1936 · Baltimore, Maryland, USA
He played Chubby in 18 "Our Gang" comedies from 1929 to 1931. The resident plus-size member of "The Little Rascals" at the dawn of the talkie era, he relied on an affable personality, a flair for funny dialogue, and a priceless frown of frustration that seemed to swallow up his whole moon face. He was taught the expression by the master of the "slow burn" himself, comedian Edgar Kennedy. Chubby's meatiest moments are in the classic short "Love Business" (1931), in which he competed with Jackie Cooper for the affections of their teacher, Miss Crabtree. (Bringing her flowers and candy, he coyly proposes, "Don't call me Norman, call me 'Chubsy-Ubsy'"). Chaney's other notable "Our Gang" appearances include "Boxing Gloves" (1929), "Shivering Shakespeare" (1930), "Teacher's Pet" (1930), "School's Out" (1930), "Helping Grandma" (1931), "Bargain Day" (1931), and "Fly My Kite" (1931). Norman Myers Chaney was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He gained his spot in "Our Gang" in a nationwide talent contest to replace original "fat kid" Joe Cobb, though it appears his age was falsified so he'd stand a better chance of winning. Cobb later said of his successor, "He adapted gracefully, and we all liked him, he was a nice fellow". Roughly 14 at the time ("retirement" age by child star standards), the roly-poly youth's stay with the series was destined to be brief but he still made a memorable impression on generations of "Rascals" fans. After leaving the Gang Chaney returned to Baltimore and attended public school. He continued to gain weight and eventually topped 300 pounds. In 1935 he underwent surgery for a glandular ailment at Johns Hopkins Hospital; his weight dropped to 136 pounds and he remained in poor health until his death the following May. Chaney was the first former "Our Gang" star to die.
Movies22
Movie5.6ComedyFamous actress Norma Shearer's jewels are stolen… (Star-packed promotional short film intended to raise funds for the National Variety Artists Tuberculosis Sanatorium.)
The Stolen Jools
1931 · 34 votes
Movie6.7ComedyJackie throws his schoolbook out the window in disgust, but then climbs outside to retrieve it. Finding himself locked out, he tries various means of getting back inside without his parents finding out. When his parents mistake his noises for a burglar, a local policeman is called, but he seems incompetent to catch either the phony burglar or the real one who has shown up in the meantime
When the Wind Blows
1930 · 10 votes
Movie5.8ComedyJackie gets in a duel over the affections of Mary Ann.
The First Seven Years
1930 · 13 votes
- MovieComedy
The kids go on a camping trip and run into some bootleggers. This here is the Spanish language version of BEAR SHOOTERS.
Movie5.6ComedyThe gang decides to go camping with a little bear hunting on the side. A pair of poachers decides to try and scare them off with a gorilla suit but the gang decides to try and capture the gorilla instead.
Bear Shooters
1930 · 11 votes
Movie7.0DocumentaryComedySteve Allen hosts this collection of clips of some of the greatest comedy teams in movie and television history, including Our Gang, Laurel and Hardy, The Marx Brothers, Burns and Allen, The Three Stooges, The East-Side Kids, Abbott and Costello, and Martin and Lewis.
Classic Comedy Teams
1986 · 1 votes
Movie6.8FamilyComedyJackie prepares a series of elaborate jokes for his new teacher.
Teacher's Pet
1930 · 13 votes
Movie6.2FamilyComedyWith Wheezer's new baby brother getting all the attention, he tries to send the baby back.
Bouncing Babies
1929 · 7 votes
MovieComedyDramaSpanky, Buckwheat, Porky and all of the Little Rascals at their hilarious best! All films in this fantastic collection have been fully-restored and are presented here in beautiful COLOR! 1. Fly My Kite, 2. A Lad an' a Lamp, 3. Kid From Borneo, 4. Hi Neighbor, 5. Hide and Shriek
Movie5.9ComedyThe gang is participating in a program sponsored by the Golden Age Dramatic League. They present their own fractured version of Quo Vadis. Things go from bad to worse when the neighborhood tough kids disrupt the show. The pie fight is given a new twist by use of some slow motion sequences.
Shivering Shakespeare
1930 · 8 votes
Movie6.2ComedyFamilyThe Rascals have a boxing arena that could pack them in if they could find fighters who would actually mix it up. Harry and Farina notice a rivalry between two very large young kids, Joe and Chubby, that would fill the bill if only the two heavyweights would put aside their gentle natures. Farina gets an idea: tell each of the lads that the other will take a dive in the second round. So the fight begins and the stands are filled; but will the combatants actually throw a punch? Ernie has one more trick up his sleeve to get the fists flying and the crowd on its feet. Sweet science indeed.
Boxing Gloves
1929 · 11 votes
Movie7.0ComedyFamilyThe schoolchildren lost their last teacher because she got married and quit her job. When the brother of their teacher Miss Crabtree comes to visit, the children mistake him for a suitor. The children tell abominable lies about Miss Crabtree to try to discourage the man. Meanwhile, one of the children is selling answers to the upcoming oral exam. Unfortunately for the students, the young entrepreneur used a book of minstrelsy and blackface as his source for the "answers".
School's Out
1930 · 14 votes
Movie7.0ComedyThe kids' adopted grandma decides to sell her store, but can't decide whom to sell it to. The kids try to help her out.
Helping Grandma
1931 · 10 votes
Movie6.7ComedyA greedy man tries to get rid of his mother by putting her in an old folks home until he discovers she has a fortune in stock certificates.
Fly My Kite
1931 · 10 votes
Movie6.2ComedyThe gang goes digging for treasure in an old abandoned house against Kennedy the Cop's wishes.
Moan & Groan, Inc.
1929 · 7 votes
Movie6.0ComedyFamilyThe gang is playing around the railroad station, and Joe and Chubby's father, an engineer, lectures against the kids playing in such a dangerous area. True to his word, after Joe and Chubby's father leaves, a crazy man starts a train with most of the kids on it, save for Farina who is nearly run over several times. Once Farina manages to climb aboard himself, the kids attempt to stop the runaway locomotive, but have no luck until the engine crashes into a grocery truck. As it turns out, however, the entire incident is revealed to be a dream Farina had as Joe and Chubby's father lectured the kids about rail-yard safety.
Railroadin'
1929 · 9 votes
Movie6.9ComedyFarina plans a going-away party for Stymie as authorities prepare to place him in an orphanage.
Little Daddy
1931 · 11 votes
Movie5.8ComedyThe gang creates a huge mess after they get into a taffy-pulling contest.
A Tough Winter
1930 · 8 votes
Movie6.1ComedyWheezer and Stymie, door-to-door salesmen, meet a lonely little rich girl.
Bargain Day
1931 · 6 votes
- MovieComedy
Juanito gets locked out of his house in the middle of a windy night. Spanish language version of When the Wind Blows (1930)
Movie6.2ComedyThe gang decides to enter their animals in a local pet show.
Pups Is Pups
1930 · 21 votes
Movie5.1ComedyFamilyWhile the other kids and animals find things to do on the farm, Farina becomes single-minded in his quest to do nothing at all.
Lazy Days
1929 · 9 votes