1945 Original Motion Picture
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1945 Original Motion Picture
Screenplay and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II | Adaptation by Sonya Levien and Paul Green, based on the novel by Philip Strong | Music by Richard Rodgers
After the massive success of Oklahoma!, Rodgers & Hammerstein were asked to write a musical film adaptation of 20th Century Fox’s 1933 family comedy State Fair. With Oscar Hammerstein II penning the screenplay and lyrics, Richard Rodgers composed a rich score, sweeping audiences to the Iowa State Fair alongside the eager and excited Frake family. Starring Jeanne Crain, Dana Andrews, Dick Haymes and Vivian Blaine, State Fair was released August 20, 1945, after making a star-studded premiere at the Roxy Theatre in New York City. Directed by Walter Lang, the film won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “It Might As Well Be Spring,” which soon became part of the Great American Songbook. (Mr. Hammerstein is, to date, the only Oscar to win an Oscar.)
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The soundtrack to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s 1945 musical remake of 20th Century Fox’s 1933 film State Fair includes celebrated songs like “It’s A Grand Night for Singing” and “It Might As Well Be Spring.” The film’s cast included Fay Bainter, Vivian Blaine, Dick Haymes, Percy Kilbride and more. At the time, Dick Haymes and Vivian Blaine were well-known big band singers. Jeanne Crain’s singing voice was dubbed by Louanne Hogan, and Dana Andrews’ singing voice was dubbed by Ben Gage.