State Fair

State Fair, a heart-warning, yet critical commentary of American family life released in 1933, is an American comedy-drama that is based on the novel by Phil Stong of the same name. Directed by Henry King, the movie stars Janet Gaynor, Will Rogers, and Lew Ayres, and these talents come together to transport the audience to the world of the enthralling and captivating Iowa State Fair and the lives intertwined with it.

State Fair depicts the story of the Frake family who, much like every other rural Amreican family, share the excitement of traveling to the annual fair. The patriarch Abel Frake (Will Rogers), a likeable and hearty Iowa farmer, enters his prize hog Blue Boy into a contest. Meanwhile, his wife Melissa (Louise Dresser) battles the odds with her unique mincemeat recipe utilizing a bit of brandy, against the backdrop of prize pies and recipes contest. Abel bets with his obstinate neighbor that neither his pig nor her mincemeat will win a prize at the fair. However, there is more to this family than meets the eye and this fair offers an eye-opening experience for each one of them in different ways.

Wrapped up in the youthful charm and wit, Janet Gaynor plays the character of Abel and Melissa's daughter, Margy, who is restless and dreams of a life beyond farm work and household chores. Margy, dissuaded with her prosaic life, convinces her parents to let her experience the fair on her own. Her entrée into the hustle and bustle of the extensively colorful and vibrant fair turns into a transformative experience as she gets smitten by a slick newspaper journalist named Pat (played by Lew Ayres). He stirs up desires and ambitions within her, sowing seeds of curiosity about a world beyond cornfields and hog breeding, offering her the allure of a thrilling urban life, freedom, and independence.

On the other hand, there is Margy's brother Wayne (played by Norman Foster), who becomes enamored by a gorgeous and vivacious trapeze artist named Emily (Sally Eilers). Emily, who is sensuously exciting as well as dangerously alluring, brings him face to face with infatuation and emotional turmoil, testing his steady relationship with his girlfriend back home.

Over the course of the film, Henry King effectively uses the backdrop of The Iowa State Fair to explore the allure of escapism from rural life and family ties, human desires and dreams, and the emotional undercurrents of love. This simple yet poignant narrative brings the characters to life and engages the audience with a range of emotions. Additionally, it remarkably paints a picture of rural America during the Great Depression and provides insightful commentary on family values, morals, and the generation gap.

The cinematography excellently captures the essence of the fair, complete with its rides, games, thrills, and competitions that enhance the feel and vivacity of the movie. The attention to detail in set designs and costumes takes us back in time and adds to the overall authenticity of the narrative.

The film boasts of stellar performances from the entire cast. Will Rogers superbly delivers his role and makes the father figure believable and endearing. Janet Gaynor, with her innocent charm, perfectly captures the character of a young rural woman yearning for more, whereas Lew Ayres instils in his city guy character an element of charm and intrigue. Louise Dresser puts forth a measured and heartfelt portrayal of the loving yet tenacious mother.

In conclusion, State Fair is not just a film about an Iowan family attending the annual State Fair. It goes beyond that to offer a compelling narrative on the conflicts of rural versus urban, tradition versus modernity, and confinement versus freedom. It undeniably is a delightful watch for the excellent performances, adept storytelling, and for anyone who desires a glimpse of life in rural America in the early 20th century. The film, with its enticing plot, fitting screenplay, and engaging cast, provides an authentic depiction mixed with a sense of nostalgia. State Fair thus stands as a classic piece of American cinema that takes its viewers on an emotional ride rife with laughter, heartbreak, and kinship, and leaves them longing for more.