State Fair 1945 film on DVD

The immediate follow-up to Oklahoma! for the burgeoning song-writing team of Rodgers & Hammerstein was not Carousel, but a musical film. There was another version of the film created in 1962 with Pat Boone and Ann-Margaret, but that version doesn't have nearly the midwestern charm of the original 1945 State Fair.

Set in Iowa, rather than Texas in the later remake, the story follows the coming of age of brother and sister Wayne and Margy Frake. Literally right off the farm, each sibling is looking to see what the wider world may have to offer at the Stage Fair. And they find a lot. There is love for everyone in this film, including the prize-winning pig, Blue Boy. He's blue no more!

The two most famous songs from this film score are "It Might as Well Be Spring" and "It's a Grand Night for Singing", both of which remain regularly performed as part of the R & H catalogue--and deservedly so. They are memorable tunes with good lyrics. I was surprised that "Grand Night" is sung by a secondary character of the film--a boy singer with the band on the Fair's Midway--although, both Dick Haymes and Vivian Blain have verses, along with the chorus.

Ms. Blaine will go on to originate the role of Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls in 1950, and if that is the persona you are most familiar with, Blaine is hardly recognizable in State Fair. A redhead to beat all the henna-hens, Ms. Blaine displays a contralto-like, sultry singing voice. Dick Haymes has a likeable, lyric baritone, but is a bit of a disappointment in the acting department.

Sister Margy is played by Jeanne Crain, who meets Des Moines Register reporter Pat Gilbert played by Dana Andrews. Both actors are dubbed by others when singing, even though Mr. Andrews was trained as an opera singer.

State Fair
Music by Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
20th Century Fox film released in 1945
Directed by Walter Lang
Cast: Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes, Vivian Blaine, Charles Winninger, Fay Bainter