George `Spanky' Mcfarland, 64; Child Star In `Our Gang' Comedies

George McFarland, better known as "Spanky," the plump Little Rascal in the baggy pants and two-toned beanie who appeared in 95 "Our Gang" comedies over 11 years, died yesterday. He was 64.

McFarland, who lived in Grapevine, Texas, died an hour after being taken to the emergency department of Baylor Grapevine Hospital. The cause of death was not immediately determined.

Well-groomed and prosperous-looking as an adult, McFarland was seldom recognized. He occasionally made guest appearances on college campuses to talk about his days as a child star but mostly regarded his past career as "dust."

"I had a ball," McFarland said of his life as a child star, long after he had abandoned show business to become a commercial contract manager at Philco-Ford television.

"I have no regrets. Even though it was a job, we had a pretty good time making those comedies," he said in a 1977 book about the grown-up "Gang." "As a kid I had most everything I wanted, and we had a good life. When it was over, it was over.

"I wouldn't take a million dollars for the experience," he said then, "and I wouldn't take a penny to do it again. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have done it. I would have finished school and gone to college, and by now I'd be the president of some corporation."

Born Oct. 2, 1928, in Dallas, the chubby little boy began modeling baby clothes when he was 3. He came to movie- maker Hal Roach's attention when he made an ad for Wonder Bread.

"Spanky" made his first short, "Free Eats," in 1931, when he was 3, and his last, "Unexpected Riches," in 1942.

McFarland also appeared in feature films, including "Day of Reckoning" in 1933, "Kentucky Kernels" in 1935, and "Trail of the Lonesome Pine" with Henry Fonda and Fred MacMurray in 1936. His last role was in "Johnny Doughboy" in 1943.

In Texas, McFarland served briefly in the Air Force, worked at a soft-drink plant and a hamburger stand, made Popsicles, sold wine, cars and appliances, started a barbecue restaurant, and in 1958, briefly hosted a TV show running "Our Gang" films in Tulsa, Okla.