Third film-version of Phil Strong's book, and the second to include a song-score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, has been "updated" for young audiences circa 1962. Squeaky-clean Bobby Darin, Pat Boone and Pamela Tiffin are all wholesomely attractive, but these current names are merely used to service a still-corny and old-fashioned story (it hasn't dawned on the filmmakers that 1962 is nearly two generations removed from 1945). On the other hand, Ann-Margret manages to energize the sterile scenario with her titian hair swinging, hips grinding and puckered mouth pouting. Texas fair attracts local farm family, with smitten Boone falling for showgirl A-M, who doesn't exactly want to become a hausfrau on the range (who could blame her?). Awkward and curiously lethargic, with Tom Ewell singing to a pig and Alice Faye (out of retirement) looking sadly uneasy in front of the camera. *1/2 from ****
Review of State Fair
