Love Business

film no. 104

technical details:

Production G-38.

Release no. C-335.

Filmed September 3 to 20, 1930. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Copyrighted October 26, 1930, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP1681. Renewed January 13, 1958, with registration no. R206653. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2025.

Released February 14, 1931. It was the 104th film in the series to be released.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Love Business".'

Talking title: 'Hal Roach presents, for your entertainment and approval, His Rascals in their latest "Our Gang" Comedy, entitled "Love Business."

King World Productions episode no. 38, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach: This is the way Maltin & Bann put it. The film credits Roach as a presenter, with a separate credit reading "A Robert McGowan Production."
Direction by Robert F. McGowan: This credit appears in the film, but without his middle initial.
Photographed by Art Lloyd: This credit appears in the film.
Edited by Richard Currier: This credit appears in the film.
Recording by Elmer Raguse: This credit appears in the film.
Dialogue by H. M. Walker: This credit appears in the film. Studio documentation credits him as a story editor.
Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay: He was Pete's owner and trainer.
Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: Indicated in the opening title card.
Passed by the National Board of Review: As indicated in the film.
A Victor Recording, Western Electric System: As indicated in the film.
studio personnel: general manager - Warren Doane; assistant general manager - L. A. French; secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach; assistant secretary - Mat O'Brien; construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen; laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin; still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves; transportation director - Bob Davis; school teacher - Fern Carter
possible uncredited involvement: assistant direction - Possibly Charles Oelze.; writing - Robert F. McGowan probably headed story development, while Robert A. McGowan, Carl Harbaugh, Jean Yarbrough, Charlie Hall and Harry Keaton may have been among the gag writers.; property department - Charles Oelze, Don Sandstrom, Thomas Benton Roberts and Bob Saunders were probably involved in this capacity.; titles - Louis McManus probably designed the main titles.

the kids:

Jackie Cooper as "Jackie" aka "Jack": Featured role. Miss Crabtree comes to live at his house, which gives him an opportunity to propose.
Norman "Chubby" Chaney as "Chubby" aka "Norman" aka "Chubsy-Ubsy": Featured role. He's Jackie's rival, and cuts in on his action.
Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer": Supporting role. He can't sleep because Jackie kisses him all night.
Mary Ann Jackson as "Mary": Supporting role. She has a strong scene during the moth ball sequence.
Matthew "Stymie" Beard: Small part. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He makes several wisecracks in the schoolyard.
Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba: Small part. She inaccurately repeats everything Chubby says in front of the movie theater.
Allen "Farina" Hoskins: Small part. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He has some of the dialogue in the schoolyard scene.
Donald Haines: Small part. He's with the kids in the schoolyard scene, but only has one line.
Bobby "Bonedust" Young: Small part. He's with the kids in the schoolyard scene, but doesn't have any dialogue.
Shirley Jean Rickert as "Shirley": Bit part. She's given a very brief moment in which Miss Crabtree says hello to her.
other kids: There are about twelve more kids playing in front of the school.

the animals:

Pete the Pup III: Small part. He's shown off and on, and isn't given too much to do. Credited in publicity material as "Pete the pup."
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.

the talking titles:

Beverly and Betty Mae Crane as the talking titles: Small parts. They appear in additional to the opening title card, and in place of the crew credits.

the adults:

June Marlowe as "Miss Crabtree": Featured role. She moves into Jackie's home as a boarder and receives two attempted proposals.
May Wallace as "Mrs. Cooper" aka "Miss May Wallace," the kids' mother: Supporting role. She cooks a nice meal, but doesn't notice that moth balls have fallen into the soup. Her name on the envelope of the love letter is "Miss May Wallace," but Miss Crabtree calls her "Mrs. Cooper."
other adults: In the front of the movie theater, Chubby makes love to a cutout of Greta Garbo, while in the background is a gag photo of Charley Chase and Thelma Todd.
questionable listings: A 1931 casting directory indicates that Baldwin Cooke appeared in this film, but if so, than his scene was cut from the final print.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.; (A12.) The twelfth version is played over the opening title and talking titles. It returns at the beginning of the schoolyard scene.; (B3.) The third version of the seldom-heard second part of this piece is played in part as Jackie laments about how lovesick he is.
"The One I Love Best" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "All The World (To Me)." Most of this piece is played as Jackie dreams about Miss Crabtree and his mother wakes him up. The middle part and uptempo last verse is played as Miss Crabtree arrives at the house. The fast part is repeated during Shirley's brief appearance. A very short part of the middle section is played as Miss Crabtree is on the phone. The fast part is repeated again as Miss Crabtree arrives at the table. The second verse is repeated as Jackie tries to propose to Miss Crabtree. The very last part is repeated as we see Wheezer in the catcher's mask and the end title appears. An alternate version of this piece is played as Mary Ann talks to Miss Crabtree and continues into the couch scene with Jackie.
"Candy Candy" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as we're introduced to Wheezer and Mary Ann, and continues as Wheezer starts telling his mother about Jackie's nighttime habits. One verse is played as the kids' mother is preparing dinner.
"Ants (Hurry)" by Leroy Shield: Also known as "Antics" and "Sneaking," but not to be confused with the other two pieces with these titles. Most of this piece is played twice through as Wheezer and Mary Ann tease Jackie and he walks out. Most of it is played through twice again as the mother joins everybody at the dinner table.
"You Are The One I Love" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. The last part of this piece is played during Chubby's scene with Dorothy. A portion is played again as Chubby tries to propose to Miss Crabtree, where it's briefly interrupted by "Your Piktur."
"Beautiful Lady" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played during the conversation about how Miss Crabtree smells.
"Riding Along" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. The fast version of this piece is played as Wheezer embarasses Jackie in front of the other kids, with the end part repeated.
"By Rote" by Leroy Shield: Most of this piece is played as the kids' mother gives them instructions on minding their manners.
"Stand Up" by Leroy Shield: One chord from this piece is played as Miss Crabtree first reacts to the moth ball soup. It continues as the kids join her with reactions of their own.
"Ah! 'Tis Love" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. The introduction to this piece is played as the kids first notice Miss Crabtree's reaction to the soup. It's played in full when Chubby arrives at the house.
"Apples, Apples" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. The middle part of this effect piece is played during one of Mary Ann's facial reactions and is directly followed by "Ants."
"Your Piktur" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. A small part of this piece is played as Jackie looks through the curtain with the funny glasses.
"Crabtree" by Leroy Shield: Also known as "Girl & Stick." The first half of this piece is played as Wheezer is sent to bed.
"Yearning" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Aug. 13, 1931. Most of this piece is played as the mother confiscates the love letters from Chubby.

the locations:

Hal Roach Ranch: District School No. 6 was located here.
the house: Publicity photos reveal that the house, wherever it was, was no. 28 on its street.

miscellaneous:

12 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Four weeks after shooting finished for "Helping Grandma" (no. 103), the 'start' date arrived for "Love Business" on Sep. 3rd. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Sep. 15th. No shooting took place on Sep. 7th or 14th, which were both Sundays. Five days after the finish date, retakes were shot on Sep. 20th. After this, five and a half weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began filming "Little Daddy" (no. 105).

In the category of unseen characters, this film has the most famous of them all, "Miss McGillicuddy."

The funny glasses worn by Jackie Cooper at one point in this film appear to be the same pair worn by Charlie Oelze in "Shiver My Timbers" (no. 109).

The establishing shot of the school was unused footage from "School's Out" (no. 102), which was shot from June 17 to 25, 1930.

Publicity photos reveal deleted footage in which Farina and Stymie show up at the house in their Sunday best.

The script for this film includes dialogue in which Bonedust explains to Jack that women stop having birthdays after the age of 20, which means that Jack will eventually catch up.

The script also reveals dialogue between Chubby and the theater manager. It isn't clear whether or not this scene was ever filmed, but if it was, then perhaps this is the part played by Baldwin Cooke.

A publicity photo clearly reveals that one of the movie posters shown at the theater is for "This Mad World."

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 3 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume One (4 LD set) from Cabin Fever: Released July 6, 1994. Also released as part of 12 VHS boxed set. This is a complete original print with excellent picture quality. It lasts 20:12. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There are also three clips included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases. The 1st lasts 0:04, and shows Chubby wanting to be called 'Chubsy-Ubsy.' The 2nd lasts 0:03, and shows Jackie at the front door. The 3rd lasts 0:02, and shows Chubby at the front door.
The Little Rascals Volume 3: Collector's Edition (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment: Released Aug. 15, 2000. Also included as part of The Little Rascals Volumes 1-5: Collector's Edition (5 VHS set) and The Little Rascals Volumes 1-10: Collector's Edition (10 VHS set), both released Aug. 15, 2000.
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 3 & Vol. 4 (DVD) from Cabin Fever: Same contents as the Cabin Fever VHS releases. Also released as part of The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited (6 DVD set).
The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (8 DVD set) from Genius Products: Released late Oct. 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever version. There are also two clips from this film included in the documentary The Story Of Hal Roach And Our Gang.
The Little Rascals Colorized Collection (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment: Released Apr. 19, 1999. One of six same-named VHS releases, each with three colorized films, deriving from the Cabin Fever versions.
The Little Rascals Two Reelers Vol. 6 (VHS) from Spotlite Video: Released Nov. 1987. Also included as part of a 6 VHS boxed set. This is a home movie print from Blackhawk, but with the company name blacked out. The opening title is remade, but the end title is original. The original footage totals 19:54, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:10.
The Little Rascals Book XVI (VHS) from Blackhawk Video: This is the Blackhawk print.
Adventures Of The Little Rascals (VHS) from Republic Pictures Home Video
Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment: Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 1:36 is included, showing Chubby arriving at Jackie's house.
Laurel And Hardy Collection (2 DVD set) from Warner Home Video: Released Apr. 18, 2006. Includes a documentary entitled "Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story. This documentary contains four clips from this film. The first three are back-to-back. The first lasts 0:08, and shows the opening title. The second lasts 0:13, and shows the talking titles. The third lasts 0:33 and the fourth lasts 0:21, and both show Chubby and Dorothy.

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.

My thanks to the following people for assisting with this page:
Rob Stone (for providing the production number and shooting dates)
Joe Moore (for providing the copyright information)
Piet Schreuders (for identifying "Stand Up," as well as providing other musical information)
Paul Mular (for providing info on the Cabin Fever laserdiscs)