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]
| 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[1] |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | February 13, 1973 |
It was directed by Robert Day and was originally shown on the ABC TV network in the United States on February 13, 1973.
Plot
editA feminist enters a beauty contest, hoping to win and deliver a speech on exploitation and sexism at the end.
Cast
edit- 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
editThe film was announced in December 1972.[6]
"It's turning out to be great camp", said Aaron Spelling during filming.[7]
Reception
editAllMovie 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]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ 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
edit- The Great American Beauty Contest at IMDb
- The Great American Beauty Contest at the TCM Movie Database
- The Great American Beauty Contest at AllMovie
- The Great American Beauty Contest in New York Times
 | This article about a 1970s comedy-drama film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article related to an American TV movie is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |