All's Fair at the Fair (1938)
“The future is now — and it's automatic.”
Streamed free from the Internet Archive · no signup, no cost — this film is in the public domain.
Synopsis
Rural sweethearts Elmer and Mirandy ride their horse into the big city to take in the World's Fair, where machines do everything: robot beauticians, automatic restaurants, and mechanical marvels at every turn. The short is a gleaming Art Deco showcase of streamlined "world of tomorrow" gadgetry, played for warm comedy as the country pair gawk at the automated future.
Cast
About the Director
Dave Fleischer — Credited to studio head Dave Fleischer, with lead animation by Myron Waldman. The Fleischer studio was renowned for its mechanical and three-dimensional "Setback" tabletop effects, on full display in this technology-themed short.
Why It’s Free: The Public-Domain Story
As a Color Classic that National Telefilm Associates declined to renew after acquiring the Paramount library in 1955, the film passed into the public domain through copyright non-renewal.
Behind the Scenes
Released August 26, 1938, as the 25th entry in Fleischer Studios' Color Classics series. Its "world of tomorrow" theme rode the wave of anticipation for the 1939 New York World's Fair.
Did You Know?
- The film is widely cited as a showcase for Fleischer's Art Deco "world of tomorrow" design, tapping into hype for the upcoming 1939 New York World's Fair.
- It uses the Fleischer studio's signature three-dimensional Setback process to give the fairground depth.
- The country-couple leads, Elmer and Mirandy, were recurring rural-comedy character types in Fleischer shorts.
- Animation historians often single it out as one of the most visually ambitious Color Classics.
Reception & Legacy
Celebrated as a Deco design highlight of the Color Classics, "All's Fair at the Fair" is praised for its imaginative gadgetry and remains a polished, brand-safe public-domain short.
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