It should surprise no one that the 1968 Miss Universe pageant, just 45 years ago today, trafficked heavily in eyeliner and wiglets. I'm not quite sure what's going on with Miss France's hat (it would seem that neither is she - she looks like she's trying her best to ignore it), and Miss England on the left there looks ready to head right to the set of a Carry On! movie or Benny Hill sketch. Miss Finland appears to be finished with some particularly weather-resistant polyurethane lacquer, and I'm guessing Miss Sweden's talent was back-combing (if she'd won, what on earth would they have done with the tiara?).
If Wikipedia is to be trusted, Miss Brazil, resplendent in her CarmenMirandaische splendour, took the title, and based on the feathers alone I say she earned it. Her name is Martha Vasconcellos, and today she's apparently a Boston-based grandmother and social worker.
Isn't history fascinating?
Yes. Yes it is.
ReplyDeleteA simpler time when we would trot out a vision of national loveliness in stereotypical fashion. And I seem to recall that miss universe got her own throne - a fiberglass one that was a glorified bench with a dip in the middle.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can gather, looks still count over talent on such dross as X-Factor. Times may change, but... Jx
ReplyDeleteAre we sure that's Miss France? I believe she's actually Miss Trance. The "x"s on her hat are meant to be zonked out eyes.
ReplyDeleteI can say with certainty that I watched this when it was originally televised. And loved every minute of it!
ReplyDeleteNow I would love it for entirely different reasons.