The German title sounds way better, Das
singende, klingende Bäumchen (Say that ten times fast!). This children's
film about the Veruca Salt of princesses, is short and sweet and sends a great
message (much nicer than Struwwelpeter). The fake sets,
strange animals and miniature landscapes, actually add to it's charm. Wiki
quotes an Amazon.com quote from Roger Thomas, "Imagine a fairy tale
conceived by Wagner and directed by Fritz Lang, with nods in the direction of The
Cabinet of Doctor Caligari and German expressionism, and you'd be
close." He forgot to mention plot points and themes from Taming of the
Shrew, Willy Wonka, Beauty and the Beast, Doctor Doolittle
and H. R. Pufnstuf.
Here's how the magic works. Vince (Elvis) eyes up a woman,
comments on her weight and assets, insults her and then, when he isn't the
center of attention, commences having a temper tantrum; throwing his guitar
around. But none of this matters, because Vince knows something that she
doesn't. All he has to do is lean in and wham! All is forgotten. This isn't an
isolated incident for on a date with another girl, he completely ignores her. No
need for the energy it takes to have a conversation. Pow! All is forgiven.
About those hips. I didn't quite have the experience of, "Elvis, Elvis,
let me be, keep that pelvis far from me!" His dancing was sort of herky
jerky with a hitch in his getalong. If I wanted that kind of dancing, I'd go
with the much more entertaining James Cagney.
Last summer, I took my kids to the state fair to
hear my brother's high school jazz band perform. Because we were there at the
tail end of the fair's run, withered rows of produce and resigned livestock
failed to capture any of our enthusiasm. Outside, it started to rain so we
hurried past the dingy food carts of deep fried Coke and bacon wrapped bacon to
wait it out under the awning of a ticket booth. Upon finding out the exorbitant
prices for the rides, I put our options to the vote. Unanimously, we chose to
go to a Chinese restaurant instead. Goodbye fair, we won't be back. Egg foo
young wins out again.
It's fortunate that I hadn't shown them State Fair before our foray.
Instead of everyone being mildly disappointed, I could have had a full revolt
on my hands. For what State Fair does best is paint a very pretty
picture of an impossibly perfect celebration. Reality can never measure up.
That's sort of the point of a folk musical; to bring people back to a simpler
time through a memory of myth. The good ole' days shouldn't be scrutinized to
closely when musical escapism is afoot. In every aspect, this film fits the
folk musical mold: family centric, ritualistic and cyclic (day, season, life).
Unfortunately, these elements created a dreadfully dull second half. I couldn't
care less if the pig won the prize or if the homemade pickles got a ribbon.
After a certain point the only thing keeping me involved was Dana Andrews.
Sigh. This is him below. Get a load of the suit and dress--I didn't see
anything like that on my outing. Also of note, this is the cutest scene in the
film--the highlight for me.
This is the brother and he's a schmuck. I won't get into his story, which I
disliked the whole of, but suffice it to say he is one. But, along side him is
the wonderful Harry Morgan--another highlight.
I stopped the film for a few minutes so I could study this campsight. Can you
imagine such a perfect set up? Cordoned of private space with an outdoor
kitchen and a token tent for those that want to rough it. Each of their meals
was on dinnerware, with linens. I didn't think the mom would ever get a chance
to enjoy the fair, but the prop people took care of everything and she was able
to have a fine time.
Some memorable songs, Jeanne Crain and, of course, Dana Andrews keep me from
giving away the DVD. And, it's a sight better than the 1962 version.
