{{Short description|4th Miss USA pageant}} {{pp-sock|small=yes}} {{Beauty pageant | winner = '''Carlene King Johnson''' | photo = Carlene Johnson combing hair (cropped).jpg |caption = Carlene Johnson | represented = Vermont | date = July 20, 1955 | presenters = Bob Russell | venue = Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California | broadcaster = | congeniality = | photogenic = | placements = 15 | entrants = 43 | before = 1954 | next = 1956 }} '''Miss USA 1955''' was the fourth Miss USA pageant, held at Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California on July 20, 1955.
At the end of the event, Miriam Stevenson of South Carolina crowned Carlene King Johnson of Vermont as Miss USA 1955.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 July 1955 |title=Miss Vermont named Miss U.S.A. |pages=1 |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-miss-vermont-named-miss/59068082/ |access-date=5 September 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It is the first victory of Vermont in the pageant's history. Johnson later competed at Miss Universe and was named one of the fifteen semi-finalists.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=23 July 1955 |title=Finalists |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16092574/the-logan-daily-news/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |work=The Logan Daily News |pages=1 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Contestants from forty-three states and cities competed in the pageant. The competition was hosted by Bob Russell.
== Background == thumb|250x250px|Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, the venue of Miss USA 1955
=== Selection of participants === Contestants from forty-three states and cities were selected to compete in the pageant. The age requirement in this edition is still from 18 to 28, where women who are married and have children can also participate.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Vera |date=23 March 1952 |title=Pageant of Pulchritude |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/long-beach-press-telegram-lb-pt-23-mar-1/78107882/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=Long Beach Press-Telegram |pages=50 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Marianne Marcus of Pennsylvania was initially disqualified by her local organizers after competing in the wrong type of swimsuit, as a swimsuit company was sponsoring the Miss Pennsylvania USA contest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 11, 1955 |title=Beauty winner now disqualified |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-sun-telegraph-miss-pennsylvan/162554038/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph |location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> However, the decision was reversed, and Marcus was allowed to compete at Miss USA after Don D'Carlo, promoter for the Miss Pennsylvania USA contest, consulted then-executive director of the Miss Universe contest Oscar Minehardt regarding the situation, which resulted in the rule being waived.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=July 12, 1955 |title=Area beauty has a close call |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BJtRAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Marianne+Marcus%22&pg=PA15 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |pages=15 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
== Results ==
=== Placements === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;" !Placement !Contestant |- |Miss USA 1955 | * Vermont – Carlene King Johnson<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=21 July 1955 |title=Blond Vermont jewelry maker named Miss U.S.A. |pages=25 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch/131245071/ |access-date=5 September 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |- |1st runner-up | * Arkansas – Margaret Anne Haywood<ref name=":0" /> |- |2nd runner-up | * Nebraska – Donna Streever<ref name=":0" /> |- |3rd runner-up | * California – Donna Schurr<ref name=":0" /> |- |4th runner-up | * Georgia – Carolann Connor<ref name=":0" /> |- |Top 15 | * Colorado – Dorothy Bewley<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=20 July 1955 |title=JC girls Miss U.S.A. finalist, Miss New Mexico is favorite |pages=1 |work=Press and Sun-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/32446109/ |access-date=5 September 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> * Florida – Marlies Gessler<ref name=":1" /> * Illinois – Diane Daniggelis<ref name=":1" /> * New Mexico – Joan Schwartz<ref name=":1" /> * New York – Janet Kadlecik<ref name=":1" /> * New York City – Patricia O'Kane<ref name=":1" /> * South Carolina – Sara Stone<ref name=":1" /> * Texas – Mary Daughters<ref name=":1" /> * Washington – Shirley Givins<ref name=":1" /> * Wisconsin – Jeanne Boulay<ref name=":1" /> |}
== Pageant ==
=== Format === From twenty-one semi-finalists in 1954, fifteen semi-finalists were chosen at the preliminary competition that consists of the swimsuit and evening gown competition.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1955 |title=Miss New Mexico favored to win Miss USA title |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HiYeAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Miss+USA%22+%22judges%22&pg=PA2 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Tuscaloosa News |pages=2 |via=Google Books}}</ref> Each of the fifteen semi-finalists gave a short speech during the final telecast. Afterwards, the fifteen semi-finalists paraded again in their swimsuits and evening gowns, and the five finalists were eventually chosen.
=== Selection committee ===
* Ginny Simms – American actress and singer<ref name=":2" />
==Contestants== Forty-three contestants competed for the title.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 July 1955 |title=Here's official list of Miss Universe charmers |pages=8 |work=Long Beach Press-Telegram |location=Long Beach, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/long-beach-press-telegram-july-17-1955/123717567/ |access-date=10 May 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;" !State/City !Contestant !Age{{efn|Ages at the time of the pageant}} !Hometown !Notes |- |Arizona |Patti Alexandria Marks<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 5, 1955 |title=Beauty contestant |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-miss-arizona-usa-19/162551522/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Arizona Republic |location=Phoenix, Arizona |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Glendale | |- |Arkansas |Margaret Anne Haywood<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 15, 1955 |title=Beauties tell pet fads, foods |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-miss-arkansas-usa-1955/162554782/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Press-Telegram |location=Long Beach, California |pages=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Jonesboro |Later Miss World United States 1955<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=21 October 1955 |title=Susanna Djuim (uit Venezuela) Miss World |trans-title=Susanna Djuim (from Venezuela) Miss World |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010952342:mpeg21:p001 |access-date=22 June 2024 |work=Het vrije volk |pages=1 |language=nl |via=Delpher}}</ref><br>1st runner-up at Miss World 1955<ref name=":12" /> |- |California |Donna Schurr<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 11, 1955 |title=Regal smile |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rWxYAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22Donna+Schurr%22&pg=PA7 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Bulletin |pages=7 |via=Google Books}}</ref> |18 |Santa Ana | |- |Colorado |Dorothy Jean Bewley<ref name=":1" /> |19 |Denver | |- |Connecticut |Jane Louise Bartolotta<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 9, 1955 |title=Miss Connecticut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant/162551313/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Hartford Courant |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |23 |Middletown | |- |Delaware |Helen Denise Blackwell<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 July 1955 |title=Helen Blackwell vies for "Miss Universe" |pages=1 |work=The News Journal |location=Wilmington, Delaware |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal-helen-blackwell-daughte/12499728/ |access-date=10 May 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |21 |Wilmington |Previously Miss Delaware 1952<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 30, 1952 |title=Miss Delaware due to leave Monday for beauty pageant |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/27203636/ |access-date=January 9, 2025 |work=The News Journal |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |- |Florida |Mariles Gessler<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1955 |title=Miss USA contestants |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/orlando-evening-star-miss-florida-usa-19/162555590/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Orlando Evening Star |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |20 |Tallahassee | |- |Georgia |Carolann Connor<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 2, 1955 |title=Peach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-miss-georgia-usa-1955/162552598/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Press-Telegram |location=Long Beach, California |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Atlanta | |- |Illinois |Betty Diane Daniggelis<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1955 |title=Illinois sends Diane |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/independent-miss-illinois-usa-1955/162554535/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Independent |location=Long Beach, California |pages=48 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |18 |Chicago |Winner of the 1955 National Press Photographers Pageant |- |Indiana |Mary Ann Wasick<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 5, 1955 |title=Represents Indiana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-miss-indiana-usa-1/162553702/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Indianapolis News |pages=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Gary | |- |Iowa |Jerri Jean Cole<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 28, 1955 |title=Holstein's charming Jerri Jean Cole to represent state in Miss Universe competition at Long Beach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-miss-iowa-usa-195/162551902/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Sioux City Journal |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |18 |Holstein | |- |Louisiana |Merlin Grace Garcia<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1955 |title=Miss Merlin Grace Garcia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-miss-louisiana-usa-1955/162554443/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Times |location=Shreveport, Louisiana |pages=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Gretna | |- |Maryland |Gloria Ruth King<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 1955 |title=2 Baltimoreans win beauty titles |pages=34 |work=The Evening Sun |location=Baltimore, Maryland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-june-30-1955-2-baltim/124840183/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Baltimore | |- |Massachusetts |Jean Dernago<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=July 16, 1955 |title=Best pictures of the day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-1955-miss-usa-clipping/121989616/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Boston Globe |location=Boston, Massachusetts |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |18 |Springfield | |- |Miami Beach, Florida |Beverly Masters |18 |Miami Beach | |- |Michigan |Martha Smith<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 29, 1955 |title=Long Beach next |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-reporter-miss-michigan-usa-195/162552162/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Daily Reporter |location=Greenfield, Indiana |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |18 |Detroit | |- |Minnesota |Sally Ann Colombo<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 28, 1955 |title=She's a winner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-miss-minnesota-usa-1955/162552004/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis, Minnesota |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |18 |Stillwater | |- |Missouri |Janet Coker<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 15, 1955 |title="Miss Missouri" off to Los Angeles for "Miss Universe" try |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-democrat-argus-miss-missouri-usa-195/162554866/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Democrat-Argus |location=Caruthersville, Missouri |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |18 |Caruthersville | |- |Nebraska |Donna Jo Streever<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 31, 1955 |title=Best year for Nebraska beauties |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-miss-nebraska-usa-195/162555717/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Omaha World-Herald |location=Omaha, Nebraska |pages=97 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |21 |Grand Island | |- |New Hampshire |Patricia Ann Mowry<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 3, 1955 |title=New England's beauty queens |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-1955-miss-usa-clipping/121029985/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Boston Globe |location=Boston, Massachusetts |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |22 |Manchester | |- |New Jersey |Beverly Rogers<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 1, 1955 |title=Maywood beauty to represent NJ in Miss Universe contest |pages=27 |work=The News |location=Paterson, New Jersey |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-july-01-1955-maywood-beauty/124840288/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Maywood | |- |New Mexico |Joan Schwartz<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 9, 1955 |title=Miss New Mexico |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-albuquerque-tribune-miss-new-mexico/162551247/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Albuquerque Tribune |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Albuquerque | |- |New York |Janet Kadlecik<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 1955 |title=JC Girl crowned state queen in Miss Universe beauty test |pages=1 |work=Press and Sun-Bulletin |location=Binghamton, New York |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/124838903/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |18 |Johnson City | |- |New York City, New York |Patricia Anne O'Kane<ref name=":4" /> |19 |Valley Stream | |- |North Carolina |Mary Grace Ratliffe |18 |Wadesboro | |- |North Dakota |Joan Roberta Smith<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 5, 1955 |title=See a beauty queen crowned |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bismarck-tribune-miss-north-dakota-u/162553576/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Bismarck Tribune |location=Bismarck, North Dakota |pages=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Bismarck | |- |Ohio |Carol Hagerman |20 |Columbus | |- |Oregon |Rose Karcha<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 25, 1955 |title=Rose Karcha of Salem wins in beauty contest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-journal-miss-oregon-usa-1955/162551676/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Capital Journal |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |20 |Salem | |- |Pennsylvania |Marianne Marcus<ref name=":3" /> |18 |McKees Rocks | |- |Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |Doris Sommer Klein |21 |Philadelphia | |- |Rhode Island |Beverly Jansen<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1955 |title=Candidates for Miss Universe crown |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wagrAAAAIBAJ&dq=Jane+Louise+Bartolotta&pg=PA11 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Telegraph |pages=11 |via=Google Books}}</ref> |20 |Providence | |- |South Carolina |Sara Ella Stone<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raymond |first=Robert |date=July 3, 1955 |title=New S.C. queen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-miss-south-caroli/162552807/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Charlotte Observer |location=Charlotte, North Carolina |pages=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |20 |Florence | |- |South Dakota |Phyllis Elaine Choquette<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 2, 1955 |title=Queenly reward |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sioux-city-journal-miss-south-dakota/162556075/ |access-date=January 9, 2025 |work=The Sioux City Journal |pages=19 |publication-place=Sioux City, Iowa |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Jefferson | |- |St. Louis, Missouri |Bennie Joan Pritchard |20 |University City | |- |Tennessee |Barbara Gurley<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 2, 1955 |title=Barbara Gurley winner over 20 for beauty title |pages=11 |work=The Commercial Appeal |location=Memphis, Tennessee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-july-2-1955-bar/124840328/ |access-date=May 17, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |24 |Memphis | |- |Texas |Mary Miles Daughters<ref>{{Cite news |title=Miss Texas A&I |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kilgore-news-herald-miss-texas-usa-1/162551428/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Kilgore News Herald |location=Kilgore, Texas |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Kingsville | |- |Utah |Myrna Joy Rasmussen<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 14, 1955 |title=Beautiful 'Miss Utah' off for world contest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/deseret-news-miss-utah-usa-1955/162554645/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |pages=26 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |21 |Salt Lake City | |- |Vermont |Carlene King Johnson<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 16, 1955 |title=Beauties meet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/standard-speaker-1955-miss-usa-clipping/121030059/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=Standard-Speaker |location=Hazleton, Pennsylvania |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |22 |Rutland |Top 15 at Miss Universe 1955<ref name=":6" /><br>Previously Miss Vermont 1953 |- |Virginia |Jeannie Asble<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dick |date=July 11, 1955 |title=Norfolk County model gets shot at Miss Universe title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-virginian-pilot-miss-virginia-usa-19/162554301/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The Virginian-Pilot |location=Norfolk, Virginia |pages=36 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Portsmouth | |- |Washington |Shirley Jean Givins |20 |Seattle | |- |West Virginia |Barbara Jean Tucker |19 |St. Albans | |- |Wisconsin |Jeanne Marianne Bouley<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 30, 1955 |title=Contestant visits here |pages=14 |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |location=Green Bay, Wisconsin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-june-30-1955/124840251/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |19 |Fond du Lac | |- |Wyoming |Barbara Kaye Latta<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 1955 |title=Salutes oil show |pages=1 |work=Casper Star-Tribune |location=Casper, Wyoming |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/casper-star-tribune/124838986/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |18 |Casper | |}
== Notes == <references group="lower-alpha" responsive="1"></references>
== References == <references responsive="1"></references>
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.missusa.com|Miss USA official website}}
{{Miss USA}} {{United States representatives at Miss World}}
1955 Category:1955 in the United States Category:1955 beauty pageants Category:1955 in California 1955