The Great American Beauty Contest

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.

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.

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

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."

The Los Angeles Times called it "witty, perceptive."