THE SHOW begins with the Parade of Nations. The candidates sashay on the stage in their national costumes and submit their ballots for Miss Unity. Bob Barker announces the winner of the Miss Unity award - Miss Zaire. This segment is followed by the Sswimsuit competition ("Bathing Suit Promenade") wherein the delegates are presented in geographical categories starting with Europe, followed by North and South America; Asia and the Mediterranean; Pacific, Far East and Africa and lastly, Central America and the Caribbean Islands.

     Bob Barker announces the twelve semi-finalists: Misses ENGLAND (Jennifer McAdam), BRAZIL (Rejane Vieira Costa), JAPAN (Harumi Maeda), VENEZUELA (Maria Antonieta Campoli), AUSTRALIA (Kerry Anne Wells), PERU (Carmen Ampuero), BELGIUM(Anne-Marie Roger), USA (Tanya Wilson), ISRAEL (Ilana Goren), GERMANY (Heidi-Marie Weber), PHILIPPINES (Armi Barbara Crespo), and INDIA (Roopa Satyan).

     The camera zooms in on a panel of international T.V. and radio journalists covering the pageant. The swimsuit competition. Musical guests "The Lettermen" sing a medley. The Miss Unity Award is presented to Miss Zaire (Ombaya Makuta). Bob Barker presents the judges: Mapita Cortez (Puerto Rican actress), Earl Wilson (U.S. columnist), Lynn Redgrave (English actress), Arnold Scottie(?) (fashion designer) Sylvia Hitchcock (Miss Universe 1967), Kurt Jurgen (German film star), Brad Williamson (U.S. television star), Line Renaud (French singer and entertainer), Edilson Cid Varela (Brazilian publisher), Jean-Louis Indican(?) (Sabena Belgian airlines executive), and Kiyoshi Hara (President of ABC Japan network).

     A cultural tidbit is given by Helen O'Connell who comments on the languages spoken in the pageant. Bob Barker announces the first group of 12 semi-finalists and interviews each of them. When Bob asks Miss Japan the reason she is studying law, Miss Japan replies, "I'm studying law. I want to be a good wife." Barker and the audience are amused by her response. Later, Helen gives the audience a brief geography class, points Surinam on the map and informs us that Zaire used to be Belgian Congo.

     Bob Barker announces the second group of 12 semi-finalists and interviews each of them. He repeats this task with the third group. Miss India impresses us with an eloquent speech on Indian dating and marriage. Then Bob introduces Corinna Tsopei Zacks, Miss Universe 1964, and Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969. The candidates perform an international medley which includes "Cuando Caliente el Sol" and "Consider Yourself". This segment is followed by the swimsuit competition. The Lettermen take the stage again to entertain the audience.

     Bob Barker interviews Marisol Malaret, Miss Universe 1970 from Puerto Rico. The evening gown competition follows. Then Bob Barker interviews Earl Wilson. Finally, Bob Barker announces the five finalists and asks each of them this question, "If you could change and become any other person in the world, who would you want to become and why?" Miss Australia replies that she would be someone who could dictate peace in the world. Miss England replies that she would wish to be her mother. Misses Venezuela, Israel and Brazil reply that they would remain as themselves.

     Just before the final results are announced, Bob Barker interviews Lynn Redgrave who is impressed by the presence of intelligent candidates. As Bob Barker is just about to announce the top three finalists, Puerto Rican T.V. transmission is interrupted for a few minutes. Thus, we don't see Kerry Wells' coronation. However, you could hear pageant music in the background. When the transmission picks up, we see Bob Barker interviewing a dry-eyed and very calm Kerry.

Photo courtesy of The Miss Universe Organization

Text by Rafael Robert Delfin.

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