ScoobyWell Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

Hadrina The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Dunham16 This 1933 film based on a novel of the same name is the first of many setting the theme of an Iowa state fair in Olden Days a slice of life in which many people expect many things to experience unexpected turns taking each in different directions. Laid back idealist Will Rogers is married to work and worry all day Louise Dressler in another brilliant portrayal of the couple as leads. Oscar winning daughter Janet Gaynor leads an ensemble cast in which no performer is written for a stronger role focus than is the other. She is unwillingly courted by Lew Ayres who in the end convinces her he can make her happy. Her brother is future director Norman Foster who interestingly enough in pre code film says racy lines not again permissible in Hollywood for generations yet never strips off his street clothes for the camera which seems more the norm once racier language and inferences ended with the Hays code. He is helped out of a jam by Sally Eilers, a hard boiled circus girl who wants from him a good time only while she works this gig. There is very strong panning photography of the farm and fair scenes which add visual interest as well as solid ensemble acting by the tight cast. The musical which premiered 12 years later with a lot of the 1933 dialogue between musical interludes features a score by Rodgers and Hammerstein perhaps the only one not opening as a stage musical. An enticing slice of life for those who remember this era brilliantly filmed.

phlbrq I was really surprised how much this film moved me. It's really Gaynor and Ayers' movie with Will in more of a supporting role. Well directed with good effects for the era, my enjoyment was genuine and heart felt. Others might enjoy it in terms of sociology or film history,I hated the Pat Boone version and the Dana Andrews' was only alright. I watched it on TCM where the print had several breaks and audio pops.Aside from the John Ford/Will Rogers films (embarrassing stereotypes aside) Will's sound films are very mixed. They're tailor made for his persona but weak casts, low production and stage bound screenplays have you reaching for the FF. He redeems most of them but I'm happy to find this solid work made shortly before his death. Surprised it escaped my attention until now.

kidboots Initially Janet Gaynor hadn't wanted to make "State Fair". She was Fox's top female star but a steady stream of waif like, child / woman roles in films with names like "Delicious" and "Adorable" showed why she was unhappy. Fox even hired Marian Nixon for the films she had refused to do with Charles Farrell. "State Fair" is just a wonderful film - I haven't seen many of Janet's films (but I plan to) but I thought she was just perfect as Margy Frake, the sweet farm girl who finds romance at the State Fair.There is much anticipation as the Frake family drive off to the State Fair - Pop (Will Rogers) is worrying about his prize hog, Blue Boy, Ma (Louise Dresser) is fussing over her pickles and mincemeats (nothing that a half a bottle of Apple Brandy won't put right). Margy and her brother are just eager to arrive. It doesn't take long for romance to surface - Wayne (Norman Foster), after an altercation with a smart aleck side show barker (Victor Jory in an early role) meets the dazzling Emily (Sally Eilers) star of the high wire, who proceeds to knock him off his feet (in the romantic sense). She falls in love with him also, but realises that she could never adjust to farm life. Margy meets Pat Gilbert (Lew Ayres), a jaded reporter, on a roller coaster ride. Could Lew Ayres have been her perfect leading man - they have such chemistry together, that's why I believe Lew Ayres is so great in this movie. I think they would have made a great romantic team and it is a shame they didn't make more movies together.The "official" star of the movie was Will Rogers and even though his films are not remembered today he was Fox's biggest star. He originally was a star of the Ziegfeld Follies, where he performed rope tricks and talked to the audience with home spun philosophy about politics and events of the day. He spoke with wit and sincerity and was soon know around Broadway as Mr. Everyman. With talking pictures he went to the top of the box office and was still there when he died in an air crash in 1935. "State Fair" is perhaps his best know film although he doesn't have much to do but try to coax his prize hog "Blue Boy" out of a love sick depression. Louise Dresser was so real in her part - she played mother roles with the least amount of sugar and sentimentality and was often paired with Will Rogers as a contrast to his "ah shucks" personality.They return to the farm with Blue Ribbons for hogs and preserves but the youngsters are sorrowful. Surely the both of them are not going to be unlucky in love!! - but No! Wait! - Margy gets a phone call - and it's not her loyally pompous boyfriend, Harry Ware. For me, this is a memorable movie moment - as Margy runs through the spring rain and into Pat's waiting arms.Highly, Highly Recommended.

nealvelgos This 1933 film of STATE FAIR is nearly impossible to see except on one Fox cable channel, but is the best of all versions, with genuine and unsentimental writing and acting. Director Henry King propels the leisurely plot with a thrilling moving camera that efficiently depicts the varied sensations of a state fair, from wholesome contest fun to the menace of barkers and carnies. King has a consistent handle on the theme, that the state fair is a quick microcosm of life, an event that thrusts persons together in a venue that makes possible the "rollercoaster" of infatuation (and sex--this is pre-code pleasure), the tension of competition, and the diversion from hard work in this depression era America. Even "Blue boy" the hog and "self object" of Will Rogers' likeable character discovers the same conflicted feelings of sexual attraction. The cast is excellent, with standouts of Rogers, a most natural performer, in a film that is unpolluted by awkward stereotyped supporting players common to his films. A truly stunning-looking Lew Ayres is a dream of a roller coaster partner, and Victor Jory in his silk shirt perfectly embodies the carnie whom small children fear to encounter outside the midway. But it's the quiet moments that register the most--the pensive characters driving at dusk to the fair, full of private anticipation, still totally one as a family. Modern films rarely dare such introspective glimpses, but this film doesn't bore because it is so true. These rural citizens are proud and flawed, but like the wonderful characters in MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, they embrace the chance to take in the fun and mystery of life.