State Fair (1945): Cast & Plot
State Fair is a 1945 romantic comedy directed by Walter Lang, starring Charles Winninger as Abel Frake, Percy Kilbride and Fay Bainter. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Walter Lang
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is State Fair About?
The premise of State Fair without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The Frake family’s yearly trip to the Iowa State Fair leads to a series of light‑hearted escapades. Patriarch Abel is determined to showcase his prize pig, Blueboy, while his wife Melissa throws herself into the mincemeat and pickles competition, resulting in plenty of comic mishaps for both the young‑at‑heart and the romantically inclined.
State Fair Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- remake
- self pity
- punched in the face
- reference to ronald colman
- title co written by female
- dance band
- home cooking
- home canning
- livestock show
- midway games
- passionate kiss
- newspaper columnist
+38 more Show fewer
- hijacked truck
- romantic reunion
- boyfriend girlfriend reunion
- crying woman
- ends with a kiss
- farmer
- racetrack
- man woman romance
- newspaper reporter
- reference to payola
- riding a roller coaster
- dancing girl chews gum
- eating a pickle
- embroidery hoop
- stood up on a date
- husband wife relationship
- remade
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- telephone
- color remake of black and white film
- crain and andrews
- fair
- iowa
- state fair
- farm
- judging
- hog
- boar
- singer
- eating popcorn
- imitation champagne
- female singer
- reading a newspaper aloud
- house trailer
- lemonade
- birthday party
- plaque
- spiked mincemeat
State Fair Cast & Characters
Charles Winninger leads the cast as Abel Frake, with Percy Kilbride as Dave Miller and Fay Bainter as Melissa Frake. Directed by Walter Lang; 18 actors are credited in all.
- Director Walter Lang
-
Charles Winninger as Abel Frake - Percy Kilbride as Dave Miller
- Fay Bainter as Melissa Frake
- Jeanne Crain as Margy Frake
Also Starring in State Fair
· 14 more- Phil Brown Harry Ware
- Dick Haymes Wayne Frake
- Jane Nigh Eleanor
- Vivian Blaine Emily Edwards
- Dana Andrews Pat Gilbert
- Frank McHugh McGee
- Harry Morgan Barker
- Donald Meek Hippenstahl
- Harry 'Snub' Pollard Hog Calling Contest Spectator (uncredited)
- Will Wright Hog Judge (uncredited)
- Minerva Urecal Woman Congratulating Mrs. Metcalf (uncredited)
- John Dehner Hog Contest Announcer (uncredited)
- William Marshall Tommy Thomas
- Adele Jergens Girl on Rollercoaster (uncredited)
More from Walter Lang
More films directed by Walter Lang, best-rated first: The King and I, Snow White and the Three Stooges, The Marriage-Go-Round and Can-Can.
State Fair Plot Summary
What happens in State Fair from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Abel Frake Charles Winninger bets five dollars with his neighbor Dave Miller that his boar, Blue Boy, will win first prize, and that the entire Frake family will enjoy themselves with no bad experiences at the Iowa State Fair. The stakes are friendly but the mood is lively, as preparations ripple through the house and the farm, setting the tone for a weekend where pride, tradition, and simple pleasures take center stage.
Full summary
The whole story of State Fair, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know State Fair?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who places a five‑dollar bet that his boar will win first prize at the Iowa State Fair?
Cars in State Fair
18 cars on screen, including the 1942 Ford ½-Ton Pick-Up and the 1941 Ford Super De Luxe.
-
1942 Ford ½-Ton Pick-Up Main role -
1941 Ford Super De Luxe Important role -
1934 Chevrolet ½-Ton Minor role -
1933 Ford Model C Minor role
State Fair Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “坠入爱河” and “La foire aux illusions”.
- Also known as
-
- 坠入爱河
- La foire aux illusions
- Jahrmarkt der Liebe
- A Feira da Vida
- Corações Enamorados
- Щатски панаир
- Ярмарка
- La feria del Estado
Seen State Fair?
Movies Like State Fair
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including State Fair, State Fair and A Country Romance.
State Fair FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of State Fair, each answered in a sentence.
How long is State Fair?
State Fair runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was State Fair released?
State Fair was released on August 29, 1945.
Who directed State Fair?
State Fair was directed by Walter Lang.
More films by Walter Lang Who is in the cast of State Fair?
State Fair stars Charles Winninger as Abel Frake, Percy Kilbride as Dave Miller and Fay Bainter as Melissa Frake, among 18 credited actors.
Does State Fair have a post-credit scene?
No. State Fair has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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