

She sued, but the pageant finally remembered to include a rule barring married women from competing for the Miss America crown. Miss Boston was revealed to be married and placed in the professional division.

Other notable 1924 judges included Norman Rockwell and Earl Carroll. Judge’s Chairman and famed artist Howard Chandler Christy returned for his fourth straight year to serve in this capacity. Informal judge’s interviews continued as a part of judging in those early years to assess personality and intelligence. Nichols, and his Board of Directors extended the event to five days. In fact, even more newspapers sent representatives, and the new Pageant Director, General Armand T. The Newspaper Publishers Association issued a bulletin advising its members to disassociate themselves with the pageant as it has supplied Atlantic City with “the most flagrant use of free publicity.” Not one paper backed out. The original “Inter-City Beauty” contestants. While trying to popularize wearing a one-piece swimsuit with tights instead of the standard bloomers, Annette’s involvement raised many eyebrows. Lesser awards to finalists include swimwear and trophies by designer Annette Kellerman, a woman widely known for her scandalous 1907 arrest for indecent exposure. Riding on a wave of popularity from the previous day, Margaret Gorman won this event, too.

They competed against the winners of “professional” and “amateur” ranks, representing over two hundred women, for the elusive Golden Mermaid. The next day, based on the popularity of the visiting Inter-City Beauties, they were also entered into the Bather’s Revue. She would also win a trophy for her appearance in the Boardwalk Parade noting her popularity with the crowds of parade-goers. Sixteen year-old Margaret Gorman, “Miss Washington, D.C.” (and a Mary Pickford look-a-like) would eventually win the Watkins Trophy in this event. It was judged on 50 percent audience applause and 50 percent judges’ decision after a day of mingling with the contestants, and a final appearance on stage. Jumping on the extra media attention the newspaper contests elicited, frolic organizers decided to include yet another event just for them: the “Inter-City Beauty” contest to be held September 7th.
