Betsy Gay obit

Betsy Gay, ‘Little Rascals’ Actress, Dies at 96

 

She was not on the list.

Betsy Gay, a yodeler and retired actress who appeared in “The Pinch Singer,” “Arbor Day,” and “Our Gang Follies of 1938,” died on June 13. She was 96.

Gay’s death was reported by her friend, Bob Satterfield.

Gay began her movie career by starring in a series of comedy films called “Our Gang Comedies,” which later became known as the “Little Rascals.” She appeared in several episodes before accepting the role of “Alfalfa’s” girlfriend, “Effie.” She stayed with the comedy group for more than four years before transitioning to other film projects in 1938.

Gay made appearances in over 40 feature films, including “Tom Sawyer,” “Came the Brawn,” “Man of Conquest,” “A Day At The Circus” and “Mystery Plane.” By 1941, the actress was involved in an Andy Cyle movie short for Columbia Pictures, where she performed a yodeling scene. Through 1943, she acted in stage plays at the Pasadena Playhouse with roles in “Quality Street,” “A Kiss For Cinderella” and “Heros Unlimited.”

Before moving to Los Angeles, Gay performed with her family, who had a background in music. Her parents ran a music school where they taught lessons in singing, piano, banjo, violin, guitar and accordion. In 1935, Gay’s family relocated to Hollywood, where she began her career as a child actress.

In addition to her acting career, she became an accomplished yodeler who performed songs in films like “What’s Buzzin Cousin” where she played a hillbilly. She acted alongside Dub Taylor, Ann Miller and Freddy Martin and his orchestra. By 1944, she made regular singing appearances with country music artist Stuart Hamblen and his Lucky Stars. A year later, Gay won the California State Yodeling Championship at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, winning the title again in 1946.

Despite not having a hit yodeling single, she was a guest on several radio shows such as the “Hank Penny Show,” “The Jimmy Wakely Show” and “The Don Ameche Show” where she sang “Belle of the Old Barn Dance,” “Texas Plains,” “Chime Bells,” “Cowboy’s Sweetheart” and “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Dream Girl.”

She pursued her music career and embarked on an east coast tour in 1946. She joined a group of singers and performed with Tex Williams and his band through the 1950s. Although Gay had a passion for music, she didn’t abandon acting. She became a regular cast member of the ABC show Squeakin’ Deacon’s “Country Store.”

Her other TV credits include “Hometown Jamboree,” “County Barn Dance,”  “Town Hall Party,” “Country America,” “International Party Time” and “Polka Show.”

She married Thomas Cashen in 1954 and had five children: twins Mimi and Gigi, Tommy, Suzy and Cathy.

 

Actress

Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Freddy Martin, and Ann Miller in What's Buzzin', Cousin? (1943)

What's Buzzin', Cousin?

6.3

Saree (uncredited)

1943

 

How Spry I Am

Short

Young girl (uncredited)

1942

 

Edward Everett Horton, Kathryn Adams, Evelyn Ankers, Baby Sandy, Franklin Pangborn, Raymond Walburn, and Donald Woods in Bachelor Daddy (1941)

Bachelor Daddy

5.5

Girl at Movie (uncredited)

1941

 

Groucho Marx, Eve Arden, Chico Marx, and Harpo Marx in At the Circus (1939)

At the Circus

6.8

Circus Midget (uncredited)

1939

 

Adrienne Ames and Frieda Inescort in The Zero Hour (1939)

The Zero Hour

5.4

Orphan (uncredited)

1939

 

Marjorie Reynolds and John Trent in Mystery Plane (1939)

Mystery Plane

5.2

Betty Lou - as a Young Girl

1939

 

Came the Brawn (1938)

Came the Brawn

6.9

Short

Effie

1938

 

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938)

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

7.0

Susie Harper (uncredited)

1938

 

Dix Davis, Tim Davis, Paul Hilton, Darla Hood, George 'Spanky' McFarland, Raymond Rayhill Powell, Norman Salling, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, Rhoda Williams, and Dorothy Heinrichs in Our Gang Follies of 1938 (1937)

Our Gang Follies of 1938

7.1

Short

Blonde Girl Fan of Alfalfa (uncredited)

1937

 

Richard Dix and Fay Wray in It Happened in Hollywood (1937)

It Happened in Hollywood

6.3

Sis (uncredited)

1937

 

Cary Grant and Grace Moore in When You're in Love (1937)

When You're in Love

6.2

Performing Arts Student (uncredited)

1937

 

Darla Hood, George 'Spanky' McFarland, and Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer in Arbor Day (1936)

Arbor Day

6.6

Short

Dancing girl (as Betty Gay)

1936

 

Darla Hood, Eugene 'Porky' Lee, George 'Spanky' McFarland, and Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer in The Pinch Singer (1936)

The Pinch Singer

6.9

Short

Broadway Number Performer

1936

 

Soundtrack

Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Freddy Martin, and Ann Miller in What's Buzzin', Cousin? (1943)

What's Buzzin', Cousin?

6.3

performer: "They're Courtin' in the Mountains", "Everybody's Countin' Eight-to-the-Bar" (uncredited)

1943

 

Self

SCV in the Movies

TV Series

Self - Guest

2019

1 episode

 

The Spike Jones Show (1954)

The Spike Jones Show

7.4

TV Series

Self

1957

1 episode

 

The Spike Jones Show (1954)

The Spike Jones Show

8.0

TV Series

Self

1954

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

The Our Gang Story (1994)

The Our Gang Story

7.2

Video

Eccentric Girl (archive footage)

1994

 

Classic Comedy Teams (1986)

Classic Comedy Teams

7.6

Video

Eccentric Girl (segment "Our Gang") (archive footage)

1986

 

Darla Hood, George 'Spanky' McFarland, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, and Billie 'Buckwheat' Thomas in Little Rascals Varieties (1959)

Little Rascals Varieties

7.4

Kid (archive footage)

1959