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Product Description
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"I've got that nice, tired old feeling," says Pa Frake near the end of the gentle, sunny 1945 film, State Fair. The Rodgers and Hammerstein music, commissioned while Oklahoma was still making musical-theater history, feels tired too, like the result of a hastily written score. The state of Iowa just can't seem to inspire the same quality music as its more memorable, southern cousin. Remember that State Fair gem "All I Owe Iowa"? Still, it is R and H, and "It Might as Well Be Spring" is here as well as some other decent ditties. There's a country-mouse feeling as the Frake family journeys to the big city for the annual harvest celebration. Young daughter Margy (Jeanne Crain) has her eye on something more exciting than her bore of a fiancé, while her brother meets a lovely big-band singer with a secret. But the bucolic, Old Farmer's Almanac feel is genuine, and it's most obviously a picture of a bygone era when someone expostulates gleefully, "You're gonna be the wife of a journalist!" Not a "don't miss" but not a dismiss either. The DVD features include a vintage trailer for the film and production notes, which do add to the experience. --Keith Simanton
Product Description
Rodgers and Hammerstein's only score written expressly for the screen highlights this delightful film about an Iowa family's adventures at the fair. Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews and Dick Haymes star.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By G.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I Love the movie. I would recommend it to all my fiends. I have always loved the classics.Keep up the good work.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love all Rogers and Hammerstein musicals and had all of them except State Fair - I loved Pat Boone when I was a teenager and have been looking for this movie for a long time - great movie
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As far as the story, cast, and songs go, State Fair is a warm nostalgic film which is highly enjoyable. I bought the DVD for what I hoped would be an improvement over my VHS. I was disappointed by the audio and video quality of the DVD to be quite honest. The audio is so low that I really had to crank up my receiver to get an acceptable volume. Afterall, this is a musical isn't it? In the early part of the film when Jeanne Crain is singing "It Might as well be Spring", there seemed to be little gnats flying around her face. In reality they were spots on the film that SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLEANED UP. This condition improved later on, but come on! These Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals should have been given a lot more loving care than they have received. I say this because other musicals in the series also have problems. The audio and video on State Fair needs some restoration, the kind that is afforded other classic films. Otherwise, a worthwhile purchase.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A sweet film
As others have said, State Fair is generally regarded as the weakest of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, but this film is one that I have always loved. Read more
Published on Nov 18 2005 by for_love_of_joss
4.0 out of 5 stars
Isn't the film kinda fun?
This is a better film for families to see, despite the kissing. It is better than Carousel(a nightmare,) but not as good as Chicago. Read more
Published on Nov 23 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
A kinder, gentler era
This movie is pure delight. Yes, it has some of the corniest moments ever put on film -- but isn't that part of the charm of these old movies? Read more
Published on Jun 18 2003 by bookfan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A grand night
This was the first movie I ever saw, at the age of four at the Victory Theatre in Wellston, Missouri (The Victory, a new name for the Mikado, dumped when World War II broke out for... Read more
Published on April 8 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't forget Vivian Blaine
Unlike Jeanne Crain's, Vivian Blaine's singing voice is her own and she outclasses everyone in the film. Read more
Published on Mar 29 2003 by Louis Barbarelli
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's a Grand Night for Singing
I don't know about you but somehow each time i go to the State Fair and i am riding the Freswheel i just wish for once that everyone in the park would just start singing "It's A... Read more
Published on Aug 5 2002 by Rick D. Barszcz
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful film musical!
I really loved this movie. It has auch beautiful songs and is a great romance story as well. I highly recommend it. It's a movie the entire family can watch.
Published on April 25 2002 by Rosella Ann Myles
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifuol film musical!
I really loved this movie. It has auch beautiful songs and is a great romance story as well. I highly recommend it. It's a movie the entire family can watch.
Published on April 25 2002 by Rosella Ann Myles
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful musical!
I've seen this movie many times, and very highly
recommend it. It is such a sweet story, filled with romance,
and some great songs and dances. Read more
recommend it. It is such a sweet story, filled with romance,
and some great songs and dances. Read more
Published on Nov 8 2001 by Rosella Ann Myles
5.0 out of 5 stars
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Hick family go to Des Moines for State Fair. Girl wins prize fo best pie. Boy wins ribbon for best pig, mom has best pickles, Dad guesses everyones weight...bizarre. Read more
Published on Jun 5 2001 by Paris Capulet
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