International Pageant of Pulchritude
Encyclopedia
The International Pageant of Pulchritude, also known as the "International Beauty Contest" or the "Miss Universe Contest," was a beauty contest
that began in 1926 featuring contestants from multiple nations. The last pageant event in the U.S. was held in 1931 although additional "Miss Universe" events were held until 1935. The pageant was the first international contest and served as a model for modern contests.
The contest originated in Galveston, Texas
, United States. The last "Miss Universe" event of this pre-World War II
era was held in Brussels, Belgium.
Beauty contests had existed around the U.S. since the 19th century as a means to build tourism for local communities. These events were generally local affairs featuring women from the communities themselves. In 1920 promoter C.E. Barfield organized a new event in Galveston known as "Splash Day." The event featured a "Bathing Girl Revue" competition as the centerpiece of its attractions. "Splash Day" was the kick-off of the summer tourist season in the city and was carried forward annually. At its height the event was one of the largest beauty contests and would literally triple the island's population during the weekend when it ran, attracting spectators from around the nation.
A trend toward national beauty contests developed in many nations such as Turkey
, France, and Brazil
, as well as the U.S. where both the Galveston event and the younger Miss America
event in Atlantic City attracted contestants from around the nation. In 1926, taking advantage of this trend, the Galveston event became an international competition known as the "International Pageant of Pulchritude." The winner of the contest was awarded the title of "Miss Universe." In 1927 the contest became two separate events held over two days: one to award the title of "Miss United States" and one to award "Miss Universe." The "Miss United States" pageant drew contestants from as far away as New York and Utah
. The "Miss Universe" pageant included contestants from a variety of countries including England, Russia, Turkey, Austria, and many others. Prizes were given to the top competitors. In 1929, for example, "Miss Universe" was given US$2000 in gold
(US$,000 in today's terms) and a silver
plaque.
The event became an international sensation although, ironically, the national media
in the U.S. gave the event far less attention than the press in some other countries. The media in Brazil was particularly enamored with the 1929 contest. Huge crowds were reported near the offices of Brazil's major newspaper
s awaiting word of the fate of Miss Brazil. She did not, however, even place in the contest. Angered, Brazil hosted its own "Miss Universe" contest in 1930 leading to two separate titleholders in that year. In the Brazilian event, "Miss United States" was unable to place in the competition.
The event in Galveston was discontinued in 1932 because of the Great Depression
. "Miss Universe" events were instead held in Belgium in 1932 and 1935. After 1935 international competitions were discontinued until the modern Miss Universe
contest was created in 1952 in California
.
A 2006 documentary entitled "Miss Universe 1929 - Lisl Goldarbeiter. A Queen in Wien" was released in Hungary detailing the life of the 1929 "Miss Universe." That year is regarded by some as the first truly international event as it became the first year to garner substantial worldwide media attention and was the first year a non-American won the title. Additionally, Goldarbeiter's win is historically notable because she was a Jew in an era when antisemitism was popular in the U.S. and Europe.
In 2009 a local Galveston organization known as "Islander By Choice" resurrected the pageant on a much smaller scale. The new contest, known as the Galveston Island Beach Revue, featured local contestants in 1920s-era swimwear as well as contemporary swimwear.
Beauty contest
A beauty pageant or beauty contest, is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests often incorporate personality, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria...
that began in 1926 featuring contestants from multiple nations. The last pageant event in the U.S. was held in 1931 although additional "Miss Universe" events were held until 1935. The pageant was the first international contest and served as a model for modern contests.
The contest originated in Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
, United States. The last "Miss Universe" event of this pre-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
era was held in Brussels, Belgium.
History
During the early 20th century, the island city of Galveston, still recovering from the devastating Hurricane of 1900, launched efforts to strengthen its tourism industry building new venues such as the famed Hotel Galvez and organizing regular waterfront events.Beauty contests had existed around the U.S. since the 19th century as a means to build tourism for local communities. These events were generally local affairs featuring women from the communities themselves. In 1920 promoter C.E. Barfield organized a new event in Galveston known as "Splash Day." The event featured a "Bathing Girl Revue" competition as the centerpiece of its attractions. "Splash Day" was the kick-off of the summer tourist season in the city and was carried forward annually. At its height the event was one of the largest beauty contests and would literally triple the island's population during the weekend when it ran, attracting spectators from around the nation.
A trend toward national beauty contests developed in many nations such as Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, France, and Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, as well as the U.S. where both the Galveston event and the younger Miss America
Miss America
The Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
event in Atlantic City attracted contestants from around the nation. In 1926, taking advantage of this trend, the Galveston event became an international competition known as the "International Pageant of Pulchritude." The winner of the contest was awarded the title of "Miss Universe." In 1927 the contest became two separate events held over two days: one to award the title of "Miss United States" and one to award "Miss Universe." The "Miss United States" pageant drew contestants from as far away as New York and Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. The "Miss Universe" pageant included contestants from a variety of countries including England, Russia, Turkey, Austria, and many others. Prizes were given to the top competitors. In 1929, for example, "Miss Universe" was given US$2000 in gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
(US$,000 in today's terms) and a silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
plaque.
The event became an international sensation although, ironically, the national media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
in the U.S. gave the event far less attention than the press in some other countries. The media in Brazil was particularly enamored with the 1929 contest. Huge crowds were reported near the offices of Brazil's major newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s awaiting word of the fate of Miss Brazil. She did not, however, even place in the contest. Angered, Brazil hosted its own "Miss Universe" contest in 1930 leading to two separate titleholders in that year. In the Brazilian event, "Miss United States" was unable to place in the competition.
The event in Galveston was discontinued in 1932 because of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. "Miss Universe" events were instead held in Belgium in 1932 and 1935. After 1935 international competitions were discontinued until the modern Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
contest was created in 1952 in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Miss United States
| Year | Name | Home |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | Catherine Moylan | Dallas |
| 1927 | Dorothy Britton | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
| 1928 | Ella Van Hueson | Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... |
| 1929 | Irene Ahlberg Irene Ware Irene Ware was an American Hollywood movie actress of Swedish-Austrian ancestry. Born with maiden name Ahlberg. She was also an American beauty queen, and she was Miss United States for the Miss Universe competition International Pageant of Pulchritude 1929... |
New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
| 1930 | Dorothy Dell Goff Dorothy Dell Dorothy Dell was an American film actress.-Early life and career:Born Dorothy Dell Goff in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to entertainers, she moved with the family to New Orleans, Louisiana, at age 13. She was born into a socially prominent family, and her mother was a descendant of Jefferson Davis... |
New Orleans |
| 1931 | Ann Lee Patterson | Northern Kentucky Northern Kentucky Northern Kentucky is the name often given to the northernmost counties in Kentucky... |
Miss Universe
The pageant was not held during 1933 and 1934.| Year | Country | Miss Universe | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 |  United States |
Catherine Moylan | Galveston Galveston, Texas Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of... , USA |
| 1927 | United States |
Dorothy Britton | Galveston, Texas, USA |
| 1928 | United States |
Ella Van Hueson | Galveston, Texas, USA |
| 1929 |  Austria |
Lisl Goldarbeiter | Galveston, Texas, USA |
| 1930 (1) | United States |
Dorothy Dell Goff Dorothy Dell Dorothy Dell was an American film actress.-Early life and career:Born Dorothy Dell Goff in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to entertainers, she moved with the family to New Orleans, Louisiana, at age 13. She was born into a socially prominent family, and her mother was a descendant of Jefferson Davis... |
Galveston, Texas, USA |
| 1930 (2) |  Brazil |
Yolanda Pereira | Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th... , Brazil Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... |
| 1931 |  Belgium |
Netta Duchâteau | Galveston, Texas, USA |
| 1932 |  Turkey |
Keriman Halis Ece Keriman Halis Ece Keriman Halis Ece is a former Turkish beauty contestant, pianist and fashion model, who became Miss Turkey 1932. She was also crowned as the winner at International Pageant of Pulchritude in Spa, Belgium.-Biography:... |
Spa, Belgium Spa, Belgium Spa is a municipality of Belgium. It lies in the country's Walloon Region and Province of Liège. It is situated in a valley in the Ardennes mountain chain, some southeast of Liège, and southwest of Aachen. As of 1 January 2006, Spa had a total population of 10,543... |
| 1935 |  Egypt |
Charlotte Wassef | Brussels, Belgium |
Legacy
The Pageant of Pulchritude served as a model for modern pageants. Though beauty contests were common even in the 19th century the Galveston event was the first international contest. It was also one of the first national contests in the United States.A 2006 documentary entitled "Miss Universe 1929 - Lisl Goldarbeiter. A Queen in Wien" was released in Hungary detailing the life of the 1929 "Miss Universe." That year is regarded by some as the first truly international event as it became the first year to garner substantial worldwide media attention and was the first year a non-American won the title. Additionally, Goldarbeiter's win is historically notable because she was a Jew in an era when antisemitism was popular in the U.S. and Europe.
In 2009 a local Galveston organization known as "Islander By Choice" resurrected the pageant on a much smaller scale. The new contest, known as the Galveston Island Beach Revue, featured local contestants in 1920s-era swimwear as well as contemporary swimwear.
See also
- Free State of GalvestonFree State of GalvestonThe Free State of Galveston was a whimsical name given to the island city of Galveston in the U.S. state of Texas during the early-to-mid-20th century. Today, the term is sometimes used to describe the culture and history of that era...
- Galveston, TexasGalveston, TexasGalveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
- Miss AmericaMiss AmericaThe Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
- Miss United StatesMiss United StatesThe Miss United States pageant is a beauty contest held in the United States for young women between the ages of 20-28 and has been held every year since 2001....
- Miss UniverseMiss UniverseMiss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
- Miss USAMiss USAThe Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
- Seawall BoulevardSeawall BoulevardSeawall Boulevard is a major road in Galveston, Texas in the United States. The boulevard is conterminous with Farm to Market Road 3005 south of 61st Street. It runs along the Gulf coast waterfront of the island near the main parts of the city...
External links
- Miss Universe 1929
- Miss Universe 1920s
- Galveston Island Beach Revue (2009 revival)