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The One and Only Jewish Miss America

“The One and Only Jewish Miss America” is the surprising story of Bess Myerson, the talented beauty queen from the Bronx, and how she won the world’s most famous beauty pageant 75 years ago, at the tail end of World War II. The film follows Bess, the middle daughter of poor Russian immigrants, from her childhood in a one-bedroom Jewish housing project apartment through the suspense-filled pageant. Impressed by the college-educated musician, the judges chose her in spite of anonymous threatening phone calls and sponsor disapproval of a Jewish pageant winner. On her 1945 Miss America tour, Bess faced antisemitism and closed doors at race-restricted venues which did not allow Jews. It is also a story of courage as her disappointment turned to determination, leading Bess Myerson to start her own tour to teach tolerance at high schools and colleges around the country -- a tour which launched her lifelong passion for justice.

  • David Arond
    Director
    "Mother of The Year" (MacArthur Foundation Award documentary), "Houseboat Philosopher" and "Those Who Came Before" (PBS documentaries)
  • Codi Ruttenbur
    Writer
    A Super Hero Comedy, Neila 5712 AD
  • David Arond
    Producer
    "Mother of The Year" (MacArthur Foundation Award documentary), "Houseboat Philosopher" and "Those Who Came Before" (PBS documentaries)
  • Barra Grant
    Key Cast
    "Daughter of Bess Myerson"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    51 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 29, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - David Arond

Starting as a sound effects editor in Hollywood, David mentored with an award-winning post-production team and discovered the power of sound and music to turn visual imagery into an emotional and visceral experience. David segued into non-fiction, story telling, creating documentaries for PBS, including "Mother of the Year," a MacArthur Foundation Award Winner. Other award-winning include "Houseboat Philosopher" and "Those Who Came Before." His PBS TV work includes producing/directing the weekly series "On The Internet" with Leo LePorte, of Tech TV. David's extensive international film and journalism work includes a stint in Moscow as bureau chief and broadcast journalist for Worldwide Television News, London, and Public Broadcast’s Nightly Business Report, and projects in Mexico, Brazil, Europe, Central Asia, and Australia where he worked with some of the world’s top film crews and journalists.

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Director Statement

I wanted to release this film on the 75th anniversary of the landmark moment when Bess Myerson, daughter of poor Jewish immigrants, rocked Atlantic City in September 1945 when she was crowned Miss America against all odds. I have been intrigued with the surprising story of how Bess -- a tall skinny girl who grew up thinking she was ugly -- became “The One and Only Jewish Miss America.” The story starts with Bess, growing up speaking Yiddish in the 1920s in the Bronx with her two sisters, gentle father, and very complicated mother who was determined her daughters would be educated and musical. As a concert pianist and one of the few college graduates in the 1945 Miss America pageant, Bess wowed the crowd with her talent and poise. Viewers will see how Bess's background shaped her ambition and her passion for racial and ethnic equality. That childhood -- and the crushing crucible of antisemitism -- made her a leader, both during the pageant and in her later life.