State Fair (1933)

An Iowa family finds adventure, love, and heartbreak, when they spend a week at the state fair.

Director:

Henry King

Writers:

Philip Stong (novel), Sonya Levien (screenplay),

Stars:

Janet Gaynor, Will Rogers, Lew Ayres

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Janet Gaynor	...	Margy Frake
Will Rogers	...	Abel Frake
Lew Ayres	...	Pat Gilbert
Sally Eilers	...	Emily Joyce
Norman Foster	...	Wayne Frake
Louise Dresser	...	Melissa Frake
Frank Craven	...	Storekeeper
Victor Jory	...	Hoop Toss Barker
Frank Melton	...	Harry Ware

Storyline

The Frake family attend the Iowa State Fair. Father Abel enters his Hampshire boar, Blue Boy, in the hog contents. Mother Melissa enters the mincemeat competition. And their children, Margy and Wayne, find love with newspaper reporter Pat Gilbert and trapeze artist Emily Joyce. But will everyone return home safe and happy or will hearts be broken?

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Plot Keywords:

contest | rural setting | naivety | carousel | love affair | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Feira da Vida

Filming Locations:

Des Moines, Iowa, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 97 min (FMC Library Print) 99 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cinematographers Joseph A. Valentine and Edwin Hammeras shot the location footage in Des Moines, IA.

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Connections

Remade as State Fair (1945)

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Soundtracks

"Shanty or Levee Song"
(1933) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Fred Rycroft
Written for the movie and probably played in the score

User Reviews

the original State Fair, still hogs and pickles but no music

This wonderful film from Fox is rarely seen these days, and it is such a shame. In the 1930s Janet Gaynor was a huge star, veteran of a number of silent features with Charles Farrell and others; while Will Rogers was one of the best-loved actors and personalities in the USA.

'State Fair' teams Gaynor and Rogers as daughter and father, and adds Norman Foster as her brother, and Louise Dresser (another silent screen veteran) as mother. They're all off to the State Fair; Wayne and Margie to look for fun and frolics, Mother to try to win a prize for mincemeat, and Father to get a prize for his hog, Blueboy. Will they all find the things they wish for? Lew Ayres and Sally Eilers might just have the answers! I really liked this version; I'm very familiar with both musical adaptations but this film is more folksy, more fireside, more farm ... and it works very well. It's a superior product which deserves a clean-up and a decent video release.

The print I have is not brilliant, but is watchable. From what I can see this looks like a film which had high production values and I'm sure it would look great if it is was in pristine condition.