Fluttering Hearts

Plot

In this delightful silent comedy, a spirited young woman defies her father's strict orders and sneaks out to attend a major department store sale, creating chaos as she navigates through crowds of bargain-hunting shoppers. Her adventure takes an unexpected turn when she catches the attention of a persistent policeman who pursues her through the store, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and near-captures. Fortunately, a friendly millionaire intervenes and helps her win over the lawman's sympathy, turning her potential predicament into an opportunity for romance. Meanwhile, her frantic father desperately searches for a compromising letter that could damage his reputation, adding another layer of urgency to the unfolding comedic situation. The film culminates in a series of madcap chases and misunderstandings that resolve in typical fashion for the era, with romance triumphing and order restored.

Historical Background

1927 was a pivotal year in cinema history, representing both the zenith of silent comedy filmmaking and the precipice of the sound revolution. The film industry was experiencing unprecedented creative output, with studios like Hal Roach perfecting the art of the two-reel comedy short. This period saw the maturation of comic film language, with directors and performers having developed a sophisticated visual vocabulary for conveying humor without dialogue. The economic prosperity of the Roaring Twenties fueled increased movie attendance, with department stores like the one featured in the film becoming symbols of modern American consumer culture. The film's release in March 1927 placed it squarely in the transition period between the pure silent era and the coming of sound, with 'The Jazz Singer' premiering later that year in October. This timing makes 'Fluttering Hearts' particularly significant as an example of the refined silent comedy form just before the industry's technological transformation. The social context of 1927 also included changing attitudes about youth independence and courtship, themes reflected in the film's plot of a young woman defying parental authority.

Making Of

The production of 'Fluttering Hearts' took place during a particularly creative period at Hal Roach Studios when the facility was producing some of the most sophisticated comedy shorts in Hollywood. James Parrott, having honed his skills working with his brother Charley Chase, employed the studio's signature style of combining situational comedy with carefully choreographed physical gags. The department store set was one of the most elaborate and frequently used backlot constructions, featuring multiple levels, working elevators, and extensive merchandise displays that provided endless opportunities for comic business. Oliver Hardy, who was transitioning from supporting roles to co-starring status, brought his distinctive physical presence to the role of the policeman, foreshadowing the comic persona that would make him world-famous. The film's pacing reflects the influence of Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd's feature-length comedies, with each gag building upon the previous one to create escalating comic tension. Martha Sleeper, known for her athletic abilities and willingness to perform her own stunts, engaged in several physically demanding sequences that required multiple takes to perfect the timing.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'Fluttering Hearts' exemplifies the sophisticated visual style developed by Hal Roach Studios by the late 1920s. The film employs dynamic camera movement unusual for the period, including tracking shots that follow characters through the department store's multiple levels. The photography takes full advantage of the elaborate sets, using depth of field to create comic situations with action occurring simultaneously in foreground and background. The lighting design follows the studio's practice of using high-key illumination to ensure clear visibility of physical gags, while still creating atmospheric effects in the store's various departments. The cinematographer utilizes reflective surfaces - mirrors, glass display cases, and polished floors - to multiply the comic possibilities of chase sequences. The film's visual composition shows the influence of German Expressionist cinema in its use of dramatic angles during tense moments, while maintaining the clarity required for comedy. The photography effectively captures the scale of the department store setting, making it feel like a real, bustling retail environment rather than an obvious studio construction.

Innovations

While 'Fluttering Hearts' does not feature groundbreaking technical innovations, it demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship achieved in silent comedy production by 1927. The film makes effective use of multiple camera setups within the department store set, allowing for dynamic editing that enhances the pace of the chase sequences. The production employed sophisticated gag timing techniques, with physical comedy carefully choreographed to work within the constraints of 1920s camera equipment. The film's editing shows the maturation of continuity editing principles, with clear spatial relationships maintained during complex movement through the store's various departments. The use of props and set pieces as integral elements of the comedy, rather than mere background, reflects the sophisticated understanding of visual storytelling developed by this period. The film's special effects, while minimal, include clever use of camera tricks and practical effects that enhance the comedy without drawing attention to the mechanics behind them.

Music

As a silent film, 'Fluttering Hearts' was originally accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. The typical score would have been compiled from standard photoplay music libraries, with selections chosen to match the mood of each scene. Upbeat, jaunty melodies would accompany the shopping and chase sequences, while more romantic themes would underscore the scenes between the young woman and the policeman. The score likely included popular songs of 1927 that audiences would recognize, a common practice to enhance the film's contemporary appeal. The musical accompaniment would have varied by theater size, with larger houses employing small orchestras while smaller venues used piano or organ. The rhythm and pacing of the musical selections were crucial to enhancing the physical comedy, with accent notes timed to coincide with key gags and pratfalls. Some theaters might have incorporated sound effects using the theater's organ or percussion instruments to emphasize comic moments, particularly during the chase sequences.

Memorable Scenes

• The chaotic opening sequence in the department store where hundreds of women rush through the doors for the big sale, creating a whirlwind of activity as Charley Chase attempts to navigate through the crowd. The scene features meticulously choreographed physical comedy as characters tumble over merchandise displays, get caught in revolving doors, and create increasingly elaborate pile-ups that showcase the sophisticated gag timing developed by Roach Studios.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of 'Fluttering Hearts' in trade publications like Variety and The Motion Picture News praised the film's energetic pacing and effective use of the department store setting. Critics noted Charley Chase's growing sophistication as a comic performer and the effective chemistry between the lead actors. The film was particularly appreciated for its clever integration of multiple plot threads - the young woman's adventure, the father's dilemma, and the policeman's pursuit - into a cohesive two-reel narrative. Modern film historians have cited the film as an example of the refinement achieved in Roach studio comedies by 1927, with well-constructed gags that build upon each other rather than existing as isolated comic moments. The performances, particularly Oliver Hardy's work as the policeman, have been noted for demonstrating the comic timing that would make him a star. While not as well-remembered as some contemporaneous comedies, the film is regarded by silent comedy specialists as a solid example of the genre's late-silent period sophistication.

What Audiences Thought

Upon its release, 'Fluttering Hearts' was well-received by audiences who appreciated Charley Chase's relatable everyman persona and the film's fast-paced comic situations. The department store setting resonated strongly with 1920s moviegoers, many of whom were experiencing the new phenomenon of modern retail shopping themselves. Audience feedback collected by exhibitors indicated particular enjoyment of the chase sequences and the romantic elements, which were balanced to appeal to both male and female viewers - a deliberate strategy of Roach productions to maximize attendance. The film performed solidly in urban markets where department stores were familiar landmarks, though it was less successful in rural areas where the setting was less relatable. Contemporary audience reaction cards preserved in studio archives show that viewers appreciated the film's lack of mean-spirited humor, a characteristic that made Chase comedies particularly popular with family audiences. The presence of Oliver Hardy, even before his Laurel and Hardy fame, was noted positively by audiences who recognized him from previous supporting roles.

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