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 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]

References

^ Norma, L. B. (Feb 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. 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.

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

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

[film-4] Vagg, Stephen (29 October 2024). "Movie Star Cold Streaks: Robert Cummings". Filmink. Retrieved 29 October 2024.

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

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

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

[8] "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)
TV series	Zane Grey Theatre (1956–61) Johnny Ringo (1959–60) The Dick Powell Show (1961–63) The Lloyd Bridges Show (1962–63) Burke's Law (1963–66) Honey West (1965–66) The Smothers Brothers Show (1965–66) Rango (1967) The Guns of Will Sonnett (1967–69) The Mod Squad (1968–73) The New People (1969–70) The Young Rebels (1970–71) The Most Deadly Game (1970–71) The Rookies (1972–76) Chopper One (1974) Firehouse (1974) S.W.A.T. (1975–76) Starsky & Hutch (1975–79) Family (1976–80) Charlie's Angels (1976–81) Fantasy Island (1977–84) The San Pedro Beach Bums (1977) The Love Boat (1977–87) Vegas (1978–81) Friends (1979) Hart to Hart (1979–84) B.A.D. Cats (1980) Dynasty (1981–89) Aloha Paradise (1981) Strike Force (1981–82) T. J. Hooker (1982–86) Matt Houston (1982–85) At Ease (1983) Hotel (1983–88) Glitter (1984–85) Finder of Lost Loves (1984–85) MacGruder and Loud (1985) Hollywood Beat (1985) The Colbys (1985–87) Life with Lucy (1986) CBS Summer Playhouse (1987) HeartBeat (1988–89) Nightingales (1989) Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000) Melrose Place (1992–99) 2000 Malibu Road (1992) Hearts Are Wild (1992) The Heights (1992) The Round Table (1992) Burke's Law (1994–95) Winnetka Road (1994) Models Inc. (1994–95) Robin's Hoods (1994–95) Heaven Help Us (1994) Madman of the People (1994–95) University Hospital (1995) Savannah (1996–97) Malibu Shores (1996) Kindred: The Embraced (1996) 7th Heaven (1996–2007) Sunset Beach (1997–99) Pacific Palisades (1997) Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998–99) Buddy Faro (1998) Charmed (1998–2006) Rescue 77 (1999) Safe Harbor (1999) Forbidden Island (1999) Titans (2000–01) All Souls (2001) Queens Supreme (2003) Kingpin (2003) 10-8: Officers on Duty (2003–04) Summerland (2004–05) Clubhouse (2004–05) Wanted (2005)
TV films	Cricket on the Hearth (1967) The Over-the-Hill Gang (1969) Wake Me When the War Is Over (1969) The Monk (1969) The Pigeon (1969) The Ballad of Andy Crocker (1969) Carter's Army (1970) The Love War (1970) How Awful About Allan (1970) But I Don't Want to Get Married! (1970) The Old Man Who Cried Wolf (1970) Wild Women (1970) The House That Would Not Die (1970) The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again (1970) Crowhaven Farm (1970) Run, Simon, Run (1970) Love Hate Love (1971) Yuma (1971) River of Gold (1971) Congratulations, It's a Boy! (1971) Five Desperate Women (1971) The Last Child (1971) A Taste of Evil (1971) In Broad Daylight (1971) The Death of Me Yet (1971) The Reluctant Heroes (1971) If Tomorrow Comes (1971) The Trackers (1971) Two for the Money (1972) The Daughters of Joshua Cabe (1972) No Place to Run (1972) Say Goodbye, Maggie Cole (1972) Rolling Man (1972) The Bounty Man (1972) Home for the Holidays (1972) Every Man Needs One (1972) A Cold Night's Death (1973) Snatched (1973) The Great American Beauty Contest (1973) The Letters (1973) The Bait (1973) Satan's School for Girls (1973) Hijack! (1973) Letters from Three Lovers (1973) The Affair (1973) Death Squad (1974) The Fireman's Ball (1974) Cry Panic (1974) The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped (1974) Savages (1974) Death Sentence (1974) Hit Lady (1974) Death Cruise (1974) Only with Married Men (1974) The Daughters of Joshua Cabe Return (1975) Murder on Flight 502 (1975) The Legend of Valentino (1975) One of My Wives Is Missing (1975) 33 Hours in the Life of God (1976) The Sad and Lonely Sundays (1976) Death at Love House (1976) The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe (1976) The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) Little Ladies of the Night (1977) The Love Boat II (1977) The San Pedro Beach Bums (1977) The Users (1978) Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape Kid (1978) Wild and Wooly (1978) Cruise Into Terror (1978) The Power Within (1979) Beach Patrol (1979) Love's Savage Fury (1979) The Return of the Mod Squad (1979) Murder Can Hurt You! (1980) Waikiki (1980) Casino (1980) The Best Little Girl in the World (1981) Sizzle (1981) Don't Go to Sleep (1982) The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch (1982) Massarati and the Brain (1982) Shooting Stars (1983) Making of a Male Model (1983) Venice Medical (1983) Dark Mirror (1984) Velvet (1984) International Airport (1985) Mr. and Mrs. Ryan (1986) Dark Mansions (1986) The Hope Division (1987) Cracked Up (1987) Harry's Hong Kong (1987) The Loner (1987) Day One (1989) Just Temporary (1989) Rich Men, Single Women (1990) The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage (1990) Jailbirds (1991) Back to the Streets of San Francisco (1992) Grass Roots (1992) And the Band Played On (1993) A Stranger in the Mirror (1993) Gulf City (1993) Jane's House (1994) Love on the Run (1994) Green Dolphin Beat (1994) Texas (1994) Crosstown Traffic (1995) Pier 66 (1996) After Jimmy (1996) Odd Jobs (1997) Satan's School for Girls (2000) Stop at Nothing (2001) The Law and Mr. Lee (2003) Hotel (2003) Silver Lake (2004) Hitched (2005) Bounty Hunters (2005) Split Decision (2006)
TV miniseries	The French Atlantic Affair (1979) Hollywood Wives (1985) Crossings (1986) Dynasty: The Reunion (1991) The Invaders (1995) A Season in Purgatory (1996)