Meet Me at the Fair (1952)
-
56% want to see it
(9 ratings)
Despite its ebullient title and the presence of lightweight dancing star Dan Dailey, Meet Me at the Fair has a lot more meat on its bones than most musicals of the early 1950s. Dailey plays an early-1900s medicine show huckster who finds himself the reluctant guardian of orphanage escapee Chet… More Despite its ebullient title and the presence of lightweight dancing star Dan Dailey, Meet Me at the Fair has a lot more meat on its bones than most musicals of the early 1950s. Dailey plays an early-1900s medicine show huckster who finds himself the reluctant guardian of orphanage escapee Chet Allen. As he grows fond of the boy, Dailey becomes determined to thwart the corrupt system that allows substandard orphan asylums to operate while political hacks get rich on government funding. Dailey wins the confidence (and love) of orphan committee member Diana Lynn, who helps to foil the machinations of crooked district attorney Hugh O'Brien. The darker aspects of Meet Me at the Fair are lightened by director Douglas Sirk's marvelous recreations of backstage life at the turn of the century. The film is also a special treat for fans of Scatman Crothers, who is never less than terrific as Dan Dailey's sidekick. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Douglas Sirk
- Written By
- Martin Berkeley, Gene Markey, Irving Wallace
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts
Unrated,
Critic Reviews
-
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Like the other small musicals Douglas Sirk directed at Universal in the early 50s, this is better than it was supposed to have been at the time.
-
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Sirk's customary concern with hypocrisy and intolerance is, given the genre and overall tone of the piece, surprisingly to the fore in a subplot about corrupt politicians.
-
, Film4
Sirk averaged two films a year, in all the principle genres. Several are masterworks, while others, such as this 20th-century-set musical comedy, are charming programmers enhanced by unpretentious professionalism.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Gets its energy by the inspired performance from Dan Dailey.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Dan Dailey
as "Doc" Tilbee
-
Diana Lynn
as Zerelda Wing
-
Chet Allen
as "Tad" Bayliss
-
Scatman Crothers
as Enoch Jones
-
Hugh O'Brian
as Chilton Corr
-
Carole Mathews
as Clara Brink
-
Rhys Williams
as Pete McCoy
-
Thomas E. Jackson
as Billy Gray
-
Russell Simpson
as Sheriff Evans
-
George Chandler
as Deputy Sheriff Leach
-
Virginia Brissac
as Mrs. Spooner
-
John Maxwell
as Mr. Spooner
-
Doris Packer
as Mrs. Swaile
-
Edna Holland
as Miss Burghey
-
George Spaulding
as Governor
-
Paul Gordon
as Cyclist
-
Iron Eyes Cody
as Chief Rain-in-the-Face
-
Franklin Farnum
as Wall Street Tycoon
-
Jack Gargan
as District Attorney's Secretary
-
Donald Kerr
as Stage manager
-
Sam Pierce
as Party stooge
-
Max Wagner
as Iceman
- Harte Wayne
-
George Riley
as M.C.
-
James Brick Sullivan
as Cop
-
George Arglen
as Howie
-
Dante DiPaolo
as Specialty dancer
-
Jon Gardner
as Ed
-
Roger Moore
as Wall Street Tycoon
