Write
Between the Lines is an exploration
and articulation of the obvious and the obscure. A cavalcade of
creation and commentary designed to amuse and bemuse.
"Enter
the lists" means "to compete or join in the game."
Tammy Tonic throws down the gauntlet.
Can’t make it to
your State Fair? Then pick up some of these classic films
and let the carnival atmosphere permeate your home like the
smell of a deep fried Twinkie.
State
Fair
(1933, 1945, 1962) I haven’t seen any incarnations
of this popular film turned musical, set at the Iowa State
Fair, but if I had my druthers I’d go for the 1962 version,
starring Pat Boone.
It
Happened at the World’s Fair (1963) and Roustabout
(1964) Elvis was obviously a big fan of carnival life,
as evidenced in his starring roles in back-to-back films about
the genre. Watch for a very young Kurt Russell, who does some
ass-whuppin’ on the King in “Fair.”
Lili
(1953) Ah, circus folk. Orphaned Lili joins a traveling carnival
only to fall in love with the bitter puppet master. Singing
and ballet occur.
Carny
(1980) This film played no small part in my fear of
the Midway. The Band’s Robbie Robertson (who also co-wrote
the screenplay!) stars with Gary Busey, who plays an abusive
clown. If that’s not frightening enough, they both get
romantically involved with runaway Jodie Foster in this sordid
flick, which was originally conceived as a documentary. If
this film has any basis in reality, the carny circuit is as
bad as you thought.
Also, check out The
Food Network just about any night of the week for your State
Fair fix - they feature enough chili cook-offs and pie-eating
contests to make you feel as though you’re really there.
Reprinted courtesy
of World
Famous Crazy Wildwfcw@yahoo.com
