Miss USA 1953
Miss USA 1953 | |
---|---|
Date | July 16, 1953 |
Presenters | Bob Russell |
Venue | Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California |
Entrants | 43 |
Placements | 20 |
Debuts | |
Withdrawals | |
Winner | Myrna Hansen Illinois |
Congeniality | Jeanne Vaughn Thompson Louisiana |
Miss USA 1953 was the 2nd Miss USA pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California on July 16, 1953.
At the end of the event, Jackie Loughery of New York crowned Myrna Hansen of Illinois as Miss USA 1953.[1][2] It is the first victory of Illinois in the pageant's history.
Contestants from 43 states and cities competed in this year's pageant. The competition was hosted by Bob Russel.
Background
Selection of participants
Contestants from 43 states/cities have been selected to compete in the competition. The age requirement in this edition is still from 18 to 28, where women who are married and have children can also participate.[3]
Jeanne Vaughn Thompson of Louisiana, who competed last year and placed as first runner-up,[4] competed once again in this edition, making her the first contestant from Miss USA who competed twice.
This edition saw the debuts of Iowa, Maryland, Miami, Myrtle Beach, Nebraska, New Hampshire, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The states of Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Tennessee withdrew in this edition.
Results
Placements
Placement | Contestant |
---|---|
Miss USA 1953 | |
1st runner-up |
|
2nd runner-up | |
3rd runner-up |
|
4th runner-up | |
Top 20 |
|
Special awards
Award | Contestant |
---|---|
Miss Congeniality | |
Miss Body Beautiful |
Pageant
Format
From ten semi-finalists in 1952, twenty semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition.[5] Each of the twenty semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast. Afterwards, the twenty semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen.[5][6]
Selection committee
- Jeff Chandler – American actor[6]
- Rhonda Fleming – American actress and singer[6]
- Arlene Dahl – American actress[6]
- Constance Moore – American actress and singer[6]
- Buddy Westmore – American moviemaker[6]
- Varga – Artist[6]
Contestants
43 contestants competed for the title.[7]
State/City | Contestant | Age[a] | Hometown | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Doris Edwards | 25 | Birmingham | |
Arizona | Eleanor Ruth Cross | 19 | Chandler | |
Arkansas | Jackie Stucker | 19 | West Helena | |
California | Marcella Roulette[8] | 21 | Los Angeles | |
Colorado | Jeanie Carroll | 18 | Denver | |
Connecticut | Beverlee Burlant[9] | 21 | Bridgeport | Previously Miss Connecticut 1951 |
Idaho | Patricia Carter | 18 | Boise | |
Illinois | Myrna Rae Hansen[10] | 17 | Chicago | 1st runner-up at Miss Universe 1953[11] |
Indiana | Edith Mae Krumme[12] | 19 | Seymour | |
Iowa | Marilyn Shonka[13] | 18 | Sioux City | |
Kentucky | Mary Stice[14] | 19 | Paducah | |
Louisiana | Jeanne Vaughn Thompson[5] | 21 | Baton Rouge | Previously Miss Louisiana USA 1952 Placed 1st runner-up at Miss USA 1952[4] Previously Miss Louisiana 1951 |
Maine | Jackie Lee | 22 | Cape Neddick | |
Maryland | Diane Gale Durham | 22 | Silver Spring | |
Massachusetts | Joan Daly[15] | 20 | Somerville | |
Miami Beach, Florida | Kay Duggar[16] | 21 | Miami | |
Michigan | Jo Ann Page | 20 | Detroit | |
Minnesota | Mary Ann Papke[17] | 20 | Minneapolis | |
Mississippi | Jessie Wynn Morgan | 20 | Newton | Previously Miss Mississippi 1951[18] Top 15 at Miss America 1952 |
Missouri | Donna Gardner[19] | 18 | Portageville | |
Montana | Billie Jean Tyrell[20] | 21 | Billings | |
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | Mary Kemp Griffin[21] | 23 | Florence | Later represented the USA at Miss World 1953 and placed 5th runner-up |
Nebraska | Berneta Nelson[22] | 20 | Clay Center | |
Nevada | Earlene Whitt | 18 | Las Vegas | |
New Hampshire | Muriel Roy | 24 | Nashua | |
New Jersey | Susan Ruth Harris[23] | 18 | Haddonfield | |
New York | Reta Knapp | 23 | New York City | |
North Carolina | Libby Walker[24] | – | Wilton | |
North Dakota | Marilyn Caufield[25] | 19 | Jamestown | |
Ohio | Eleanore Mack[26] | 20 | Bellaire | |
Oklahoma | Barbara Bond[24] | 21 | Oklahoma City | |
Pennsylvania | Jeri Hauer[27] | 27 | Hatboro[27] | |
Rhode Island | Barbara Rose Deigman | 20 | Providence | |
South Carolina | Susan Anthony Day[28] | 18 | Greenville | |
South Dakota | Kathleen Herman | 18 | Bowdle | |
Texas | Joan Bradshaw | 17 | Houston | |
Utah | Shauna Wood[29] | 22 | Salt Lake City | |
Vermont | Kathleen Marie Eugenia Surrel | 22 | Brooklyn, New York City | |
Virginia | Dorothy Lee Bailey[30] | 21 | Norfolk | |
Washington | Nancy Petraborg[31] | 18 | Seattle | |
West Virginia | Fay Higley | 18 | South Charleston | |
Wisconsin | Jacque Kimmel | 24 | Milwaukee | |
Wyoming | Nancy Rogers[25] | – | Cheyenne |
Notes
- ^ Ages at the time of the pageant
References
- ^ Belser, Emily (17 July 1953). "Chicagoan named Miss USA in Miss Universe contest". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 15. Retrieved 16 January 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Curvy Blonde holds U.S. Universe hopes". Press and Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton, New York. 16 July 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 10 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Williams, Vera (23 March 1952). "Pageant of Pulchritude". Long Beach Press-Telegram. p. 50. Retrieved 7 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Brooklyn girl wins U.S. crown; seeks Miss Universe Title tonight". The Plain Speaker. 28 June 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 12 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Miss Illinois wins title as top beauty of the nation". Long Beach Press-Telegram. 16 July 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Beauties vie for "Miss Universe" title". The Knoxville Journal. 12 July 1953. p. 34. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Miss Universe pageant Tableau of Beauty". Long Beach Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. 12 July 1953. p. 7. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Marcella wins title". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 4 July 1953. p. 12. Retrieved 14 June 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Go great guns in beauty battle". Toledo Blade. 16 July 1953. p. 2. Retrieved June 14, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ Beck, Joan (February 9, 1953). "Miss Myrna Hansen, 18, Crowned 1953 Queen". Chicago Tribune. Illinois, Chicago. p. Part 3, P 3. Retrieved 1 January 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Miss Universe' title is taken by brunette Parisian model". The Ponca City News. Ponca City, Oklahoma. 19 July 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 10 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "How's this?". The Indianapolis News. Indianapolis, Indiana. 3 July 1953. p. 13. Retrieved 20 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Iowa loses to Illinois". The Des Moines Register. 16 July 1953. p. 8. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Murray College coed, 19, named Miss Kentucky". The Courier-Journal. 5 July 1953. p. 8. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Untitled". The Boston Globe. 12 July 1953. p. 32. Retrieved 6 February 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Daggone! Here's Florida gal who likes it here!". Long Beach Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. 9 July 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Minnesota Miss Universe". The Minneapolis Star. Minneapolis, Minnesota. 15 June 1953. p. 42. Retrieved 20 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Helps Dimes Drive". Enterprise-Journal. 27 December 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "From Missouri and shows 'em". The Daily News-Journal. Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 26 February 1953. p. 8. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Miss Montana". Great Falls Tribune. 15 July 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "South Carolina girl, 'Miss U.S.' finalist, wants to be a cop". The Index-Journal. 22 July 1953. p. 8. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Clay Center miss, 20, to represent Nebraska in 'Miss Universe' Contest". The Lincoln Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. 1 July 1953. p. 11. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Haddonfield Girl Awarded Title of Miss New Jersey". Courier-Post. 30 May 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Untitled". The Charlotte News. 13 July 1953. p. 15. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "At the Miss Universe contest". Casper Star-Tribune. 19 July 1953. p. 16. Retrieved 16 January 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Beauty to represent Ohio". The Springfield Daily News. Springfield, Ohio. 5 July 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Delegate from Pennsylvania". The Morning Call. 9 July 1953. p. 1. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- ^ "42 entrants in Miss Universe Beauty Contest". The Robesonian. 14 July 1953. p. 6. Retrieved 17 July 2023 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "Shauna Wood wins diadem of Utah's 'Miss Universe'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City, Utah. 11 June 1953. p. 21. Retrieved 20 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Beauty rewarded at Sand Festival". Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk, Virginia. 28 June 1953. p. 19. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ "Untitled". The Troy Messenger. Troy, Alabama. 12 July 1953. p. 6. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Newspapers.com.