State Fair (1945)

State Fair

This is one of my faves. Much superior to the re-make with Pat Boone and Ann-Margaret. This is sweet and the stars are just right. Dana Andrews, of "The Best Years of Our Lives" and "Laura" is a jaded reporter covering the Iowa State Fair and is smitten with this young, sweet farmer's daughter and it changes his life. There IS reason for hope. Jeanne Craine plays the young girl and is engaging. She was also in "Leave Her To Heaven" and "Laura" I believe. Good music with fine vocalists. September 14, 2008

Great film, but missing a great ancestor

I wish that the first version of State Fair, from 1933, had been included here. It's currently unavailable on DVD, and really deserves to be more widely known. While it's not an R&H musical -- which I guess gave the '62 Pat Boone musical re-make an edge for inclusion here -- it's probably the most accurate screen production of the best-selling novel by Phil Stong. With Will Rogers, Janet Gaynor, and Lew Ayres as the stars, and a very low-key, gentle sense of humor that brings out the warmth of the story, I'm sure that many would see it as the real inspiration for the excellent R&H musical film from a dozen years later. Heck, the 1933 film even includes extensive background shots of the actual Iowa State Fair, although I don't think the stars were photographed on location. (Frankly, I could live without the Pat Boone version, which unaccountably transfers the state fair from its Iowa origin to Texas, although I do like Tom Ewell and Alice Faye very much.)

I hope that Fox will soon release State Fair (1933) -- perhaps as part of the highly anticipated (by me, anyway) third Will Rogers box set. September 3, 2008

1945--5; 1962--1

Pairing the 1945 and 1962 versions of "State Fair," as this edition does, serves to accentuate how inferior the remake is.
Plotwise, the story does not move; it just happens.
Take, for example, Margy's love interest at the fair. With Pat, in 1945, we see the romance growing; and it is believable that he will come back for her. Sure, he was a cad in the beginning; but we see that change as to story progresses. In the 1962, Larry is a cad at the beginning clear through to the end. We do not see him ever caring for Margy; she is just another conquest. He is not a character who will ever really fall in love.
And look at Wayne. In the original (musical) version, he was embarrassed by the concession stand operator, and he wants to return that embarrassment. In the 1962, he is vindictive. He does not care whether he wins the race, just that he keeps Red from winning--whatever the cost--which he does by running him off the track.
Look at the parents. They are upset because they think Wayne has taken up with some "trash." But they tell Margy "Never Say No to a Man." Some consistent parenting, no?
One of the best bit parts of the 1945, the mince-meat judge, is so underplayed by Wally Cox that the characterization is lost. And, to have a farmer's wife competing in the same category as professional mince-meat makers is ridiculous.
The new music does nothing to advance the plot, and is thrown in just to pad the score. The only song that adds anything to the story is "Dear Hog of Mine."
The only reason the movie was remade was as a star vehicle for Ann-Margaret and a very out-of-character Pat Boone.
I do agree with the reviewer who indicated that, for a real anniversary edition, the first, non-musical version should also have been included.
June 30, 2008

State Fair is fair

As much as I love Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals this one is not my favorite. I saw it a few years ago and bought it recently. I like the subtitles and the singalong. Also, in this dvd case, there are 2 movies: the 1945 version and the 1960 version. They are both good, but for me the first one is better and has the same "flavor" as the other musicals. The latest version is more upbeat and it loses some of its appeal (to me). If you love musicals, you'll watch this one for the sake of it's writers. If you're not, go get the better ones: Sound of Music, South Pacific and Oklahoma. March 6, 2008

State Fair DVD

Don't like it. Very slow. Can i return it once it has been opened? February 27, 2008

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