The JOY of Collecting with Joy Lane
The OUR GANG and the LITTLE RASCALS
If you're a fan of the OUR GANG, this is the place you want to be. I was in the
OUR GANG with Spanky, Alfalfa and Darla from 1934 to 1936. I was 6 years old
then. Now I'm 74! I have so many wonderful pictures of myself with those child
stars of the OUR GANG. I'd like to share my memories with you.

MY Our Gang History
Because my mother had been on the stage, as a child performer with the Helen & Peggy Oneill Kiddie Revue, and had appeared in theatres all around the San Francisco and Berkeley areas during her young life, I was raised to be a
performer, as well. Daddy was 19 when he married my mother. He had a great
love for music and had learned to play the ukelele as a young man so after they
were married, he would accompany her on the "uke" and sing along in harmony.
They loved singing together and it was only natural that I should grow up,
constantly hearing music and laughter around the house and wanting to sing, too.
It wasn't long before I knew every one of their songs. Soon I was the lead
singer and they were backing me up and I loved every minute of it.
At three years old, I was sent to dancing school and soon I was performing in
recitals and winning State Fair Competitions and talent shows around Southern
California. When I was five, I won first place, in the Orange County Better
Baby's Exposition and it was then my father decided his little girl was ready
for "the big time."
One Sunday afternoon, in 1934, my mother combed my curls and dressed me up while
Daddy got out my professional photographs. We drove to the famous Hal Roach
Studio in Culver City but when we got there the gates were locked and the
studio was closed and the only person in sight was a gardener mowing the
expansive lawn. Daddy was undaunted...he got out of the car, walked to the
wrought iron fence and beckoned the man to come over. Being a friendly sort of
fellow, he obliged and a conversation ensued which resulted in the gardener
taking my photographs inside the studio.
We sat in the car and waited. Suddenly, the massive gates began to open and we
were motioned to drive inside and proceed to a certain office. When we arrived,
a nice man greeted us, talked to me awhile and then asked me to sing. I sang
for him and did a little dance routine. When we said goodbye, he said he'd be
seeing me real soon.
On our way home, Daddy told me the man I sang for was the Our GANG director, Gus
Meins and he wanted me to be at the Studio on Monday for a voice test. As a
result of this test, I was put under contract to Hal Roach Studio from 1934 to
1936 and cast to sing "Little Grass Shack" in the next OUR GANG movie "Mike
Fright." That was the beginning of 30 exciting years in show business.
THE EYEFUL TOWER

BE ON THE LOOKOUT: THIS GIRL HAS A RECORD!
Yes, I did have a record in those days...a record contract with Coral Records.

A multiple image collage of my 30 years in Show Business.
In 1947, my "professional" name became Joy Lane when I was discovered by the
famous band-leader, Ted Fio Rito, and toured with his orchestra, entertaining at
hotels and military bases across the country, completing the tour in 1948 to
open the new Imig Manor Hotel in San Diego.
On Washington's Birthday, 1948, we opened the Palm Terrace Room of the Beverly
Hills Hotel with a spectacular star-studded opening, which was the beginning of
our six month appearance. Van Johnson and Loretta Young were there and I had a
nice photograph taken with them.

Van Johnson and Loretta Young attending my star studded opening in Beverly Hills, California.
In 1950, I starred with Ted Fio Rito and Jack Gregson on KTTV Channel 11, from
2pm to 4pm, five days a week and, at night, I appeared with Ted on stage at the
famous Ambassador Hotel's Cocoanut Grove. After a year, my own television show, "The Joy Lane Show" followed at KLAC, Channel 13. In 1955, I starred with Olsen & Johnson in "HELLZAPOPPIN OF 1955" and was featured with Bob Hope and Jane Russell in the Lux Radio Theatre production of "Paleface."
For the next 20 years, I had a very successful singing career, being under
contract to CORAL RECORDS, singing Radio Commercials and starring in my own
nightclub act at top entertainment spots such as: the Frontier in Las Vegas,
the Riverside in Reno, the Shamrock in Houston, the 500 Club in Atlantic City
and other leading supper clubs across the country.
My Life Now I
just realized that the year of 1964 was the year I began to feel symptoms of
Multiple Sclerosis but didnt realize I had contacted it until I was actually
diagnosed with it in 1982. Prior to this time, I must have had an extremely
mild case which didn't interfere with my daily life until about the year 2000
when I became 73 years old. Actually, today I'm very healthy and feel
wonderful. The only difference in my day's routine is that I find I'm more
comfortable, when I'm out and about, using a "walker" because it stabilizes my
balance and sometimes my husband pushes me in a wheelchair because, having
multiple sclerosis, I can only walk a short distance before my legs get
extremely tired. Today, I live in South Orange County where I'm presently writing my autobiography. When I'm invited to Collector's Shows and Conventions across the country, as a celebrity guest, I love to attend these shows because they give me an opportunity to talk to fans who want to know about those past years and who would like an autographed picture.
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Praise: Great all the way. Many thanks! |
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Praise: extremely fast and friendly. highly recommend. A++++ |
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Praise: Prompt delivery of a quality autographed movie still. Great trading experience! |
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Praise: I have purchased from this seller before. very professional and courteous. |
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User:51.51 ( 138 ) Date:Oct-24-08 15:35:07 PDT |
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Praise: Dear Joy: Thank you very much for : Photo, Bio, & Magazine ! GREAT !! MARKUS/FRG |
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Praise: great item and fantastic vendor |
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Praise: Fantastic Photo! Fantastic Seller and Lady! A+A+A+A+ Highly Recommend! |
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Praise: received item as stated super fast service one of the best on ebay A++++++++++++ |
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Praise: smooth transaction, great packaging, fast delivery, quality item |
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Praise: Thank you for the photo...and the letter ! |
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