The Age of Commercialism

Memorable, crazy movie

If you like to be scared, if you like to laugh, and if you like to learn a thing or two at the movies, this absolutely cannot be missed.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Farm family Frake, with discontented daughter Margy, head for the Iowa State Fair. On the first day, both Margy and brother Wayne meet attractive new flames; so does father's prize hog, Blue Boy.I really liked this film from the opening shots. The first song is great, and includes the phrase "dollars to doughnuts", which I always thought was a strange one. Now I know where it comes from. After that, it sort of goes downhill. Most of the songs are rather dated, and the overall romance stories are cheesy. Granted, this is supposed to be a stage musical, so it has to be rushed a little... but it seems off.I really liked the pig, though. More pig and more catchy tunes and this would be a definite winner.

When people think of the word "musical", one of the first few names that usually come to mind are songwriters Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. The most famous musical they've written was also one of the highest grossing movie musicals of all time, "The Sound of Music" (1965). While I won't address the impact that film has made to American culture, I will instead recommend the fans of that movie to take a look at the first movie musical that the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein brought to the screen, "State Fair" (1945). While this film probably won't please those who detest the musical genre altogether, it has plenty of things that musical fans including myself will like. The story to "State Fair" is pretty straightforward. The Frake family is getting ready to head to the Iowa State Fair with each family member having their own dreams about the fair. For instance, Margy (Jeanne Crain) is eager to take a break from the same old routine so that she can feel a little less gloomy. Her brother Wayne (Dick Haymes) is looking forward to the fair even though his current girlfriend can't go with him. Their father Abel (Charles Winninger) is prepping his pig Blue Boy to win at the fair and bets his neighbor five bucks that nothing will go wrong during the trip. Their mother Melissa (Fay Bainter) is preparing pickles and mincemeat for the cooking competition. When they all get to the fair, Margy finds love with news reporter Pat (Dana Andrews) while Wayne also finds romance with band singer Emily Edwards (Vivian Blaine). Will their new relationships go well? Will their mom and dad win at the fair? This story won't be everyone's cup of tea especially if you're not into musicals or love stories, and if you're looking for intense conflicts along with a complex plot and characters. But if you go into this film with the mindset that this is meant to be a light and fluffy musical, then I think you'll like it fine. Though I thought the story certainly wasn't much and there were some odd elements in the narrative (namely the ability of the pigs to "talk" to each other), the four main leads do at least have some sort of likability to them. The chemistry between Haymes and Blaine in particular is the strongest element of the script. Not only does it feel like the most realistic and natural part of the narrative, but they also have a certain charisma on screen together. But as most of us know, the real selling point of almost any Rodgers and Hammerstein movie musical, such as "The Sound of Music" (1965), are the songs themselves. Luckily for "State Fair", it does not disappoint in this category. Though it's been said that her singing voice was dubbed by Louanne Hogan, Jeanne Crain truly owns it when selling the lovely, Oscar-winning tune "It Might As Well Be Spring". The same can be said for Vivian Blaine for singing the exceptional "That's for Me", save for the dubbing since she sings it herself. Blaine and Haymes bounce off of each other very well in the fun musical number "Isn't It Kinda Fun". In terms of its musical soundtrack, "State Fair" is truly a winner. The film was shot in Technicolor when it was being made during the end of World War II. And in a time when U.S. citizens were worried about the status of their loved ones fighting the war overseas, films like "State Fair" seemed to be made at the right place at the right time. It has some wonderful music, bright Technicolor cinematography, nice costumes, and at least two charming leads to bring it all together. Regardless of what criticisms modern audiences might have against it, no one can deny that this picture does what it was made to do: provide pure escapism. And on that level, "State Fair" is a nice and pleasant trip.

This is not the best Rodgers and Hammerstein movie musical, however State Fair is still a truly lovely film. The plot is rather fluffy and lacklustre, but the characters are charming and the R&H tunes while not among their best are still wonderful. State Fair looks beautiful, with the photography lavish and Crain especially looking absolutely stunning in her costumes. The film is lovingly directed, has a corny but appealing script and it moves sprightly too. Nothing to complain about the performances either, Jeanne Crain is breathtaking and Dana Andrews is a more than dashing and competent leading man. As much as I loved Harry Morgan, Dick Haymes and Vivian Blaine, my favourite support performance is Charles Winninger who steals every scene he's in. Overall, a lovely movie and well worth watching. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The 1962 version. This one is so much better.Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes, Vivian Blaine, Harry Morgan, Fay Bainter, and a few quirky characters and animals.Given the subject matter, a state fair where everyone is going to accomplish something for the summer. Fay Bainter as Mom, with her mincemeat pie competition; Dad and his prize hog: Blue Boy. And of course the siblings, who want only to find love. Agreed some of the Rogers and Hammerstein lyrics are a bit hard to swallow "Dollars to Donuts"" etc., but the surroundings give that sense of rural America and Iowa.Another good song is "I owe Iowa"...has a nice feel to it. Dana Andrews and Jeanne Crain make an unlikely but pleasant couple. The visuals of the fair in the evening are effective and somewhat reminiscent of a dream sequence.All's well that ends well. It is a nice story and gives us a slice of Americana that is hard to find these days, although it still can be found in parts of the mid-south, and middle America if you look. Very good film for children and families. 9/10