The 23 Sep 1929 Film Daily announced the title, considered provisional at the time, as an upcoming production from Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. The screenplay was based on the 1925 play, Weak Sisters by Lynn Starling. On 14 Jan 1930, Exhibitors Daily Review and Motion Pictures Today reported that co-star James Gleason had completed writing dialogue for the film. The 30 Mar 1930 Film Daily also credited screenwriter Harvey Thew with contributing dialogue. The 18 Jan 1930 Hollywood Filmograph and 29 Jan 1930 Var included Marie Astaire and Florence Frederici among the cast, although their roles were not specified. Principal photography began 1 Feb 1930, according to the 15 Feb 1930 Exhibitors Herald-World. Five weeks later, the 22 Mar 1930 Hollywood Filmograph stated that editing was underway.
       Dumbells in Ermine opened 14 May 1930 to tepid reviews. Although critics expressed little enthusiasm for the screenplay, several commended the cast. The Jun 1930 Educational Screen determined the picture to be unsuitable for children under fifteen years of age. An item in the 13 Sep 1930 Exhibitors Herald-World noted only fair public response.
The Var review listed the film's title as Dumb-bells in Ermine. ...