State Fair

The 1945 film, State Fair, is a masterful Technicolor musical, a bubbling mixture of romance, humor, and heartwarming family values. It's a lighthearted exploration of rural Americana directed by Walter Lang and produced by William Perlberg. This engaging movie features a stellar cast, including memorable performances from Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes, and Vivian Blaine. Based on the novel by Phil Stong, this movie was later adapted for a stage musical, further cementing its noteworthy place in our cultural history.

The story centers on the Frake family, specifically their adventurous trip to the annual Iowa State Fair. The family includes Abel Frake, the head of the family, diligently preparing his special boar, Blue Boy, for a livestock competition, and his wife Melissa, hoping her pickles and mincemeat will win prizes. Abel is played with timeless charm by Charles Winninger, creating a warm, fatherly character full of humorous wisdom. Fay Bainter equally excels as Melissa, a caring maternal figure balancing Abel’s bold optimism with subtle restraint.

Their children Margy and Wayne Frake, however, have different interests. Margy, delightfully portrayed by Jeanne Crain, is a romantic dreamer seeking something more than the simple country life. Dick Haymes, as Wayne, is her athletic incredibly determined and competitive older brother. They are young, restless, and yearning for a taste of excitement beyond the limitations of their idyllic but predictable rural existence.

When the family sets out to the state fair, Margy and Wayne individually embark on their own romantic adventures. Unexpected romance blossoms for Margy with an urbane reporter, Pat Gilbert, played brilliantly by Dana Andrews. Their meeting and subsequent journey of discovery forms an engaging subplot filled with emotional resonance. Pat is charming, worldly, and being from the city, offers Margy glimpses of a life far removed from her own.

On the other hand, Wayne becomes enamored with a seductive singer, Emily Edwards, gracefully portrayed by Vivian Blaine. Emily, with her sizzling performance numbers, brings a sense of glamour and a worldliness that captures Wayne's attention instantly. The contrast between the characters of Emily and Pat serves as an interesting juxtaposition, highlighting the subtle disparities between rural and urban areas during the era.

State Fair allows its audience to immerse in the festive atmosphere of the fair through a myriad of vibrant scenes: the enticing spectacle of carnival games, the tense anticipation of competitive judging, singing, dancing, and the varied characters representing the broad tapestry of attendees. The film’s technicolor palette serves to accentuate this nostalgia-infused portrait of Americana.

A significant highlight of the movie is the memorable score by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, a pair renowned for their contributions to musical theater. The film’s title song “It's A Grand Night For Singing” is notably the most recognized, filling the screen and our hearts with comfort and exuberance. It encapsulates the wholesome, familial, and community spirit of the movie, often touched with a sprinkle of romantic magic.

The film masterfully uses conversation and music to explore themes of love, family, and changing values. The contrast between rural and urban life is a consistent undercurrent, highlighting generational and cultural shifts. With a striking balance of comedy and drama, the movie is successful in creating a world that the viewer would want to inhabit, one full of love, laughter, and heavenly mincemeat.

In conclusion, State Fair stands as a testament to the golden age of Hollywood, a quintessential musical with family values at its core. Its charismatic performances, captivating storyline, delightful humor, and emotive music makes this movie a classic gem. Always heartening and uplifting, State Fair beautifully encapsulates a sense of nostalgia, offering viewers a glimpse into an enchanting, simpler past.