"Hearts are Thumbs" is an American 10-minute live action sound film from almost 80 years ago. Of course, it is still in black-and-white like all the other Rascals films are too. Here, on several occasions, they reminded me of live action version of the Peanuts. The Rascals make a pact to stay away from all the Valentine's Day business, but it quickly shows that once a girl wants Alfalfa to be her valentine, there is no holding back. Pay attention to the mix of live action and animation near the end. The story is not too memorable here, but the film scores a lot through its cuteness and this is also why I give a positive verdict overall. I kinda expect the other kids to find valentines as well at the end, but nope, maybe they are still too little. Worth checking out as this is one of the better (and shorter) films from the series.
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Horst_In_Translation26 March 2016
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This is a pretty cute and typical Our Gang comedy from Hal Roach Studios and it features the more commonly remembered gang members--Alfalfa, Spanky, Buckwheat and Darla. The film started off on a cute note as the three boys were discussing how they hate all the "mush" surrounding Valentine's Day at their school. As a result, they decide to create the "He-man Woman Haters Club" and all take a vow to hate women and have nothing to do with them. Only seconds later, Darla comes by and bats her eyes at Alfalfa--who comes running like a whipped dog! The boys are mad at Alfalfa and so they decide to get even. All this is kinds of cute but ends on a supposedly hilarious scene where Alfalfa sings and soap bubbles come pouring out of his mouth. As for me, I hate it when the Falf-meister sings, so I'm knocking off a point--this was a gag used too often in their shorts and I could have done without this. Otherwise, a very good and watchable film.
PS--If this all seems familiar, it's because this plot was the basis for the Li'l Rascals movie (1994). -
Ron Oliver20 May 2000An OUR GANG Comedy Short.
HEARTS ARE THUMPS on Valentine Day, so a disgusted Spanky, Alfalfa & Buckwheat form the He-Man Woman Hater's Club in protest. But that was before Darla turns her `come hither' look on Alfalfa.
A funny little film. Highlight: Alfalfa's soapy sandwich. He later warbles `Let Me Call You Sweetheart.' -
tavm24 December 2014This Hal Roach comedy short, Hearts Are Thumps, is the one hundred fifty-third entry in the "Our Gang/Little Rascals" series and the sixty-fifth talkie. Seeing a bunch of child couples (of which one of them has Darwood "Waldo" Kaye paired with Shirley Coates in her first OG appearance) declare love for each other on Valentine's Day, Spanky, Alfalfa, and Buckwheat decide to form the He-Man Women Haters Club to stay out of that. But when Darla winks at Alfie, well, his heart's literally beating! Spanky vows revenge...This was quite a funny one-reel short helped by the familiar score of LeRoy Shield as well as some visual effects of Roy Seawright. Hilarious throughout. Interestingly, when adult Darla was interviewed by Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann for their book on Our Gang, she said she had more of a crush on Spanky who was very likable, than Alfalfa since he was arrogant off-screen and often was unruly, to boot! So on that note, Hearts Are Thumps is well worth a look.