State Fair (1945)

Awesome Movie

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Filmed only 2 years after the stage version of "Oklahoma" opened, this was the earliest R&H film by a decade! It was the only one of the 6 R&H films that wasn't preceded by a play version. It was released the same year that R&H composed the play "Carousel", which was their main focus at this time. Both included a substantial carnival atmosphere.Like "Oklahoma", it paints a largely idyllic picture of a rural Midwestern community, lacking ethnic minorities. It's mostly based on the prior very popular non-musical film of the same name, starring Will Rogers. Again, the lead young woman has to deal with two suitors, one clearly not being to her liking. But, in place of the menacing Jed, in "Oklahoma", her 'problem' suitor is a nerdy ambitious farmer, who just doesn't excite her romantically. Unlike "Oklahoma" and "Carousel", there are is no memorable ballet dance scene. It's shorter by half an hour to more than 1 hour, than the other R&H films. However, very surprisingly, it includes the only Oscar-winning R&H song!"Oklahoma" began with Gordon MacRae singing about the theme of the movie: an optimistic future for him as a farmer/rancher and, by extension, the US as a whole. Similarly, this film begins with bucolic Percy Kilbride singing "Our State Fair": introducing us to the main setting of the film. Charles Winninger, another convincing-looking old farmer, picks up the song for a spell, followed by his prize boar Blue Boy(as best he can), and finally by his wife, played by Fay Banter. Very soon after, daughter Marge(the beautiful Jeanne Crane) starts into the most remembered song in the film "It Might as Well Be Spring"(It was late summer). Marge is expressing her impatience to start a new life somewhere else more exiting to her, with a more exiting, handsome, prospective husband than ambitious, but nerdy, Harry. Marge is literally starry-eyed, expressing her ambition to snare a man who reminds her of her favorite movie stars and singers....I feel sorry for Harry, who seems sincere in his plans to build a modern farm operation and house, to create a much easier, more profitable, life than what his parents have. Marge couldn't be more blunt in expressing her disinterest in such a life and in Harry, no matter what he proposes. She doesn't want a life that's all planned out, and predictable.Marge has a brother(Dick Haymes, as Wayne,) probably a little older, also unmarried, with a girlfriend: Eleanor, he doesn't seem all that excited about. Now, it happens that both Eleanor and Harry have excuses why they can't go to the state fair. This gives Marge and Wayne an opportunity to wander around the fair and meet someone who might better meet their criteria for an ideal mate. Who should Wayne bump into but flaming redhead Vivian Blaine, who had been recently costarring in "B' musicals for Fox, and would later costar in "Guys and Dolls". He falls for her immediately, after she helps him get out of a scene with a carnival side showman. Whereas the singing of Jeanne and Dana Andrews, who she meets at the fair, was dubbed, Haymes and Vivian, of course, did their own singing. Ironically, Andrews had training as an opera singer, but neglected to tell the studio about this!These instantaneous flirtations appear to be on the rocks near the end. Marge is sure that Pat(Andrews) is the man for her. But, he basically says that, as a lady's man, he doesn't think he could be tied to one woman, even one as sweet and beautiful as Marge. But, in the end, he gives in. Meanwhile, after a bit of romancing and singing together, Pat is told that Vivian is returning to Chicago and is married, if unhappily. Thus, in the hurried finale, we see Haynes driving his car with his, presumably, uncomplicated country girl sweetheart Eleanor beside him, instead of the sophisticated, fun, but conflicted and married Vivian.There are 6 songs. Of these, "It's a Grand Night for Singing" ranks up there with "It Might as Well Be Spring", as a memorable classic. But, there's nothing wrong with the others, except the lyrics to "Our State Fair" are trite. True, the film doesn't open with a knock-you -out -of -your -seat musical number, like most R&H films do. The long song and dance production near the end , to "All I Owe to Ioway" is functionally equivalent to the singing of "Oklahoma" near the end, in that former creation, if not nearly as memorable as a song.Comedy is more emphasized here than in the euphoric 'Oklahoma" or the darker-themed "Carousel". Wayne's determination to get even with that carnival barker is one example. Henry Morgan is great as his barker nemesis. Kildridge, who later costarred in the Ma and Pa Kettle series, provides some early humor as a perennial doomsday worrier. Of course, Winninger's obsession with his hog Blue Boy winning the grand prize, and his sneaking some brandy into wife's mincemeat, to hopefully make it win the prize, are other examples. Donald Meek, as a food and drink tasting judge, is also funny.Director Walter Lang had directed many of the early '40s Fox musicals, and would continue through the '50s, including the R&H "The King and I".Well folks, I'm going to have to give this a 10: equal to that of Oklahoma, as a total experience, despite a few quibbles. I liked all the principal players, although Jeanne came across as an icy beauty at times, and Haymes and Vivian came across as refugees from an urban life. With all the activity relating to the fair and the hurried romances, there was little time for character development, if that is important to you. I won't bother comparing it with the longer '62 remake, with additional songs. You decide for yourself.

So where else does snooty Hollywood celebrate a hog judging contest, of all things. Then too, I'll bet the movie made it onto the Farmer John list of favorites. Actually, the musical is more sweet than bouncy, an overdue tribute to rural America and one of the so-called "pig- pen" musicals of the time. The fair itself is brightly rendered by TCF's expert photographer Leon Shamroy, along with an attractive cast. And what a sweet paragon of innocence is the sparkling Jeanne Crain. I can imagine hundreds of guys leaving for Iowa after seeing her. Haymes too projects a pleasant boyishness and a fine singing voice. But it's really Winninger who steals the film with his addled comedic touch. Then there's that really suspenseful moment in the hog show, that is, until the enchanting Esmeralda comes to the lovelorn Blue Boy's rescue, surely one of Hollywood's more delightful romances.Of Course, there're also the great R&H's tunes. That massed rendition of It's a Grand Night for Singing is a show-stopper and wonderfully captures the carefree spirit of the fair. Add to that some nice light-hearted character touches, such as the perennially grouchy Percy Kilbride and the mincemeat freak Donald Meek. However, note that the script has one of the two siblings, but not both, abandon the farm for an urban fast life. After all, having both leave would reflect negatively on the movie's main theme. Note too, director Lang's unusually deliberate pacing for a musical, to bring out the story values, I guess.Anyway, it's a highly pleasant musical diversion with a fine cast, lots of color, and at least two first-rate tunes. The 100-minutes may lack bounce, but they do entertain, even 60-years later.

This film has been filmed many times (there's also a Will Rogers and a later Pat Boone version—and probably several others) and it's the Rogers and Hammerstein musical version of the story. My reason for watching it was simple…it had Dana Andrews in it. He's a wonderful and mostly underrated actor and I try to see everything in which he appears. He is assisted by a fine cast including Jean Crain (who is simply radiant), Dick Haymes, Vivian Blaine, Frank McHugh, Percy Kilbride, Charles Winninger, Harry Morgan, Donald Meek and Fay Bainter.The film is about the adventures of a nice farm family, the Frakes, going to a fair in the Midwest United States. Each has a story that is explored in the film. Dad (Winninger) has a sow who he thinks can take the grand prize. Mom hopes to win the prize for her homemade recipes. The son (Haymes) wants to get back at a carnie but ends up finding a beautiful girl (Blaine). And the apparent star, Crain, is vaguely disaffected with her farm life and her fiancé. When she meets the newspaper man from the big city (Andrews), he offers the prospect of excitement…which is wonderful and a bit scary at the same time.Some might find the old fashion story and music a bit corny, but I felt it actually had a lot of charm. It's the sort of nice old fashioned tale that Hollywood did so well in the old days—and the sort of picture they just don't make any more. I think it's all very sweet and a slice of pure Americana—and first-rate all the way. This is a bit of a surprise for me, actually, as I am not usually a fan of musicals. I think some of the reason I liked it is that the songs are secondary to the wonderful plot. And, secondly, you really, really care about the characters—they are well-written and charming.Although the music in this film is nice, the lyrics frankly sometimes made no sense at all. Clearly this is not among the best by the famed duo of Rogers and Hammerstein, though a few songs were lovely (such as "Falling in Love" and "Maybe"). Here are a couple excerpts from their dopier songs--"I feel so gay in a melancholy way" and "Our state fair is the very best state fair in the state". If this makes sense to you, please let me know what they meant!! Fun songs…occasionally insane lyrics! In fact, had it not been for these sometimes weird lyrics, I might have even given this song a 10—it was that enjoyable.

Brandy-spiked homemade mincemeat, patent-leather farmhouses, candy apples, cotton candy, roller coasters, budding romances, and stunning technicolor.....all drenched in Rogers and Hammerstein's unmistakable sound........a recipe for success? You didn't have any doubts, did you?? I rate this 1945 classic a solid ten out of ten stars. The awful remake in 1962 is a prime example of why remakes should never be attempted. This movie follows in the tradition of other great 1940's Fox musicals such as Down Argentine Way and Moon Over Miami. Don't you dare listen to any negative reviews of this wonderful movie. One of the reviewers commented that there wasn't much of a plot. Are you kidding me?? The plot is fantastic. Apparently, some people just don't get it. It's intentionally made to be light and fun. Don't over-analyze it. After all, it's a musical for crying out loud. In my opinion, this movie is simply one of the best musicals ever made. I like it more and more every time I see it if that's even possible! It's right up there in quality with The Sound Of Music. Walter Lang, the director, masterfully captures the magic with incredible flair in this innocent, mid-century gem. The songs are infectious and beautiful....some of the best Rogers and Hammerstein have ever written....and that's the truth! The movie will leave you feeling great. Watch it! You'll see what I mean. After all......it's a grand night for singing!!