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.
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.