Miss Universe 1956
5th Miss Universe pageant
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Miss Universe 1956 was the fifth Miss Universe pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, on 20 July 1956.
| Miss Universe 1956 | |
|---|---|
Carol Morris | |
| Date | 20 July 1956 |
| Presenters | Bob Russell |
| Venue | Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California, United States |
| Broadcaster | |
| Entrants | 30 |
| Placements | 15 |
| Debuts |
|
| Withdrawals |
|
| Returns |
|
| Winner | Carol Morris United States |
| Congeniality | Anabella Granados (Costa Rica) |
| Photogenic | Marina Orschel (West Germany) |
At the conclusion of the event, Hillevi Rombin of Sweden crowned Carol Morris of the United States as Miss Universe 1956.[1] It is the second victory of the United States in the history of the pageant.[2]
Contestants from thirty countries and territories competed in this edition. The pageant was hosted by Bob Russell for the fifth time.
Background
Selection of participants
Contestants from thirty countries and territories were selected to compete in the pageant. This is the last edition before 2023 where women who are married and have children can participate.[3][4][5] Two contestants were selected to replace the original dethroned winner.
Replacements
Guðlaug Guðmundsdóttir, the first runner-up of Miss Iceland 1956, was appointed to replace Miss Iceland 1956 Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir after it was discovered that the latter was already married.[6] Edith Noble Nakpil was replaced by Isabel Escobar Rodriguez as the representative of the Philippines due to undisclosed reasons.[7]
Debuts, returns, and withdrawals
This edition saw the debuts of the British Guiana, the Dominican Republic, Holland, and Iceland,[8] and the returns of Turkey and Peru, which last competed in 1953 and 1954, respectively. Mirva Arvinen of Finland withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Ceylon, El Salvador, Honduras, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Norway, South Korea, and the West Indies withdrew after their respective organizations failed to hold a national competition or designate a contestant.
Results
Placements
| Placement | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Universe 1956 |
|
| 1st Runner-Up |
|
| 2nd Runner-Up |
|
| 3rd Runner-Up |
|
| 4th Runner-Up |
|
| Top 15[9] |
|
Special awards
| Award | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Friendship |
|
| Miss Photogenic |
|
| Miss Popular Girl |
|
Pageant
Format
Same with 1955, fifteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition. Each of the fifteen semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast using their native languages. Afterwards, the fifteen semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen.[12]
Selection committee
- Vincent Trotta – Artistic Director at Paramount Pictures
- James H. Noguer – American professor of Foreign Languages
- Tom Kelley – American photographer
- Dorothy Kirsten – American opera singer[12]
- Earl Wilson – American journalist and columnist[12]
- Alberto Vargas – Peruvian-American painter known for his "Vargas Girls"[12]
- Max Factor – American businessman and make-up man[12]
- Claude Berr – Founder and president of the Comité International Pour L'election de Miss Europe[12]
Contestants
Thirty contestants competed for the title.[13]
Notes
- Ages at the time of the pageant