The second film adaptation of Philip Stong's novel is by far the best,
even if it is widely considered to be the weakest of the Rodgers and
Hammerstein offerings. The homespun plot is cuter than a baby
koala in pink pyjamas but the feel good mood is infectious and within
no time you're humming along to the jaunty ditties and marvelling at
the kitsch splendour of the cinematography. The musical numbers
are less well known than other R&H classics but include the
memorable It Might as Well Be Spring,
All I Owe Iowa and It's a Grand Night for Singing.
State Fair is a far more
enjoyable film than you might at first think, and the fact that it is
far less showy than the later Rodgers and Hammerstein film adaptations
can only add to its appeal.
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Film Synopsis
Just like every other summer, the Frake family sets out for the Iowa
state fair with high hopes, for this is the highlight of their
year. Pa Abel is confident that his prize boar will win a blue
ribbon whilst Ma Melissa is determined that her pickles and mincemeat
will allow her to get one over her rival. Daughter Margy hopes
to meet the man of her dreams whilst son Wayne laments the fact that
his girlfriend cannot join him at the fair. Whilst Ma and Pa
Frake have fun entering the competitions, Margy falls for a newspaper
man and Wayne becomes besotted with a singer named Emily. They
can't all have a happy ending, can they...?
Script: Paul Green, Oscar Hammerstein II, Sonya Levien, Philip Stong (novel)
Cinematographer: Leon Shamroy
Music: Cyril J. Mockridge, Alfred Newman, Edward B. Powell, Gene Rose
Cast: Jeanne Crain (Margy Frake),
Dana Andrews (Pat Gilbert),
Dick Haymes (Wayne Frake),
Vivian Blaine (Emily Edwards),
Charles Winninger (Abel Frake),
Fay Bainter (Melissa Frake),
Donald Meek (Hippenstahl),
Frank McHugh (McGee),
Percy Kilbride (Dave Miller),
Harry Morgan (Barker),
Jane Nigh (Eleanor),
William Marshall (Tommy Thomas),
Phil Brown (Harry Ware),
Esmeralda (The Hog),
Whilwind (Hog),
Robert Adler (Onlooker at Ring Toss Game),
Walter Baldwin (Farmer),
Ray Barons (Boy on Merry-Go-Round),
Brooks Benedict (Hammer Contest Spectator),
Joseph E. Bernard (Onlooker at Ring Toss Game)
Country: USA
Language: English
Support: Color
Runtime: 100 min
Aka:It Happened One Summer ;
Rodgers and Hammerstein's State Fair
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