DARLA JEAN HOOD - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 257415

DARLA HOOD
Black and white publicity photograph of Darla in a scene from the television show Our Gang
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To June -/Are you another little/rascal?/Love,/Darla Hood". B/w, 10x8¼. Pictured with her co-stars from the Our Gang (later called Little Rascal) comedy shorts. After Hood's fans expressed disappointment with current shots when she sent autographed photographs, she began sending out newly signed photos from her Our Gang days. Darla Jean Hood (1931-1979) was signed by Hal Roach for the Our Gang comedy series at the age of four and made her debut as "Cookie" in 1935's Our Gang Follies of 1936. After starring as Darla until 1941, Hood attempted to launch a solo career, but found her biggest success as a singer in a vocal group, Darla Hood and the Enchanters, which provided background music for films, including 1949's A Letter to Three Wives. The group was organized by Jose E. Granson, who would become her manager and husband. Hood appeared in only a few feature films, including Born to Sing (1942), Calypso Heat Wave (1957) and The Bat (1959), but she was heard on Merv Griffin's radio program and on numerous radio and TV commercials, including the voice of the Mermaid on the Chicken of the Sea commercials. Hood was also a regular on The Ken Murray Show (1950-1951) and made guest appearances on several TV variety shows and on daytime soap operas, including General Hospital and Days of Our Lives. Hood made her last public appearance at a convention in Chicago before dying of acute hepatitis at a North Hollywood hospital following a relatively minor operation. Creased at blank margins and corners. Surface creased (most not evident head on). Otherwise, fine condition.