Film

Miss America

2002 · 1h 42m · Documentary · TV Movie

IMDb

6.8

Tracking the country’s oldest beauty contest—from its inception in 1921 as a local seaside pageant to its heyday as one of the country’s most popular events—Miss America paints a vivid picture of an institution that has come to reveal much about a changing nation. The pageant is about commercialism and sexual politics, about big business and small towns. But beyond the symbolism lies a human story—at once moving, inspiring, infuriating, funny, and poignant. Combining rare archival footage, with a host of intimate interviews with distinguished commentators including Gloria Steinem, Margaret Cho, Isaac Mizrahi, former contestants and behind–the–scenes footage and photographs, the film reveals why some women took part in the fledgling event and why others briefly rejected it - how the pageant became a battle ground and a barometer for the changing position of women in society.

Cherry Jones

Narrator

Julia Álvarez

Self

Sarah Banet-Weiser

Self

Kimberly Clarice Aiken

Self

Gloria Steinem

Self

Ric Ferentz

Self

Margaret Cho

Self

William Goldman

Self

Vicki Gold Levi

Self

Leonard Horn

Self

Lee Meriwether

Self

Isaac Mizrahi

Self

Mary Ann Mobley

Self

Robin Morgan

Self

Kathy Peiss

Self

Tricia Rose

Self

• Lisa AdesDirector · Producer
• Michelle FerrariWriter
• Lesli KlainbergProducer
• Mark SamelsProducer
• Jeanne HouckExecutive Producer
• Lola Van WagenenExecutive Producer
• Margaret DrainExecutive Producer
• Buddy SquiresDirector of Photography
• Peter NelsonDirector of Photography
• Stephen McCarthyDirector of Photography

Release date

January 27, 2002

Status

Released

Original language

English

Runtime

1h 42m

Genres

Documentary, TV Movie