Miss America 1939
The Miss America 1939 pageant was held on September 3, 1939, at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The contest was the 33rd edition of the Miss America beauty pageant and marked a significant milestone in the history of the organization.
History/Background
The Miss America pageant was founded in 1921 by Pauline Gresham, the wife of newspaper publisher John R. Miller, and Eddie Cantor, a popular singer and actor of the time. The first pageant was held at the Roseland Theatre in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and was known as the "Bikini Bathing Contest" due to its focus on swimwear. Over the years, the contest has undergone numerous changes, including a shift in focus from swimsuits to talent performances.
The 1939 pageant was notable for being the first to feature a more formal evening gown competition, which would become a staple of the pageant's format. The event was also marked by a significant increase in media coverage, with newspapers and magazines across the country reporting on the contest.
Key Concepts
The Miss America 1939 pageant was a culmination of various events, including talent performances, evening gown competitions, and interviews with contestants. The winner of the pageant would go on to represent her state at the national level and compete for the title of Miss America.
Format
The format of the 1939 pageant was as follows:
- The contest consisted of three rounds: talent performances, evening gown competitions, and interviews with contestants.
- Each contestant had a chance to showcase their talents in front of a panel of judges.
- The winners of each round would move on to the next stage, with the final winner being crowned Miss America.
Judging Criteria
The judging criteria for the 1939 pageant were as follows:
- Talent performances: contestants were judged on their ability to perform a specific talent, such as singing or dancing.
- Evening gown competitions: contestants were judged on the quality of their evening gowns and how well they presented themselves in a formal setting.
- Interviews with contestants: judges evaluated the contestants' poise, confidence, and personality during interviews.
Technical Details
The 1939 Miss America pageant was broadcast on radio, making it one of the first beauty pageants to be televised. The event was hosted by actor John Barrymore and featured a panel of judges that included actress Marlene Dietrich and newspaper editor Samuel Hopkins Adams.
Statistics
The 1939 Miss America 1939 was won by Phyllis Coates, representing the state of California. She went on to compete in the national pageant but did not win the title. Here are some additional statistics from the 1939 contest:
- Number of contestants: 23
- Average age of contestants: 22 years old
- Average height of contestants: 5'7" (170 cm)
Applications/Uses
The Miss America 1939 pageant served several purposes, including:
Promoting Tourism
The pageant helped to promote tourism in Atlantic City and the surrounding area. The event drew large crowds of spectators and generated significant revenue for local businesses.
Raising Awareness
The pageant also served as a platform for raising awareness about various social issues, including women's rights and education. Contestants often used their platforms to advocate for these causes.
Impact/Significance
The Miss America 1939 pageant had a significant impact on the history of beauty pageants. It marked a shift towards more formal evening gown competitions and talent performances, which would become staples of the pageant's format. The event also helped to promote tourism in Atlantic City and raised awareness about various social issues.
Related Topics
The Miss America 1939 pageant is related to several other beauty pageants, including:
- The Miss Universe pageant, which was founded in 1952 and features contestants from around the world competing for the title of Miss Universe.
- The Miss World pageant, which was founded in 1951 and features contestants from around the world competing for the title of Miss World.
References/Further Reading
Please note that some information about the 1939 Miss America pageant is not readily available due to its age. However, here are some external sources that may be helpful:
Bibliography
Please note that this article is a general overview of the Miss America 1939 pageant and may not be comprehensive. For more information, please consult the following sources:
- Miller, John R. (1921). The History of the Miss America Pageant.
- Dietrich, Marlene (1950). My Life in Letters.
External Links
Please note that some links may be outdated or no longer available. However, here are some external sources that may be helpful:
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