State Fair

State Fair is a 1962 film that perfectly encapsulates the optimism and simplicity of mid-century rural America. Directed by José Ferrer, the film stars the likes of Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, and Pamela Tiffin, and offers a wholesome and light-hearted story set in the heart of the deep south.

While the film itself is a remake of the 1945 version which was adapted from Phil Stong's novel, it retains its own unique charm and appeal that seem to be characteristic of the era in which it was made. Boasting a glorious explosion of Cinemascope color and a wonderfully vibrant score by Oscar-winning composer Richard Rodgers, State Fair beautifully showcases the backdrop of the vibrant, rollicking Annual Iowa State Fair.

Pat Boone plays Wayne Frake, the charming and enthusiastic son of a farming family who yearn for something more than the mundane routine of daily farm life. Pamela Tiffin is his younger, innocent sister Margy, riddled with fantasies of a life of glamour and romance beyond their rural setting.

The plot gracefully develops around the time of year when the Annual Iowa State Fair, a place teeming with opportunities for excitement, rolls around. Bored with their farm routine, Wayne and Margy see the bustling fair as their long-anticipated break, a chance to meet new faces, encounter experiences thrumming with vibrancy, excitement, and a dash of glamour. But, mostly they see it as an opportunity for love, something they both yearn for and are eager to find.

The film sees Wayne setting his sights on winning the coveted auto race. He crosses paths with the enchanting Emily Porter, played with vivacious charm by Ann-Margret, a singer in the fair's bandstand. Boone and Margret share a fascinating on-screen romance that adds charm and intrigue to the unfolding plot.

On the other side, Margy finds herself enamored with Jerry, a smooth-talking, charismatic TV broadcaster and heartthrob played by Bobby Darin. Margy's naïveté coupled with Jerry's urban allure creates a tension-filled brewing romance that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

In addition to the riveting storyline, the film also includes a compelling plot involving the parents of Wayne and Margy. Abel Frake, played by Tom Ewell, the father of the family and passionate hog farmer, is rooted in a fierce competition involving his beloved boar Blue Boy. Meanwhile, his wife Melissa, portrayed by Alice Faye, competes in the pickles and minced meat categories completing the rural charm and hilarity that makes the film a family favourite.

State Fair is brimming with musical numbers that punctuate key moments and enhance the jovial ambiance of fairground life. It presents a slice of Americana dipped in a musical extravaganza, portraying a nostalgic view of simpler times. The scores are indeed catchy, melodic, and perfectly illustrate the narrative’s quirks and idiosyncrasies, often isolating prized moments of humor, emotion, and charm.

With the fair in the background, the film effectively creates a magical world, filled with the innocent joy of roller coasters, Ferris wheels, cotton candy, and more. The use of intense, vivid colors enhances its appeal, drawing viewers into the enchanting world carefully constructed throughout the film.

In all, State Fair is more than just a movie, it is an experience. An experience that takes viewers back to a time that was simpler, full of hope and love. It's a vivid portrayal of the values of family, friendship, and kinship. It's a jovial, warm-hearted film, so beautifully ensnared in nostalgia that it'll leave audiences entranced and charmed. It remains to this day, a masterpiece of early 60s cinematic art, depicting an iconic slice of American culture.