State Fair (1945)

Farm family Frake, with discontented daughter Margy, head for the Iowa State Fair. On the first day, both Margy and brother Wayne meet attractive new flames; so does father's prize hog, ... See full summary »

Director:

Walter Lang

Writers:

Paul Green (adaptation), Oscar Hammerstein II (screenplay),

Stars:

Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeanne Crain	...	Margy Frake
Dana Andrews	...	Pat Gilbert
Dick Haymes	...	Wayne Frake
Vivian Blaine	...	Emily Edwards
Charles Winninger	...	Abel Frake
Fay Bainter	...	Melissa Frake
Donald Meek	...	Hippenstahl
Frank McHugh	...	McGee
Percy Kilbride	...	Dave Miller
Harry Morgan	...	Barker (as Henry Morgan)
Jane Nigh	...	Eleanor
William Marshall	...	Tommy Thomas
Phil Brown	...	Harry Ware
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Esmeralda	...	The Hog
Whilwind	...	Hog

Storyline

Farm family Frake, with discontented daughter Margy, head for the Iowa State Fair. On the first day, both Margy and brother Wayne meet attractive new flames; so does father's prize hog, Blue Boy. As the fair proceeds, so do the romances; must lovers separate when the fair closes?

---

Plot Keywords:

fair | iowa | farm | newspaper | state fair | 

---

Taglines:

YOUR HEART WILL SING OUT LOUD! (original print ad - all caps)

---

Genres:

Musical | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 August 1945 (USA)

Also Known As:

It Happened One Summer

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A reprise of the song "Isn't It Kind Of Fun?" was sung by Dick Haymes in the movie as his character takes a shower. The number was cut before the film was released, however, the footage still survives intact to this day.

---

Goofs

At the beginning (and end) of the film, there is a large billboard poster announcing the State Fair, "week commencing August 23". Midway through the film, the program of events for the jams, jellies, pickles and mincemeat day is shown, dated Friday, August 22nd.

---

Quotes

Abel Frake: [tasting the mincemeat] Doesn't taste like Grandma Stiches.

---

Connections

Remake of State Fair (1933)

---

Soundtracks

"IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING"
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics Oscar Hammerstein II
Sung by Jeanne Crain (dubbed by Louanne Hogan)

User Reviews

great fun

Not like the other R&H musicals - its ten years older, for a start. It has Jeanne Crain, young and pretty and as fluffy and fun as she was in Margie - and a more perfect fit for the other roles you would not find (Vivian Blaine in another great film musical role to rival Miss Adelaide, Dana Andrews (an odd choice but who else could you imagine?), Dick Haymes in great voice, Fay Bainter and her mincemeat, Charles Winniger and his prize pig). It is a gooey pleasure something similar to eating chocs when you know you really shouldn't ... highly recommended - great tunes. And avoid the remake with Pat Boone and Ann-Margret. No comparison. This is the one to watch - 56 and still fantastic.