Norman Chaney

Norman Chaney

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.

  • Title: Norman Chaney
  • Popularity: 1.725
  • Known For: Acting
  • Birthday: 1914-11-01
  • Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
  • Homepage:
  • Also Known As: Norman 'Chubby' Chaney, Norman Myers Chaney, Chubby
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Norman Chaney Movies

  • 1930
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    The Ghosts

    The Ghosts

    1 1930 HD

    Juanito gets locked out of his house in the middle of a windy night. Spanish language version of When the Wind Blows (1930)

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  • 2001
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    Our Gang - Comedy Festival

    Our Gang - Comedy Festival

    1 2001 HD

    Featuring the most riotous Rascals of all. This hilarious comedy compilation spans more than twenty years of classic Our Gang comedies to tickle...

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  • 1929
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    Boxing Gloves

    Boxing Gloves

    6 1929 HD

    The 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...

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  • 1929
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    Lazy Days

    Lazy Days

    4.8 1929 HD

    While the other kids and animals find things to do on the farm, Farina becomes single-minded in his quest to do nothing at all.

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  • 1929
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    Railroadin'

    Railroadin'

    5.7 1929 HD

    The gang is playing around the railroad station, and Joe and Chubby's father, an engineer, lectures against the kids playing in such a dangerous...

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  • 1930
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    Pups Is Pups

    Pups Is Pups

    6.1 1930 HD

    The gang decides to enter their animals in a local pet show.

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  • 1929
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    Moan & Groan, Inc.

    Moan & Groan, Inc.

    5.5 1929 HD

    The gang goes digging for treasure in an old abandoned house against Kennedy the Cop's wishes.

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  • 2021
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    The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 2

    The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 2

    1 2021 HD

    The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 2 contains the next 11 Our Gang sound shorts produced by Roach at the dawn of the "talkie...

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  • 1929
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    Bouncing Babies

    Bouncing Babies

    6.1 1929 HD

    With Wheezer's new baby brother getting all the attention, he tries to send the baby back.

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  • 1930
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    Shivering Shakespeare

    Shivering Shakespeare

    5.7 1930 HD

    The gang is participating in a program sponsored by the Golden Age Dramatic League. They present their own fractured version of Quo Vadis. Things go...

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  • 1930
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    The First Seven Years

    The First Seven Years

    5.1 1930 HD

    Jackie gets in a duel over the affections of Mary Ann.

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  • 1930
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    Bear Shooters

    Bear Shooters

    5.2 1930 HD

    The 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...

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  • 1931
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    Fly My Kite

    Fly My Kite

    7 1931 HD

    A 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.

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  • 1930
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    A Tough Winter

    A Tough Winter

    5.6 1930 HD

    The gang creates a huge mess after they get into a taffy-pulling contest.

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  • 1930
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    Teacher's Pet

    Teacher's Pet

    7.2 1930 HD

    Jackie prepares a series of elaborate jokes for his new teacher.

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  • 1930
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    School's Out

    School's Out

    6.9 1930 HD

    The schoolchildren lost their last teacher because she got married and quit her job. When the brother of their teacher Miss Crabtree comes to visit,...

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  • 1931
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    Helping Grandma

    Helping Grandma

    6.8 1931 HD

    The kids' adopted grandma decides to sell her store, but can't decide whom to sell it to. The kids try to help her out.

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  • 1931
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    Love Business

    Love Business

    6.9 1931 HD

    Miss Crabtree, the teacher Jackie has a crush on, rents a room at Jackie's house.

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  • 1931
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    Little Daddy

    Little Daddy

    7 1931 HD

    Farina plans a going-away party for Stymie as authorities prepare to place him in an orphanage.

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  • 1931
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    The Stolen Jools

    The Stolen Jools

    5.603 1931 HD

    Famous actress Norma Shearer's jewels are stolen… (Star-packed promotional short film intended to raise funds for the National Variety Artists...

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  • 2021
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    The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1

    The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1

    1 2021 HD

    The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1 contains the first 11 Our Gang sound shorts produced by Roach at the dawn of the...

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  • 1930
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    When the Wind Blows

    When the Wind Blows

    6.1 1930 HD

    Jackie throws his schoolbook out the window in disgust, but then climbs outside to retrieve it. Finding himself locked out, he tries various means of...

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  • 1931
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    Bargain Day

    Bargain Day

    6 1931 HD

    Wheezer and Stymie, door-to-door salesmen, meet a lonely little rich girl.

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  • 2008
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    The Little Rascals: The Best of Our Gang Collection (In Color)

    The Little Rascals: The Best of Our Gang Collection (In Color)

    1 2008 HD

    Spanky, Buckwheat, Porky and all of the Little Rascals at their hilarious best! All films in this fantastic collection have been fully-restored and...

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