The series, one of the best-known and most successful
in cinema history, is noted for its showcase of natural,
convincing child talent, in contrast to a number of previous,
contemporary, and future child actors. While many other
child actors are groomed to imitate adult acting styles,
steal scenes, or deliver "cute" performances,
Hal Roach and original director Robert F. McGowan worked
to film the unaffected, raw nuances apparent in regular
kids. Our Gang also notably put boys, girls, whites, and
blacks together in a group as equals, something that "broke
new ground," according to film historian Leonard
Maltin. Such a thing had never been done before in cinema,
but were commonplace after Our Gang's success. Unlike
many other motion pictures featuring children that are
based in fantasy, producer/creator Hal Roach rooted Our
Gang in real life: the majority of the kids were poor,
and the gang was often put at odds with snobbish rich
kids, officious adults and parents, and other such adversaries.
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