When Fleischer Studios were on form, they were great and personally have enjoyed to loved much of their work. Such as the Popeye cartoons of the late-30s, which was perhaps the series' best and most consistent period, and pre-code Betty Boop. When they were off form and in significant decline in the 1940s, like the "Stone Age" and "Animated Antics" series (1940 was a pretty rough year for them), the worst of it was barely watchable. Though there were a handful of not so good late-30s work too, like the Hunky and Spunky cartoons.
'All's Fair at the Fair' is an example of Fleischer being on form (very much top form), 1938 was another consistently good to great year for the studio in one of their best and most consistent years and this is a good example of that. If asked as to whether 'All's Fair at the Fair' is worth watching, the answer would be absolutely yes. Actually consider it pretty much a must see. One of the best "Color Classics" cartoons and one of the best non-Popeye, in another prolific year for that series hence the mention, efforts.
It is relatively light on laughs, though personally think that was intended so that is not so big an issue, and even lighter on originality in story, which is also slight.
Conversely, the great things are many and far outweigh any misgivings. The animation and music were consistent strengths for Fleischer and they still are here. Not one of the studio's most visually innovative, but the richly vibrant colours and smooth drawing are really lovely on the eyes. Standing out in this regard is the background art, which is quite superb and the attention to detail is remarkable, worth seeing 'All's Fair at the Fair' for alone. Equally loved the character of the music and the sumptuousness of the way it was orchestrated, never being at odds with the action. The story may be slight and lacking in originality, but it more than makes up for it with its energy and charm which are throughout the cartoon, without ever being chaotic or sugary.
There are amusing parts and the inventions, in a homage to modern inventions, are so cool and inventively used, nice use of robots such as beauty treatments and latin dancing. Found it very interesting as well that the consequences were not negative and they were never mean-spirited, not seen a lot in cartoons featuring modern inventions (even in the classic Donald Duck cartoon 'Modern Inventions'). The characters never irritate and are not bland. Fleischer regulars Margie Hines and Jack Mercer, have always preferred on a side note the latter, do a great job with the voice acting.
Overall, great. 9/10
