THE PAGEANT begins when Chinese children, marching in from the entrance, distribute and throw flowers to the audience. A voice over introduces hostess Helen O'Connell (wearing an elegant cheongsam) and host Bob Barker (wearing a tie-less casual jacket. The contestants march down the aisle from the entrance. The Parade of Nations begins. Miss Guatemala delivers a one-minute greeting in perfect American-sounding English and refers to the devastating earthquake in her country. Other interesting observations: The candidates from Honduras, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Nicaragua and Yugoslavia greeted the audience first in their native languages and then translated their greeting in their best English. The winner of the 1975 Miss Asia contest - Eva Arni - represents Papua New Guinea in this year's pageant.

      Bob Barker soon announces the 15 sem-finalists in random order: Misses Australia (Joanne Barret), Finland (Harriet Eriksson), Sweden (Brigitta Lindloff), Chile (Monica Teuber), Norway (Patricia Walker), Peru (Maria Julia Mantilla), Philippines (Gloria Diaz), USA (Wendy Dascomb), Colombia (Margarita Maria Reyes), Yugoslavia (Natasa Kosir), Israel (Chava Levy), Austria (Eva von Reuber-Staeir), Brazil (Vera Fischer), Japan (Kikuyo Osuka), and Switzerland (Patrice Sollner).

      Helen commentates from her own "pavilion". The swimsuit competition follows (showcasing Hong Kong's landmarks). Helen shows a chart of satellite transmitters (how the show is broadcasted live in the U.S. from Hong Kong, on July 11, 1976 at 11:37 a.m., Hong Kong time).

      Selection of the 12 Semi-finalists. Bob interviews each of the semi-finalists: Miss ENGLAND (Pauline Davies) - also voted Miss Photogenic. After the interview, Bob praises Pauline by saying, "This is a living proof that the English pound is sound.". Miss England is followed by Miss CURAÇAO (Anneke Dijkhuizen); Miss HONG KONG (Rowena Lam); Miss ISRAEL (Rina Messinger), a pilot who also teaches flying. She comments, "Everyone wishes me good luck except my boyfriend..." Her ambition is to design an aircraft.

      Miss ARGENTINA (Lilian Noemi Deasti)studies agronomy. Her interview is very abrupt. The rest of the semi-finalists are: Miss AUSTRALIA (Julie Anne Ismay); Miss NORWAY (Bente Lihaug); Miss CHILE(Maria Elena Sommer) whom Bob does not really interview but rather compliments her eyes and figure in a joking fashion; Miss WALES (Sian-Adey Jones) who is originally from Liverpool and practices acupuncture; Miss VENEZUELA (Judith Castillo) who wants to be a chemical engineer. She impresses the audience with her rehearsed Chinese. And finally Miss SCOTLAND (Carol Jean Grant).

      Helen O'Connell shows a map of how far some of the contestants have traveled. Then later, she sings a Noel Coward tune after the interview of the first group of semi-finalists. After the interview of the second group, Helen shows baby photos of Misses Wales, Colombia and England. Afterwards, Bob Barker introduces the judges: Brit Eklund (Swedish actress), director Roman Polanski, Don Kingman (Chinese-American artist), Prince Henri d'Orléans, Miss Univrse 1966 Margaretta Arvidsson of Sweden, designer Aldo Gucci, David Newbingen (?), Brazilian actress Florinda Pocan (?), Fred Williamson (American ex-football player), movie studio executive Run-Run Sho (?), and Dame Margot Fonteyn (prima ballerina). Entertainment is provided by The Folk Dancers of Hong Kong.

      Helen O'Connell talks about the renovation of the theater. The swimsuit competition begins with the 12 semi-finalists each carrying a parasol. Miss Hong Kong, at 5'2 3/4", is the shortest among the twelve. This segment is followed by a footage of the candidates's activities which included a visit to Macao. The Friendship Medley which includes "Getting to Know You" and a couple of songs about Hong Kong, is performed by the candidates.

      Helen O'Connell introduces former titleholders: Akiko Kojima (1959, Japan), Margarita Moran (1973, Philippines) and Armi Kuusela-Hilario (1952, Finland) who looks beautiful as ever in her green gown. Meanwhile, Bob Barker announces the prizes, including a Toyota Corolla SR5 and a mink coat. He then announces the next site for the following year's pageant - the Dominican Republic. The evening gown competition follows. Then, Helen O'Connell speaks with Anne Pohtamo while being served tea. Later, they make a toast. The camera gives us a last look of the 12 semi-finalists. Helen shows the audience how to use chopsticks.

      Bob Barker announces the 5 finalists. Each finalist is asked a different final question. When asked what advise she would give to her successor, Miss Venezuela responds, "You have to smile all the time." Good delivery. When asked which country she would like to visit and why, Miss Israel says she wants to go to Africa to see the jungle. Poor delivery. Miss Wales says she wants to resolve poverty, but she doesn't give a solution. Miss Scotland would invite her prime minister if she were to invite someone for dinner. Being happy is the goal that Miss Australia would like to achieve the most.

      Anne Pohtamo gives her farewell walk and speech in beautiful English. Bob Barker announces the final placements: The 4th runner-up is Miss Australia, the 3rd runner-up is Miss Scotland, the 2nd runner-up is Miss Wales, the 1st runner-up is Miss Venezuela and Miss Universe 1976 is Miss Israel.

Photo courtesy of The Miss Universe Organization

Text by Rafael Robert Delfin.

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