“Chubsy-Ubsy” Finally Gets A Headstone
Jackie Cooper, June Marlowe, Shirley Jean Rickert, Norman Chubby Chaney, Dorothy DeBorba
Norman “Chubby” Chaney, a star for Hal Roach’s Our Gang comedies, (aka the Little Rascals) had been buried in an unmarked grave at Baltimore Cemetery since 1936. He was the first former cast member to pass away.
Chaney appeared in the early Our Gang sound films from 1929 – 1931, winning a lookalike contest to replace Our Gang heavyweight Joe Cobb.
One of the the most beloved short films of the series that Chaney starred in was where he was competing with Jackie Cooper for their teacher, Miss Crabtree’s (June Marlowe), affection and attention. In that film, Love Business (1931), Chubby said the immortal words, “Don’t call me Norman, call me Chubsy-ubsy.”
When Chaney died at the age of 21 in 1936 following an operation to correct a glandular disorder, the family had no money to put up a marker in the cemetery.
Finally last year through the efforts of Detroit musician Mikal C.G., money was raised through online donations to put up a headstone. The unveiling ceremony on November 10, 2012, was attended by less than a dozen observers. Whether or not Chaney attracts visitors to his grave, his performances preserved on film will be viewed and enjoyed by countless generations to come.
Norman was one of my favorites from that early cast. So sad that he and others died so young, an absolute shame. I just watched that episode with Chubby, Jackie and Miss Crabtree, it may be over 90 years old, but still funny and entertaining. Hoping that others will keep his memory alive.
I’m glad that Norman Chaney finally got his tombstone so that others, who visit and videotape graves for youtube, will have an easier time finding it. Chubsy-Ubsy was hilarious when he was attempting to propose marriage to Miss Crabtree. June Marlowe, as Miss Crabtree, was a real doll and crush-worthy to the max!
Very funny. Shame that he died so young. Glad that he can be remembered.