Bad Movies of the 1960's: State Fair

State Fair (1962)

Good film musicals were not as plentiful during the decade of the 1960's as they once had been. Of course, there were glowing exceptions, such as West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Funny Girl, Bye Bye Birdie, Can-Can, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Sweet Charity and My Fair Lady. The fact is, though, that Hollywood was just not putting out as many musicals as they had during its Golden Age. There were a few more offerings, but none of them satisfactory.

Case in point: State Fair.

This is one of the only Rodgers and Hammerstein film musicals I have not enjoyed.

State Fair has been made three times. The first time was a non-musical version with Janet Gaynor and Will Rogers in 1933. The second was its first Rodgers and Hammerstein Technicolor musical remake with Jeane Craine, Dick Haymes, Vivian Blaine and Dana Andrews. It was based on the Broadway musical of the same name that had been only marginally successful. The film version was far from a box office smash, but in the "okay" range.

The 1952 version, though, was its worst incarnation, starring Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, Ann Margaret. Pamela Tiffin, Alice Faye, Tom Ewell and a gigantic hog named Blue Boy. Most Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals are usually on a much grander scale and this remake of State Fair seems woefully anemic in comparison. There are a few catchy songs here, but nothing that will stay in your head once the film is over.

The plot centers around farmer Abel Frake (Ewell), wife Melissa (Alice Faye) and their two children Margy and Wayne (Tiffin and Boone), as they embark on a trip to their state fair. (Can you hear me yawning?) Abel's aim is for his hog Blue Boy to win 1st prize in his category at the livestock competition and Melissa wants to get a blue ribbon for her mincemeat pie. The kids are left to explore the scene on their own and it's obvious they are ripe for getting taken advantage of. Wayne falls for entertainer Emily Porter (Margaret), a lot more "experienced" than the simple hometown girls he is used to. Margy meets and falls for the slick Jerry Dundee (Darin), who, while enjoying her company for the moment, has no intention of getting serious.