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[1] | 
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC | 
| Release | February 13, 1973 | 
The Great American Beauty Contest is a 1973 American satirical comedy–drama television film, starring JoAnna Cameron and featuring Eleanor Parker, Robert Cummings, Louis Jourdan and Farrah Fawcett in an early film appearance.[2][3] [4]
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.[5]
"It's turning out to be great camp", said Aaron Spelling during filming.[6]
Reception
The Los Angeles Times called it "witty, perceptive."[7]
The New York Times wrote "Even with some biting dialogue that often rings true, this drama... is essentially a sour‐tasting mess of pottage. "[8]
See also
References
- ^ Norma, L. B. (February 11, 1973). "A bit of advice from a 'new star': 'forget it!'". Chicago Tribune. ProQuest 170362791.
 - ^ The Great American Beauty Contest at Louisjourdan.net
 - ^ "Trio scheduled in ABC movie". Los Angeles Times. December 26, 1972. ProQuest 157097134.
 - ^ Vagg, Stephen (October 29, 2024). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings". Filmink. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
 - ^ "Trio Scheduled in ABC Movie" Los Angeles Times 26 Dec 1972: e28.
 - ^ "What do you do with a crooked palm tree?". Chicago Tribune. January 5, 1973. ProQuest 170349778.
 - ^ Thomas, K. (1973, Feb 13). "TV MOVIE REVIEW". Los Angeles Times
 - ^ "TV review". New York Times. February 13, 1973.
 
External links
- The Great American Beauty Contest at IMDb
 - The Great American Beauty Contest at the TCM Movie Database
 - The Great American Beauty Contest in New York Times
 
