La foire aux illusions

"State Fair" continues the trend of films that wanted the songs to be integrated into the plot without stopping the action--much the way Rodgers & Hammerstein did when they produced "Oklahoma" on Broadway. So they start the picture with "Our State Fair" sung by various characters and it goes on from there. Trouble is, there is almost no plot to speak of--the only suspense being, who will win the top prizes at the Fair and we all know the answer to that anyway. And who will end up with who at the finish--another easy one.

Despite the lackluster plot, it does give us a chance to view the young and gorgeous Jeanne Crain (then at the height of her popularity), Dana Andrews, Vivian Blaine and Dick Haymes--a pleasant enough foursome to carry any picture. And, of course, there are a couple of splendid songs by the famous songwriting team--including "It Might As Well Be Spring", dubbed for Jeanne Crain by Annette Warren (I believe), and "It's A Grand Night For Singing". Vivian Blaine gets a chance to sing "That's For Me" and is charming as the girl singer Dick Haymes takes a shine to. To complete the "American as apple pie" image of the story, we have Fay Bainter being motherly in the kitchen and fussing about her jams and Charles Winninger for comic relief.

No matter what anyone says, it's a pleasant film to watch, beautifully photographed in the rich Fox color of the mid-40s--and, after all, it does contain the Oscar winning song, "It Might As Well Be Spring."

Much better than the awful 1962 remake--and easier to take than the earlier 1930s version with Janet Gaynor.

Not an academy award movie; BUT, one of my favorites. The characters are good, real country people of the time. So don't judge them against the 2003 world. There are many humerous parts, and as in most movies of that era,it ends with everyone happy and settled. Two of my favorites are Jeanne Crain and Dana Andrews. They went on to have long, and very successful movie careers. All in all, a very good, entertaining film.

The simpleness, and wholesomeness of this film makes it a treat to watch. The music and songs make it even more enjoyable, and the beauty of Jeanne Crain in this film would make your eyes water. A rare film with Dick Haymes who was always underrated as a singer. I feel lucky to have a VHS copy of this film.

I've never seen the 1933 film version of this; I wish I could say the same about the 1962 mistake, the one with that Black Hole of movies, Pat Boone, a man so bland, he sucks the color from anything he's near. THIS version, however, while certainly not up to what many would probably consider Rodgers & Hammerstein 'standards' (MGM, desperate to release a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, but stymied by the continuing run of "Oklahoma!", quickly made this new version of "State Fair", according to information on the DVD), is gloriously corny, old fashioned, innocent, warm, romantic, those-were-the-golden-days fun, with at least two songs that have truly entered the realm of 'classic': the Oscar-winning "It Might As Well Be Spring" and "It's A Grand Night For Singing". The story is simplicity personified: a mid-western farm family heads to the State Fair. The parents have their eyes and ears on winning their respective competitions (he, for his prize pig, Blue Boy; she, for her pickles and mincemeat), while the children, both young adults, find love and heartache along the way. As the parents, Fay Bainter, born to play mothers, is her reliably warm self, while Charles Winninger brings solid humor to every scene. Dick Haymes plays the son, and gets to sing a few tunes, quite capably, and has a bittersweet romance with Vivian Blaine. (Alas, their union is the only unsatisfactory note in the entire movie: it is established Haymes' character has a sweetheart he's hooked on but when she cannot accompany him to the Fair, he almost immediately falls for Blaine and is straight-away promising his undying love for her, seemingly forgetting about his love back home...until the final moments, when he suddenly has her in his arms. It's a false, almost jarring note.) But Jeanne Crain, despite this being an ensemble piece, easily steals the show, and though it's a shame she didn't do her own singing, she still manages to ably give the impression of a restless young woman yearning for something 'more'. Her romance, perhaps the real core of this film, with Dana Andrews, seems much more real than that between Dick Haymes and Vivian Blaine, and they have definite chemistry, which makes the required "happy ending" a delight. Do I wish it had more weight, more heft, to it, like "Oklahoma!" or "The King & I"? Well, the movie is what it is: a light, airy, corny piece of Americana. Were R & H pandering to the tastes of the common man with this movie? Sure they were! But what's wrong with feeling good? Who exactly is harmed by classic songs, winning performers, a simple story line, and a happy ending? If you're looking for weightier or darker fare, there are any number of musicals to whet your appetite; however, if you're looking for pure fun - and for great tunes that'll stick in your head all day long - look no further: here it is! You'll have a terrific time at THIS "Fair".

A wonderful look at an America we will never see again-tuneful, romantic and a Happy Ending! State Fair never claims to be the end all and be all, just a sweet look at the tradition of the State Fair put to music. This movie (and the ensuing Broadway Musical) stand on their own next to Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, King and I, Sound of Music, etc.

Jeanie Crain and Dana Andrews play their scenes so effortlessly, you forget its just a 3 day romance. Dick Haymes and the eternal Vivian Blaine have a chemistry that works much better then the Pat Boone version.

I recommend this movie to anyone who wants a break from the tired old action/violence/cheesy comedies of today-it's as much an image of summer as cotton candy and candy apples!