The Tenth Annual International Debutante Ball (1964)

Duration: 0:31:37

Year Published: 1964

Format: 16mm

Sound: sound

Description: Begun in 1954 and continuing to present day, the International Debutante Ball is considered one of the world's most exclusive coming-out parties and charity events. The Tenth Annual International Debutante Ball, seen here, was held on December 29, 1964, at New York City's Hotel Astor as a benefit for the Kidney Disease Foundation. The New York Times described the setting as a “cotton-candy world of pink for femininity and silver for elegance.” This film represents the second of two reels, capturing the latter portion of the event. (As a result, the ball’s opening, conducted by Patricia Nixon and her father, Richard Nixon, is not seen.) The footage begins as the debutantes are presented in alphabetical order by their home state. Each of the debutantes bears two escorts: a beau and an Honor Guard from either the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the United States Military Academy at West Point, or the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. The three debutantes from Texas steal the show with their elaborate curtsies, including the “Texas Dip.” Present-day debutantes still perform the move. Filmed for television, this coverage of the ball aired later that night on New York City's Channel 11, WPIX.