C’mon Pat, you can do it…
STATE FAIR—- In 1962 plonks the third (1932, 1945) version of a Phil Strong story set at the Iowa State Fair, concerning the romantic-comedic escapades of your basic All-American family of four. For this version, among other non-improvements, the fairing is in Texas.
Dad (Tom Ewell) has a hog to show; Mom (Alice Faye) has pies to gobble; Sis (Pamela Tiffin) meets a jivey-too-cool Romeo (Bobby Darin); and Junior (Pat Boone) gets his wholesome mitts on the Cornbelt’s hottest tamale (Ann-Margret).
Music is by Rodgers & Hammerstein, as in ’45, with reprises of “It’s A Grand Night For Singing” and “Our State Fair” joined by five new tunes, none worth your while. 20-year-old newcomer Ann-Margret heats up a dance number (totally out of place) with her sexbomb figure and come-hither sass, but otherwise it’s square as a preachers hair.
Directed by Jose Ferrer, costing a considerable $4,500,000, it fizzled out at #23 for the year. Cogerson lists a gross at $10,000,000, which seems a bit high.
With Wally Cox, David Brandon, Clem Harvey and Robert Foulk. Padded out to 118 minutes.
