La foire aux illusions

Before there was the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which is maybe the most well known version of this property, there was this early sound film that starred Janet Gaynor and Will Rogers.

This film meanders amiably along and has almost no dramatic conflict, aside from whether or not a family's pickles or pig is going to win big at the state fair. But nevertheless there's a kind of ethereal, melancholy spell created by this movie that appealed to me. The idea of a state fair becomes a metaphor for life itself: it's full of expectations and excitement, the pursuit of things we want, some of which we get and some we don't, and it's all over more quickly than we want it to be, leaving us with only the memory.

I haven't seen any other versions of this, but am positive none of them treat the sexual awakening of the daughter and son characters, and especially the son's, as frankly as this version does, given its pre-Code status.

Gaynor was a big deal at the time, having won the very first Best Actress Oscar. And Will Rogers was a huge star and American icon, largely because of his performance in this. It's kind of hard to see now what people went nuts for at the time, since it's all so low-key and humble. Chalk it up to changing times I guess.

Neither actor was nominated for this film -- no actors were nominated. But "State Fair" did manage to get itself a Best Picture nomination and a second in the Best Writing (Adaptation) category.

Grade: A-

This wonderful film from Fox is rarely seen these days, and it is such a shame. In the 1930s Janet Gaynor was a huge star, veteran of a number of silent features with Charles Farrell and others; while Will Rogers was one of the best-loved actors and personalities in the USA.

'State Fair' teams Gaynor and Rogers as daughter and father, and adds Norman Foster as her brother, and Louise Dresser (another silent screen veteran) as mother. They're all off to the State Fair; Wayne and Margie to look for fun and frolics, Mother to try to win a prize for mincemeat, and Father to get a prize for his hog, Blueboy. Will they all find the things they wish for? Lew Ayres and Sally Eilers might just have the answers! I really liked this version; I'm very familiar with both musical adaptations but this film is more folksy, more fireside, more farm ... and it works very well. It's a superior product which deserves a clean-up and a decent video release.

The print I have is not brilliant, but is watchable. From what I can see this looks like a film which had high production values and I'm sure it would look great if it is was in pristine condition.

Having previously watched both the 1945 and 1962 musical versions of this film, and knowing YouTube had this non-musical version on its site for the last several years, I finally watched this version of State Fair just now. Other than the added songs in the later versions, this is basically the same story for all three...well, except since this one was produced before the Production Code became more strict, it's implied the male teen had something of a real affair with a female performer. (Though I didn't see the scene of them talking off-screen while the bed on-screen was messed up with another scene of a lingerie on the floor during that. Must have been cut after the Code was enforced.) The humor is both verbally subtle and occasionally visual like when the Janet Gaynor character is on somebody's shoulder and she unknowingly plays with that someone's head when she gets excited about a certain horse in a race. Will Rogers as the father is his charming self as he looks after his pig he hopes wins the big contest. And I always loved when the mother (in this version, Louise Dresser) enters her pickles and mincemeat in another contest because of what is in those foods when they're entered! By the way, I like all three versions but if you don't want to hear those songs, I definitely recommend this version of State Fair.

I was really surprised how much this film moved me. It's really Gaynor and Ayers' movie with Will in more of a supporting role. Well directed with good effects for the era, my enjoyment was genuine and heart felt. Others might enjoy it in terms of sociology or film history,I hated the Pat Boone version and the Dana Andrews' was only alright. I watched it on TCM where the print had several breaks and audio pops.

Aside from the John Ford/Will Rogers films (embarrassing stereotypes aside) Will's sound films are very mixed. They're tailor made for his persona but weak casts, low production and stage bound screenplays have you reaching for the FF. He redeems most of them but I'm happy to find this solid work made shortly before his death. Surprised it escaped my attention until now.

State Fair is actually a pretty good movie that's mostly just a vehicle for Janet Gaynor. But it ends up being more than that with the help of Will Rogers and Lew Ayres.

The story revolves around a farming family who enters a prize pig in the State Fair. The two children of the family go off on their own separate adventures while the two parents stay with the pig.

Gaynor is one of the children and she meets and falls in love with Ayres. Their chemistry together is a very intriguing one. Will Rogers is the father who is mostly the comic relief.

You'll most likely like the film and it deserves to be liked. Its a great gem from the early '30s that isn't seen much anymore.

I was able to finally watch the film when it was on The Fox Movie Channel last year. It might be on again soon. I suggest you find out.