Movie Review #11: State Fair - Rodgers and Hammersmonth

State Fair (1945)
Director: Walter Lang
Writer(s): Paul Green, Oscar Hammerstein II, et al.
Starring: Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes, Vivian Blaine

State Fair and Carousel came out pretty much at the same time; presumably, the two were written at the same time. But there's a huge difference between the two productions. While Carousel is an adaptation of a play, State Fair is a remake of a movie. Rodgers and Hammerstein's involvement in State Fair really only extends to the music and lyrics; they were already stuck with the plot. Thus, most of my criticisms will only extend to the movie itself and not R&H's work. That being said, State Fair dumbs down much of the material from the original movie. While the first State Fair is a more "scandalous" story, State Fair plays it very, very safe. As a result, it's just kind of OK.

Abel (Charles Winninger) and Melissa Frake (Fay Bainter) are two Iowa farmers preparing for the annual state fair, preparing their prize-winning boar and mince meat respectively. Things aren't so happy for their children, Margy (Jeanne Crain) and Wayne (Dick Haymes). Margy seems to have Disney princess syndrome (i.e. constantly wanting more) and Wayne's date cannot go to the fair because her mother is sick. Conveniently, both of them find new love interests at the fair: a news reporter (Dana Andrews) and a nightclub singer (Vivian Blaine). Hijinks ensue at the fun state fair.

State Fair is a romantic comedy that forgets the comedy. There's really only one joke that gets a laugh, but it is a good one; Melissa's mince meat is supposed to be made without brandy in it, but, over the course of the movie, brandy keeps finding its way into the dish. The effect on the judges is priceless. Otherwise, the humor of State Fair comes from a pair of pigs that fall in love with each other, badly placed puns, and forced awkwardness.

As a result, one really just watches State Fair for its plot. I do have to hand it to State Fair: I genuinely did not know what was going to happen. While one could say that the film uses several clichés and tropes to keep its plot moving, I was not certain how they were going to be used. At points, the film genuinely surprised me, especially the reveal of the Vivian Blaine character. Sure, there are contrived misunderstandings, last minute choices to be made, but they do factor into the fun factor of State Fair. Despite the story being as simple as Green Eggs and Ham, it is kind of fun.

This is where the music is the saving grace of the movie. If not for the songs, State Fair would be next to unbearable (well, unless one derives pleasure from watching Oprah-endorsed sap-fests). Fortunately, State Fair has two very good songs. One is "It Might as Well Be Spring," Margy's lament of her situation. Though Jeanne Crain seems to be giving her best Judy Garland impression, it's pleasant enough. The big number, though, is "It's a Grand Night for Singing," one of the catchiest songs ever written. This ear worm of a melody will not go away once heard; fortunately, Richard Rodgers is a competent songsmith, so it's not annoying. The light bounce of the melody does replicate the feeling of the fair. It's a lot of fun, and it does not get tired with age.

In terms of production, State Fair looks and sounds crisp. It may be because I watched a remastered version of the movie, but everything is mixed very well. I bring this up because sound mixing is incredibly important in a movie musical; we'll talk more about this when I someday review Les Miserables. The camera work isn't daring in any way, but the set is very nice. Having gone to a few state fairs, this is what one of them looks like.

The main problem with State Fair, though, is the character work. As in, there's none of it. The characters are pretty much substitutable with any other rom-com characters of the era. The most one can say is that these characters sing as opposed to make jokes. The actors clearly do their best, but they have next to no material to work with. As a result, the movie doesn't make us care about what's going on. A viewer could feasibly space out and come back in without missing anything important.

But I'm not sure if State Fair is really about character. If one views the movie as a series of vignettes, it's actually pretty enjoyable. Much like Oklahoma!, there's no real moral value to it. But, I admit, I had fun watching this movie. Is it great? No. Is it even good? Probably not. But I did not regret watching it.

Recommendation: State Fair is much like cheap Chinese take-out: it satisfies for an hour but soon leaves one hungry again. If you like Rodgers and Hammerstein, I'd say a watch is deserved. If you like musicals, then I wouldn't turn you away from this film. But if you're looking for a great classic movie, State Fair is not what you are looking for.

I give State Fair 5.2 stars out of 10.

Oh, I will not be reviewing the 1962 remake of this movie. Why? Two words: Pat Boone.