Miss America

102 mins
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.

Buddy Squires

Director of Photography

Peter Nelson

Director of Photography

Stephen McCarthy

Director of Photography

Lisa Ades

Producer

Margaret Drain

Executive Producer

Mark Samels

Producer

Susan Mottau

Coordinating Producer

Lisa Ades

Director

Sarah Kramer

Associate Producer

Cara Martes

Consulting Producer

Jeanne Houck

Executive Producer

Lola Van Wagenen

Executive Producer

Cheryl Teetzel

Associate Producer

Curt Casassa

First Assistant Director

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