The Great American Beauty Contest

*The Great American Beauty Contest*
The Great American Beauty Contest
Genre	Drama
Written by	Stanford Whitmore
Directed by	Robert Day
Starring	JoAnna Cameron; Eleanor Parker; Robert Cummings; Louis Jourdan; Farrah Fawcett
Music by	Kenneth Wannberg
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Leonard Goldberg; Aaron Spelling
Producer	Everett Chambers
Production locations	Los Angeles County; Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
Cinematography	James A. Crabe
Editors	James D. Mitchell; Bruce Schoengarth; Frank Capacchione
Running time	74 minutes
Production companies	ABC Circle Films; Spelling-Goldberg Productions
Budget	$410,000
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	February 13, 1973

The Great American Beauty Contest is a 1973 American satirical comedy–drama^[2] television film, starring JoAnna Cameron and featuring Eleanor Parker, Robert Cummings, Louis Jourdan and Farrah Fawcett in an early film appearance.^[2]^[3]^[4] ^[5]

It was directed by Robert Day and was originally shown on the ABC TV network in the United States on February 13, 1973.

Plot

A feminist enters a beauty contest, hoping to win and deliver a speech on exploitation and sexism at the end.

Cast

Eleanor Parker as Peggy Lowery
Robert Cummings as Dan Carson
Louis Jourdan as Ralph Dupree
JoAnna Cameron as Gloria Rockwell
Susan Damante as Angelique Denby
Farrah Fawcett as T L Dawson
Kathrine Baumann as Melinda Wilson
Susan Anton as previous Great American Beauty winner
Tracy Reed as Pamela Parker
Larry Wilcox as Joe Bunch
Patricia Barry as Kay Earnshaw
Christopher Norris as Miss Utah
Barbi Benton as Miss Iowa
Mady Maguire as Lib Girl

Production

The film was announced in December 1972.^[6]

"It's turning out to be great camp", said Aaron Spelling during filming.^[7]

Reception

AllMovie characterizes the film as "An unsubtle but effective TV-movie satire of the 'Miss America' syndrome", and calls the belly dance performed by Farrah Fawcett "endearingly ridiculous."^[2]

The Los Angeles Times called it "witty, perceptive."^[8]

The New York Times wrote "Even with some biting dialogue that often rings true, this drama... is essentially a sour‐tasting mess of pottage. "^[9]

References

^ Norma, L. B. (Feb 11, 1973). "A bit of advice from a 'new star': 'forget it!'". Chicago Tribune. ProQuest 170362791.
^ ^a ^b ^c The Great American Beauty Contest at AllMovie
^ The Great American Beauty Contest at Louisjourdan.net
^ "Trio scheduled in ABC movie". Los Angeles Times. Dec 26, 1972. ProQuest 157097134.
^ Vagg, Stephen (29 October 2024). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings". Filmink. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
^ "Trio Scheduled in ABC Movie" Los Angeles Times 26 Dec 1972: e28.
^ "What do you do with a crooked palm tree?". Chicago Tribune. Jan 5, 1973. ProQuest 170349778.
^ Thomas, K. (1973, Feb 13). "TV MOVIE REVIEW". Los Angeles Times
^ "TV review". New York Times. 13 February 1973.

External links

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[1] Norma, L. B. (Feb 11, 1973). "A bit of advice from a 'new star': 'forget it!'". Chicago Tribune. ProQuest 170362791.

[amgover-2] The Great American Beauty Contest at AllMovie

[3] The Great American Beauty Contest at Louisjourdan.net

[4] "Trio scheduled in ABC movie". Los Angeles Times. Dec 26, 1972. ProQuest 157097134.

[film-5] Vagg, Stephen (29 October 2024). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings". Filmink. Retrieved 29 October 2024.

[6] "Trio Scheduled in ABC Movie" Los Angeles Times 26 Dec 1972: e28.

[7] "What do you do with a crooked palm tree?". Chicago Tribune. Jan 5, 1973. ProQuest 170349778.

[8] Thomas, K. (1973, Feb 13). "TV MOVIE REVIEW". Los Angeles Times

[9] "TV review". New York Times. 13 February 1973.

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v t e Works produced by Aaron Spelling
Feature films	Guns of the Timberland (1960) California Split (1974) Baby Blue Marine (1976) Mr. Mom (1983) 'night, Mother (1986) Surrender (1987) Three O'Clock High (1987) Cross My Heart (1987) Satisfaction (1988) Loose Cannons (1990) Soapdish (1991) The Mod Squad (1999) Charlie's Angels (2000)
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TV miniseries	The French Atlantic Affair (1979) Hollywood Wives (1985) Crossings (1986) Dynasty: The Reunion (1991) The Invaders (1995) A Season in Purgatory (1996)