State Fair

Watch State Fair

"For the young in heart! And romantic oldsters, too!"
  • Passed
  • 1945
  • 1 hr 40 min
  • 7.0  (4,427)

State Fair is a 1945 musical film that follows the Frake family as they journey from their farm in Iowa to the annual state fair in Des Moines. The film features a star-studded cast including Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, and Dick Haymes. The movie opens with the Frake family - Abel (Charles Winninger), Melissa (Fay Bainter), Margy (Jeanne Crain), and Wayne (Dick Haymes) - preparing for their annual pilgrimage to the Iowa State Fair. Melissa hopes to win a prize for her mincemeat, while Abel hopes to win the blue ribbon for his prize hog, Blue Boy. Margy and Wayne both hope to have some fun at the fair and perhaps meet someone special.

When the family arrives in Des Moines, they quickly immerse themselves in the festivities, with Margy catching the eye of newspaper reporter Pat Gilbert (Dana Andrews) and Wayne becoming involved in a love triangle with the sultry singer Emily Edwards (Vivian Blaine) and the supportive farm girl Eleanor (Sally Anne Howes).

As the fair progresses, the Frakes each begin to experience some form of disappointment, with Abel's hog not winning the blue ribbon, Melissa's mincemeat not placing, and Margy discovering some unsettling truths about Pat. However, all of them eventually find some form of joy and contentment, with Wayne choosing to commit to Eleanor, Margy and Pat reconciling and Abel dancing with the new love of his life, Emily.

The music of State Fair is a standout feature of the film, with songs such as "It Might as Well be Spring" and "That's for Me" becoming instant classics. The film's picturesque setting, quaint countryside scenes and a charming storyline also added to its popularity.

State Fair is a classic example of the feel-good films of the 1940s. It focuses on family values and living the American Dream with catchy tunes, talented performers, and a jovial atmosphere. Although it has been over 75 years since its release, State Fair remains a beloved classic amongst avid movie watchers and those who appreciate good music combined with light-hearted storytelling.

State Fair is a 1945 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.

State Fair
Description
Where to Watch State Fair
State Fair is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent State Fair for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1945
  • MPAA Rating
    Passed
  • Runtime
    1 hr 40 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.0  (4,427)
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