I’ve been recently clearing out the study of late friend and historian Dr Dan Waters, so for someone also interested and working in Hong Kong history, it’s a treasure trove of books and newspaper articles. Sometimes the subject that Dan saved the cutting for is of less interest to me, but t’s the stuff all around it, marking a certain time in the city’s recent development. Today’s article is from the “Hongkong Standard”, The Independent Newspaper with Confidence in Hong Kong, Sunday Edition, June 2, 1985. Vol: XXXVI No. 149 - $1.50 None of the articles have bylines. It’s of that year’s Miss Hongkong pageant, and my favourite line is
“Purists stifled a chuckle at the imagination of the TVB researchers for selecting a Moulin Rouge tart’s dress for the British national costume”
Here's the article:
Giant wit in tiny Queen Tse
TWELVE, they say can be an unlucky number, but while not all the 15 finalists for the Miss HongKong pageant could win, one could not help feeling sorry for the losers who had put up such a gallant fight. But when it came down to the final judgment, it was 21-year-old secretary Tse Ning, who took the crown.
Tse, a svelte beauty with short-cropped hair, looked stunned at the news of her victory. Amidst applause, she was wrapped in the pageant’s traditional gown, handed the scepter and crowned while she stood radiant in her cheongsam, overcome by the emotion of her success.
Ms Tse’s performance last night was not considered particularly impressive but her calm poise and witty answers in last week’s semi-final could have impressed the judging panel.
The new beauty queen who stands 1.6 metres and weighs 45.5 kgs is one of the smallest contestants to win the prestigious pageant.
She will represent Hongkong at the Miss Universe contest to be held in Miami in July. Ms Tse, who said her ambition was to become a musician, also won a wardrobe worth $15,000 and $20,000 in cash.
The first runner-up was Miss Aleen Lo, a 19-year-old assistant public relations officer who stands 1.75 metres.
The second runner-up title went to Miss Ellen Wong, a doctor’s assistant, also aged 19. She was considered to be a hot contender for the title in the speculation stakes.
Also selected as winners, although on a smaller scale in the pageant, were Miss Ivy Sung, who became Miss Friendship, and Miss Marina Lau, who gained the title Miss Young.
Fifteen contestants competed in the two-hour spectacular held at the Lee Garden Theatre in Causeway Bay, climaxing months of preparation for the show by TVB organisers.
Sitting on the judging panel were Secretary for Administrative Services and Information, Mr Peter Tsao; the director of the Hongkong Academy for performing Arts, Dr Basil Deane; Legislative Councillor Dr K.Y.S. Cham; veteran actress and film producer Miss Miranda Yang Lin, and former model and fashion designer Miss Judy Mann.
Onlookers crammed the surrounding streets to catch a glimpse of Hongkong’s glitterati (the beautiful people) hours before the show began. The press also lingered around the venue to ensure they could get in and gain the best possible positions.
The audience was sprinkled with well-known profiles, including Sir Run Run Shaw, Miss Lydia Dunn, ATV chairman Mr Deacon Chiu and a bevy of previous Miss Hongkong’s.
The line-up began with the contestants parading in assorted national costumes culled from an assortment of countries. Purists stifled a chuckle at the imagination of the TVB researchers for selectin a Moulin Rouge tart’s dress for the British national costume.
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