Film and stage actor Frederick Giermann hosted the local
children’s show on Portland’s KPTV that aired weekday
afternoons from Monday, May 4, 1953 to September 10,
1954. There was also a Saturday morning show called
”The Toymaker and his Friends”. It debuted on August 8,
1953. Sponsor’s included Alpenrose Dairy and Grandma’s
Cookies.
“Toymaker” set during a live telecast in 1953
Norman “Chubby” Chaney
BALTIMORE (AP) — Fans of the "Little Rascals" film series were in Baltimore this
past weekend to place a headstone at the grave of child actor Norman "Chubby"
Chaney.
Chaney’s grave had been unmarked for 76 years since he died at age 21. He
was paid a weekly salary when he appeared in the films between 1929 and 1931,
but didn’t receive any royalties or residual payments and returned to Baltimore
when he grew out of the role. The Baltimore Sun reported Sunday that he
struggled with his weight as a teenager. When he died, his mother couldn’t
afford a headstone for his grave.
The series was known as "Our Gang" when it was shown in theaters and later
as the "Little Rascals" on television.
