THE PAGEANT begins with the candidates sashaying on the stage in their national costumes. Bob Barker introduces Gloria Diaz of the Philippines (Miss Universe 1969), followed by the Miss Universe Parade of Beauties. Each candidate hands to Miss Hospitality her ballot for Miss Amity (Czechoslovakia debuts as a participant).

     Bob Barker announces the winner of Miss Amity, Miss Guam. Then he annouces the 15 semi-finalists: GREECE (Angelique Bourlessa), GUAM (Hillary Ann Best), HONG KONG (Mabel Hawkett), USA (Deborah Shleton), PUERTO RICO (Marisol Malaret), CZECHOSLOVAKIA (Kristina Hanazalova), AUSTRALIA (Joan Zealand), BRAZIL (Eliane Thompson), ITALY (Anna Zamboni), SWEDEN (Britt-Inger Johansson), VENEZUELA (Bella La Rosa), SWITZERLAND (Diane Jane Roth), and JAPAN (Jun Shimada).

     Entertainment is provided by John Rowe of New Zealand. After singing, Rowe introduces the 11 judges: David Merrick (Broadway producer), Eileen Ford (beauty expert and co-founder of Ford Modeling Agency), Sukichiro Hirae (?) (Japanese personality) Julio Alemán (Mexican actor), Yusef Kash (?) (Canadian photographer), Line Renaud (French singer and entertainer), Edilson Cid Varela (Brazilian newspaper and editor), Earl Wilson (U.S. columnist), Corinna Tsopei (Miss Universe 1964 from Greece), Don King (Chinese-American artist), and Pearl Bailey (U.S. entertainer).

     June Lockhart interviews Gloria Diaz:

     Lockhart: Do you have any hints to pass along to the winner?

     Diaz: It is important to keep everything in its proper perpective and to remember that you're only Miss Universe for one year and yourself for the rest of your life.

     Lockhart: Did you have to keep reminding yourself of that for the past year?

     Diaz: I'm sure I'll be happy just being Gloria Diaz (after her reign).

     The interview is follwed by the swimsuit competition of the 15 semi-finalists. Didi Anstett (former Miss USA) interviews Sylvia Hitchcock. The contestants (minus the semi-finalists) entertain the audience with an international medley. Among the songs sung include "Hey, There, Georgie Girl", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", "The Windmills of Your Mind", and "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head." The evening gown competition follows. John Rowe serenades the semi-finalists. Later, Didi Anstett interviews Rowe.

     Bob Barker announces the finalists (Puerto Rico, USA, Australia, Argentina, Japan). Then all four, except Miss Puerto Rico, are sequestered in an isolation booth. Barker asks the final question: "Why do you want to be Miss Universe?"

Miss Puerto Rico gives a simple but honest answer: "I like to travel. Getting to know every being in the world would be perfect."
Miss USA says she wants to travel and be an ambassadress of goodwill.
Miss Australia didn't answer the question!
Miss Argentina gave a vague answer.
Miss Japan (with the help of translators) echoed Miss Puerto Rico's response.

     Sylvia Hitchcock is introduced again. Gloria Diaz's final walk and speech. Finally, Bob Barker announces the results: The 4th runner-up is Miss Argentina; the 3rd runner-up is Miss Japan; the 2nd runner-up is Miss Australia; the 1st runner-up is Miss USA. Miss Universe 1970 is Miss Puerto Rico. Marisol Malaret does her victory walk as Gloria Diaz reads the Miss Universe Creed. as the new Miss Universe does the victory walk.

     NOTE: The video copy that I received was filmed in color, but grainy. The audio is quite comprehensible.

     COMMENTS: This is the first Miss Universe pageant from the 1970's that I have ever seen on video. Bob Barker showed his subtle expertise in interviewing the 15 semi-finalists, some of whom gave charming responses. When asked what the perfect age is for marriage, Miss Puerto Rico said, "When love comes, it doesn't matter how old you are." The audience loved Miss Malaysia who was a car salesperson back in her country. When Bob asked her how much she knew about sales, she replied, "Not much. Just enough to swindle my customers, I guess!" Bob, of course, was equally amused by her response as he dismisses her by saying, "Oh, you pretty little thing!" - a remark which many may consider sexist. Interesting trivia: Bella La Rosa (Miss Venezuela) had a twin sister who had broken her ankle and couldn't enter the pageant; Bella entered instead and won! Also, fifty-five candidates had flown earlier to Tokyo for Expo '70 and flew to Miami later for the pageant.

Photo courtesy of The Miss Universe Organization

Text by Rafael Robert Delfin.

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