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Bobert Blake was born Mickey Gubitosi. He was born Michael Gubitosi in Nutley, N.J. on September 18, 1933. His parents were Vaudevillians and he soon joined their act, the Hillbillies. He and his sister got jobs as extras in Our Gang" as he progressed to speaking parts. The Our Gang series is a wonderful source of information on 1930s clothing. He got small parts in various movies and then made it big as "Little Beaver." He after some personal difficulties made the transition to adult roles. I found him obnoxious in tough guy roles like Baretta and In Cold Blood, but little Bobby was cute as a button as little Beaver in the 1940s The Red Ryder cowboy series. He was a popular member of Our Gang, an idol of the Saturday matinee set as Little Beaver and a sweet addition to such 1940s films as Woman in the Window, Humoresque, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. He also starred in the western series done as a short subject in the late 1940s--The "Red Rider" series. His work as a child star is panned by critics such as Leonard Maltin, but he's given much more favorable marks by some as an adult star. His most dressed up role is a very brief, uncredited role in Woman in the Window (1945), starring Edward G. Robinson and Constance Bennett. Bobby who was about 12 years old at the timr waits with his mom and sister for the train to take them off on summer holiday as Edward G. sees them off. Bobby is dressed in a dark peaked cap, dark short pants suit, necktie, and knee socks. Perhaps he didn't like these clothes because he carries a light colored overcoat, which almost shields his short-pants. Given his later tough-guy personality he probably didn't care much for his outfit. By 1945 it was not common for 12-year olds tomwear short pants suits with kneesocks, but some boys, usually from wealthy families still did. This scene is just a few minutes into the film. Looking back on his child career, he insists, "I wasn't a child star, I was a child laborer." He didn't care at all for his acting. He said the only star who acted like a "human being" toward him was John Garfield whom he played with in Humoresque. At 16 his child acting career was washed up. He enlisted in the Army and spent time in the stockade. After he got out of the Army he got into all kinds of trouble with alcohol and dope. He finally pulled his life together and became an adult star. He often appeared on guest shows like the Johnny Carson show where another guest, policeman--author Joseph Wambaugh, surprised him by announcing that he had met him before. Wambaugh, who used to be a policeman, once approached Blake on suspicion of committing a crime. He recognized Blake and returned to tell his partner that he was letting him go. "No one is going to bust `Little Beaver'" he explained.
Bobby's parents were Vaudevillians. They moved to Hollywood hoping to make it in the movies. They tried to get the kids in the movies, but only Bobby made good. We do not have much information on his parents at this time. Bobby as a very young boy was supporting the family. Blake paints a very dark picture of his father. Blake as an adult claimed that his father, perhaps embarassed that Bobby was supporting the family, constantly belittled him. Blake recalls once his father put a dog collar on him and led him around.
Bobert Blake was born Mickey Gubitosi. He was born Michael Gubitosi in Nutley, N.J. on September 18, 1933. We know littlke about Bobby's childhood. It is known that his father tried to direct him in the "Our Gang" series and somrtimes the director wouldn't let him. Blake many years afterwards, after going through therapy, claimed that he had been terrinly abused. He wrote that his father brutalized him at home, locking him in closets for long period. He says that he qas made to ear dog food on the floor. He says his mother not only allowed this, but even encouraged it. The only source for these charhges is Blake himself. There was no indication at the time that this was going on. Nor do his brothers and sisters confirm that this went on. We do not if his accounts are accurate or not, but without collaboration they should be treated with some skepticism.
Bobby's parents involved him in their act, the "Hillbillies". His big start began with "Our Gang". Most thought he was happy at the time. The only problem noted at the time was that his father woukld try to coach him during shoots. The director would sometimes step it to prevent it. Years later Blake would claim that his life at the time was a horific abuse at the hands of his father. He ten played "Little Beaver" in the Red Rider series of western films. He also had several child parts in individual films. His adult career and state of mind was apparently clouded by the abuse he suffered as a child.
Bobby and his sister got jobs as extras in "Our Gang" and progressed to speaking parts. The "Our Gang" series is a wonderful source of information on 1930s clothing. Bobby got his chance in "Our Gang" not only because he was a cute kid, but because he could easily learn his lines. In additio, he was able to effortlessly cry on cue. He proved a popular member of "Our Gang". His character was Mickey. Most thought he was happy at the time. The only problem noted at the time was that his father woukld try to coach him during shoots. The director would sometimes step it to prevent it. Years later Blake would claim that his life at the time was a horific abuse at the hands of his father.
Bobby got small parts in various movies and then made it big as "Little Beaver." He also starred in the western series done as a short subject in the late 1940s--The "Red Rider" series. His work as a child star is panned by critics such as Leonard Maltin, Little Bobby was cute as a button as little Beaver in the 1940s The Red Ryder cowboy series. He was an idol of the Saturday matinee set as Little Beaver.
Bobby was a sweet addition to such 1940s films as Woman in the Window, Humoresque, and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. but he's given much more favorable marks by some as an adult star. His most dressed up role is a very brief, uncredited role in Woman in the Window (1945), starring Edward G. Robinson and Constance Bennett. Bobby who was about 12 years old at the timr waits with his mom and sister for the train to take them off on summer holiday as Edward G. sees them off. Bobby is dressed in a dark peaked cap, dark short pants suit, necktie, and knee socks. Perhaps he didn't like these clothes because he carries a light colored overcoat, which almost shields his short-pants. Given his later tough-guy personality he probably didn't care much for his outfit. By 1945 it was not common for 12-year olds to wear short pants suits with kneesocks, but some boys, usually from wealthy families still did. This scene is just a few minutes into the film. Looking back on his child career, he insists, "I wasn't a child star, I was a child laborer." He didn't care at all for his acting. He said the only star who acted like a "human being" toward him was John Garfield whom he played with in Humoresque. At 16 his child acting career was washed up.
Blake enlisted in the Army and spent time in the stockade. After he got out of the Army he got into all kinds of trouble with alcohol and dope. He finally pulled his life together and became an adult star. Blake after his personal difficulties made the transition to adult roles. I found him obnoxious in tough guy roles like Baretta and In Cold Blood, but he received glowing reviews. It was TV where Blake made ut big, especially his role as "Baretta". It was an emensely popular show, but Blake picked up the reputation of being hard to work with. Blake found it hard to deal with the demanding production schedule. He often appeared on guest shows like Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show". Blake liked to blow off about studio authorities which he called "The Suits". On one appearance another guest, policeman--author Joseph Wambaugh, surprised him by announcing that he had met him before. Wambaugh, who used to be a policeman, once approached Blake on suspicion of committing a crime. He recognized Blake and returned to tell his partner that he was letting him go. "No one is going to bust `Little Beaver'" he explained.
More recently tough-guy actor Robert Blake was arrested for killing his estraigned wife which resulted in a high-profile Hollywood trial. A jury acquitted Blake of murder (March 16, 2005). The jury verdict brought a dramatic end to a case that played out like pulp fiction.
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