Search - Oscar Hammerstein II :: State Fair (1945 And 1962 Films)

Buyer Be Aware!

02/07/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Two different film soundtracks of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "State Fair" on one CD? Too good to be true? Well, yes and no. If your preference is for the 1945 film with vocals by Dick Haymes and Vivian Blaine, you shouldn't be too disappointed. Although the pre-high-fidelity sound leaves something to be desired, at least all the tracks are represented (including an outtake of Dick Haymes soloing "Isn't It Kinda Fun?"). As for the 1962 film soundtrack, be aware of the following: due to the physical deterioration and eventual disintegration of several tracks, one number ("State Fair") is reproduced with its orchestral/choral track intact, but the vocal solos of several of the film's stars are missing. The opposite is also true: Pat Boone and Ann-Margret sing a strangely a cappella duet of "It's a Grand Night for Singing" since the orchestral/choral tracks no longer exist. On a more positive note, however, this CD comes packaged with some richly detailed and highly informative liner notes -- a great treat for anyone interested in the history of the American film musical."

CD Worth Purchse For Alice Faye and Bobby Darin Tracks

Peter Prainito | Lombard, IL USA | 01/30/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The 1945 State Fair was a superior film compared to the 1962 remake. However, despite some missing music (due to Hollywood allowing the 1962 film to badly deteriorate) this compilation CD soundtrack of the music from both the 1945 and 1962 films is worth purchasing. Yes, a lot of the original music from the 1962 version is missing, but some of the new music Richard Rodgers wrote for the 1962 film is quite good. The three I really like are: "Never Say No To a Man" sung by the late Alice Faye, "The Little Things In Texas" sung by Tom Ewell and Alice Faye, and a beautiful ballad "This Isn't Heaven" sung by the late great Bobby Darin. The Bobby Darin track is impossible to find elsewhere. The title of my review sums it up."

Great recording for collectors

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 01/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This lovely - and long-overdue - reissue packages together the soundtracks to the 1945 and 1962 versions of STATE FAIR, the made-for-movies musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein.Both soundtracks have never appeared on CD before, and the original sound masters for the 1962 set have never been found, so this is indeed a fantastic recording for R&H enthusiasts and collectors alike.The 1945 set memorably stars Dick Haymes and Vivian Blaine (the original Miss Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS), Jeanne Crain (with a voice dubbed by Louanne Hogan) and Dana Andrews. Given the lack of singing experience from Crain and Andrews, the bulk of songs were handed to Haymes and Blaine. Blaine sings a confident and knowing "That's For Me" while Haymes sings a lovely "Isn't it Kinda Fun?". Louanne Hogan sings a lovely "It Might as Well Be Spring".The rarely-seen (or heard) 1962 version starred Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, Pamela Tiffin (with a singing voice dubbed by Anita Gordon) and Bobby Darin, with support from Alice Faye and Tom Ewell. Anita Gordon's "It Might as Well Be Spring" is quite the same as Hogan's, while the souped-up "Isn't it Kinda Fun?" is belted by Ann-Margret for all its worth. Alice Faye sings a new number "Never Say No to a Man" while Bobby Darin croons a new ballad "This isn't Heaven".Highly-recommended."