Machine Description

Beauty Queens, released by D. Gottlieb & Co. in the late 1960s, represents a classic example of the electro-mechanical pinball era that celebrated the pageantry and glamour of beauty contests, which were at their peak of cultural relevance during this period. The machine's theme capitalized on the widespread popularity of beauty pageants like Miss America and Miss Universe, which dominated television programming and public interest during the 1960s.

The machine featured typical EM-era gameplay elements including pop bumpers, kick-out holes, and standard flippers, decorated with artwork depicting beauty pageant contestants and crowns. The backglass likely showcased contestants in evening gowns and tiaras, following the artistic style common to Gottlieb's productions of this era. The playfield would have included various scoring features themed around pageant elements like talent competitions and evening wear segments.

While not one of Gottlieb's most famous titles, Beauty Queens represents an important historical snapshot of both pinball design and American popular culture of the 1960s. The theme choice reflects the era's fascination with beauty contests and their prominence in entertainment, while the mechanical architecture demonstrates the engineering standards of pre-solid state pinball machines. Though production numbers are not definitively known, machines from this era typically saw production runs between 1,000 and 3,000 units.