Hearts Are Thumps

film no. 153

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 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.

technical details:

Production K-7.

Filmed probably around early-to-mid winter 1937.

Music cue sheet prepared March 16, 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.

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.
Photographed by Art Lloyd, A. S. C.: This credit appears in the film.
Edited by Bert Jordan: This credit appears in the film.
Sound by William Randall: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. This credit appears in the film.
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 Production Code Adminstration of the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

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.
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.
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.
other kids: Bit parts and extras. There are presumably eight more kids in the film, most notably the girl that exchanges valentines with Sidney. Maltin & Bann list Gloria Brown, who I don't recognize her anywhere in the film, and Beverly Lorraine Smith, who I'm not familiar with.

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.
(A14.) 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.

miscellaneous:

The gang calls their club The He-Man Woman Haters Club.

Some reissue and TV prints carry the title "Hearts Are Trumps."

The negative cost on this film was $19,536.

©July 30, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 8/27, 8/30, 11/7, 12/19.
2006 updates: 1/2, 2/11, 5/16, 10/25.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/22, 12/8.
2008 updates: 1/7, 2/26, 5/26, 7/12.

Thanks to Rob Stone, Joe Moore and Paul Mular for assistance on this page.