technical details:
Production K-7.
Release no. C-588.
Filmed February 2 to 10, 1937. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.
Title sheet prepared by Elmer Raguse on March 13, 1937.
Cutting continuity submitted March 13, 1937.
Music cue sheet prepared March 16, 1937.
Negative shipped on March 13, 1937.
Copyrighted March 24, 1937, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP7050. Renewed
July 27, 1964, with registration no. R341916. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2032.
Released April 3, 1937. It was the 153rd film in the series to be released. Early in the film season, Fred Quimby of
MGM set a projected release date for this production of February 27, 1937.
All-talking one-reeler.
Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Hearts Are Thumps".'
The soundtrack for this film was used for A Little Rascals Color Special made by King-World Productions and
presented by Charles King. The resultant film, using puppet animation, was one of five episodes refashioned this way,
which were intended to be marketed as a television series that never came to be.
King World Productions episode no. 50b, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.
the crew:
- Produced by Hal Roach
- Credited in the film as a presenter.
- Directed by Gordon Douglas
- This credit appears in the film.
- Assistant Director: Charles Oelze
- This credit derives from production documents.
- Photographed by Art Lloyd, A. S. C.
- This credit appears in the film.
- Edited by Bert Jordan and William Ziegler
- Jordan received sole credit, but Ziegler was the cutter on Feb. 2nd.
- Sound by William Randall
- This credit appears in the film.
- Music Director: Marvin Hatley
- This credit derives from the daily film report for the Feb. 17th recording session.
- Prop Men: Bob Saunders and Goode
- These credits derive from the production sheets. Goode, whose first name is not provided, worked on the
first two days and was scheduled for the cancelled shooting dates. Saunders took over when filming resumed.
- Script Clerks: Morton and Murphy
- These credits derive from the daily film reports. Morton performed these duties on the shooting dates,
while Murphy took over for the recording session on the 17th.
- Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Indicated in the opening title card.
- Passed by the National Board of Review
- As indicated in the film.
- Western Electric System
- As indicated in the film.
- Approved by the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America
- Certificate no. 3091.
- studio personnel
- vice president in charge of production - S. S. Van Keuren
- secretary-treasurer - Mat O'Brien
- Roach's assistant on production activities - Lawrence Tarver
- assistant secretary-treasurer, comptroller - Hugh Huber
- film editor and sound department - Elmer Raguse
- casting - Joe Rivkin
- story department - Jack Jevne
- art department - Arthur I. Royce
- property department - W. L. Stevens
- process department - Roy Seawright
- still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
- men's wardrobe - Harry Black
- paymaster - Mrs. Grace Cash
- transportation director - Bob Davis
- school teacher - Fern Carter
- possible uncredited involvement
- writing - Hal Yates, James Parrott, Hal Law,
Felix Adler, Harry Langdon, Richard Flournoy and Gordon Douglas may have been among the gag writers.
- property department - Charles Oelze was probably
involved in this capacity.
- animation - Probably the work of Roy Seawright.
the kids:
- Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa"
- Lead role. Spanky calls him "Romeo" at one point. He quits the He-Man Woman Haters Club to
exchange valentines with Darla, but ends up eating soap.
- George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky"
- Featured role. He's the leader of the club, and puts soap into Alfalfa's food.
- Darla Hood as "Darla"
- Featured role. She convinces Alfalfa to give up the club, and later accompanies him on piano.
- Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat"
- Featured role. He joins the club and assists Spanky with his prank.
- Darwood Kaye as "Waldo"
- Small part. He exchanges valentines with Henrietta, and is then seen sitting behind Buckwheat in class.
- Sidney Kibrick
- Small part. He's seen exchanging valentines, and is then seen sitting behind Spanky.
- Shirley Coates as "Henrietta"
- Bit part. She exchanges valentines with Waldo. This was her first appearance in the series.
- Eugene "Porky" Lee
- Bit part. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's seen briefly reacting to one of the
bubbles. He was present for only the final day of shooting, presumably missing out on the earlier dates due to illness.
- Yoshi Nistu
- Bit part. He exchanges valentines with Yoko, and is seen in the classroom.
- Yoko Kawachichi
- Bit part. She exchanges valentines with Yoshi, and is seen in the classroom.
- John Collum
- Extra. He's seen in the background as Alfalfa eats, and also sits behind Waldo in class.
- Jackie Lindquist
- Extra. He's listed as an extra for February 4th. The boy sitting behind Shirley Coates (two seats
behind Darla) looks like him.
- girl 146
- Extra. She sits two seats behind Sidney.
- Harold Switzer
- Extra. He's paired up with Patty Brown in the shot behind Waldo and his girl. In the classroom, he
sits in the back seat of Spanky's row.
- Joy Healey
- Extra. She's listed as an extra for February 4th, a date on which no shooting took place. However, it
appears that she's the girl paired up with John Collum. She may also be sitting behind him in class.
- Patty Brown
- Extra. She's listed as an extra for February 3rd and 4th. It appears that she's the one paired up
with Harold Switzer as the two are sitting on the lawn behind Waldo and his girl.
- Jerry Tucker
- Extra. He's listed as an extra for February 4th and 5th. It appears that he might be the boy with his
hair slicked back on the other side of the swings from John Collum and his girl.
- Robert Winckler
- Extra. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Robert Winkler. He's seen in the shots showing Porky.
- Baby Patsy May
- She's not in the film itself, but her photo is shown during the opening titles. There was actually
footage taken of her for the opening scene in which she exchanged valentines with a boy of similar age.
- Beverly Baldey
- Extra. She's listed as an extra for February 3rd, 4th and 5th, but as Beverly Baldy. I'm not yet
familiar with her.
- Gloria Brown
- Extra. Listed by Maltin & Bann as well as the production sheets for February 3rd and 4th. She may be
in the background in the schoolyard sequence, but I find it impossible to be sure.
- Natalie Fisher
- Extra. She's listed as an extra for February 4th. I'm not yet familiar with her.
- Elliott Fisher
- Extra. He's listed as an extra for February 4th. I'm not yet familiar with him.
- Tommy McFarland
- Extra. He's listed as an extra for February 4th. It doesn't look like he made it into the finished film.
- Rex Downing
- Extra. He's listed as an extra for February 5th. It doesn't look like he made it into the finished film.
- other kids
- Bit parts and extras. It's difficult to estimate the number of kids in this film, not only because of
the names listed for dates on which no shooting took place, but also because it's apparent that the cast in the
schoolyard was not quite the same as it was in the classroom. The most notable additional kid in the film is the girl that
exchanges valentines with Sidney, though she might be one of the names listed above. Maltin & Bann list Beverly
Lorraine Smith, who I'm not familiar with. There was also a small boy paired up with Baby Patsy in her deleted
footage, as well as a double for Darla planned for the shooting on Feb. 9th and 10th.
the animals:
- Leo
- Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
- Pete the Pup IV
- He's not actually in the film, but his photo is shown during the opening titles.
the adults:
- Rosina Lawrence as the teacher
- Small part. Maltin & Bann indicate that her name is "Miss Jones" in this film, but the name
isn't used. She appears in the latter part.
the music:
- "Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
- (A15.) This is played over the opening titles and as we first see the kids. A small portion is repeated at the
close of the film. Also, according to the music cue sheet, this is the tune that Darla whistles to herself, though
you'd never know by listening to her.
- "Colonial Gayeties" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted May 7, 1936. This is played as the kids exchange valentines and the boys form the He-Man
Woman Haters Club. It's played again as Alfalfa swings Darla, and Spanky and Buckwheat find some soap. This version
differs from the flute-dominated version reproduced by the Beau Hunks.
- "Little Dancing Girl" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "Dancing Girl" and "Dancing Girls." This is
played, and partially repeated, as Alfalfa gives up the club in favor of Darla. Most of it is repeated as the kids enter
the classroom and Alfalfa gets ready to sing. This is the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.
- "Moondust" by T. Marvin Hatley
- This is played as Spanky tampers with Alfalfa's lunch and Darla makes him eat it.
- "It Is To Laugh" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted 1930. This is played as Alfalfa forces himself to eat the sandwich and cream puffs. This is
the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.
- "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" by Leo Friedman and Beth Slater Whitson
- Copyrighted 1910. Music by Friedman with lyrics by Whitson. The Peerless Quartet had a number one hit
with this song in 1911. In this film, it's sung by Alfalfa.
- unused music
- "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" by John Kellette and Jaan Kenbrovin
- Kenbrovin was actually a collective pseudonym for James Kendis, James Brockman, and Nat Vincent. The
song debuted in the Broadway musical "The Passing Parade Of 1918," but wasn't published until 1919. Henry
Burr and Albert Campbell had a number one hit with this song in the spring of 1919, and Selvin's Novelty Orchestra got
to number one with it in the fall of the same year. Originally, this was the song Alfalfa was supposed to sing in
"Hearts Are Thumps," but the three hundred dollar fee led to its replacement.
the locations:
- Hal E. Roach Studios
- This entire film was shot on Stage 4.
miscellaneous:
Five shooting dates went into the making of this film. Here's a breakdown of the activity, deriving from the call
sheets, production sheets, daily film reports and various memos:
Jan. 21 - A Tarver memo to Raguse on this date (copied to Van Keuren) requests that visual vocal instrumental
use be checked for "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles."
Jan. 22 - A Tarver memo to Douglas on this date (copied to Van Keuren) states that vocal visual rights to
"I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" would cost three hundred dollars.
Jan. 23 - A Tarver memo to Raguse on this date (copied to Van Keuren) requests clearance of "Let Me Call
You Sweetheart" for visual vocal use.
Jan. 25 - A Raguse memo to Tarver on this date (copied to Van Keuren) relays a wire from Mr. Decker which
states that Paine approves visual vocal world rights of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" for two hundred
dollars.
Jan. 30 - Film costs by this time had reached $306.79.
Feb. 2 - This was the first day of shooting. Scheduled for a 9am call were Baby Patsy, a 'messenger
boy' to pair up with her, substitutes for the both of them, Sid Kibrick, a freckle-faced girl, a sissy boy, a
sissy girl, 2 'Jap children' (boy & girl), 5 extra girls and 5 extra boys. Obviously, the opening
exchanging of Valentines was to be filmed. Scheduled for an 11am call were Spanky, Alfalfa and Buckwheat, and scheduled
for a 1pm call was Darla. Shooting was to take place on the school set on Stage 4. The film at this point was referred to
as "Untitled (Our Gang)." The production sheet reveals that Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, Patsy, 26
extras and 2 teachers were present. A surviving script carries this date.
Feb. 3 - This was the second day of shooting. Scheduled were Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, Harold Switzer,
John Keith (Collum), '2 Jap Kids,' Darwood Kaye, Shirley Coates, Patty Brown, Gloria Brown, Beverly Baldy,
and '2 other kids.' Shooting was to take place on the school set on Stage 4. The film at this point was referred
to as "Untitled (Our Gang)." The production sheet reveals that Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, 16
extras, and 2 teachers were present.
Feb. 4 - This was supposed to be the third day of shooting, but the call sheet reveals that Alfalfa was ill the
previous day and that this third day of shooting might be postponed. This is exactly what happened, as shooting didn't
resume until Feb. 8th. Scheduled were Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, and Darla. Also scheduled were the following girls:
Shirley Coates, Patty Brown, Gloria Brown, Beverly Baldy, Natalie Fisher, Yoko Kawachichi, and Joy Healey, and the
following boys: Harold Switzer, Jerry Tucker, Darwood Kaye, Jackie Lindquist, Tommy McFarland, Elliott Fisher, and
Yoshi Nistu. If only a list this complete had been provided on a day when shooting actually took place! Shooting was
to take place on the school set on Stage 4. This was the first call sheet to carry the title "Hearts Are
Thumps."
Feb. 5 - This was supposed to be the fourth day of shooting, but Alfalfa's illness delayed production until Feb.
8th. Scheduled were Spanky, Alfalfa, Darla, Rex Downing, Harold Switzer, Jerry Tucker, Beverly Baldy, John Keith
(Collum), 2 more boys and 5 more girls. Buckwheat was scheduled to arrive in the afternoon. Shooting was to take
place on the school set on Stage 4. For some reason, the call sheet for this day refers to the film as "Our Gang
(untitled)."
Feb. 6 - A production sheet was prepared for this day, listing Douglas, Oelze, Goode, and Lloyd, but as usual, it
reads 'no production - account of sickness.' It seems likely that this would have been the final day of
shooting. Film costs for the previous week were $1725.94, bringing the total to $2032.73.
Feb. 7 - This was a Sunday. No shooting took place.
Feb. 8 - This was the long-awaited third day of shooting. Present were Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla,
14 extras and one teacher. Shooting took place on Stage 4. A Rivkin memo to Van Keuren, O'Brien, Huber and Cash, from
this date states that Spanky, Alfalfa, Darla and Buckwheat 'started' as of Feb. 1st.
Feb. 9 - This was the fourth day of shooting. Scheduled were Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, Rosina
Lawrence, 20 extras, and a double for Darla. Shooting was to take place on the exterior schoolhouse set on Stage 4.
The production sheet reveals the presence of Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, 22 extras and 2 teachers, but no Lawrence
and no double for Darla.
Feb. 10 - This was the final day of shooting. Scheduled were Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, Rosina
Lawrence, 20 extras, and a double for Darla. Shooting was to take place on the exterior schoolhouse set on Stage 4.
The production sheet reveals the presence of Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, Lawrence, 21 extras, and 2 teachers. Also
present was Porky, who had presumably been ill previous to this date. Shooting did indeed take place on Stage 4, but the
presence of Rosina Lawrence and Porky makes it clear that interior footage was shot. Rivkin memos to Van Keuren,
O'Brien, Huber and Cash, from this date indicate that Rosina Lawrence and Porky 'started' on this date.
Feb. 11 - The production sheet for this date states that the production had closed the previous day. Nevertheless,
Douglas, Oelze, Saunders and Lloyd are listed, which perhaps means that they were busy with post-production activity
on this day.
Feb. 13 - Film costs for the previous week were $1748.57, bringing the total to $3781.30.
Feb. 17 - Marvin Hatley directed a recording session on this day to add a six piece orchestra to "Let Me Call You
Sweetheart" and also record "Moondust" with a five piece orchestra.
Mar. 13 - A Raguse memo indicates that the domestic negative and domestic negative soundtrack were shipped to the MGM
lab, and that the domestic positive Movietone print was shipped to W. D. Kelly in New York.
Apr. 9 - A Raguse memo indicates that the Canadian dupe negative and Canadian negative soundtrack were delivered.
Deleted footage from this film included the exchanging valentines between Baby Patsy and a 'messenger boy.'
As mentioned in Julia Lee's book, Yoshi and Yoko were referred to in the script as "Americanized Jap kids."
The negative cost on this film as of April 24, 1937, was $19,536.05.
The gang calls their club The He-Man Woman Haters Club.
Some reissue and TV prints carry the title "Hearts Are Trumps."
This film was 953 feet in length.
The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B446.
availability:
- The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 2
(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. The total footage lasts 10:24. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. Two clips
are included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases. The 1st lasts 0:05, and shows Spanky
forming the club. The 2nd lasts 0:02, and shows Alfalfa blowing bubbles.
- The Little Rascals Volume 2: 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. 1 &
Vol. 2 (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 Volumes 1-2
(DVD) from Hallmark Home Entertainment
- Released Aug. 15, 2000. Same contents as the Cabin Fever DVD.
- 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 three 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 Book XIV (VHS)
from Blackhawk Video
- This is a home movie print from Blackhawk. The opening title and crew credits are remade, but the end
title is original. The picture quality is very good. The original footage totals 9:59, but the original soundtrack
lasts an additional 0:17.
- The Little Rascals Two Reelers Vol. 4
(VHS) from Spotlite Video
- This is the Blackhawk print, but with the company name blacked out. It was also included as part of a 6
VHS boxed set.
- The Best Of The Little Rascals (LD)
from Republic Pictures Home Video
- Released 1989. This is the Blackhawk print.
- Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from
Embassy Home Entertainment
- Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. Three clips from this film are included. The first
lasts 0:05, and shows Darla winking and Alfalfa's heart palpitating. The second lasts 1:46, and shows
Alfalfa's song, with narration added. The third lasts 0:56, and shows Alfalfa and Darla exchanging valentines.
- Jackie Remembers Our Gang - Memories From Little Rascals
Family Theater (VHS/DVD) from
Jackie Taylor
- Four clips from this film are included. The first lasts 0:04, showing Alfalfa swinging Darla. The
second lasts 0:03, and shows Spanky, Alfalfa and Buckwheat, with narration added. The third lasts 2:22, and shows
Alfalfa's song. The fourth lasts 0:02, and shows Alfalfa crossing his eyes and a bubble bursting in
Buckwheat's face.
- Jackie Remembers Our Gang - The Silent Era
(VHS/DVD) from Jackie Taylor
- A clip lasting 0:04 is included, showing Alfalfa swinging Darla.
- Laugh? I Thought I'd Die! (VHS)
from Reader's Digest Video
- A clip lasting 0:03 is included in the introduction, showing Alfalfa with bubbles coming out of his
mouth. Another clip lasting 1:51 is included, showing Alfalfa's song.
- The Little Rascals Clay Animation
(VHS)
- The claymation version has appeared on various homemade VHS tapes and DVDs on eBay.