Meet Me at the Fair (1952)

50% want to see it
(8 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Douglas Sirk
Written By: Martin Berkeley, Gene Markey, Irving Wallace
Genres: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts

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.
, 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.
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.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Gets its energy by the inspired performance from Dan Dailey.

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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
See full cast

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