News

Dorothy de Borba dies at 85; child actress in 'Our Gang' comedies

Click here to read Dennis McLellan's article (LOS ANGELES TIMES).

Dennis McLellan is a conscientious reporter for whom I have a lot of respect. He generally calls me on such sad occasions when we lose talent once employed at the Hal Roach Studios. He works hard to get the facts right for his articles in the LOS ANGELES TIMES. I told him lots of things I do wish he had used, but evidently space did not permit covering anecdotes about specific Our Gang films, about specific other HRS alumni, and about Dorothy's own positive, outgoing and thoughtful personality. Lois Laurel phoned me with the news of Dorothy's passing, and we all know these two ladies were dear friends extending back as far as their days as children roaming around the greatest of all playgrounds, the Hal Roach Studios. Of course Dorothy's mother was in two SONS OF THE DESERT scenes, at the urging of Oliver Hardy. Dorothy herself was in both THE STOLEN JOOLS and THE DEVIL'S BROTHER with Laurel & Hardy. And how many of us had our days brightened when Dorothy would faithfully phone us every single year on birthdays and Christmas? She was always optimistic, happy, and accepting. What a gift she had for relating to people, and what a gift her friendship was. I like Annette D'Agostino's observation that "There is an Echo in heaven today." We are all the better for having known Dorothy and will much miss her.

Richard W. Bann
Dorothy and her mother, Lilian De Borba (also spelled by the family as de Borba and De Borbe, sometimes with an accent over the "e"). Both appeared in movies with Laurel & Hardy.		Wheezer and Dorothy in a posed still between scenes of the happy ending for DOGS IS DOGS (1932).
Dorothy De Borba, Wheezer Hutchins, and Stymie Beard filming a scene with June Marlowe as "Miss Crabtree" from SCHOOL'S OUT (1930), shot on location at Hal Roach's Arnaz Ranch. Also, please click here to see Leonard Maltin's fine remembrance of Dorothy at his website.

MISS SEEING THEM ON TV?

WE HAVE AN ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU

Yes, you!

Here it is. First, who doesn't love these movies? As fans, wouldn't we give anything to have been there when they were being made? And be a part of that history?  True it is too late to have been present while the cameras rolled, but all of us can be part of the history of these great comedies.

How? We can insure that they survive. That makes us part of the story, and part of the history. Now that's a pretty important part to play.

The films can only survive if audiences see them and support them. The next generation of fans needs to be exposed to Laurel & Hardy. That's what it takes. Today, it is sad but true that old films, and black and white films, are being crowded off TV screens. But if someone, anyone, has a chance to sample and choose between something like HELPMATES and the alleged entertainment offered by television programmers today, what do you suppose he and she will choose to watch?

The point is, if you petition the TV stations and networks where you live, and ask them to run L&H films, they will. That's their business, pleasing you, the viewer. So write letters, send e-mails. You couldn't make the pies thrown in BATTLE OF THE CENTURY, you couldn't transport the cameras to the MUSIC BOX location, but you really can insure that Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy will live on to be discovered by new generations including your own great grandchildren.
 
Then use the message board to tell us what happens. Let these folks know what you think, and let us know what happens.

I remember after the last previous international SONS OF THE DESERT convention in Amsterdam, people were talking about how the SONS as a large group should be doing this or that, but here's an instance where the fans really can do something important to insure the legacy of Laurel & Hardy. Do you like what you see on TV these days? No? Well, then right now, today, is the "perfect day" to do something about it.

In fact as Kay Deslys says to Ollie in PERFECT DAY, "Get going."

-- Richard W. Bann --