Getbig Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Forums
Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => History - Stories - and Memories => Topic started by: stuntmovie on June 02, 2013, 11:09:32 AM
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This will be how I remember that 2 mile stretch of beach that started at the Santa Monica Pier (Original Muscle Beach area) and ran south to what I think was the Venice Beach Pier and is presently simply Venice Beach which houses the PIT we now know as the present Muscle Beach.
Will include pictures that I have taken over the years as well as some taken off the internet.
Also, this is the History Board on Getbig for other threads...
http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?board=20.0
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How strong was Marvin really?
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This is information, given your history, which will be very welcomed by me. Thank you.
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Gonna be a great thread.
THE BEEF
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Let'er rip, Stunt. Would really like to see the early(iest) pics you've got.
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This will be a great thread. Stuntmovie has a wealth of information regarding the golden age of bodybuilding.
Looking forward to the pictures and write-ups!
"1"
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Thanks to you GetBiggers who have already responded, but I gotta admit that I wasn't in to taking photos way back then .... mainly because I really couldn't afford a camera nor pay for the Kodak processing fee.
But I'll be naming lots of names of individuals you may have never heard of who were the true 'foundation' of this present bodybuilding-world and will do my best to grab some photos off the net to liven up this ancient day expose, even though I won't have much to say that is derogatory.
Just the facts as I personally witnessed them with my own two eye-balls.
JOE, I am glad you will be reading this because I am a complete shit-head when it comes to dates, so please feel free to correct me when I screw up. I am not the type of person who is easily offended .... unless you come at me with a baseball bat.
Believe me.... I've faced worse than any piece of sporting equipment.
WARNING for short attention span GetBiggers ...... I write very long paragraphs, but each word is easily understood.
JWB.. To the best of my knowledge .... I never met Marvin Elder.
Sorry
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Stunt is a legend and a great poster I salute him
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Semper Fi, Arce!
To continue ...... First Trip to LA and First Muscle Beach Visit and the Biggest Bodybuilder I Ever Met! So Far. But that was only the beginning,
Once upon a time – a long time ago – I lived in Northern California in the City by the Bay called San Fancisco.
There was another kid, but older than myself, who lived across the Bay who never had a cold nor a cavity. His name was Steve Reeves.
As a kid I climbed trees and since we lived within walking distance to the Golden Gate Park, I had an unlimited number of trees to assult.
We had a summer cabin 72 miles north of the city in an area that was inundated by some of the world’s tallest Redwood trees , but I was too damn short to reach the lowest branch and by the time I was tall enough and strong enough to make a successful attempt, one of the local, full blooded, America Indians of the region told me that only the eagles went up that high and young kids never should for that would be disrespectful
So I was polite and never did climb a Redwood tree!
But a lot of those trees in Golden Gate Park got to know me well.
Climbing trees on a daily basis creates a lot of strength and functional muscle and allowed me to be the strongest kid in class throughout my grammar school years.
Oh yea! ….. I also ran the San Francisco beach from the zoo to the Clif House at least three times a week and have been told that I have ‘occupied’ that beach more than any other living San Francisco city dweller.
Then high school came along and Steve Reeves, who lived across the Bay, advised me, “Get big, kid!” …. so I joined a neighborhood gym and learned how to lift heavy things by gym members who were bigger and stronger than myself but five to ten years older.
Yada, yada, yada …. Short version … I was a strong kid throughout my grammar and high school years as a result of climbing trees and lifting heavy things.
Then some family members got into the Hollywood film production business and invited me to visit LA-LA Land anytime I wanted.
So one day I stolde my dad’s car and drove south only to discover that it was much further from the Bay Area than I had anticipated.
Van Nuys was mainly ranches back then and places where horses were trained for the movies. But it was way too far from any beach and there were no climbing trees in sight.
And the only ‘gym’ was Muscle Beach in Santa Monica.
“Wow! A beach for running and a gym for lifting …. All in one location! That’s ideal!”
So I drove over the hill to the small beach town of Santa Monica (very small back then), and parked my car up the hill from the pier and walked down to find myself directly in front of a small fenced in area that contained rusty dumbbells and rusty barbells and one big muscle-bound-dude who introduced himself as DOUG STROHL who invited me to join in a workout since there was no one else around to spot him.
I said, “Thanks, but I have to run this beach first!”
So I ran to the water’s edge, turned south and began my three mile run into the unknown toward what I was to discover as the Venice Beach area which was entirely different back then than it is today. (Anyone recall Lawrence Welk?)
And that’s where this story begins.
Actually it’s where my future life began.
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Doug Strohl....
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So the weights were where the rings and stuff are now?
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Semper Fidelis
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JWB.... TO THE BEST of my recollection the weight "pit" was a bit closer to the pier and maybe close to the west of the present lifeguard headquaters.
WARNING – NOT TOO MUCH BODYBUILDING INFO IN THIS PART.
So it’s early and I’m jogging along the water’s edge heading in a southerly direction with no idea of what I’ll be seeing along the way. Nor any idea of what I’m running towards.
I’ve seen the ocean way too many times to be too interested so as I’m running I’m concentrating on the buildings, homes and churches that are built along the beachfront but it’s early and still overcast and there’s no one on the beach except a heard of seagulls facing into the breeze.
Half way go my unknown destination I run under a wooden pier that has what appears to be an old wooden roller coaster way out beyond the breakes.
Years later that same old pier would become Pacific Ocean Park – someone’s attempt to compete against the must more ambitious park that was recently opened further south in an old orange grove and strawberry field and occupied by a bunch of mice and called Disneyland.
And years later that POP would close down for reasons I have long forgottem.
But it wasn’t too very long ago that that well worn pier would be destroyed by a huge storm that tore it all apart. (Or was it a fire, JOE??)
And once it was destroyed PETER and DAVID (or just one of them) would gather up the pieces and use them to construct his home in the hills above the Pacific just south of Malibu. (I never did see that home but Keith told me this story several times and he knew the brothers very well.)
Peter and David need no introduction to you knowledgeable GetBiggers so I’ll let you fill in the blanks but I’ll be crossing paths with one or both of them a few years later. (Always a funny and enjoyable experience.)
Hate to admit this but I never did see any of their movies.
So that old pier is part of a home right now.
So once pass the pier with the wooden roller coaster there was nothing except old homes and churches along the beachfront and only on my return route would I discover that those old churches were actually old synagogs and every beachfront bench was occupied by old Jewish grandmas and grandpas who recently arrived from various parts of Europe after WWII and they all seemed to speak a very strange language.
So I finally reached my run’s end at Venice Beach and at that time I sort of recall it being nothing b ut a vacant beach with lots of old Jewish folks sitting on beachfront benches waiting for the sun to shine.
There used to be huge pier there but it was long gone.
NEXT UP ... The ten cent ride back to Muscle Beach...
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JWB, I should add this.
I have no idea who started calling Muscle Beach "Muscle Beach". A more appropriate name would have been Circus Beach as the muscle part of it was somewhat secondary to the gymnasts and circus performers who practiced there by the 100's each and every weekend.
The actual weight lifting area was actually about 30 X 50 feet and surrounded by a 3 foot wooden 'fence' with a wooden container on one end in which the gear was stored when no one was using it. (All figures are estimates only.)
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good thread, i can't wait for the next installment.
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THE TEN CENT RIDE TO MUSCLE BEACH and WAS THIS JOE’S FIRST?
As I said earlier, there wasn’t too much to see back then in the Venice Beach area. The huge Venice Beach Pier was no longer there and no one seemed to speak English (I talk to everyone if I can understand them but Yiddish was way beyond my comprehension).
And the sun was starting to make an appearence through the clouds so I decided to take the easy way back to Muscle Beach.
The ‘easy way back’ was an electric ‘trolly’ that ran every half hour or so between Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier right along the beach-front road. And it only cost a dime (which was a lot of money back then).
But I could afford it so I hopped aboard with a couple of dozen Jewish folks heading home from a nearby market and a couple of ducks that would be somene’s dinner that evening. Oh yea! … even a few Rabbis hopped on board.
Electric trollys go very slow and stop very often whenever someone yells something that means, “Let me off here, you putz!”. So by the time we reached Muscle Beach I was the only one left without a duck or a bag full of groceries or a yamaka. And the driver said, “Your stop,buddy!”
The first English words I’d heard since leaving Muscle Beach an hour or so earlier.
So by the time I reached the weight enclosure, the sun was out and the place was way too crowded and I was way too little. So I left with the hope of finding a gym that hard four walls and a ceiling and close nearby
So I took a stroll and managed to see a building about two hundred yards south of the weight ‘pit” that looked like it could possibly have a weight room inside of it.
That building still exists today and is known as the Sea Castle …. A very expensive residence for people who have money and like to live in a beachfront building. It once had a life as a drug recuperaton home and b efore that it appeared to be some type of private beach club.
I walked around it and sure enough I noticed a small door on the east side of the building which was the front of that building back then. I opened that door and sure enough it was a gym with some sturdy looking equipment but no one was inside.
Actually it could have been a storage room for this sturdy looking gym equipment. There was no such thing as sturdy gym equipment as far as I can recall back then, so this gear caught my interest.
So I did a real fast workout thinking I’d be found and tossed out but no one came in to do any tossing.
The tossing would occur hours late at the 20th Century Fox front gate
I can’t find anyone today who can verify this but I think that this happened to be the fvery first gym that was under the control of Joe Gold himself and I never did ask him personally before he passed away.. But the equipment appeared to be the same as Joe made himself many years later.
You gotta remember that there were no gym chains such as Gold’s or World’s back then. Those were to come about a few years later.
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FUNK! THANKS! I wish I could make it more exciting but I am determined to only write about the things that I have personally seen without resorting to the 'who-did-what-to whom" stuff that is seldom or never seen by anyone but often spoken about.
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Short note here. Not bodybuilding related.
That afternoon I left Muscle Beach/Santa Monica by way of Pico Blvd.
2oth Century Fox Studios is located on Pico roughly 5 miles from the beach and since I always have been a big movie fan and since some of my family was in the movie business I thought I'd think of some way to sneak onto the lot by the time I got to the front gate.
The only plan I came up with during that 12 minute ride was ..... to drive up to the Gate and announce my presence as a big 20th Century Fox movie making fan whose family was also in the business
The guard was courtious enough to listen to my two minute speal and "pretended" to make a courtesy call to some higher-up only to turn to me and say, "Sorry Bub! Move along!"
Little did that Gate Guard know that years later I would be a privledged guest of that very same studio and receive the original 'score sheet' of the 20th Century Fox Fanfare.
But that's story for a later time.
Yada.... Yada.... Yada
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Nice thread Stuntmovie! My brother is a photographer, and has lived in the Santa Monica, Venice area for over 40 years! He has seen all the changes and also has a lot of pics! see if I can post some!
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Thanks, RON! That wold be great if you could help me out here!
And it is possible that I know your brother.
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bumping for stuntmovie - I love this man's stories.
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Do you have the kneeling lat pose by Doug Strohl? That was a classic shot.
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Stunt movie is a LEGEND.
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Stunt, I believe it was fire:
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May I suggest this thread be pinned, please?
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May I suggest this thread be pinned, please?
Joe, I agree, this is gonna be a good one!
~Dave
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JOE, Remind me to email you in a week or two.
VINCE, Sorry but I never did see that shot of Strohl.
SIDE NOTES: Here is a bit of info I should have added earlier which JOE might be able to elaborate on.
Back in the very late 50's and the 60's when bodybuilding contests in the LA region were only held in three facilities that I am familiar with .... Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, the outdoor theater on Venice Beach, an the Embassy Auditorium in Downtown LA.
And since bodybuilding and competitive bodybuilding were almost non-existent within the MINDS of roughly 99.9% of the US population .... and considered pretty damn foolish by the majority of that remaining .1% ...... there were actually very few real bodybuilders in the SoCal area.
Few enough bodybuilders that any bodybuilding contest that was held in the region only drew 8 - 12 competitors .... and 5 or more of those competitors shouldn't have been up theire in the first place.
HELL! I think that Bill "Peanuts" West even competed in one such event. (For you who don't know of whom I speak, Google "Bill Peanuts West". And while you're at it, Google "George Frenn" also.)
I'm too lazy to do that right now but they were the two leading individuals within the Odd-Lifting world back then.... and total characters and loyal supporters of all things that involved the lifting of heavy things and replacing them in proper places.)
Bodybuilding Competitor who usually showed up in the early 60's.
Reg and Sheiri Lewis .... Reg was a great bodybuilder and his wife was a real beauty back then.
Ed Holovchik ... Edd was tall and good looking so he appeared in 38 Hollywood and foreign movie and TV shows.
I'll have to call Gene Mozee and recall the names of at least 6 others. Gene MC'd a lot of these events and still stays in contact with many of those who are still among the living.
(Just called Gene, but there was no answer. He must know it's me! Time to call Everson who has a better memory even though he was still a twinkle in his father's eye!)
One last bit of info before I continue with the 'history lesson' if and when my memory allows.
There was a guy whose name I have long forgotten whose year-round diet consisted of nothing but tuna and honey and water. (Actually ... it could have been less than year-round.)
He would scoop a can of tuna into a nylon stocking and squeeze it till the tuna was completely void of oil. (Tuna was not packed in water back then.)
The result would be tuna with the consistency of dried sawdust.
I've never seen anyone as ripped as that individual and he won every beach event he entered and the "tuna in the nylon sock" type of diet became popular as a contest prep.
The smell of tuna was a common 'fraquance" (odor) at ever bodybuilding event in southern California for a good long while........
...... and the above is probably of primary interest to Johnny F.
PS.. SORRY FOR THE SPELLING ERRORS.
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added a pic of ed h aka ed fury , if you don't mind.
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Stuntmovie, creepy schmoeism with class
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ARMY, I don't know if I should thank ya or punch ya. What branch of the service are you in?
FUNK, Thanks.
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reg lewis
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Found a similar Strohl kneeling lat shot.
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I have a question, is Muscle Beach where they have the fenced in gym? How does that work? Do you have to purchase a membership or is it like a public park? How do they keep people from vandalizing it/stealing the equipment and plates? ???
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reg lewis
man. U know your fucked up wen there r two good looking women on that cover but u just can't stop looking at that guys build. Sorry to say never heard Reg but what a classic build. Great thread.
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I have a question, is Muscle Beach where they have the fenced in gym? How does that work? Do you have to purchase a membership or is it like a public park? How do they keep people from vandalizing it/stealing the equipment and plates? ???
currently yes there is a membership fee. If I recall there is an area that can lock the weights up but I'm not sure about that.
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;)
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This will be how I remember that 2 mile stretch of beach that started at the Santa Monica Pier (Original Muscle Beach area) and ran south to what I think was the Venice Beach Pier and is presently simply Venice Beach which houses the PIT we now know as the present Muscle Beach.
Will include pictures that I have taken over the years as well as some taken off the internet.
Please share G4P stories too.
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Joe, I agree, this is gonna be a good one!
~Dave
x3 pin this please, mods.
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Great thread Stunt ......I look forward to all you have to share here with us ......I recall call you remember guys that were around during the early that were better than Reeves and just as Handsome ......Reeves is one of my all time favorites ......Did any of those guys ever compete ? Or do recall their dimensions? ....Who were the hardest training ? And the strongest back then ? [ Can you give some examples ] Thanks again ......keep this thing going ...
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i wouldnt mind visiting there someday
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Love these historical stories from Venice Beach! Thanks.
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bumped for next installment.
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ALL you GetBiggers who are posting these old time photos .... Thanks! It saves me a lot of time in an attempt to make this more interesting.
Here is the question I have for anyone who may be knowledgeable and not simply "guess-able" or "rumor-able" which I highly think do not exist.
"WHAT WAS THE EXACT REASON WHY THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA CLOSED DOWN THE WEIGHT PIT AT MUSCLE BEACH?"
I have heard a few rumors that would make Hurricane Beef perk up his ears, but maybe he can enlighten us with the facts.
One such rumor was the talk of sexual shenanigans beneath the pier between one of the bodybuilders and a young lady which could be factual because if I recall it correctly, it was only the wt lifters who were affected.
I say "weight lifters" because no other group of Muscle Beach participants were effected by the closing of the PIT and the gymnasts and circus type folks continued to do their thing every weekend in front of a very large crowd of beach-goers.
And I gotta end this post to tell you all that the vast majority people who used the pit to lift those rusty weights were not bodybuilders. A good number of them were simply guys who wanted to see how strong they were or to show off in front of their friends, etc.
But it was the relatively, very few actaul bodybuilders who got the recognition and believe me when I say THERE WERE VERY FEW.
Most of the folks you see in those old Muscle Beach photos were hand balancing performers, contortionists, acrobats, and circus folks. And even some side show freaks.
One weekly visitor could squeeze himself into a box no bigger than an Army footlocker and there were more than one performer who had rubber bones. And one real old timer who had an amazing muscle-control routine.
How it got the name Muscle Beach is still a mystery to me.
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This is a great shot of what appears to be the old Santa Monica Muscle Beach weight pit.
I'm not sure if it was called a 'pit' back then but this photo will give you a damn good idea of where on the beach it was located if you are somewhat familiar with that part of Santa Monica.
The pointed roof in the background appears to be the Merry GO Round building and now there is a Life Guard Headquarters complex that stand two floors tall between the PIT and the Pier on which the Merry GO Round sits.
One interesting bit of information for our GetBig historians is that some of the old Muscle Beach photos will show some old beachfront homes in the background.
They are not there any longer but we had the opportunity to buy one of these old beach homes in the early 70's for something like $34,000 but failed to do so. E
Today ven that vacant parcel of land would be worth millions.
Next up or soon to follow .... How we met Steve Reeves and a bit of history about that subject.
Steve has or did have a relative on this Board. Maybe she'll pitch in and help me with the dates.
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NOTE; IF YOU HAVE SHORT ATTENTION SPAN OR GET BORED EASILY … DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING……..
This one goes back to the very beginning of my memory bank so you gotta excuse me if you think I’m lieing.
I won’t bE lieing but I might be forgetting how it all exactly happened.
My dad was born and raised across the Bay from San Francisco on some country land a few miles east of Oakland.
My dad was a tree cutter when he was a kid (yea a lumber-jack but only when school allowed, and Yea, he cut down redwood trees which he came to regret later on in his lifetime.)
He knew Steve and he also knew George Eifferman and a couple of the other weight lifting pioneers back in them good old days.
So when I was real young we somehow all got together at a lake in the Oakland Hills for a picnic or some other friendly gathering.
That’s when I met Steve and that’s when he said, “Get big, kid!”. I was so young that I was sitting at the water’s edge with a shovel and a bucket. (Wild guess here but he must have been 18, 19, or 20).
A few years later we spent the summer months in a poplar spot called RIO NIDO on the Russian River. Out cabin was on the river and we knew just about everyone in Rio Nido,
But on the weekends it seemed that the whole of Northern California would arrive in Rio Nido for fun, dancing, romance and a lot of hard core drinking.
I was the kid that was always there so eveeybody sort of knew me as 'the kid who's always here!'
I had a great tan!
So one weekend evening Reeves and his power-lifting buddy showed up to have a good time and some friends came by the cabin to tell me that there was a big fignt going on and Reeves was involved.
The ‘fight’ must have lasted all of 12 seconds because by the time I got there the participants were long gone but everyone was talking about how Reeves got sucker punched by some obnoxious asshole and so did his friend by another obnoxious asshole . (Their words, not mine.)
I put two and two together and figured it was a coordinated sucker punch due to some form of jealousy because Steve was not the type of guy who went looking for trouble.
Reeves was sort of a popular teenager because of the publicity he got in one of the Oakland newspapers when his mother gave an interview about her son and the fact that he never had a cold nor a cavity and his class-mates always did a lot of bragging about knowing him and what a good guy he was.
The next time I saw Reeves was while I was doing some heavy bench-presses at a small gym called American Health Studio in the downtown area of San Francisco before heading off to work in the SF Post office as a nixie picker. (That's the guy who goes around picking up all the mail that was sorted incorrectly. A monkey could do it if he could count to 10.)
My math was good so I got that job.
I finished a heavy set and looked up and there he was with a kind of congratulatory nod. After my final set, I looked up and he was gone.
Then many years later I called him and invited him to be our Special Guest at a show we were promoting.
He agreed and did show up and spend a week meeting people he had never met before.
I gotta admit that that was a memorial get together because a few short years later he would pass away.
We discussed many things ,,,, the present ‘condition’ of the bodybuilding world as he saw it, the use of roids which he felt was ruining it, and a lot about his movie career. We even had to take a break at a function that was showing his first Hercules film so he could sit down for a few minutes and watch it. But once the credits rolled he got up and shook hands with everyone in the room.
There’s much more to this because I have neglected Eifferman and a couple of other of Steve Reeves’ friends, and passing bys on numerous occasions, but they were all great and colorful characters and I’m glad that I had the chance to know them a little bit while they were all here on Planet Earth.
So that’s the facts with no exaggeration.
I hope it didn’t bore no one to death.
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Excellent memory and good stories.
Ever meet Malcolm Brenner (name wrong?) who was top level during the 50's, around Muscle Beach. Rumor Isaac Berger(Olympic lifter) had something to do with that underage girl thing, back then. The city padlocked the equipment after that.
The old Embassy Aud (Grand Blvd?) held the Mr. LA, Mr.SoCal and Mr. California, usually every year for quite a while. The BB'ing shows were held after the Olympic lifting matches were all done with. BB'ing was more like a side show back then. Considered all freaks. Culver City Aud, held a few shows later on.
George Eiferman had a gym, on Cahuenga, in Hollywood. Sorry to say, it soon went belly up. Redpath and Marcy had fairly successful gyms and equipment businesses. The Connors (name wrong?....on little Santa Monica Blvd) gym had quite a few athletes working out there (UCLA, etc). Bert Goodrich (Hollywood Blvd, second floor) had show business/movie people (actors, etc) working out there. This all during the 50's and early 60's.
From what I have read, and stories from men who had first hand experiences back in the day, things seemed so much simpler back than..more friendly in BB'ing.
Thanks again for all the stories...love any kind of history.
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This is a great shot of what appears to be the old Santa Monica Muscle Beach weight pit.
I'm not sure if it was called a 'pit' back then but this photo will give you a damn good idea of where on the beach it was located if you are somewhat familiar with that part of Santa Monica.
The pointed roof in the background appears to be the Merry GO Round building and now there is a Life Guard Headquarters complex that stand two floors tall between the PIT and the Pier on which the Merry GO Round sits.
One interesting bit of information for our GetBig historians is that some of the old Muscle Beach photos will show some old beachfront homes in the background.
They are not there any longer but we had the opportunity to buy one of these old beach homes in the early 70's for something like $34,000 but failed to do so. E
Today ven that vacant parcel of land would be worth millions.
Next up or soon to follow .... How we met Steve Reeves and a bit of history about that subject.
Steve has or did have a relative on this Board. Maybe she'll pitch in and help me with the dates.
I know some bb drugs were around in the 1950's, but is it safe to assume those guys in the photo are natty? ???
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JPM !! WOW!!! You have mentoned individuals I've lomg forgotten and I hope to respond in a later post.
TIMES WERE SO MUCH SIMPLER THEN is definately an understatement which I hope to address shortly.
Were you at any of those Embassy events when GENE MOZEE served as MC?
Or were you there when Corvello won the CAL title or when some guy was pulled off stage by a big hook for being really bad and ignoring the rotten tomatoes? Or when Jerry Daniels wlon the A
I have a feeling that our paths could have possibly crossd.
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PIP, I'll be responding to your "were they natty" question shortly and I think I'll make a few decent enemies in the process.
Remind me if I fuck up and forget.
And remind me to address your ' better than Reeves back then' question also.
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PIP, I'll be responding to your "were they natty" question shortly and I think I'll make a few decent enemies in the process.
Remind me if I fuck up and forget.
Cool, that's something I've wondered about. I look forward to it!
I have a photo of my grandfather in Korea (during the war) with some guys that are more jacked than anyone at my gym. It's something I've also wondered about.
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POWERLIFT 66. Wanna know some ODD LIFTING and POWERLIFTING historical stuff? I'd post it here but these bodybuilding fans and/or antagonists might rebel and call me a Blue Nosed Gopher whch the kids accuse me of when they don't get ice cream before dinner.
I'll be glad when summer's over and they get back to college.
Let me know and I'll tell you stuff you may have never heard of or ever care to know.
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POWERLIFT 66. Wanna know some ODD LIFTING and POWERLIFTING historical stuff? I'd post it here but these bodybuilding fans and/or antagonists might rebel and call me a Blue Nosed Gopher whch the kids accuse me of when they don't get ice cream before dinner.
I'll be glad when summer's over and they get back to college.
Let me know and I'll tell you stuff you may have never heard of or ever care to know.
Stunt, that would be great. Anything to add to in this thread is appreciated. (BB and PL)..
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This is a great shot of what appears to be the old Santa Monica Muscle Beach weight pit.
I'm not sure if it was called a 'pit' back then but this photo will give you a damn good idea of where on the beach it was located if you are somewhat familiar with that part of Santa Monica.
The pointed roof in the background appears to be the Merry GO Round building and now there is a Life Guard Headquarters complex that stand two floors tall between the PIT and the Pier on which the Merry GO Round sits.
One interesting bit of information for our GetBig historians is that some of the old Muscle Beach photos will show some old beachfront homes in the background.
They are not there any longer but we had the opportunity to buy one of these old beach homes in the early 70's for something like $34,000 but failed to do so. E
Today ven that vacant parcel of land would be worth millions.
Next up or soon to follow .... How we met Steve Reeves and a bit of history about that subject.
Steve has or did have a relative on this Board. Maybe she'll pitch in and help me with the dates.
;D
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;)
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;)
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;)
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;)
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;)
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bumping for next installment.
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Reeves looks awesome. Just a natural.
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bumping for next installment.
GREAT PIC MIDDLE GUY IS RIPPED ,WEIRD POSE,GREAT SHAPE ON ALL 3,,GOOD STUFF BRO'S..
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Stuntmovie
Wish I could go back to those times, but I was born in '72. My uncles, and some of their friends, witnessed a lot of that stuff. Listened to the old stories of a lot of veteran weight men around "The Beach", friends of my uncles. I went to college (lucky football scholarship) in the greater L.A. area, my uncles lived in Hollywood, and I spent some time with them (their the one's who got me doing the old 20 rep breathing squat workouts...very worth the experience..great for off season football). Also was loaned a stack of the original IronMan magazines (very small size back than) from one old timer. Greatest magazine I ever read, about training, as a young man. Got a lot of solid information from them. The guy who loaned them out died and his wife threw all the IronMan mag's away. Almost brought me to tears when I found out about that. I would have gladly bought all of them.
When ever driving around Hollywood or L.A., either uncle would point where old gyms had been, and some stories to follow about them and the members. They said that Richard Tyler had been working the desk at Marcy's, on E. Sunset. Remember him? Later became a chiropractor and wrote for some muscle mag's. I trained at a Okinawa Te karate dojo a few blocks away, on Sunset, for awhile. Marcy's had been closed, if I remember right.
Heard that Bill Pearl was hard pressed to move from Manchester Blvd, after the riots, to Pasadena. But probably for the best (not BB'ing related, but I met the great Ed Parker, at his dojo in Pasadena. Really a nice and friendly man. The good really die young, I guess).
Thanks again for all the history of what was. And please keep them coming.
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Stunt, from my point of view you cannot cause me boredom with these stories. If others find the memories boring they have every right to not check back to this thread, but I have a hunch there will be many who care. The more details, the better.
Remember, please, to PM me in regard to my inquiry.
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Thanks, you all, for the positive remarks.
Shit! .....Even the negative ones are appreciated so if my memory banks fuck up a bit, don't hesitate to correct me. Call me what you want but say it politely
RIght now my curser is having difficulties and either locks up or jumps around so I may be computerless for a few days if I have to take it in for repairs.
FUNK and all.... Thanks for the Reeves shots. Some of which I've never seen. They are appreciated. I think I can identify some of the locations where they were taken. One being taken in Hawaii and another taken at Santa Monica Beach beneath the wall where Sea Castle apartments presently stand.
Most of the avid beach-goers would sit by that wall because it served as a bit of protection fron the sea breeze that would periodically kick up the sand. And it was something to lean against. Whoever took that picture was most likely standing beside that wall. (Getting too damn detailed here.)
The shot with Reeves and the kids appears to have been taken at Zuver's Gym which was located across the Bay on the Oakland side.
Some good stories about that someday.
JPM .... I hope to be posting lots of lifting stuff one of these days because for a pretty long part of my life I was deeply involved with the lifting of hevy things and those who excelled in stuff like that.
I had good friends who would simply lift my old VW out of a chain locked barrier while it was impounded for some dumb violation of some sorts. It took four of them to do it but my VW was back on the road within 30 seconds.
Plus you mentioned IronMan magazine ..... I didn't know them well but I had the opportunity to know Perry and Mabel Raider for a few years when they owned and published the original IronMan pub location.
They were great people. Very country.
Are you familiar with the names ... Mike Lambert / Bill Starr / Bill Peanuts West / Gus Rethwisch (spelling? Sorry, Gus!) / Pat Casey / Casmier / Fitton / etc.
All great in the weight game and always unforgettable for various an noteworthy reasons .
I hope to cover a lot of this later on ... but some of the stuff I want to pass on to interested GetBiggers ... I'll have to ask permission first.
But as I've said earlier ... I'll have to leave the scuttlebutt in Beef's arena because I only want to write about stuff I've personally seen or experienced without resorting to questionable rumors or inuendoes. (I gottta look that last word up some day.)
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PIP, I'll be responding to your "were they natty" question shortly and I think I'll make a few decent enemies in the process.
Remind me if I fuck up and forget.
Great thread. I hope you are not going to be the first person to expose the fact that guys were on Testosterone Propionate in the 1940's. :D
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;D
look @ those lifters in the check shirts
the original barbarians
i think the barb bro's copied them!
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PIP and BIG AL …. Here’s my best attempt to give you the most honest answer I possibly can regarding the use of roids in the 50’s and weather or not Reeves used them at all back then.
I can’t give you a definite YES or NO answer and anyone who says otherwise is definitely full of shit (respectfully stated) as far as I am concerned.
You have to understand that times were totally different back then and somewhat Victorian when compared to the way things are today … and drugs in any shape or form were considered to be taboo.
I find this somewhat difficult to explain to the younger generation because drug use is so common in most everyone’s life today but back then it was a completely different situation.
But … I have read and have been told about the use of strength enhancing drug usage among the Olympic lifters during the 50’s which is no big secret today.
But it wasi’nt until the 60’s that the used of roids among the bodybuilders gained popularity.
Debatable? Yes! …. But I can only rely on contrary opinions from individuals who were actually present and somehow involved within the time in question.
And from my point of view, Steve never looked like he used roids. He was gifted from birth and when he was real young one of the local Oakland newspapers even wrote an article about the fact that he never had a cold nor a cavity.
And much later we even had a conversation about roid usage throughout the world of sports (not just bodybuilding) and he was very sad and outspoken about their present use.
Add to the above the fact that I was pretty damn knowledgeable about physical conditioning and muscle growth in the 50’s and would have known if roids were available for physical enhancement purposes.
I will agree that anything is possible, but I’d be darn surprised if Reeves or Eifferman or any other bodybuilder of that period used them.
And the fact is that roids were not illegal back then ,… so no one had any reason to hide the fact they were using them.
Hell! Years later when they were still legal the guys would load up and shoot up in the locker room and throw the needles in an attempt to stick them in a dart board.
There were no secrets about using roids, but there were secrets about how much to use and which were the best to use in combination with the others
Those were individual secrets that were kept somewhat private in an effort to improve faster and better that those who they’d be competing against.
Unlike today, there were no secrets about using roids back then.
I’m not sure I explained this correctly but I am pretty damn sure that Reeves was a ‘natty’ back then ... and so were many other BB competitors in his day.
It wasn’t until the 60’s that there was a big change.
Anyone wanna fight!
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That's cool, thank you!!
Very interesting read!
I've seen cool old photos from that era, and even back to like 1900 with some really jacked fellows that would almost have to be natural.
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I'm not defending anyone, past or present, just some thoughts.
Can understand why today's BB'er/lifter thinks that everyone, who is superior in muscle size and strength, takes any form of steroids (actually there are more advanced forms of enhancements...simple steroids are almost becoming old school) but that's not always true. There are men (and women) who are natural powerful and larger in muscle size. They pretty much add even more strength and muscle size, not matter what type of lifting program their on, fairly easy. That is their genetic codex. Probably Reeves could wave around a couple of milk cartons and get bigger delts.
Would doubt very much if Reeves, or other BB'ers around that era, even came in contact with steroids. Steroids were in a pretty mild form back than and mainly taken in oral form (less affective). Unless they got shots, like the York Olympic team did in the early 60's. That would have been very expensive, to say the least.
But than again, I wasn't even born during that era, but have heard a lot of folklore about "the good old BB'ing days" from people who were there. Might be wrong, but would doubt that the genetic gifted, back in the day, ever used. Most of the BB'ers back than seem to have cleaner and classic lines...just didn't have that drugiee look.
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just my take on this , i always thought reeves and guys of his era were clean, from my own personal experience i know that the neighboring town used to juice their high school football players we're talking 1966-1969. the drug was d-bol and they used to have it in a basket in the middle of the locker room for anyone to partake of it. and most did result they hardly ever lost......
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ITS THE AGE OLD QUESTION DO THEY OR DON'T THEY,,,one never knows.drugs do many things muscle mass yes obvious,some guys its better conditioning/muscularity/being able to diet and retain mass...anybody 60's on up had these more readily available and more knowledge on how to use them.especially California subculture.its still fun seeing these great pics and stories.how musch one weighs or how big does not mean anything with drugs,smallest ripped guys use or will use more than the biggest guy and from 70's era it blossomed...
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bumped for next installment. ;D
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:)
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some dick tyler pics.
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:) more richard tyler.
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Wow - great pics 8)
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Wow - great pics 8)
x2
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some pudgy pics
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;)
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FUNK'S post #11889 (DOUBLE BICEP SHOT) is LOU DRGNI.
DEGNI made movies in the 60’s as MARK FORREST.
6 January 1933, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Birth Name - Lorenzo Luis Degni
Height - 6' (1.83 m)
Used the money he made making gladiator movies in Italy to study Opera. Currently teaches opera in the Los Angeles area.Competed for the 1952 Mr. America title and finished 27th at the age of 19. Third generation Italian American. Was the second American actor bodybuilder, after Steve Reeves, to be recruited by Italian producers to star in sword and sandal films.
(2004) Currently resides in southern California where he teaches singing and works as a personal trainer.
I don’t recall if his movies were ever released in the US.
Kindar the Invulnerable
The Magnificent Gladiator
Hercules Against the Sons of the Sun
The Lion of Thebes
Hercules Against the Barbarians
Maciste, gladiatore di Sparta
Maciste contro i Mongoli
Goliath and the Sins of Babylon
Colossus of the Arena
Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules
Son of Samson
Goliath and the Dragon
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;)
zabo in sunglasses ?killer abs,,
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Sound's like gay stories. r u gay ?
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bumped for next installment.degni had great abs.
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Great stuff! I have the book, "Remembering Muscle Beach" by Harold Zinkin (the man who invented/founded the "Universal Gym Equpment" company used by so many schools many years ago.
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(http://perlbal.hi-pi.com/blog-images/201226/gd/1222339309/bodybuilding-Mister-Univers-Harold-Poole-Mr-America-Reg-Lewis-et-Sheri-Ben-Weider.jpg)
As Stunt so rightly pointed out, Sheri Lewis (not the beautiful puppeteer) wife of Reg Lewis was quite the beauty.
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WOW....you are so right ;D women then were great looking
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That apartment building behind ZABO is still there..
Reg and Sheri were a great looking couple. I hope to be contacting a good friend who remains in contact with a few of the remaining old Muscle Beach 'citizens;.
This computer is still not working well ..... the cursor gets stuck or jumps around the screen ever 10 seconds ..... ss it takes a lot of time writing this up and sending it out, so there will be some dalays on posting stuff.
I want to tell one and all about the DUNGEON and also about POP (Pacific Ocean Park) due to the fact that they were also somewhat Muscle Beach related, but I want to find some old photos that will show you what both of those places looked like back then.
If anyone trained at the Dungeon or ever visited POP, feel free to speak up because I was only at either of them less than three or four times each and have forgotten a lot since them god old days.
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hey stunt,,, maybe you can let us know how it was...
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Great stuff! I have the book, "Remembering Muscle Beach" by Harold Zinkin (the man who invented/founded the "Universal Gym Equpment" company used by so many schools many years ago.
;)
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:)
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;)
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THANKS, FUNK! I think you pulled those old photos off Dave Draper's very fine web site.
I knew Dave way back then but have not remained in contact, but I did email him today after checking out his unreal web site to get some history regarding the DUNGEON.
I seem to have forgotten or have never known that the DUNGEON was established as a result of the closure of Muscle Beach.
The Dungeon was where all the old Muscle Beach gear was stored and used as a very dark 'gym' way back then.
If I recall correctly it was located in the basement of an old hotel on 2nd Street just a few blocks east of the beach .... maybe a five minute walk.
All I can recall of the DUNGEON was that it was down a flight of stairs and very dark, small and unorganized. When I was there it was empty but it was the prime location for serious lifters for a short wlhile after the closure of Sanrta Monica's Muscle Beach.
During this period I was mostly stationed outside of the States, but I did have the opportunity to meet Dave when he was apparently the only employee in what I believe was Weider's first west coast 'store' someplace around 5th street in Santa Monica ,,,, best described as 'across the street from Zucky's' which was the big Jewish delicatessan where most of the lifters had a meal or two. (Now all closed and boarded up.)
I believe we discussed DON'T MAKE WAVES (in which he did a damn good job) and his upcoming appearance as HERCUlES introducing the sword and sandal movies on TV that were so popular back then.
That's around the time that the Batman and Robin TV series was also very popular.
Arnold was not 'on location' quite yet but he would be soon and he'd be dining in Zucky's also.
Dave's web-site is one of the best BB sites I've seen for BB history and I suggest you take a look. Simply Google 'DAVE DRAPER'. A good bit of Dungeon history along with photos too.
DON HOWORTH ..... Back then he was well known for huge shouders.
Next up ..... POP ... a mile or so south of SM Muscle Beach.
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THANKS, FUNK! I think you pulled those old photos off Dave Draper's very fine web site.
I knew Dave way back then but have not remained in contact, but I did email him today after checking out his unreal web site to get some history regarding the DUNGEON.
I seem to have forgotten or have never known that the DUNGEON was established as a result of the closure of Muscle Beach.
The Dungeon was where all the old Muscle Beach gear was stored and used as a very dark 'gym' way back then.
If I recall correctly it was located in the basement of an old hotel on 2nd Street just a few blocks east of the beach .... maybe a five minute walk.
All I can recall of the DUNGEON was that it was down a flight of stairs and very dark, small and unorganized. When I was there it was empty but it was the prime location for serious lifters for a short wlhile after the closure of Sanrta Monica's Muscle Beach.
During this period I was mostly stationed outside of the States, but I did have the opportunity to meet Dave when he was apparently the only employee in what I believe was Weider's first west coast 'store' someplace around 5th street in Santa Monica ,,,, best described as 'across the street from Zucky's' which was the big Jewish delicatessan where most of the lifters had a meal or two. (Now all closed and boarded up.)
I believe we discussed DON'T MAKE WAVES (in which he did a damn good job) and his upcoming appearance as HERCUlES introducing the sword and sandal movies on TV that we so popular back then.
Arnold was not there quite yet but he would be soon and he'd be dining in Zucky's also.
Dave's web-site is one of the best BB sites I've seen for BB history and I suggest you take a look. Simply Google 'DAVE DRAPER'. A good bit of Dungeon history along with photos too.
DON HOWORTH ..... Back then he was well known for huge shouders.
Next up ..... POP ... a mile or so south of SM Muscle Beach.
excellent post
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Some of you GetBiggers will find the following to be boring but it is a part of the history of the Muscle Beach area …. Which in my mind includes the two (2) mile stretch of beach and beach front properties from the Santa Monica Pier (a mere few yards north of the original Muscle Beach lifting area) and down south to what is now called “Venice Muscle Beach”.
Half way between the original Santa Monica Beach area the present Venice Muscle Beach area there was a rather large pier and this pier is what this post is all about …..
I should add that I was an avid roller coaster fan as a kid and would beg, barrow , and sometimes steal a car or two and head on down the coast to ride every roller coaster I could find. You had to get off your ass and look for them because there was no such thing as the internet back then and gas was something like 30 cents a gallon so any kid could afford to drive a car back then if he was industrious enough.
Hell! We could drive a few hundred miles just by using the loose change we’d find under the back seat.
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Pacific Ocean Park was a twenty-eight acre, nautical-themed amusement park built on a pier at Pier Avenue in the Ocean Park section of Santa Monica roughly a mile south of the SM Pier which was intended to compete with Disneyland.
"And Disneyland and POP is worth a trip to L.A." is a line from the Beach Boys' song "Amusement Parks U.S.A." from their 1965 album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!).
After it closed and fell into disrepair, the park and pier anchored the Dogtown area of Santa Monica.
Pacific Ocean Park opened on Saturday, July 28, 1958 with an attendance of 20,000. The next day, the park drew 37,262 which outperformed Disneyland's attendance figure that day. Admission was ninety cents for adults which included access to the park and certain exhibits. The term "POP" was also used as a clever acronym for "Pay One Price", though some rides and attractions were on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Like Disneyland, Pacific Ocean Park found corporate sponsors to share the expense of some exhibits.
By January 5, 1959, Pacific Ocean Park had attracted 1,190,000 visitors.
In 1965, Santa Monica really began its Ocean Park urban renewal project. Buildings in the surrounding area were demolished and streets leading to the park were closed. As a result, visitors found it hard to reach the park and attendance plummeted to 621,000 in 1965 and 398,700 in 1966.
At the end of the 1967 tourist season, the park's creditors and the City of Santa Monica filed suit to take control of the property because of back taxes and back rent owed by the park's new owner since 1965. Pacific Ocean Park closed on October 6, 1967. The park's assets were auctioned off June 28 through June 30, 1968. The proceeds from the sale of thirty-six rides and sixteen games were used to pay off creditors. The ruins of the pier became a favorite surfing area and hangout of the Z-Boys of Dogtown fame. The park's dilapidated buildings and pier structure remained until several suspicious fires occurred and it was finally demolished in the winter of 1974-75.
Other than a few underwater pilings and signs warning of them, nothing remains of Pacific Ocean Park today. A few miles north, the original Santa Monica Pier features a newer amusement park, similarly called Pacific Park. Today, the rides and attractions of the Santa Monica Pier include the Carousel that is featured in the 1973 Academy Award -winning film,The Sting.
Thanks to WIKIPEDIA for most of the above.
Keith once told me that one or both of the Barbarian Brothers used some of the pier to build a home …. But that’s another thing I did not see with my own eyeballs and never did discuss it with either of the bros.
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A bit more regarding POP....
Pacific Ocean Park was located on a pier overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, California. The park was purchased by CBS and the Hollywood Turf Club in 1958 who invested $16-million into making "POP" an elaborate theme park. Unfortunately, the park failed and closed ten years later.
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Keep posting stunt...
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I’m gonna refer you GetBiggers to a website that I think contains the best and most accurate info regarding the history of the original Santa Monica Muscle Beach and its closure.
But first I’ll post some notes which were pulled from various websites throughout the net.
Muscle Beach (but not yet called “Muscle Beach” and simply referred to as a new recreation and athletics center or city park and operated by the SM Recreation and Parks Dept.) was established as a refurbishment project and funded by the National Works Project Administration in 1934 to help get people back to work after the Great Depression of 1939.
Gymnasts and other athletes made it a poplular setting for LA residents and world wide tourists
By the early 1940’s weight-lifters would come to the beach bringing their own equipment to work out with.
So Santa Monica Beach Park became known as a place where gymnasts, stunt people, wrestlers, acrobats and circus performers and weightlifters could all be seen on any given weekend.
And so it became known as "Muscle Beach."
And for the rest of a very interesting story ….
READ ALL ABOUT IT:
The Love/Hate Relationship which appears to still exisr today.
Why Muscle Beach was closed.
And other interesting stuff.
Go here …. http://www.musclebeach.net/smonica.html
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Never heard of the POP until this thread.
Here is a 3 minute film about it made in 1959. Looks like a great place but I would be scared to go in these wee cable car things.
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It was great Al. The roller coaster was made of wood and built out over the ocean and ratteled a lot as a result of its unstability (not attached to the stable ground).
So it was a great thrill ride back then.
Thanks for the Link. WIll take a look.
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As GetBig Goes, So Goes the World ~ A recent news article.
Sort of a “Those who train against those who don’t!” news story.
Santa Monica residents complain about sea of fitness fanatics clogging up their parks
Physical fitness is a way of life on the beautiful beachfront oasis of Santa Monica. From sunrise to sunset, there's huffing and puffing in the city's parks as trainers put their students through the paces of every form of exercise imaginable.
All along the 420 acres of greenery paralleling the Pacific Ocean are groups of a dozen or more people furiously pumping iron, doing sit-ups, stepping on and off little benches and stretching on mats. Some flex their muscles with weight machines tied by big rubber bands to pretty much anything that's anchored to the ground.
'It's starting to look like a 24-Hour Fitness gym out there,' complained Johnny Gray, an assistant track coach at UCLA and former Olympic runner who says he's often forced to navigate around weight machines, barbells and other exercise impediments as he runs.
In recent years, fitness classes have become as ubiquitous in Santa Monica's signature Palisades Park as dog walkers and senior citizens playing shuffleboard.
'It's starting to look like a 24-Hour Fitness gym out there,' complained Johnny Gray, an assistant track coach at UCLA and former Olympic runner who says he's often forced to navigate around weight machines, barbells and other exercise impediments as he runs
Karen Ginsberg, the city's director of community and cultural services, said other park users are complaining about fitness enthusiasts not only blocking pedestrian walkways but also making too much noise, killing the park's grass with their weights and damaging its trees and benches with all the exercise gadgets they connect to them.
HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF????
KINDA.
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A BIT OF A SIDE-NOTE HERE!
It wasn't too long ago when I could run the two mile distance from the SM Pier to the Venice Beach area and seldom pass more than 50 to a 100 people on that 2 mile stretch.
In fact that beach was so vacant the "HIPPIES" sort of took over and made claim to a small section of that beach directly west of the Gold's original location.
ANd then it became topless.
And then topless and bottomless.
And that's when the cops came and did their best to clear it out.
I have no idea when it 'cleared out' but .... not too long after that it sort of became the beach where anyone with a drum or something to bang on .... gathered together to smoke a joint or two and watch the sun disappear over the eastern horizon while banging on what-even they brought to the beach to bang on.
And so just about every type of drum and symbol and tin pots and pans were on the beach at sunset those days and sometimes those instruments made spectacular sounds..
Sometimes even something like a SYMPHONY!
Sometimes even mode spectacular than the 20th Century Fox fanfare that was so spectacular before the opening of Cinemascope movies.
Stand in the center of a thousand, stoned out of their mind, drummers and you'll get the idea of what I'm trying to tell you here.
I did not smoke dope back then, but those sunsets were really totally enjoyable anyway.
Just another part of Muscle Beach history and the crazy people who made it happen!
And I'm glad that I was there to see it all.
Crazy people make spectacular sunsets even better!
Even when you're stone cold sober!
But a beer or two certainly helps.
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Never heard of the POP until this thread.
Here is a 3 minute film about it made in 1959. Looks like a great place but I would be scared to go in these wee cable car things.
Looks funny
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Regarding those sunset tribal rituals, even this guy showed up on some occasions .... if not all.
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Bodybuilder dining spots in the Santa Monica area .....
Some of you DUDES or DUDE-ETTs might remember JOE NAZARIO,
JOE live in Santa Monica for a short time period and for a shorter time period he had a job up the street and around the corner from Gold's on 2nd Street when it was owned by Ken Sprague (if I recall correctly).
JOE's job was a Bouncer or Greeter at a new place called TONY ROMA's (it was new back then) and they served the best Baby Back Ribs in town and possibly on the whole West Coast.
So JOE either showed us to our table or pointed in the right direction and we made ourselves comfortable at a table with a white table cloth, white napkins, a coupe of candes in a red glass container. All very fancy for a restaurant around the corner from the gym back then.
And they also had a piano player playing some type of fancy Broadway tunes.
Then the menu came and it was pretty damn cheap.
If I recall right it was less than $7 for a full slab with potato and cole-slaw plus a glass of wine.
And no charge for the Broadway tunes.
By the time we finished dinner the whole restaurant seemed to be full of Gold's Gym members .... which in many cases was a sure sign that the restaurant would soon be closing for some odd reason or another ... such as the Swedish Smorgasboard did when it got popular around the corner from Gold's and the bodybuilders ate the whole damn like within an hour .... or less.
Three tables full of bodybuilders and .... there was no more food!
Then a few years later, The German's was hte place for the gym members to have a meal or two. This place was in the vicinity of Venice Beach and it was amazing when it came to inexpensive dining.
They served 12 egg omelets for about $3 and a huge bowl of strawberries for a buck and a half. They served other stuff too but everyone seemed to always order the onlete and the berries and the bottom-less cup of coffee.
This place was always full so you had wait but the wait was worth the wait!
My last meal at the German's I sat down with Ed Corney he he told me that he was going to announce his retirement from competitive bodybuilding and I was thinking, "Who will you announce it too?!"
The place was full of important people in the lifiing game and a few wacked out coke freaks... but Ed held off for a better time and a better place.
So in a nutshell the best gym-member dining spots in the SM/Venice area back there were .....
ZUCKY's.
TONY ROMA's.
THE SWEDISH SMORGASBORD
THE GERMAN'S.
And possibly NORM'S on LINCOLN.
Just doing my best to cover all the bases.
OH Yea! I communicated with JOE a short while back and I think he told me he was in COSTA RICA now.
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:)
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joe nazario nice build ....
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FUNK, Thatt photo of Dave Draper was most likely taken to promote the sword and sandle movies he introduced on TV around 1965 or so.
NJ, Joe has a Fitness Studio in Puerto Rico and still stays in good shape.
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FUNK, Thatt photo of Dave Draper was mostl ikely taken a publicity shot that was taken to promote the sword and sandle movies he introduced on TV aroun 195 or so.
NJ, Joe has a Fitness Studio in Porto Rico and still stays in good shape. I'll try to find a more current photo.
COOL,,allaround solid build damn,,,
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Stunt the photo of Dave, if memory serves was in connection with KHJ-TV in Hollywood where he worked as David the Gladiator.
It is mentioned in the August 1964 issue of Physical Power and in the Jan 1965 issue of Muscle Builder.
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:)
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Thanks, JOE! That's about the time I use to talk with him while he was filling orders for Weider Supps in a little Weider shop across from Zucky's. I also think we talked about a movie role he had done or would be doing .... Don't Make Waves.
Back in these olden days it seemed that decent bodybuilders resided in three main areas … New York region, Florida, and California.
And due to the year-round sunny weather and the money making movie industry, most of the bodybuilding business was concentrated in Southern California’s LA area and especially in the Santa Monica region where Muscle Beach would eventually obtain world-wide attention.
The gym business was not big-business back in the 50’s and as far as I can recall there were no gym chains or franchises on the West Coast or any other place in the USA.
Gyms back then were mainly found in YMCA’s throughout the country and the equipment was less than desireable and most times had to be ‘bolted’ together if you could find the bar and enough plates to add to that bar.
And if you found those parts of the dumbbell, you now had to find the ‘nuts and bolts’ and a wrench or the "lock-key" to put them together.
That’s a bit off an exaggeration, but it’s close enough to the truth! (Right, Mr, Basile?)
Most gyms in these Y’s would have some form of a canvas mat stuffed with some kind of dirty cotton stuffing that was always used by someone sound asleep in the corner.
And they all had those ‘bowling ball pins’ that were supposed to do something that I can’t recall.
And two or three motorized-belt machines that you’d step into, place the canvas belt around your waist, flip the little switch, and let it shake the shit our ot your inner for the next 10 to 12 minutes.
That simply resulted in red rashes and itches.
And on one or two of the walls separating this “gym” from the more saner folk was some construction that looked like a rung of wooden ladders or something that would encourage you to climb to the top.
But the top was only about 6 feet above the bottom, so most old timers would either simply lean on it or do some type of stretching movement.
They most likely were the original founders of “Stretching Before Every Workout” which would only be taken seriously some 50 years later.
Sole old guys are way ahead of their time, I guess.
Add a rickety wooden bench and a ‘modern ‘ metal rickety squat stand (not a ‘rack’ back then) … and that would be the best 'gym' in most major US cities..
Meanwhile, not too far away in the country, those who had no Y and wished to increase their strength and get bigger in the process .... were lifting tractor tires and squatting with a yet-to-be-full-grown cow on their back.
This cow-squatting workout even became a major event on a major TV network when some farm-boy made an attempt to lift (squat) a young calf every week until is was either full grown or ------whatever.
But that TV show didn’t last too long because when that calf was close to being a cow, the farm-boy was squatting with it on his back and …. that calf/cow decided it was time to take a shit and did so magnificently …….
Cow- shit flew everywhere! (It even hit a couple of the farm boy “fans”!)
Needless to say, the TV crew got hysterical and pandamonium was the result.
The Test Pattern filled TV screens throughout the western regions of the US of A and that was the last of that cow, that farm-boy, and what I think was the first kid’s TV exercise show ever produced.
NEXT UP …… “Who Owned These Gyms That Competed Against the Y’s?”
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Sort of surprise that no one identified the MUG SHOT photo yet.
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Regarding those sunset tribal rituals, even this guy showed up on some occasions .... if not all.
could it be jim morrison of the doors.
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could it be jim morrison of the doors.
definitely Jim Morrison from his arrest in 1963.Drunk at a football game in Florida. Moved to UCLA in Jan 64.
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:)
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;)
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Bill Howard promoted, organized, and MC'd the three Venice Beach Bodybuilding and Fitness events each year since 1963.
But just recently those events have been taken over by Joe Wheatley.
Interesting story there. Check it out at :
http://argonautnews.com/emcee-since-63-bill-howard-cut-from-muscle-beach-venice-contests/
FUNK / AL ... Yep! That's Jim Morrison. He was at the beach a lot but I never had the opportunity to meet him.
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Another great thread Stunt
Keep 'em coming mate
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GREAT READ,,,
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Sort of surprise that no one identified the MUG SHOT photo yet.
^^
TEX WATSON from the Manson Family???
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Glad they pinned this on the top of the thread. Great stuff Stunt. And thank you Funk51 for all the exceptional pictures. Your data base must be huge.
There was Rands Roundup, on Wilshire near downtown L.A., that a lot of BB'ers, lifters and football player used to go to. It was an all you could eat place. An ex-football coach of mine told me that. Heard of a place called Muscle House by the Sea, where a lot of BB'ers hung out, familiar with that Stunt? An older lady owned, or ran, it. Carrot juice was a big thing, for awhile, among BB'ers back in the day. Drink too much and the skin actually turned light orange, I was told. For white guys, anyway.
My two uncles (now in early 70's) worked on the Paramount lot (Melrose & Nan Ness) and the 20th Century lots (Western & Sunset... which has long been torn down). They weren't just BB'ers, but loved to workout with the odd lifts and the sub-culture of lifting back in the day. Learned a lot of old school training tips from them (like taking the regular BB curl and doing it at least 12 different ways and stuff like that). Funny thing about workouts, what a guy may think is a brand new way of working out may actually be old school, just going by another name.
Heard from the old timers that Marvin Eder was the super strongest around, at that time anyway.Amazed a lot of people when he came out to SoCal, from NY, and some of his workouts. And there was a guy named Big Steve (whatever?) who upright rowed in the 240 to 250 range as a regular part of his workout, I believe..
Thanks again for all the memory's..great stuff.
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Glad they pinned this on the top of the thread. Great stuff Stunt. And thank you Funk51 for all the exceptional pictures. Your data base must be huge.
There was Rands Roundup, on Wilshire near downtown L.A., that a lot of BB'ers, lifters and football player used to go to. It was an all you could eat place. An ex-football coach of mine told me that. Heard of a place called Muscle House by the Sea, where a lot of BB'ers hung out, familiar with that Stunt? An older lady owned, or ran, it. Carrot juice was a big thing, for awhile, among BB'ers back in the day. Drink too much and the skin actually turned light orange, I was told. For white guys, anyway.
My two uncles (now in early 70's) worked on the Paramount lot (Melrose & Nan Ness) and the 20th Century lots (Western & Sunset... which has long been torn down). They weren't just BB'ers, but loved to workout with the odd lifts and the sub-culture of lifting back in the day. Learned a lot of old school training tips from them (like taking the regular BB curl and doing it at least 12 different ways and stuff like that). Funny thing about workouts, what a guy may think is a brand new way of working out may actually be old school, just going by another name.
Heard from the old timers that Marvin Eder was the super strongest around, at that time anyway.Amazed a lot of people when he came out to SoCal, from NY, and some of his workouts. And there was a guy named Big Steve (whatever?) who upright rowed in the 240 to 250 range as a regular part of his workout, I believe..
Thanks again for all the memory's..great stuff.
The lady who ran Muscle House by the sea was Fleurette Crettaz, but better known as 'Joy'. She is mentioned in Muscle Power Oct 1950 and she wrote a letter to Muscle Builder in 1965. She is gone now.
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:P
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:Pbill howard
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:P
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JPM, Thanks again for another interesting post on your part. And I’ll also thank FUNK for his photo cotrsibutions.
I was never familiar withs Rand’s Roundup on Wilshire. Do you know what’s at that same location today? It sounds like it would have been a USC football team dining spot back then.
And YES! I do know some stuff about MUSCLE HOUSE but I’ve never seen it and just recently discovered its address. I was intending to write about MH and it’s owner in my next post so now I’ll definitely do that with some possible errors within it. (More to come.)
And YES! (once again), I do remember CARROT JUICE and I drank about a ton of that stuff during those early years. It definitely gave your skin a light yellow or light orange tone and definitely enhanced your tan.
But if I remember correctly, it also gave the whites of your eyes a yellow ‘cast’.
Ask your uncles about the tanning “secret” back then. They most likely knew this ....
Most likely not a secret today but back then there were no ‘tanning agents’ in existence yet and SEA an SKI was still somewhat in the infant stage of its existence, so we would take a bottle of baby oil and mix it with iodine and apply it liberally after opening the pores of your skin with a real hot shower.
And then you’d ‘pat’ yourself dry so that the Baby Oil was not evident due to the fact that any sort of oil was not allowed in any contest back then.
And in that initial lineup you’d appear to be ‘oil-less’ but at you gradually hit the mandatories, your sweat glands would open and the oil would come to the surface enhancing the muscle while the judging officials and the fans in the audience simply thought you were sweating excessively which was not against the so-called rules and regulations back then.
That Baby Oil and iodine mixture was most likely one of the original “SECRETS’ within the bodybuilding world back then.
What did your uncles do at Paramount? I might have known them at one time.
I do recall talking about Marvin Eder back then but I don’t recall if I ever had the opportunity to meet him.
Muscle House next
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THANKS, JOE!
Taken from WIKIPEDIA ....
Muscle House or Muscle House by the Sea was a famous (in bodybuilding circles) boarding house on the beach. The building was owned by Fleurette Crettaz, aka "Joy" and was located at 1659 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, California. Joy was a fan of bodybuilding and would let bodybuilders stay for minimal rent. The house operated from the 1950s to the 1970s. It was a common waypoint for up and coming bodybuilders such as Steve Reeves, Vince Edwards, Jack Delinger, George Eiferman and Dave Draper.
I'LL BE ADDING A BIT MORE BUT IT MAY NOT BE CORRECT OR FACTUAL
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Marvin Eder
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Stunt:
My uncles were truck/chauffeur drivers (included location travel). They were born with a built in Samoan tan, so no problem there. One had a SEG card and was in the cowboy/Indian (oaters), south seas native and jungle categories. Always told that stuntmen had a screw loose (on/off the set) in a good way, guess they had to be. They usually got a lot of good looking babe's. Did you have a SEG card....some stunt people did (women included), or even a SAG card?. A few BB'ers would try and get extra work, usually shot term work.
Some older BB'ers told me they remember a young Larry Scott, and he was all triceps, always doing dip's, etc. He went over the pass, to Vince's, and started focusing on the biceps...or so the story goes. Think Peanuts West had, or trained at, a garage gym in Culver City with some other extremely strong men. They were doing all kinds of tonnage workouts, pretty advanced for that time. (the Culver City Aud held the old Mr America and other contest there...Culver City, not being that far from Muscle Beach)
Rands Roundup was a little east of Vermont, I believe. USC & UCLA football players were know to dine there. Even some high school players. I know I would have been there, if I was around that time.
Quite a few BB'ers, back in the day (50's-60'-70's....probably now also), would get a job for 6 months, or so, find a reason to get fired and than collect unemployment insurance for another 6 to 9 months. Spending those months working out. Don't know about tuna, but do know that these guy's ate quite a lot of ground chuck (hamburger meat..protein and a high fat content for energy), steak being too expensive. Also drank whole milk with raw eggs. All cheaper back than. Called it bulking up. A few MILF, and even older women, would "support" some of these younger BB'ers, even back than.
Thanks again Stunt.
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Thanks, JPM:
Stepping away from the Muscle Beach locale to talk about some of the guys who frequented it on the weekends when and if they weren’t working at one or more of the major studios.
JPM, Your uncles may have worked with or may have know some of the guys mentioned below.
I was mostly associated with the stunt-performers who worked at Universal pretty steadily in the time before Universal had the present-day theme park.
Back then those hills on which the park is set was used for major motion picture locations and I think there were a couple of elaborate homes up there in which the studio executives use to reside.
Some of my good friends would head off to Hollywood after serving 2, 3, or 4 years in the USMC with the hope of finding some work in the movies.
Some were successful, but most were not.
My best MC bud was one of the successful ones and was one of the originators of Stuntmen’s Association and/or Stunts Unlimited.
When he got to Hollywood he signed up in an acting school and ended up in the same class as Goldie Hawn and they did some improve wok together as a class assignments and each of them promised the other that the one who became successful in the making of motion pictures would help the other by getting him or her a role in the successful actor’s movies.
SO my good friend (Jack) concentrated on his stunt work in THE VIRGINIAN and othere westerns and Goldie became a major TV and movie star.
S0 Jack appeared in a lot of her movies as well as in the movies of other top motion picture stars …. due to his dependability and likeabiluty and lack of fear when it came time to shoot dangerous scenes.
Once Jack got his foot in the Hollywood motion picture door, he’d call me and invite me to work on various movies in which he played small or major parts, but I was always playing my own role in some war torn country so I never go that ‘close-up” that was always promised if I ever did show up
My usual job description was the trainer or watcher of the trainer of the horses that you may have seen fall in a decent number of western TV shows and motion pictures..
And I was the dead-guy who took a fall off a motorcycle ……
Any my head was often used to test ‘break-a-ways” such as bottles and furniture that was often used in just about every motion picture fight scene you ever saw.
HERE COMES THE SOMEWHAT MUSCLE BEACH/TRAINING RELATED PART ………
Bill Smith and Woody Strode were very respected and often discussed back then and both of them were serious when it came to training and staying in shape.
Jack Elam was also highly respected but he didn’t appear to lift anything heavier than his own too feet.
My good friend, Jack, died while filming a jump-off-a-cliff- scene for THE SWORD AND THE SORCEROR.
Long story here but ….. That movie was dedicated to Jack when the final credits rolled.
OK - BACK TO MUSCLE BEACH ….. To the best of my recollection, Larry Scott was a gymnast while he was much younger, so he had the basic foundation to be a good bodybuilder in the early 60’s.
MORE ... COMPUTE IS ACTING UP AGAIN
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:)
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:D
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That Vince Gym photo ..... Don Peters on the right and JUDY Miller has to be one of the blonds but that was way too long ago and I only met her once.
Thanks for the photos, FUNK.
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Rob Tessier sure looks unrecognizable with hair, eh? Just watched Hard Times a couple of weeks ago, too. :)
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DOC, TESSIER?
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Rob Tessier sure looks unrecognizable with hair, eh? Just watched Hard Times a couple of weeks ago, too. :)
dam!!! U beat me to it. Funny how he starred in a movie about bare knuckle fighting w Bronson (which rated as one of my all time favs as a kid.) and from the same thread billy smith also starred in a movie with the same subject matter with Clint.
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Dam. One of my all time favorite bbs. Just look at howarth's build there. Vince once told me that don howarth was one of the most genetically gifted individuals that ever graced his gym. Then he went off on a rant about how alchohol n steroids ruined him or something if I remember correctly. And I think I am.
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SILK. There's more.
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SILK. There's more.
haha. "Silk". I think u have me confuse with that pansy from getgay. Keep the stories coming!
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SORRY, SLIK. Spelling error.
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DOC, TESSIER?
Robert Tessier. Upthread in Funk's 'badhombres' pic. Was in a bunch of movies. Hard Times with Bronson, The Deep with Nolte, and The Longest Yard with Reynolds off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more.
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:D
GREAT PIC!!!
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EXCELLENT THREAD!!
MORE STORIES STUNT!!
PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
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:)
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EXCELLENT THREAD!!
MORE STORIES STUNT!!
PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
yes but i have to say Funk has always posted great pics and info.
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;)brad harris another denizen of muscle beach, still in shape today late 70's.
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yep...Brad harris....solid.
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I liked Brad Harris philosophy of working out. I don't agree on his I don't train legs with weights stance but he was a true hard core trainer. He use to run sprint and distance runs when running was rarely done by bodybuilders. The last thing I read on him in an interview in MM he said he trains for 3 sets of 12 reps and three exercises per body part. He said that fit in with his running program. Hard to believe he is 79 now.
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I liked Brad Harris philosophy of working out. I don't agree on his I don't train legs with weights stance but he was a true hard core trainer. He use to run sprint and distance runs when running was rarely done by bodybuilders. The last thing I read on him in an interview in MM he said he trains for 3 sets of 12 reps and three exercises per body part. He said that fit in with his running program. Hard to believe he is 79 now.
:)maybe because he trained with bill smith early on and bill wasn't real big on leg work either.
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Don Howorth had an incredible physique that many have forgotten about. It's great to see his pictures here. Today's bloated physiques isn't something I would like to look like. Physiques like Howorth and Reeves are ideal in my mind.
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Funk you have some incredible pictures. Where did you find that incredible picture of Brad Harris? It's labeled 78 by you I guess. That couldn't be his age in that picture.
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Funk you have some incredible pictures. Where did you find that incredible picture of Brad Harris? It's labeled 78 by you I guess. That couldn't be his age in that picture.
that's what i was told not sure he is said to keep in amazing shape maybe it's due to his absling???? ;D ;D ;D
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Funk you have some incredible pictures. Where did you find that incredible picture of Brad Harris? It's labeled 78 by you I guess. That couldn't be his age in that picture.
funny when you think about how People like Vince Gironda always scorned running/cardio. Although in "the wild physique" he is Standing next to a bike... I think guys like Brad Harris were more modern thinkers. His film roles needed cardio and stamina, even Reeves started Walking and also during his time in Switzerland ..hiking 2 hours in the Woods( building the classic physique). No i think the smart Trainer UTILIZES it all to be in shape.
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dave draper is incredible shape still at an advanced age esp considering all his past and current medical problems .
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funny when you think about how People like Vince Gironda always scorned running/cardio. Although in "the wild physique" he is Standing next to a bike... I think guys like Brad Harris were more modern thinkers. His film roles needed cardio and stamina, even Reeves started Walking and also during his time in Switzerland ..hiking 2 hours in the Woods( building the classic physique). No i think the smart Trainer UTILIZES it all to be in shape.
that's true bill pearl was into bike racing along with chuck pranke, and now kal skalnak races bikes.
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AWESOME BUILD ON HOWORTH,,,,JUST AWESOME,I LIKE ZANE THERE TOO,RIPPED ENOUGH NOT OF COURSE LIKE HIS 77/83 DAYS,,,I WOULD HAVE FIT IN BUILD WISE WITH THAT ERA FUNCTIONAL MUSCLE BUT BUILT AND JUST LEAN NOT EXTREME HARDNESS.
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funny when you think about how People like Vince Gironda always scorned running/cardio. Although in "the wild physique" he is Standing next to a bike... I think guys like Brad Harris were more modern thinkers. His film roles needed cardio and stamina, even Reeves started Walking and also during his time in Switzerland ..hiking 2 hours in the Woods( building the classic physique). No i think the smart Trainer UTILIZES it all to be in shape.
Vince always seemed to be against running but I have an interview in Iron man where he went on a running kick for awhile. He said he got close to a 2 minute half mile. That is flying.
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Vince always seemed to be against running but I have an interview in Iron man where he went on a running kick for awhile. He said he got close to a 2 minute half mile. That is flying.
i believe you...his father was a stuntsman too i think. he did bike ride. Ok he believed running depleted the Body of Hormones ..won´t happen unless you run Marathons.
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yes but i have to say Funk has always posted great pics and info.
x2......absolutely true!!!
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x2......absolutely true!!!
yes it´s all great ...and to learn new things from stunt !!! the Thread is alive ;D
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And the hits keep coming! Thanks again Funk51 and Stunt.
Besides the great shots of the BB'ers on the beach, are the buildings in the backgrounds...more of them now.. Really changed, since back in the day. And it was actually clean and everything doesn't look like totally jammed together in the pic's. Haven't been there for 5 or 6 years, but always a trip walking around. A great culture shock for people not from SoCal.
Can see the influence of Gironda (he was also a excellent horseman) on most of Howorth's poses. Heard Howorth had a bit of trouble with the law and went away for a while. Maybe Stunt will know, but I think Brad Harris started as stuntman. John Isaac's was Reg Park's brother-in-law, if that's the same guy doing the one arm incline curl.
Steve Marjanian was the guy of was thinking of, with his great up-right rows. Incline exceptional also. He and Cortez (the Pro wrestler) look like they could be the baddest bouncers around, the raw power look.
Those were classic bodies, during classic times for BB'ers. Draper still is outstanding. Tell by the pic of him standing with some of the other old timers, that his body frame was ideal and superior to the others.
Thanks again.
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:)
great Picture
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i believe you...his father was a stuntsman too i think. he did bike ride. Ok he believed running depleted the Body of Hormones ..won´t happen unless you run Marathons.
yup. Vince did ride I think it was like a ten speed bike back in the day.
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Thanks once again to all you contributors.
I've been busy with family matters so thanks to you all for keeping this going
Since Steve Marganian was mentioned and since I recall the name but not the face, I looked for one his photos on the net to see if I had ever met him.
Now that I've seen his photo, I don't think I ever did but I sort of recall that he was a friend or associate of Bill Starr's who worked for Hoffman at one time and has some very interessting stories of his own.
Bill was the author of ONLY THE STRONG WILL SURVIVE and I did some proof reading before it was sent to the printers and Bill was generous enough to thank me for those minor efforts in his first edition.
Bill is/was a great strength coach and most recently worked at John Hopkins University if I recall correctly.
Bill has told us some great, old day, lifting and bodybuilding stories and we have all encouraged him to write a book; so I hope that he gets it done soon now that he is retired.
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Vince always seemed to be against running but I have an interview in Iron man where he went on a running kick for awhile. He said he got close to a 2 minute half mile. That is flying.
^^
Especially at his height he had to be 5 foot 7...
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FUNK, thanks for posting the shot of Bill Mcardle. Sad to say that he passed away at an early age but here is a small bit of bodybuilding history you may find to be of interest.
Back in the 60's Bill was a young and upcoming bodybuilder in Southern Cal and he was being traine by Larry Scott himself for the upcoming Mr California Contest ... which was and still is a pretty prestigious title to win and hold.
But there was another young and upcoming contender who was training at a gym in the San Jose area of Norther California.
His name was and stilll is .... John Corvello.
And John trained at a smal gy m called Moonlite Health Studio and had every intent to win the Cal title that year regarless of who was taining his main competition.
Now Larry was a very big name within the small world of bodybuilding back then ... so everyone felt that John would not have a chance competing against anyone who was trained by Larry.
So Bill appeared to be the forthcoming 'champion' and John was considered to be the underdog.
You gotta remember that back in these good old days any gym member who was entering any bodybuilding contests was always backed by the other gym members in full force and battle array. If was more of a gym vs gym event than an individual contestant vs contestant sort of gathering.
SO to make a long story short ..... it turned out to be one hell of a tough contest and the judges took over an hour to make a decision, but it turned out to be a major upset an John took the 'bacon' home that night ...... while Bill offered a hardy hand-shake.
I have no idea how Bill passed away but John moved to LA shortly after and shot some photos for Playgirl, ran a prestigious gym near Beverly Hills, and now I believe he is a stock broker in LA someplace.
The good old days when bodybuilders and bodybuilders comps were few and far between and there were no such things as big supplement stores or personal trainers.
ANd the major contests were mostly a gathering of friends helping friends to bring home a plastic trophy and some printed recognition is some national magazine.
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FUNK, thanks for posting the shot of Bill Mcardle. Sad to say that he passed away at an early age but here is a small bit of bodybuilding history you may find to be of interest.
Back in the 60's Bill was a young and upcoming bodybuilder in Southern Cal and he was being traine by Larry Scott himself for the upcoming Mr California Contest ... which was and still is a pretty prestigious title to win and hold.
But there was another young and upcoming contender who was training at a gym in the San Jose area of Norther California.
His name was and stilll is .... John Corvello.
And John trained at a smal gy m called Moonlite Health Studio and had every intent to win the Cal title that year regarless of who was taining his main competition.
Now Larry was a very big name within the small world of bodybuilding back then ... so everyone felt that John would not have a chance competing by anyone who was trained by Larry.
So Bill appeared to be the forthcoming 'champion' and John was considered to be the underdog.
You gotta remember that back in these good old days any gym member who was entering any bodybuilding contests was always backed by the other gym members in full force and battle array. If was more of a gym vs gym event than an individual contestant vs contestant sort of gathering.
SO to make a long story short ..... it turned out to be one hell for tough contest and the judges took over an hour to make a decision, but it turned out to be a major upset an John took the 'bacon' home that night ...... while Bill offered a hardy hand-shake.
I have no idea how Bill passed away but John moved to LA shortly after and shot some photos for Playgirl and now I believe he is a stock broker in LA someplace.
That was April 17, 1965- and Larry Scott guest posed.
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yup. Vince did ride I think it was like a ten speed bike back in the day.
had one of These as a kid... ;D
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FUNK, thanks for posting the shot of Bill Mcardle. Sad to say that he passed away at an early age but here is a small bit of bodybuilding history you may find to be of interest.
Back in the 60's Bill was a young and upcoming bodybuilder in Southern Cal and he was being traine by Larry Scott himself for the upcoming Mr California Contest ... which was and still is a pretty prestigious title to win and hold.
But there was another young and upcoming contender who was training at a gym in the San Jose area of Norther California.
His name was and stilll is .... John Corvello.
And John trained at a smal gy m called Moonlite Health Studio and had every intent to win the Cal title that year regarless of who was taining his main competition.
Now Larry was a very big name within the small world of bodybuilding back then ... so everyone felt that John would not have a chance competing by anyone who was trained by Larry.
So Bill appeared to be the forthcoming 'champion' and John was considered to be the underdog.
You gotta remember that back in these good old days any gym member who was entering any bodybuilding contests was always backed by the other gym members in full force and battle array. If was more of a gym vs gym event than an individual contestant vs contestant sort of gathering.
SO to make a long story short ..... it turned out to be one hell for tough contest and the judges took over an hour to make a decision, but it turned out to be a major upset an John took the 'bacon' home that night ...... while Bill offered a hardy hand-shake.
I have no idea how Bill passed away but John moved to LA shortly after and shot some photos for Playgirl and now I believe he is a stock broker in LA someplace.
[/quot pics of corvello.
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;)stunt did you ever encounter either of these two other johns in your travels john tristam or john koj...an???? the younger john k was quite a power house bench press champ and bb competitor but he burned out young and disappeared.
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:)reg park pressing heavy dbs on muscle beach, i wonder if pics were on same day as his brother-in-laws pic johnny issacs.
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Funky Bro ...i like the pic of Reg pressing the Dumbbells. I think he did mainly Basic moves at least in Leeds as a lad...great man .
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FUNK, I do recall TRISTAM, but never did meet him and "No'' on the other whose name I don't even recall.
But I did meet Reg Park on a number of occasions. Even met Jon-Jon a few times also.
I first met REG when we were all still very young (sometime in the 50's) when he showed up at some lifting or bodybuilding event in Oakland to fill in for Steve Reeves because Reeves could not show up for some forgotten reason.
REG did a lot of strength stuff with heavy barbells but I don't recall the weight he was pressing over-head but it was considerably heavy.
I was a bit pissed off because I let an elderly lady get in front of me in line to buy a $2 (?) admission ticket ..... and that lady's ticket won a 405 pound olympic set that was was 'raffeled-off' when REG picked that ticket number out of a fish-bowl.
The good old days!
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I'll be skipping ahead a good number of years to post some information about the meeting we held in which the NPC became associated with the IFBB.
I posted this someplace else a day or so ago but I've been asked to post it here also due to the fact that it is a major piece of bodybuilding history.
Gonna dress it up a bit and post it here ASAP.
JOE~ Do you recall the date when the bodybuilders disassociated themselves from the AAU? And was that the same date on which the NPC was born? I was involved but I am not too good at recalling the dates of all these historical bodybuilding events. DOes the name JEROME WEISE jar anyone's memory? More on Jerome later.
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My main inspirations for lifting were and still are Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Dave Draper and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I admired Bill Pearl and trained for a time at Stern's Gym in San Diego. That place was a Hope Chest of memories.
Reeves and Draper had the greatest influence on me. This thread stirs memories of personal aspirations never quite met. But what matters most is a lifetime of health and a degree of strength and a physique above average. That has been reward enough.
What passes for bodybuilding today is disgusting, both male and "female". Pudgy Stockton was a beauty. Christine Zane too. Today's bodybuilding is little more than a puss filled boil. If we are lucky, Arnold will lance it and titles such as Mr. America, Mr. Universe and yes, Mr. Olympia will actually mean something to the people that really care.
Instead of a bunch of perverted size queens masquerading as judges.
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My main inspirations for lifting were and still are Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Dave Draper and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I admired Bill Pearl and trained for a time at Stern's Gym in San Diego. That place was a Hope Chest of memories.
Reeves and Draper had the greatest influence on me. This thread stirs memories of personal aspirations never quite met. But what matters most is a lifetime of health and a degree of strength and a physique above average. That has been reward enough.
What passes for bodybuilding today is disgusting, both male and "female". Pudgy Stockton was a beauty. Christine Zane too. Today's bodybuilding is little more than a puss filled boil. If we are lucky, Arnold will lance it and titles such as Mr. America, Mr. Universe and yes, Mr. Olympia will actually mean something to the people that really care.
Instead of a bunch of perverted size queens masquerading as judges.
agreed it's the old pandora's box thing again, when a little is good, but when a little becomes a lot problems arise.arnold is the only one to have a shot at accomplishing what you wish.
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My main inspirations for lifting were and still are Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Dave Draper and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I admired Bill Pearl and trained for a time at Stern's Gym in San Diego. That place was a Hope Chest of memories.
Reeves and Draper had the greatest influence on me. This thread stirs memories of personal aspirations never quite met. But what matters most is a lifetime of health and a degree of strength and a physique above average. That has been reward enough.
What passes for bodybuilding today is disgusting, both male and "female". Pudgy Stockton was a beauty. Christine Zane too. Today's bodybuilding is little more than a puss filled boil. If we are lucky, Arnold will lance it and titles such as Mr. America, Mr. Universe and yes, Mr. Olympia will actually mean something to the people that really care.
Instead of a bunch of perverted size queens masquerading as judges.
I wish i had met Bill Pearl in Person because on the phone he was a Gentleman.I think Reg Park would have been the same, brought up hard but intelligent...a Man. He served in the British Army too as a PTI ..physical Training instructor.
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Stunt, here are some refs from my files about the NPC's early days:
Flex N.P.C. compiled by Joe Roark
Apr 1983 p 84 Looking out for the amateurs- Demilia
May 1983 p 14 Who controls BBing an America?- JM
Jun 1983 p 18 The amateur view- Demilia
p 68 Official support for USA NPC
Jul 1983 p 70 NPC & AFWB: good working relationaship- Demilia
Aug 1983 p 70 NPC: megaforce in amateur athletics- Demilia
Oct 1983 p 11 NPC rule changes
p 63 NPC membership drive- JM
Dec 1983 p 75 NPC the amateur view- Demilia
Jan 1984 p 75 NPC Arnold jumps on the bandwagon- JM
Feb 1984 p 75 NPC coming on strong in Illinois- Demilia
Apr 1984 p 14 NPC 1984 elections and major events- Denie
Sep 1984 p 85 NPC who's who in your area?- JM
Oct 1984 p 128 NPC amateur and pro in one easy step- JM
Feb 1986 p 94 NPC at year's end 1985 NPC report- JM
NPC / AAU
MF Aug 1982 NPC sues AAU
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More from M&F:
Sep 1982 p 179 Don't let the AAU sabotage the AFWB's hard-won
success- Doris B.
Oct 1982 p 206 Why the NPC is suing the AAU- Dobbins
Nov 1982 p 211 The NPC continues its legal action against
the AAU- Manion
Feb 1983 p 221 NPC vs AAU; dust finally settles- Manion
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Thanks Joe :)
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JOE! Lots of interesting reading there. How do we read some of those articles?
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NPC ASSOCIATION WITH IFBB ..... How it Came About.
Many years ago …. Around 1980 or so …. I attended a meeting in the Santa Monica City Auditorium on the Sunday morning following the previous night’s promotion of the Mr America Contest.
The meeting was held to determine if the bodybuilding organization we were all a part of would like to become associated with the IFBB.
Both Ben and Joe attended to make a formal proposal. The Hofman (York) representatives were also present. So was Dan Lurie and just about every other individual or company who had a vested interest.
Ben WEIDER, formally attired in a blue blaiser, grey slacks, an d an appropriate necktie was the only one to stand before all who were present and make a proposal.
His proposal was, “The IFBB would recognize the NPC as the US governing body for amateur competitive bodybuilders and amateur contests, if the NPC would recognize the IFBB as the world governing body for professional bodybuilders and as the governing body for ALL amateur bodybuilding events outside of the US.
(If agreed to, the IFBB would not have any jurisdiction over US amateur events.)
A major battle followed that proposal but finally a vote was taken and the agreement was reached in accordance with Mr Ben Weider’s proposal.
Needless to say that there were other sanctioning bodies, but they were less well known and most of us in the USA would even today have difficulty naming any of hte winners of such contests. (Some exceptions apply of course.)
I should also state that those organizations have never been officially recognized by the IFBB nor the NPC.
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Second post submitted shortly after ,,,,,,,
As I mentioned earlier we (about 60 bodybuilders, magazine publishers, photographers, and state and national NPC officials) gathered together in a formal meeting under the watchful eye of a gentleman who was knowledgeable about Robert’s Rules of Order regarding formal meetings such as this.
His familiarity with Robert’s Rules of Order assured one and all that this meeting would be conducted legally and ‘above-board’ and in a democratic manner’.
‘Dictatorship’ type of proceedings never did occur. Nor was it mentioned or even ‘thunk-of'’ by anyone in attendance ….. not even among the antagonists. (And there were quite a few antagonists who wanted nothing to do with the IFBB.
You must understand that our only concern at this meeting was for amateur bodybuilding competitions within the USA and a possible future relationship with the IFBB.
So at the proper time in this proper meeting, Ben arose and made the offer as described in an earlier post.
The floor was given the opportunity to ask questions (there were many), to discuss Ben’s proposal openly (very heated arguments got underway), and then vote on the proposal.
The votes were tallied while parties from all sides observed and made sure that the count was precisely correct.
This was not a secret agenda nor a secret vote.
Ben and his IFBB won that afternoon and shook hands with about 70% of those in attendance while the other 30% left the auditorium in disgust …. the York group and Dan Louri (spelling) and his associates among others.
Back then there was only one ‘International’ bodybuilding organization that appeared to be working on the behalf of the competitors and attempting to give them the recognition that each competitor felt he deserved. (The ladies were not involved just yet. That would occur a few years later.)
That ‘International’ organization just so happened to be the IFBB. Others existed but were relatively unknown and for the most part were non-active within the US. (Help on this, Joe?)
None of them took the step to do any organizational work within the US similar to the efforts of Ben and Joe Weider. (I give Ben most of the credit in this regards.)
It helped a bit that the IFBB had a magazine and every kid who ever saw the inside of a gym would die to get his picture in a national magazine.
So that magazine was another selling point that encouraged the NPC to join up with the IFBB.
Here comes a THE RUMOR DEPARTMENT !!!!…… RUMOR AHEAD!!!!
Back then the IFBB made numerous claims that it had IFBB representatives within the world’s major countries which supported his claim that the IFBB was an international organization.
But many in the audience accused Ben of being mistaken because many of those ‘representatives’ were merely post office boxes and nothing more..
I can’t say much more about the international part of the IFBB but I will say that at one time not too long ago, Ben was successful in convincing the IOC that the IFBB was a world-wide international organization.
And I don’t recall any other bodybuilding organization objecting to his claim.
I personally know that you had to put up the good fight back then to make any bodybuilding organization a reality when the public wants to fight it an tear it apart, but Joe and Ben fought long and hard for many years.
Some 'organizations' still exist today, but none that I am aware of have reached the heights of the IFBB, due to the fact that Ben and Joe fought with the world to make it what it is today … a multi million dollar enterprise that offers a few good men (and ladies) opportunities that they never would have had if it wasn’t due to the hard work and life-dedication of these two brothers from Canada
Someone correct me if any of the above is incorrect. But please … ONLY CORRECT ME IF YOU SAW IT WITH YOUR OWN TWO EYEBALLS.
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FUNK, thanks for posting the shot of Bill Mcardle. Sad to say that he passed away at an early age but here is a small bit of bodybuilding history you may find to be of interest.
Back in the 60's Bill was a young and upcoming bodybuilder in Southern Cal and he was being traine by Larry Scott himself for the upcoming Mr California Contest ... which was and still is a pretty prestigious title to win and hold.
But there was another young and upcoming contender who was training at a gym in the San Jose area of Norther California.
His name was and stilll is .... John Corvello.
And John trained at a smal gy m called Moonlite Health Studio and had every intent to win the Cal title that year regarless of who was taining his main competition.
Now Larry was a very big name within the small world of bodybuilding back then ... so everyone felt that John would not have a chance competing by anyone who was trained by Larry.
So Bill appeared to be the forthcoming 'champion' and John was considered to be the underdog.
You gotta remember that back in these good old days any gym member who was entering any bodybuilding contests was always backed by the other gym members in full force and battle array. If was more of a gym vs gym event than an individual contestant vs contestant sort of gathering.
SO to make a long story short ..... it turned out to be one hell for tough contest and the judges took over an hour to make a decision, but it turned out to be a major upset an John took the 'bacon' home that night ...... while Bill offered a hardy hand-shake.
I have no idea how Bill passed away but John moved to LA shortly after and shot some photos for Playgirl and now I believe he is a stock broker in LA someplace.
[/quot pics of corvello.
these are the builds i can relate.i'm italian descent and have that thick/lean as well,chest,legs just good hard build,through training/good eating...
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:)
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JOE! Lots of interesting reading there. How do we read some of those articles?
Stunt- unless you have access to those mags, I do not know. Perhaps they are online, but I do not know. Years ago I made lists of every article in every magazine I had, totaling tens of thousands of articles in the index. As I recall Bob Hoffman wrote (or was credited with) about 1,400 articles!
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Stunt- unless you have access to those mags, I do not know. Perhaps they are online, but I do not know. Years ago I made lists of every article in every magazine I had, totaling tens of thousands of articles in the index. As I recall Bob Hoffman wrote (or was credited with) about 1,400 articles!
Joe any Chance you can put some here? Reg Park .... ;D
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Joe any Chance you can put some here? Reg Park .... ;D
tim fogarty's musclememory.com has some articles archived along with other bbing info, i have most of the mags mentioned but it's too tedious and time consuming to sort and scan them all, on top of that my new computer doesn't save pics in the jpeg and qif foremats only in bmp which isn't compatible with this site.
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:P
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now let's get vack to muscle beach... ;D
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FUNK, It's interesting to see that you have most of the magazines that Joe mentioned. Would it be possible for you to find the articles in a couple of those magazines pertaining to the formation of the NPC?
And the articles regarding the NPC / AAU lawsuit and any the rulings issued by the court as a result?
To the best of my recollection the rulings were definitely in favor of the NPC with one EXCEPTION.
That EXCEPTION was that the NPC could not ..... or could no longer ..... use the "MR. AMERICA" title in any future contest sanctioned by the NPC.
I don't recall if the IFBB was a party in that lawsuit, but the IFBB and the NPC no longer used the 'MR.' or 'Miss" or 'Ms." title in any event.
Those title designations were for the private use of the AAU, but I don't recall how many years after that court decision was made ... that the AAU continued to sanction bodybuilding contests.
It would be interesting to read any article regarding the above.
Thanks, Funk.
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I just noticed that I wrote a lot of this 'stuff' back in 1965 and FUNK was kind enough to "kick it back up". (I don't know the right words for that but, Thanks again, FUNK!)
I'm gonna do the old copy and paste trick and see if my memory banks are still in some form of working order or it I have been 'lying' a bit or not.) (Lieing?)
So if you've read it before, don't bother reading it again unless you want to take the written TEST I'll be offering one and all once this subject is exhausted.
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FUNK, It's interesting to see that you have most of the magazines that Joe mentioned. Would it be possible for you to find the articles in a couple of those magazines pertaining to the formation of the NPC?
And the articles regarding the NPC / AAU lawsuit and any the rulings issued by the court as a result?
To the best of my recollection the rulings were definitely in favor of the NPC with one EXCEPTION.
That EXCEPTION was that the NPC could not ..... or could no longer ..... use the "MR. AMERICA" title in any future contest sanctioned by the NPC.
I don't recall if the IFBB was a party in that lawsuit, but the IFBB and the NPC no longer used the 'MR.' or 'Miss" or 'Ms." title in any event.
Those title designations were for the private use of the AAU, but I don't recall how many years after that court decision was made ... that the AAU continued to sanction bodybuilding contests.
It would be interesting to read any article regarding the above.
Thanks, Funk.
i'll have to look ,unfortunately most of my weider mags of that period are stashed in a crawl space i mostly have ironman's , hoffman mags m/digest, mti and odd ball stuff down due to space constraints. it might take awhile.i do know that the aau won the right to use the mr.america title soley by themselves.they folded in 1999 as far as bodybuilding. i remember lurie got around this by calling his contest mr americus or something like that.in the mean time those interested can check the aau mr america thread in the history section.it spans from 1939-1999. in acuallity mr america title was used in 1940 first year it was best built man in america i think.
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a side note those interested in purchasing bill starr's book the strongest shall surrive can do so from roquefitness for 24.95. starr's system seems similar to reg park's 5x5 workouts.
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My intent here is to offer my insite on the history of the 'Sport' of bodybuilding and its relationship with the AAU and the NPC and the IFBB as I personally witnessed it.
But in order to do that I have to set the stage and start at a time way before I knew anything about the AAU or the NPC or the IFBB or competitive bodybuilding.
Bear with me. It could be ed-u-ma-ka-tion-al. And please feel free to offer your comments if you have a "second opinion".
My real involvement with the 'sport' of bodybuilding goes back to the early 1950's.
Earlier than that I had a few occasions to meet Steve Reeves and a few other prominent local bodybuilders in the San Francisco Bay Area, but it wasn't until the mid 50's that I realized that some of the 'weightlifters' were competing once or twice a year in a couple of bodybuilding contests held at local Y's or community centers in the Bay Area.
A San Francisco police officer by the name of Bill Stathis was lifting a lot of weight at the Golden Gate YMCA and promoted a small bodybuilding contest that was apparently sanctioned by the AAU.
This event was held n the Golden Gate YMCA 'theater" (downtown San Francisco) and it would usually draw about 6 to 10 competitors mostly from the city and Oakland across the Bay.
Like today the prejudging was held in the early afternoon and the finals in the evening with maybe about 50 to 100 in the audiance.
The winners got trophies just like the amateurs do today, but I don't recall if the event or the winners received any type of publicity whatsoever.
The only 'real" bodybuilder in the area who received any publicity was a young kid by the name of Reeves and that was only because one of the newspapers interviewed his mother and the most impressive part of that interview was that "her son never had a cold or a cavity and he learned to ride horses on some ranch in Oregon".
Back then the term 'weightlifter' was more prominent than the term 'bodybuilder' and any coach who was worth a pound of beans was convinced that lifting weights would only make you 'musclebound' and unable to excel in athletic endeavors. And those coaches were very outspoken in proclaiming that 'unquestionable fact'.
Back then the gyms were local YMCA's with some rusted plates and bars stacked haphazardly in the corner over by some cotton stuffed canvas mat. You could usually find a medicine ball and some rope assisted wall pullys and a vibrating belt that supposedly shook the fat off of your mid section.
And if those old reliable bowling alley 'pins' weren't available, someone was sure to complain. I never did find out what I was supposed to do with those things.
In many cases that was the extent of the bodybuilding gear unless the Y was advanced enough to include a couple of York Barbells and a couple of benches which was where most members sat an talked about last night’s activities.
A mile or so away Walt Baptiste and his beautiful wife were doing a decent business in their Yoga/Gym off Van Ness avenue, but Yoga was pretty strange back then so no serious lifter paid too much attention.
And some downtown, 5th floor gym owner by the name of Jack Lalanne was getting a lot of notice for doing crazy 'strongman' stunts such as swimming across the Bay handcuffed while pulling a boatload of very fat people.
And he had his own daily TV show showing old folks how to do jumping jacks and sit ups and he talked a lot and had a white German Shepard that made a daily appearance.
And another weightlifter had a Saturday afternoon show for kids and other less than mental-giants. He was in the process of lifting (squatting) a calf each weekend until it grew into a full size cow (or was it a bull?) … until that calf decided to shit all over him and the whole damn TV studio.
The TV crew went hysterical and filmed the whole damn thing with a shaking camera and that show ended that very same week for some unexplained reason, but it wasn't due to lack of laughter.
That particular show was discussed in school-yards daily until the summer offered an escape from the fog that covered the city of good old San Francisco,
I forget who or what started it all (most likely Vic Tanny and associates), but towards the late 50's gyms started opening with chrome plated weights and barbells in an effort to be more appealing to the general public.
Somehow Jack Lalanne went big time (was it due to Win Paris? Yea, most likely!) and opened up a fancy chrome plated place in the Los Angeles area. Possibly in the San Francisco Bay Area also but I don’t recall ever seeing up North of LA.
Then American Health Studios followed suit with fancy gear in an old, abandoned basement on Golden Gate Avenue half a block from Market Street and shortly after … a second gym in the West Portal neighborhood of the city.
Both soon folded with a brief notice on the door ..... Out of Business!
That was the start of the gym business in the SF Bay Area, except for a gym in Oakland where Steve Reeves trained (Ed Yarick's Gym) which I never saw back then, so I'll let someone else tell you that part of the story.
At this time, I would guess there were really less than a dozen guys in the Bay Area who called themselves "Bodybuilders" - (Names I can recall but really can't remember too much in detail - Curt Freeman, Mel Knoll, Dave Heilbron, Bill Stathis, Curt Freeman, Dr. Lloyd Latch, and Reeves of course.
If you wanted to really get involved with serious bodybuilding, you had to travel 400 miles south to Muscle Beach.
And I traveled south many times.
I wanted to get a job in the movie studios.
________________________ ________________________ ____
Back in them days (50's/60's) it was somewhat simple to categorize bodybuilding within various areas of the United States.
The East Coast had the Weider brothers and their various publications (some of which you wouldn't take home to mother) who were in direct opposition with Dan Laurie who published a magazine relating to the bodybuilding world in those early days…. The name of which I have forgotten.
Florida had a lot of decent beaches but not much in the way of bodybuilders or BB activity that I'm aware of back then. But that would change veery soon.
Then there was Bob Hoffman and his York Barbell Company in Pennsylvania with numerous warehouses stuffed with various iron equipment that was offered for sale in his own weightlifting publication.
A few wild stories here but I have to leave them up to the individuals who actually participated.
Then there was Perry and Mabel Raider who published a respectable magazine called Iron Man which catered to all the "lifting sports". They were great folks to meet and talk with.
My recollection is that they were real down to earth, basic country folk who had a genuine interest in the sport and the parties involved within the ‘sport’.
Jump to the West Coast and you found Muscle Beach in Santa Monica and the well equipped Joe Gold's.
Muscle Beach was a major tourist attraction where the "circus folks", gymnasts, and bodybuilders would hold court and take center stage. The small fenced in weight area was about 600 square feet of rusted metal and bent bars and worn out wooden benches, but it did offer a place to train in the sun even those you sometimes ha to bring your own equipment.
Joe Gold's place was down the road a bit on Pacific Avenue. You parked on the street and entered right off the sidewalk.
Joe was usually in the back someplace welding some new piece of equipment together and most of the guys training seriously were either football players from USC or UCLA or stunt guys in the movies or on TV.
I kind of recall that the membership back then was about $30 a year but it could have been ten dollars more or close to $10 less.
And then there was The Dungeon in a basement of one of the Santa Monica high rise structures.
The Dungeon was dark and dingy and not well known but kind of like the Mecca of the game way back then.
You had to be pretty serious to train there and I never saw anyone who looked like they ran the place.
Out in the valley on Ventura Bl was Vince Gironda's Gym. Nothing exceptional at all put a lot of stars trained there under the direction of Vince and so did Larry Scott except in those days squatted elsewhere because Vince was an avid believer that heavy squats gave produced a heavy waist..
Rheo H. Blair supposedly had the best protein on the market as there wasn't really much protein on the market at all.
So Blair's was considered to be the best available on the West Coast. You could buy Weider's productsf through the magazine but that was considered to be a waste of three dollars and fifty cents.s
Bell Foundary was out in the Watts area casting cheap metal barbell plates that usually ended up 10% lighter or 10% heavier than inscribed, so you usually had to do a good balancing act while doing overhead presses or heavy squats.
And all the areas at Camp Pendleton had simple lifting areas that were seldom used.
Meanwhile down in San Diego, Leo Stern had a decent place in the downtown area off the main street up a narrow flight of stairs to the second floor. Nothing elaborate by any means but it was well equipped for those days and Bill Pearl's name was frequently mentioned in connection with the place …. and that gave it some added prestige.
I don't recall the year that Bill opened his Pasadena gym but that's got to be mentioned here. Bill's was well run and well equipped with a mixed bag of members consisting of college athletes and businessmen within the area. And Bill’s wife, Judy, did a fine job helping the ladies during certain hours on certain days.
And I can't overlook Ralph Kroger's small little gym right along the side of highway 101 between Oceanside and San Diego down there by the race track. If I recall this correctly, the beach was right outside his back door and Hwy 101 was less than 20 feet from his front entrance. It looked like an ocean breeze from the Pacific could have blown it over.
Ralph eventually closed up that place and started another gym in the Hilo area on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Bob Janus had a real small gym and handball court in Oceanside but nothing much brag about other than Bob himself was a darn nice guy.
Further north towards San Francisco there was the Moonlight Health Studio by or within San Jose which was the training center for John Corvello and a couple of other California contenders.
Most of the contests that I frequented were held at Muscle Beach in Santa Monica and then later on at the enclosed outdoor stage arena at Venice Beach which is no longer there. Once that place was torn down the contests were held right in the vicinity of the Venice Beach Weightlifing Pit.
The well worn Embassy Hotel Auditorium in the worst part of downtown Los Angeles was the home to many of the better contests of the period - such as the prestigious Cal and the LA and the AAU Nationals and Mr America on one particular occasion.
Gene Mozee would always arrive with what would appear to be a major Hollywood starlete at his side and Don Howorth always showed up with shoulders bursting out of his cardigan sweater and always takeing a seat up front on the left side of the auditorium.
Mac Bachelor would arrive sometime during the proceedings and take a seat in the back away from the eyes of his many fans.
In those days, if anyone appeared on stage in less than contest shape, the audience would yell and scream in protest and on a few occasions some object would arrive on stage hurled by a fan who felt that that guy had no right to be up there.
It was always a tough, rough crowd who spent hours in the gym each week and expected the best of anyone who entered a contest.
Any less and they voiced a unanimous voice of discontent.
Most of today's guest posers wouldn't last more than 20 seconds on the podium back in them days.
Believe it or not but at one contest they had a big hook back stage to pull dubious entertainers off stage center, and it was used more than once that evening on dubious bodybuilders.
As the sport gradually grew and became somewhat acceptable, it moved to places such as the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, but that's the subject for another posting.
Back in those days, the AAU ran bodybuilding and often used it to supplement the sport of Olympic Lifting which was somewhat like watching white paint dry on a sun-lit wall without a pair of Poloroids.
On this one particular occasion, Bob Hoffman and the York crew were running the AAU National Olympic Lifting Championships and Mr. America Contest at the Embassy Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.
I recall the weigh-ins being held at the YMCA a couple of blocks away about 10 in the morning and the lifring starting on the Embassy stage around noon.
By 2:15 the NEXT MORNING, they were leisurely clearing off the stage of weights, sweat, blood and bananna peels to start the Bodybuilding Championships.
And it was the AAU National Bodybuilding Championships - the somewhat prestigious Mr America.
The faithful bodybuilding fans who waited were mostly family members with kids sleeping in the aisles under the watchful but bloodshot eyes of various family members who stuck it out to see "their boy" win the championships and go home with a ten dollar silver trophy.
Between 3 and 4 AM the decision was made and the awards presented but the majority of the audience were too damn sleepy to know who won it or …. even give a damn.
It was evident to one and all that the AAU was useing the bodybuilders to keep the asses in those seats for the lifters so a sort of rebellion was born which would soon change the sport forever.
It would just take one more problem to strike the match and blow the whole damn setup sky high and over the edge and into the hands of a group that was yet unknown.
The NPC was yet not born but would soon be on its way.
And the IFBB would surely follow.
But no one knew that yet!
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Stunt, I believe you refer to Bill Stathes.
2nd place Mr. Central Valley 1958
3rd place Mr. Pacific Coast 1959
won Mr. Bay ARea 1959
won Mr. Western America 1959
that is all I have for him in the late 1950s.
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Thanks, JOE! Bill was a friend of Carl Noberg .... a steveador in SF who was quite old but exceedingly strong. More on that later.
Also a reminder for myself to post Paul Anderson story.
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I don't recall if the IFBB was a party in that lawsuit, but the IFBB and the NPC no longer used the 'MR.' or 'Miss" or 'Ms." title in any even
2011 & 2012 IFBB World Mans Championship was advertised as MR.Universe, also there is Amateurs IFBB MR.Olympia & Ifbb Pro Mr.Europe
so ;D ;D ;D
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Thanks, JOE! Bill was a friend of Carl Noberg .... a steveador in SF who was quite old but exceedingly strong. More on that later.
Also a reminder for myself to post Paul Anderson story.
i was gonna mention karl norberg , there a pic of karl with pat casey and john kojian at a bench press contest that all three won their respective divisions. i just put a small thread on karl in the history section. karl was supposrd to have almost matched john grimek in a weightlifting contest before karl ever formally lifted barbells.
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Thanks, KNIGHT! I did notice that on one of the posters .... so I must be mistaken or maybe it was just the NPC that had to refrain from using the Mr./Mrs. titles.
Would be interesting to get more detailed info on this.
FUNK, Small world! Thanks for the photo.
I met Karl and Pat Casey way back then but didn't know either of them real well.
A while back I posted a story about Pat's successful 600 pound bench press that occured during the early 60's at a Police Academy in San Diego close to the SD Zoo. I believe that was the world's first 600 pound bench press and when his attempt was successful and he racked it ... a lion roared immediately ...... and so Pat and that lion got a standing ovation from the 40 or so people in attendance.
OFF SUBJCT HERE BUT ..... Does anyone recall the name of the San Diego bodybuilder who had a serious mishap with a chainsaw that mess up his leg pretty damn bad during the early 60's time frame?
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Stuntman, I remember Ralph Kroger living in and having a gym in Lakeside, CA. This is a part of the east county of San Diego. Met him a couple of times and he was a very nice man.
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Scott, Do you recall the year when Ralph ha that LAKESIDE GYM? His gym along the Pacific Coast Highway was a small stand-alone building with the beach directly behind it somewhere in the vicinity of the race-track south of Oceanside.
I have a feeling it was just before he moved to Hilo, Hawaii and opened a small place there.
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Having difficulties typing due to a messed up curser so I'll throw in some beach area photos..
Here's an oldt shot of Bill Pettis.
Bill is quite old now but he had some serious arms when he was much younger. I'll see if I can find those 'serious arm' shots and post one here.
For more info on Bill .... http://www.ironguru.com/bill-pettis
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This is a present day photo of the Venice Beach weight pit showing the area in the rear where some of the equipment can be locked up.
Bill Howard used to run all the contests here but Joe Wheatly took over recently and Bill was relieved of his duties as mentioned in an earlier post.
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If you have ever taken a walk on the beachwalk and about 500 yards north of the lifting area, you will remember this apartment house with the interesting paint job.
I lived here for a short while when the monthly rent was dirt cheap.
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Another shot of Bill taken a long while back .....
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Scott, Do you recall the year when Ralph ha that LAKESIDE GYM? His gym along the Pacific Coast Highway was a small stand-alone building with the beach directly behind it somewhere in the vicinity of the race-track south of Oceanside.
I have a feeling it was just before he moved to Hilo, Hawaii and opened a small place there.
shows you how bbing has gone astray,,,try finding even now on local beach guys that look like this,,even with modern chemicals,training ,machines,info on eating,,,these guys had genetics.training,and used them to get these looks u still like i said see every day,,,
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Stunt - I just started reading this but damn - this thread is awesome!! Thx for starting it and going forward with it.
RS
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:)ralph was on the cover of the first mag i ever bought pic'd here. he did pretty decent in weightlifting too, as that was needed to secure the 5 athletic points needed to win mr america aau version.
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THANKS, ED!
I gotta add that the help I've been getting from some of you GetBiggers is appreciated too.
FUNK! I honestly don't recall anything about the AAU's five athletic points but i do recall the following incident which I believe was at the very beginning of the NPC take-over. It could have been during the AAU days though but I'lll leave that up to Joe for a correction if one is required.
Nothing of genuine interest here but ...... Back in the day on an early Saturday morning in Santa Monica, California during a major, national bodybuilding contest (either the AAU Mr America or the NPC National Championships), I ran into an old friend (Peter Grymkowski) who was rushing out of the hotel in which the weigh-ins were being held.
Since I knew Pete well and since I was raised to be somewhat polite, I asked him what the rush was! And Pete said that he was in a hurry because he had forgotten his NPC card (AAU card?) and had to get it immediately or he would fail to register for the contest on time.
I told him to relax and I'd go and get it and bring it back.
Pete's card was in the top drawer of his desk in Gold's (he was one of the owners at that time) and it was only about four blocks away so I came back within 20 minutes and handed the card to Pete so he could prove that he was a member in good standing (meaning that his card was current) .... and then he was happy all went well.
Once he was registered he had to stand in a very long line of competitors for a very long time of standing.
That line of competitors was for the INTERVIEW process whereby every contender was interviewed by three or four officials before the prejudging process.
I didn't sit in that interview nor did I hear what that interview consisted of .... but most of the after-interview comments ddisclosed that it was little more than .... Name / Rank / and Serial # which was meant to insure that the potential winner could communicate well if he were to represent the Sanctioning Organization.
As far as I can recall, that was one of the three steps that was required before the prejudging ... Registration with your current membership card / Weight-In / and the Interview.
That Interview Process was dropped shortly thereafter, but many felt that it would be a good idea to incorporate some sort of athletic event as a substitution.
But needless to say that never happened..... and now that I think of it after proof-reading the above .... I have some doubts that weigh-ins were even necessary back then. (HELP, JOE!!)
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Don't know about the five athletic points for the old Mr America, but had been told about some other requirements that were athletic. Do well in a few of the Olympic lifts, press over bwt, hand balance or whatever. Also had to be well spoken, before the judging panel, and answer questions. Just like the Miss America, strange back than. Harold Poole, who was clearly a top contender, had a speech problem and was said to have lost points for that. Maybe being black was another thing. Good posture and well groomed included in all this.
Also prejudging had different phases of posing. One was under national/outdoor sun. The other under overhead stage lighting. There was also a relaxed side, front and rear view of the BB'ers. Judges looked for all kind of physical flaws. When standing relaxed and natural, a lot of flaws will be noticed, big time.
Might be quite a sight if the modern Pro's had to do any of this. Some have a hard time walking and chewing gum at the same time.. Some even get out of breath just walking.
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Stunt, athletic points were a part of SOME AAU Mr. America contests over the years, but were eliminated at the 1969 contest in Chicago. The AAU switched scoring systems and characteristics from time to time. Hair, teeth, posture/carriage, were at various times parts of the judging. Sometimes the categories were weight based, other times height based. Without giving a year by year analysis, it was (in my view) a mess.
There were also strict time limits of posing at some events.
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Scott, Do you recall the year when Ralph ha that LAKESIDE GYM? His gym along the Pacific Coast Highway was a small stand-alone building with the beach directly behind it somewhere in the vicinity of the race-track south of Oceanside.
I have a feeling it was just before he moved to Hilo, Hawaii and opened a small place there.
It was mid to late 70s, perhaps 77 or so. He was very nice guy. A real gentleman and as shown in the photographs posted here, a handsome man with a great build.
Now to the point of judging and especially on the standing relaxed. They relaxed back then. None of this stupid posturing that goes on now and yes, you had to at least present yourself in a decent manner with good manners. No grapefruit bangers would have been allowed.
I believe Reeves lost the Universe to Grimek due to the latter's muscle control display and hand balancing act after a tie was declared. Reeves later said he was under the impression that the contest was based upon one's physique but took the loss in a gentlemanly way and returned a couple of years later to win it over Reg Park.
I appreciate this thread and the photos put up by you, Funk and the others. Great memories worthy of remembering and sharing.
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Stunt, please remember your Paul Anderson story.
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JPM, Sorry for the length of this reply but I'm trying my best to explain some details that may be unknown to the younger GetBiggers with the hope that they may find some of this to be of interest.
I don’t recall any of those athletic requirements except for the interview.
But I do recall the Relaxed Round which was the first thing that the judges called for when the contestants lined up on stage for the prejudging and were asked to stand relaxed and look straight ahead.
This allowed the Head Judge to ensure that the contestant numbers were correct and visible for all the judges to see.
And this was the time when each of the judges would make their first unofficial calculation ranking eack of the contestants first through last while they were standing relaxed. (Subject to change at any time of course.)
Then the contestants were asked to take a quarter turn to the right and look straight ahead and remain relaxed.
This allowed the slower judges time to finish what the faster judges had already accomplished. (Judging placements while standing sideways was difficult.)
Then aother quarter turn so the judges could see the backs, then another quarter turn and then another quarter turn so that once again all the contestants were facing front.
All of the above was called the Relaxed Round and if any contestant was not relaxed he would be told to “Relax!” and that round would not proceed until he did so.
Based on my experience the judges were somwwhat tougher back then when it came to strict standards and any error on the part of anyone on that stage would be corrected before the prejudging round would continue.
This ‘strictness’ during the relaxed round allowed onw and all to have an equal opportunity.
Gradually over the years, the relaxed round became anything but relaxed and I would not be surprised if the Relaxed Round was removed from the current NPG Rule Book or NPC Guidelines.
Then immdiately following the Relaxed Round, the Head Judge would call for the Comparisson Round and call for the following poses while all contenders are standing side by side in that lineup:
Front Fouble Bicep
Front Lat Spread
Quarter turn
Side Chest
Side Tricep
Wuater turn …
Double Bicep from the Rear
Lat Spread with Calfs
Quater turn …
Side Chest
Side Tricep
Fae Front ….
Hands behind head Abs
Most Muscular
Sometimes (and this happened frequently) a contestant would take an extra long time to get into one of the above poses …. and that problem would best be solved by calling for the next pose before he got into the previous pose. At that point he would catch on and get with the program).
By now the judges would have a damn good idea how/where to place each contestant on his individual score sheet, but if any judge needed more time or a further look, the Head Judge would call out various contestants to stand side by side and hit various poses until each judge was satisfied that his ranking were as he/she saw fit.
Then the Individual Posing part of prejudging would begin and each contestnt was allowed to do his 60 second posing routine without music.
This would give the judges additional time to compute their individual score-sheet if he or she needed time to do so.
And then the judges would sign their score sheet and pass it on the the Head Judge for computation.
The big change now-a-days is that there is no longer an individual posing round during the prejudging. I think that the main reason for the elimination of the inividual posing round was to expidite prejudging due to the increase of competitors over the years.
Joe / Scott ... More to follow regarding your posts ..... Thanks!
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Stunt, please remember your Paul Anderson story.
anderson at muscle beach
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;)stunt did you ever encounter any of these fellows pic'd chuck ahrens, dan vadis,chuck collras, peter lupus?
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;)stunt did you ever encounter any of these fellows pic'd chuck ahrens, dan vadis,chuck collras, peter lupus?
3RD PIC PETER LUPUS SHOULD BE TURNED AND HANDING TROPHY OVER TO RIGHTFUL OWNER WITH GREAT MIDSECTION/LINES..
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Funk, would you happen to have exact dates for the photos of Paul at Muscle Beach- I mean when he was there as shown?
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SCOTT ….. You said someplace above …. “you had to at least present yourself in a decent manner with good manners. No grapefruit bangers would have been allowed.”
That so very TRUE, but not jus about boybuilding competition entries! Itt was the TRUTH about LIFE in general.
Compared to the way we live today, it was similar to the VICTORIAN AGE back then.
That is one of the reasons why I find it difficult to intelligently discuss any use of roids back in the 50’s except for minor instances previously noted among a certain group of individuals.
Times were so much different then and even marijuana was taboo until a few years later.
You mentioned Reeves and Grimek …… As mentioned earlier I met Reeves on a number of occasions and had the honor of working with him a few years before he passed away.
Steve was always great to telk with but John Grimek always seemed to be a bit cantankerous and a bit annoyed about something that was never too evident. But I only met Grimek while some major Olympic lifting event was underway so that could have been the reason for his ‘cantanker-ness’.
I’ll also add that Gironda was always great to talk with and very concerned about any competing gym member. No matter how bad one of his members appeared on stage, Vince was always supportive and always thought the best.
Many think that VINCE was way ahead of his time when it came to muscle growth, but no one seems to defend Vince for his stand against squatting.
I have been told that even Larry Scott had to train elsewhere on leg day.
JOE …. Nothing too much to tell about Paul Anderson because I can’t find any of the photos I took when he was visiting San Francisco but I did pay $3 for a ticket one evening to watch him wrestle another big opponent at the San Francisco Auditorium opposite City Hall (I think the name was changed recently but I have not lived in that city for way too many years.)
So I paid my $3 and went inside and the place was full of Anderson fans had better seats than I had. They must have paid $5 to get inside.
If I recall right, Paul was the main attraction and everyone stood and yelled a lot when he was introduced.
And from that point on it turned into something like a Barnum and Bailey Side Show with Paul breaking 2x4’s and lifting heavy things before getting into something that looked like a dancing contest with his opponent.
In other words …. It looked rehearsed but one half of that two man group appeared to have missed the rehaersal ……. But after a few minutes Paul was declared the winner and the crowd showed its approval and left the place to get a drink somewhere before heading home ….. San Frncisco was a major drinking town back the with way more drunk drinkers I’ve ever seen since them good old days.
I went to the back door to see if I could get an autograph but only got a couple of photos with an old but reliable Brownie.
And without the photos I took back then, that’s all I can say about Paul Anderson ….. but he was a great man and even started a home for “troubled kids” which I’ll have to Goggle to refresh my memory.
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FUNK, You asked the following .... "Did you ever encounter any of these fellows pic'd chuck ahrens, dan vadis,chuck collras, peter lupus?"
Yes!
Chuck Colllras - Often. Chuck was one of the competitors you coulld always count on to enter a So Cal contest. .... Ditto for Reg Lewis. (And Sheri also!)
Peter Lupus - Couple of times
Chuck Ahrens - I don't think so,
Dan Vadis - Never, but I seem to recall that his name was changed for some movie work. It appears that he is making a Herk film in the above photo. I'll see if I can find out his real name.
Don Peters - You failed to mention DON but I saw him frequently
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That photo above of Peters, Lupus, Chuck and an unknown guy was taken at at a ball park in Palm Springs. I was there that day and have always been under the impression that Lupus also entered the contest that day but I am apparently mistaken..... Oe maybe Lupus competed against Don the fnext year.
This was also the day when Gypsie Boots did about 20 minutes of a "football throwing" demonstration. Gypsie had a long white beard which made him appear older than he actually was, but regardless of his age, that demonstration was impressive.
I can recall being impresse, but I forget exactly what he did that impressed me.
That was also the day I had to drive back to Camp Pendleton through a massive wind storm which sand-blasted all the blue paint offf my VW. Stripped it down to the primer!
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Notice the guys in the suits standing in the shade behind Anderson.
Suits and ties and even hats were in vogue back then but I don't recall anyone showing up on the beach dressed like that .
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Nothing earth-shattering here but I should have mentioned it above .....
To the best of my knowledge Gypsie Boots was the first individual who made and sold protein in tablet form. They were packaged somewhat like Life-Savers and tasted something like grass or alfalfa. Can any of you GetBigggers recall the name of those tablets?
This was many years before the supplement industry was on its feet .... and around the time when the very few "health food stores" were relatively unknown and considered to be where the 'crack-pots' (crazy people) shopped for wheat germ oil, yogurt (plain only), and bowel movement stuff.
And regarding Don Peters .... Not sure here but I think he had a job at one of the major Hollywood movie studios. And I never did attend any of his parties but I have been told that it was mandatory to sit through a half hour or so of the 'movies' that were shot of him while on stage competing in a number of contests.
SO in many cases, his friends would just show up late.
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That photo above of Peters, Lupus, Chuck and an unknown guy was taken at at a ball park in Palm Springs. I was there that day and have always been under the impression that Lupus also entered the contest that day but I am apparently mistaken..... Oe maybe Lupus competed against Don the fnext year.
This was also the day when Gypsie Boots did about 20 minutes of a "football throwing" demonstration. Gypsie had a long white beard which made him appear older than he actually was, but regardless of his age, that demonstration was impressive.
I can recall being impresse, but I forget exactly what he did that impressed me.
That was also the day I had to drive back to Camp Pendleton through a massive wind storm which sand-blasted all the blue paint offf my VW. Stripped it down to the primer!
U THINK PETERS SHOULD HAVE BEAT GUY OPPOSITE LUPUS BEHIND HIM...
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FUNK, I’m very surprised that I never met nor can hardly recall anything about Don Vadis.
But I am sure we had mutual friends while he was alive due to the fact that he did some stunt-work back them.
The following info is provided by IMDB.
DAN VADIS (1838 – 1987)
Birth Name …Constantine Daniel Vafiadis
Born in Shanghai, China
Died in Lancaster, California, USA (in auto, in desert) (Accidental drug overdose; acute ethanol and heroin-morphine intoxication.)
Served in the Navy.
Member of the Mae West Muscleman Revue in the late 1950s.
Was good friends with fellow muscle man Gordon Mitchell, who helped him get into the film business.
He began his film career as a star in the Italian produced sword and sandal/mythological muscleman movies. His films were produced in the waning years of that genre. However, unlike the other stars of that genre, he was able to obtain roles in the next popular Italian produced genre, the spaghetti westerns.
IMDB lists 27 film and TV credits under his name
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Notice the guys in the suits standing in the shade behind Anderson.
Suits and ties and even hats were in vogue back then but I don't recall anyone showing up on the beach dressed like that .
the guy with the sunglasses is john terpak a lifter and employee of york barbell. the york guys were said to make MJ brownies for their summer picnics. read this in john fair's book.
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FUNK, You asked the following .... "Did you ever encounter any of these fellows pic'd chuck ahrens, dan vadis,chuck collras, peter lupus?"
Yes!
Chuck Colllras - Often. Chuck was one of the competitors you coulld always count on to enter a So Cal contest. .... Ditto for Reg Lewis. (And Sheri also!)
Peter Lupus - Couple of times
Chuck Ahrens - I don't think so,
Dan Vadis - Never, but I seem to recall that his name was changed for some movie work. It appears that he is making a Herk film in the above photo. I'll see if I can find out his real name.
Don Peters - You failed to mention DON but I saw him frequently
:)collaras was said to pose everywhere he went even weddings.
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NJ, I think you mean Peters vs. Chick Collras.
That was a really long time ago, but I think that the Peters deserved that win.
Peters had the CLASSICAL type of physique that most bodybuilders trained for ... don't forget that these were still the days when Reeves was considered the 'ultimate' bodybuilder on planet earth.
And Chuck was always in great shape but he was short and not as impressive as Peters in 'real life'.
But I gotta admit that that is a damn good shot of Chuck.
I'm gonna do my best to contact old friend from back then and try to find out what ever happene to these guys who actually were the pioneers of bodybuilding and the lifting of heavy things.
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Great thread stuntmovie.
Nothing I can really add except ask the occasional question but I always enjoy reading about your reminiscence of the older days.
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:)collaras was said to pose everywhere he went even weddings.
got the story from lydia t zabo k's ex-wife.and the girl in the arnold pic.
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:)
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FUNK.... You are right about Collras. I don't think I ever saw him with a shirt ON.
ANd he was always on stage when it came time to compete.
Actually there were about four or five others who always showed up also. Those were the days when a bodybuilding contest would have roughly 8 - 10 guys in the line-up and I don't recall if there were any wt or height divisions back them
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stunt I see your point,certainly not to argue 40/50 yrs ago pics,just like that guys look there collaras sp?its a impressive thread to say the least.
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I can only ID three of the guys in that group shot, FUN K.
Draper, Eifferman, and Collras....
Any help with the others?
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nJ, take a look at the group shot above with Dave and George and Chuck and you can see that Chuck was on the short side and that was most likely his disadvantage.
Great physique though.
Thanks, POLY!
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Funk, would you happen to have exact dates for the photos of Paul at Muscle Beach- I mean when he was there as shown?
no joe , first time i saw pic was in a mid60's ironman mag.
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Regarding George Eifferman ..... Many years after all of these above photos, we would become good friends.
He presented me an award at a formal gathering and his wife took me aside while he was making the presentation and said something like, "He really wants to give you this because you deserve it!".
I have forgotten her exact words but it was really appreciated.
George was hospitalized when his good friend Steve Reeves passed away and we were asked to not tell George until he fully recovered, so I am unaware if George was aware of Steve's death before he himself passed away.
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DAMN!!!! Why am I confusing Terpak with Grinik???
I met them both at one time or another but for some dumb reason I get them confused.
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nJ, take a look at the group shot above with Dave and George and Chuck and you can see that Chuck was on the short side and that was most likely his disadvantage.
Great physique though.
Thanks, POLY!
DAMN UR RIGHT LIKE PADILLA SHORT MINUS THE MASS DANNY HAD,,THANKS..
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DAMN!!!! Why am I confusing Terpak with Grinik???
I met them both at one time or another but for some dumb reason I get them confused.
maybe because both were york men i used to confuse terpak with the teralazzo's john and tony.. when i was young everytime i went to york for equipment it seemed john terralazzo waited on me. never thought to get john grimek's autograph. i'm talking mid-60's here.another pic of cally guys.
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Regarding George Eifferman ..... Many years after all of these above photos, we would become good friends.
He presented me an award at a formal gathering and his wife took me aside while he was making the presentation and said something like, "He really wants to give you this because you deserve it!".
I have forgotten her exact words but it was really appreciated.
George was hospitalized when his good friend Steve Reeves passed away and we were asked to not tell George until he fully recovered, so I am unaware if George was aware of Steve's death before he himself passed away.
I happened to be in contact with George's ex-wife (who took him into her home and cared for him while he was failing) and she asked me not tell him that Steve had passed. George lived about 21 more months after Steve passed and I suspect he did not know about Steve.
George's Marriages: Tobi 1962 - 1963, and 1968 - 1974
Bonita Oct 19, 1978 - 1988
Gerrie- this is a confusing situation but he was technically married to Gerrie when he died as I understand it.
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maybe because both were york men i used to confuse terpak with the teralazzo's john and tony.. when i was young everytime i went to york for equipment it seemed john terralazzo waited on me. never thought to get john grimek's autograph. i'm talking mid-60's here.another pic of cally guys.
joe nista
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no joe , first time i saw pic was in a mid60's ironman mag.
The photos may have been taken the first week of June 1957, but I cannot prove it.
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COOL SHOTS GREAT BUILDS,SOLID,,,
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Great shot with Nesta, Mcardel, Scott and Dadigan.
I met them all at one time or another. Most recently Larry Scott at one of the Expos.
Back in the mid-60's Larry Scott was training Bill Mcardel for the prestigious Mr. California contest and since Larry was the best in Cal at that time, everyone felt that Mcardel would be unbeatable.
But that was the year when a relatively unknown by the name of John Corvelllo was training for the same contest up north near San Jose in a small club called Moonlight Heath Studio (or a similar name).
It was a damn close contest but John managed to win that year and take the 'bacon' home.
Soon after that John moved to the LA area and was involved with a major health club within the Century City area (if I recall correctly).
Then he was featured in Playgirl magazine and .... that's the rest of the story!
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Scott, Do you recall the year when Ralph ha that LAKESIDE GYM? His gym along the Pacific Coast Highway was a small stand-alone building with the beach directly behind it somewhere in the vicinity of the race-track south of Oceanside.
I have a feeling it was just before he moved to Hilo, Hawaii and opened a small place there.
According to MTI July 1979 p 11, Kroger "...bought four acres of land on Hilo in Hawaii and should be moving in as this sees print'. So, the summer of 1979?
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The photos may have been taken the first week of June 1957, but I cannot prove it.
that would have been my guess year wise as it was shortly after the olympics.
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Thanks , Joe! I'm bad when it comes to dates but '79 sounds about right.
Here is more stuff that I may not be too accurate about.
Ralph's Hilo gym was a small place on the second floor of a very old building in the center of Helo which was across from the 'beach' or more accurately "HILO BAY". Many years earlier that part of the Big Island was devestated by a huge tsunami and may people were hurt or killed.
The gym itself was not too impressive when I saw it.
And arond that time there was another gym about a mile otr two away that was owned by a gentleman named Herb Ishibashi, which was pretty darn impressive for a small town like Hilo.
If I recall correctly, Herb promoted a contest and Ralph was signed up to enter but failed to appear for the weigh-ins.
And if I recall correctly once again, Jeff and Cory Everson were there to participate as guest posers.
Haven't thought of this since it occured so this is coming off the top of my head .... but the contest was held in some town or HS auditorium and was running late.
And one of the high school kids was in charge and was told by his boss that we'd be out of there by 10 PM.
So 10 PM arrived and the kid started to pull the curtain down and told us that he was locking up and going home and that we sholuld continue this event in the parking lot.
I forgot how we solved that problem but an hour or so later Jeff and Cory did their thing while the curtain was still up and after that we all went home or back to our hotel rooms.
Hilo is the kind of town that closes up at 9 and expects everyone to be safe at home and sound asleep by 9:30. In fact most of all the neighbor islands think it's time to go to bed soon after the sun sets.
Needless to say that we were never invited back to use that particular venue.
Correct me if I've forgotten anything, Jeff.
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Joe, Even back then four acres of land in Hilo or on the ouuskirts of Hilo was very expensive unless that 4 acres was situated on the side of Haleakala.
I rode up the side of that volcano once to look at some residential property and the land was nothing but ancient lava and semi-flat residential lots which some industrious 'pioneers' had 'flattened' over many months of chain gang type labor.
Much of that lava had been untouched since that lava flowed and sometimes it would look and feel like you were sitting on a surfboard with lava 'waves' of twenty to thirty feet on either side of you.
Those lava fields were the least expensive 'land ' in the state and there was a lot of marijuana growing on up 'thar'.
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tribute to bill and arnold
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SCOTT ….. You said someplace above …. “you had to at least present yourself in a decent manner with good manners. No grapefruit bangers would have been allowed.”
That so very TRUE, but not jus about boybuilding competition entries! Itt was the TRUTH about LIFE in general.
Compared to the way we live today, it was similar to the VICTORIAN AGE back then.
That is one of the reasons why I find it difficult to intelligently discuss any use of roids back in the 50’s except for minor instances previously noted among a certain group of individuals.
Times were so much different then and even marijuana was taboo until a few years later.
You mentioned Reeves and Grimek …… As mentioned earlier I met Reeves on a number of occasions and had the honor of working with him a few years before he passed away.
Steve was always great to telk with but John Grimek always seemed to be a bit cantankerous and a bit annoyed about something that was never too evident. But I only met Grimek while some major Olympic lifting event was underway so that could have been the reason for his ‘cantanker-ness’.
I’ll also add that Gironda was always great to talk with and very concerned about any competing gym member. No matter how bad one of his members appeared on stage, Vince was always supportive and always thought the best.
Many think that VINCE was way ahead of his time when it came to muscle growth, but no one seems to defend Vince for his stand against squatting.
I have been told that even Larry Scott had to train elsewhere on leg day.
JOE …. Nothing too much to tell about Paul Anderson because I can’t find any of the photos I took when he was visiting San Francisco but I did pay $3 for a ticket one evening to watch him wrestle another big opponent at the San Francisco Auditorium opposite City Hall (I think the name was changed recently but I have not lived in that city for way too many years.)
So I paid my $3 and went inside and the place was full of Anderson fans had better seats than I had. They must have paid $5 to get inside.
If I recall right, Paul was the main attraction and everyone stood and yelled a lot when he was introduced.
And from that point on it turned into something like a Barnum and Bailey Side Show with Paul breaking 2x4’s and lifting heavy things before getting into something that looked like a dancing contest with his opponent.
In other words …. It looked rehearsed but one half of that two man group appeared to have missed the rehaersal ……. But after a few minutes Paul was declared the winner and the crowd showed its approval and left the place to get a drink somewhere before heading home ….. San Frncisco was a major drinking town back the with way more drunk drinkers I’ve ever seen since them good old days.
I went to the back door to see if I could get an autograph but only got a couple of photos with an old but reliable Brownie.
And without the photos I took back then, that’s all I can say about Paul Anderson ….. but he was a great man and even started a home for “troubled kids” which I’ll have to Goggle to refresh my memory.
It was better back then because people behaved as people, and not mindless animals. Bodybuilders were interested in strength and health. They worked for what they had.
People didn't wear their pajamas to the store and you earned your way in life. Steve and George are two of the genuine greats. I was in Studio City in the mid 70s and called Gironda's gym to ask directions. Whoever answered asked my name and I naturally replied, "This is Scott"....
Ooops. "Larry! Can't you ******** remember how to get here?!
I hastily hung up the pay phone (remember those?) as I didn't want any part of looking like I was trying to fool someone into thinking I was Larry. I was often mistaken for Draper in the late 70s and early 80s. We share a similar look, but he is much larger than I.
I miss those days. The folks I trained with that did take drugs never lied about it. They even shared their regimen, if you will. They took breaks from it and never over did that stuff. But still, they took it. The ones I knew are more than likely still alive and doing well.
Thanks for the memories, Stuntman!
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SCOTT! "This is Scott!" ..... funny story.
SCOTT... here are some memories that these GetBiggers won't appreciate too very much...
I'm glad you agree that THINGS WERE SO MUCH DIFFERENT THEN! I could expound on that till the cows come home!
Many times the younger generation thinks I'm full of shit when we talk about the good old days and those involved in the business or those who were competing in skimpy trunks for a plastic trophy.
Back then gyms were social hangouts .... but only AFTER the serous training was completed and any use of roids was discussed openly without hearing a lot of shit from those outside the 'game'.
Those "outside the game" were not gym members yet, but a President named Kennedy would change that real soon.
I personally believe thatt the following three events changed gym atmospheres for the worse over time.
I can't blame President Kenney but he was very active and convincing about the general public getting in some form of decent shape. ANd that was when the gym "outsiders' entered the picture and changed just about everything.
Chrome this and chrome that and fancy shit that the original gym members never used.
Gyms became places where inividuals who knew nothing about lifting heavy things, started trying lifting heavy things with no real interest in doing so.
And these new members failed to understand the mind-set of those who took lifting heavy things and gaining muscular size ... very seriously.
SO there were sort of two very different groups of gym members and over time it became very noticealbe and somewhat resentful.
The commeradity slowly evaporated and never did return.
And then the Personal Trainer Business raised its ugly head. And the guys who knew how to train were replaced by the guys who only thought they knew how to train but passed a written test.
That problem is not as bad today as it was back then but back then when there were no PT's, you'd simply ask anyone in the gym if you could work arms or legs or chest with them.
Or if you didn't really know what to do, there was always someone there willing to help you out without a $60 to a $100 consultation fee.
But that PT business grew and continues to grow today because gyms are now full of people who have no idea what the hell they are supposed to do and it's an easy increase to the bottom line.
But it's difficult to argue about the PT business because some PT's have proved themselves to be very helpful.
But it was so much more simple in the good old days when you could walk up to anyone in the gym and ask for help with a spot or for help on just about anything regarding your particular workout.
It was so much better in them good old days.
And then they made the use of roids a felony which created big business and big incomes for those who look for income opportunities such as this.
And roid discussions and advice and even help and advice from the medical profession went underground. It became dangerous to discuss it openly and honestly.
An a few good men got arrested by those in authority who used the roids and still do to this day.
YADA, Yada, yada,,,,,, gottta go to the airport.
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Stunt is still the man, but nice to see some of the other BB'ing veterans adding to this thread.
Any one hear of a guy called Big Danny, back in the day, who hung around Santa Monica & Venice beach.. Don't know the last name but heard a lot of stories about him.
Padilla, no doubt, another outstanding Italian BB'er. If tall as Arnold, he might have ruled the BB'ing world, even over Columbo if he was taller. Too bad about Paul DeMayo, unreal development.
Keep the good stuff coming. The personal things , witnessed first hand, are worth their price in gold.
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JPM, I worked with both Danny and Paul but I'm having difficulty recalling anything that occured back then.
Gottta make some phone calls to see if I can get my memory refreshed.
Will also ask about Big DANNY. That name is kind of fuzzy in the back of my head.
Heading out to see WWZ.
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JPM, I worked with both Danny and Paul but I'm having difficulty recalling anything that occured back then.
Gottta make some phone calls to see if I can get my memory refreshed.
Will also ask about Big DANNY. That name is kind of fuzzy in the back of my head.
Heading out to see WWZ.
:P the kennedy influence probably the first president to appear on the cover of a musclemag.,,,give us your take on wwz. gable boudreaux????
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:P the kennedy influence probably the first president to appear on the cover of a musclemag.,,,give us your take on wwz. gable boudreaux????
another great build,,awesome stuff,not to throw the thread off,,funk51 is a great contributor to this ,,his mr america thread in the history section was epic yr to yr pic's was just great work,i read every page and enjoyed the 70/80's guys the ones i remember when i started training late 80's,,respected those builds still do,,
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Gable Boudreaux ......
WOW! That's a long time forgotten name.
I never did meet Gabe (very short) because I was overseas during most of the time that he was in SoCal. (He's originally from Louisiana and may be residing in Louisiana as we speak).
If I recall correctly, he trained with Scott at Vince's and placed second in the Cal contest the year after Corvello took the overall.
I believe Corvello won the Cal in 1965, so that would put Gable second in the 1966 Cal.
Joe, Can you tell us who won the Cal title in 1966??
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Believe that Boudreaux was one of the front men for Rheo Blairs (Irv Johnson) protein, etc. Like a before and after thing and what Blairs protein diet did for Boudreaux. Larry Scott also endorsed this line of products, probable before signing with Weider. (that was a very advanced diet for that day...maybe better thought out than even the master Gironda)
I'm thinking that maybe Dan Vadis was the Big Danny I had in mind. Very strong but a somewhat strange dude. Behavior was to the extreme, at times. Sort of like Ed Fury. Reminds me the time that Draper was slipped LSD (or so the story goes) at a party and went nuts. Police was called in and he was arrested. Heard nothing much came of that. Lot of acid that people were playing around with even back then.
Told that if Gordon Scott (Tarzan in the movies) focus seriously on strict BB'ing he could have given Reeves a run for his money. Really had to see him in person, great BB'ing frame it's been said. Reeves had a funny walk for awhile, where he would raise on his toes with each step......sort of like walking on springs. For the calves, he said.
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Thanks, JPM. I have some comments regarding your latest post but right now I'll be cut and pasteing something I just finished writing that's been in the back of my mind with the hope of resolving it before it falls out completely.
Just recrntly I read an undated article on the internet which wrote briefly about the transition phase between the AAU as the sanctioning body for bosybuilding within the USA and the NPC as the sanctioning body for bosybuilding within the USA
The article states that the NPC took control directly from the AAU.
The article appears to neglect a short period of “bodybuilding history” ….. a time in which I was involved (mostly on the sidelines … but in the game for the winning touchdown).
I am very bad at recalling dates and minor details but I will attempt to put this “jig-saw puzzle” together with the hope that another inividual who knows the dates andd related facts can lend a hand with this relatively unknown part of bodybuildimg history which should not be overlooked nor forgotten.
Or maybe it’s already recorded elsewhere and someone can let us know where.
Even pieces of this puzzle would be appreciated.
II’ll post what I can recall (the corners and the edges) ASAP.
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JPM. Reeves did a number of things like that but I only recall a couple such as chewing his food 20 times before swallowing and doing dynamic tension exercises with the steering wheel while driving his car.
To the best of my recollection it was Scott who introduced Boudreaux to Blair. (They both trained at Vince’s).
And “Yes”, R. H. Blair’s was the big seller back then among the serious lifters. Milk and egg if I recall.
There was some sort of an attempt to overthrow Blair’s success with the introduction of a pure liver product in powder form but it smelt and tasted so bad that it only was successful for a short time period. It had the odor dirty socks!
Gotta check this out but Steve was more of a Denny Miller look-a-like, but I may be wrong here, Give me time to agree or otherwise,
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GORDON SCOTT / DENN MILLER
Both had Tarzan movie roles.
Either similar to Reeves?
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Has anyone read or even seen a copy of MUSCLE, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS by Randy Roach? ($60+)
I just read a part of it that was posted on the web ... the whole volumn was not posted, but the small section of it that I did read was well written and damn accurate and very informative.
I'm going to stop by the library this evening and see if I can check out a copy. I believe it will describe the circumstances and the formation of the NPC, etc., etc., etc.
I'll see if it supports my memory banks or informs me that I've really lost it.
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GORDON SCOTT / DENN MILLER
Both had Tarzan movie roles.
Either similar to Reeves?
reeves and gordon scott appeared as brothers in duel of the titans because of reeves insistance i read somewhere.
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Has anyone read or even seen a copy of MUSCLE, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS by Randy Roach? ($60+)
I just read a part of it that was posted on the web ... the whole volumn was not posted, but the small section of it that I did read was well written and damn accurate and very informative.
I'm going to stop by the library this evening and see if I can check out a copy. I believe it will describe the circumstances and the formation of the NPC, etc., etc., etc.
I'll see if it supports my memory banks or informs me that I've really lost it.
I have never seen it but I have read Dick Tyler's "West Coast Bodybuilding Scene: The Golden Era", a great look at the end of the innocence of what it meant to be a real bodybuilder.
Stuntman, I recall reading a few years back before Eiferman passed away that he had recently found out that he had a son from a woman he had loved, but never married. I have been trying to find the story online but have so far failed. I seem to recall a video of it too, so perhaps that is where I should next look.
Another great video to watch, and one which I no longer have on DVD because I lent it to a friend who gave it to his brother and he lost it, is the DVD on the 1965 Mr. Olympia. It was shot in 8mm and while the film is just that, 8mm quality, the narration by the man who did the filming is wonderful. He goes into the whole scene including York.
I remember him saying that he was travelling with the York guys and they stopped to eat at a Denny's or some such place and he was worried about what to eat so as to appear "health oriented" like Bob Hoffman and the men of York put forth in Strength & Health magazine. Turns out Hoffman ordered something along the lines of chicken fried steak and gravy, you know... Just like a normal man would.
If only I had a "Way-Back Machine"... ;D
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Gable Boudreaux ......
WOW! That's a long time forgotten name.
I never did meet Gabe (very short) because I was overseas during most of the time that he was in SoCal. (He's originally from Louisiana and may be residing in Louisiana as we speak).
If I recall correctly, he trained with Scott at Vince's and placed second in the Cal contest the year after Corvello took the overall.
I believe Corvello won the Cal in 1965, so that would put Gable second in the 1966 Cal.
Joe, Can you tell us who won the Cal title in 1966??
^^
1966 Mr. California RALPH KROGER
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FUNK, Thanks again for the most recent pictures.
The first one is Don Howorth with Rheo H. Blair. My best guess is that it was taken 64/65.
Howorth was known for his huge delts and always wore a long sleeve cashmier sweater which was very popular back them. A few years later he got into some kind of trouble (drugs), but I have forgotten that story a long time ago.
That photo taken in the back of Yarick’s Gym is interesting for a couple off reasons …
Back in them days dress-coats always had ‘shoulder-pads’ such as you see in the dress-coat worn by Steve. He was very much in style in that phone and must have been heading out to some formal function of the day,
Interesting photo because Ed Yarlck photos are relatively rare.
And also interesting because it includes a young Jack Dillinger.
I had the opportunity to spend some time with Jack when he was working in the Oakland Bay Area .
Jack was working in a plant that made gym equipment similar to UNIVERSAL and we talked about HIS old days for an hour or so
We discussed the old timers back then and what those still-among-the-living were doing with their lives.
Jack had a full length cast (half length cast?) on his leg which was in an elevated position due to some discomfort. When I asked his what was the cause of his broken leg he said, “I fell off a bar-stool!”
I thought he was joking so I laughed and then we went on about our business.
A couple of days later, I met another friend of Jack’s and mentioned his broken leg and the laugh I had when he told me that he had fallen off a bar-stool.
And the friend said … “He did fall off a barstool! That’s how he broke it!”
SCOTT …. Thanks! I just ordered TYLER’s book and plan to read it as soon as Amazon sends it to me,
I also asked my library to order MUSCLE, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS because I don’t want to pay $60 for a copy. (And it comes in two volumns! At $60 a piece)
I think I saw that 1965 Olympia Super-8 once. Only once because it took too long to set up the projector and wind the film.)
That was Scott’s major win and I sort of recall RICK STONEWALL in it.
Am I correct?
Many years later I would be meeting RICK and a lot of other great early day bodybuilders at a big function in LV . ‘I’ll save that story for a later post.
I never heard that story about George Eifferman.
SPRITZ …. Thanks for the Kroger info. I should have known that but I was out of the country when he won that one.
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I have never seen it but I have read Dick Tyler's "West Coast Bodybuilding Scene: The Golden Era", a great look at the end of the innocence of what it meant to be a real bodybuilder.
Stuntman, I recall reading a few years back before Eiferman passed away that he had recently found out that he had a son from a woman he had loved, but never married. I have been trying to find the story online but have so far failed. I seem to recall a video of it too, so perhaps that is where I should next look.
Another great video to watch, and one which I no longer have on DVD because I lent it to a friend who gave it to his brother and he lost it, is the DVD on the 1965 Mr. Olympia. It was shot in 8mm and while the film is just that, 8mm quality, the narration by the man who did the filming is wonderful. He goes into the whole scene including York.
I remember him saying that he was travelling with the York guys and they stopped to eat at a Denny's or some such place and he was worried about what to eat so as to appear "health oriented" like Bob Hoffman and the men of York put forth in Strength & Health magazine. Turns out Hoffman ordered something along the lines of chicken fried steak and gravy, you know... Just like a normal man would.
If only I had a "Way-Back Machine"... ;D
i heard the same story about eiferman's son but was told that it was a fake. i had a dvd by norm kpmonich of the 65 mr o and several other contest, norm has recently died so i doubt you could find it now. i paid a whopping 3 bucks for it.on it he also visits chuck sipes.
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FUNK, Thanks again for the most recent pictures.
The first one is Don Howorth with Rheo H. Blair. My best guess is that it was taken 64/65.
Howorth was known for his huge delts and always wore a long sleeve cashmier sweater which was very popular back them. A few years later he got into some kind of trouble (drugs), but I have forgotten that story a long time ago.
That photo taken in the back of Yarick’s Gym is interesting for a couple off reasons …
Back in them days dress-coats always had ‘shoulder-pads’ such as you see in the dress-coat worn by Steve. He was very much in style in that phone and must have been heading out to some formal function of the day,
Interesting photo because Ed Yarlck photos are relatively rare.
And also interesting because it includes a young Jack Dillinger.
I had the opportunity to spend some time with Jack when he was working in the Oakland Bay Area .
Jack was working in a plant that made gym equipment similar to UNIVERSAL and we talked about HIS old days for an hour or so
We discussed the old timers back then and what those still-among-the-living were doing with their lives.
Jack had a full length cast (half length cast?) on his leg which was in an elevated position due to some discomfort. When I asked his what was the cause of his broken leg he said, “I fell off a bar-stool!”
I thought he was joking so I laughed and then we went on about our business.
A couple of days later, I met another friend of Jack’s and mentioned his broken leg and the laugh I had when he told me that he had fallen off a bar-stool.
And the friend said … “He did fall off a barstool! That’s how he broke it!”
SCOTT …. Thanks! I just ordered TYLER’s book and plan to read it as soon as Amazon sends it to me,
I also asked my library to order MUSCLE, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS because I don’t want to pay $60 for a copy. (And it comes in two volumns! At $60 a piece)
I think I saw that 1965 Olympia Super-8 once. Only once because it took too long to set up the projector and wind the film.)
That was Scott’s major win and I sort of recall RICK STONEWALL in it.
Am I correct?
Many years later I would be meeting RICK and a lot of other great early day bodybuilders at a big function in LV . ‘I’ll save that story for a later post.
I never heard that story about George Eifferman.
SPRITZ …. Thanks for the Kroger info. I should have known that but I was out of the country when he won that one.
;)don in the sweather i remember a reader of md wrote in critizing howorth for appearing in the pic with the sweather. why who knows.
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Has anyone read or even seen a copy of MUSCLE, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS by Randy Roach? ($60+)
I just read a part of it that was posted on the web ... the whole volumn was not posted, but the small section of it that I did read was well written and damn accurate and very informative.
I'm going to stop by the library this evening and see if I can check out a copy. I believe it will describe the circumstances and the formation of the NPC, etc., etc., etc.
I'll see if it supports my memory banks or informs me that I've really lost it.
Stunt, I have both Volumes of Roach's Muscle, Smoke, Mirrors.Some of the best stuff ever written on the iron game.
A nice pic of Joe Roark in there as well, he was a contributor...
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FUNK, Thanks again for the most recent pictures.
The first one is Don Howorth with Rheo H. Blair. My best guess is that it was taken 64/65.
Howorth was known for his huge delts and always wore a long sleeve cashmier sweater which was very popular back them. A few years later he got into some kind of trouble (drugs), but I have forgotten that story a long time ago.
That photo taken in the back of Yarick’s Gym is interesting for a couple off reasons …
Back in them days dress-coats always had ‘shoulder-pads’ such as you see in the dress-coat worn by Steve. He was very much in style in that phone and must have been heading out to some formal function of the day,
Interesting photo because Ed Yarlck photos are relatively rare.
And also interesting because it includes a young Jack Dillinger.
I had the opportunity to spend some time with Jack when he was working in the Oakland Bay Area .
Jack was working in a plant that made gym equipment similar to UNIVERSAL and we talked about HIS old days for an hour or so
We discussed the old timers back then and what those still-among-the-living were doing with their lives.
Jack had a full length cast (half length cast?) on his leg which was in an elevated position due to some discomfort. When I asked his what was the cause of his broken leg he said, “I fell off a bar-stool!”
I thought he was joking so I laughed and then we went on about our business.
A couple of days later, I met another friend of Jack’s and mentioned his broken leg and the laugh I had when he told me that he had fallen off a bar-stool.
And the friend said … “He did fall off a barstool! That’s how he broke it!”
SCOTT …. Thanks! I just ordered TYLER’s book and plan to read it as soon as Amazon sends it to me,
I also asked my library to order MUSCLE, SMOKE, AND MIRRORS because I don’t want to pay $60 for a copy. (And it comes in two volumns! At $60 a piece)
I think I saw that 1965 Olympia Super-8 once. Only once because it took too long to set up the projector and wind the film.)
That was Scott’s major win and I sort of recall RICK STONEWALL in it.
Am I correct?
Many years later I would be meeting RICK and a lot of other great early day bodybuilders at a big function in LV . ‘I’ll save that story for a later post.
I never heard that story about George Eifferman.
SPRITZ …. Thanks for the Kroger info. I should have known that but I was out of the country when he won that one.
:(
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;)rock stonewall
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Enjoyed the thread. I too paid my 10 cents and took the Pico trolly from La Brea to Santa Monica. 1951. Started my 60 years in the gym after seeing Muscle Beach.
Steve Reeves was my first trainer at Bert Goodrich's Hollywood Gym.
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;)another angle of the paul anderson shot. plus sr hsquat
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POWER, I HAVE lots to ask you about those two volumes. But can you tell me if the following two individuals were mentioned during the period of time immediately before the NPC was incorporated .....
RALPH COUNTRYMAN
JEROME WEISE
And in which VOL. is the creation of the NFC discussed? I was a part of that undertaking but have forgotten way too many of the important details.
To the best of my recollection they were the most important individuals who made it possible for the NPC to be a legal entity.
More on that if I ever get the chance to read one of both of those books. I have asked the library to place them on order and they are pretty good about doing so.
MR.... Can you post some of the details regarding Goodrich's Hollywood Gym and your opinion of S Reeves as a personal trainer and the years that this occured.
Did that Street-car from La Brea to the beach run along the road on which the Mormon Temple is prestnly situated and along the front of the Century Cty complex (Santa Monica Blvd I believe)?
Do you recall the year that that street-car service was discontinued? I seem to recall it when I ws there in the mid 50's
Thanks MR
And thanks again, FUNK
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THINKING OUT LOUD!
Myself and a couple of Gary Leonard's good friends helped him prepare for the 1980 Mr America contest which I think was the last Mr America title awarded before the NPC took over.
JOE, I'm a bit confused here regarding the legal use of the 'Mr America" title between the AAU and the NPC back then but I was backstage helping Gary in the pump-area when he won it and many years later he said something like he was the last Mr America title holder before the NPC broke away from the AAU .... actually a 'sub-division' of the Olympic Lifting part of the the AAU. (I have long forgotten the exact title but I do know that it will be addresed extensively in MUSCLE, SMOKE, and MIRRORS.)
The last time I talked with Gary was the year in which he had gotten lost in a California forest (Sierra foothills I believe and it took his rescuers three days to find him and get him out.)
I am going to try to contact Gary and see how he's presently doing. (I believe that he is an avid hunter now with some Forest Survival training as a part of his past.)
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The PE electric car stopped running in about 1950-51. It was replaced by a coach to the beach.
I was 14 in 1954 when I joined Bert's gym. I told him I was 16. He assigned Steve Reeves as my trainer. Steve showed me the ropes and kept an eye on me. Other notables in the gym were Larry Scott and my fav...Bill Smith. They left after a while to Girondas in the Valley. No easy way for me to get there by bus.
Attached is a pic of me onstage at Muscle Beach, age 11. The kid in the stripe shirt.
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MB... I'm bad at dates but I think Steve worked there while he was the side kick of Ralph Edwards on the Ralph Edwards daily afternoon TV show .
Thanks for your interesting input. (I even enjoyed your 'street-car' remarks).
I never realized that Scott was residing in California that early. I believe that the first time I met Larry was around 1961 when he was a real slim, gymnast looking guy. Very lean but in decent shape. We called it 'functional muscle' back then. Do you recall his age when he trained at Bert's? I assume he must have been 15-18 years of age then. I don't know Scott's date of birth.
The LA area was many years ahead of Northern California when it came to good, functional places to train ... but it was just starting to get-with the program within the San Francisco city limits.
I can sort of recall driving from Hollywood to the beach along Santa Monica Blvd. and seeing old electric trolly rails running down the center of the road in front of the present Century City Mall and the Mormon Temple and a lot of that land was simply weed riddden vacant lots .
I guess I never did actually see the street-cars themselves.
One of my relations was a big movie star on the rise back then and we drove all over town searching for him during a movie shoot but we never did make contact until a few years later. He did not like all the bullshit and adulation that the studios were feeding him so he simply said the hell with it and quit except for some decent TV roles in whieh he was able to maintain some simblance of privacy.
Anyway .... It's good to see someone posting who was there when bodybuilding history was being made.
Great photo also! I will assume that was shot around 1952 ???? And two of the backgreound buildings are still in the same location.
Thanks, MR !!!
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Seen that picture of Reeves doing those BB hack squats, with raised heels, a few times before. Believe that belt had hooks on the back to help with the weight, or something like that. Wonder if that was at York. Another pic of him using the "T" handle device back there, think Funk51 put it up before, doing something like a Hack lift..
Howorth must have had those sweaters made for him, couldn't buy them store made with that taper to the waist. Heard Steve Marjanian was also a yard wide in the shoulders. Big rumor (only a rumor) about Howorth being involved with bikers (believe Hells Angels/Satan's Slaves) in The Valley. And running some drugs for them. Hope that's not true.
At onetime L.A. had one of the best transportation systems in America, with the old Red Cars. Been told that one line ran on little Santa Monica blvd to the beach. Mormon temple is right near there in Westwood. I know because I had to go to the temple a couple of times when a teenager. Did one run on Venice blvd, I wonder. Had a Long Beach line also.
Earl Liederman, who use to write for Weider mags way back in the day, use to hang around Goodrich and other Hollywood and L.A. gyms. Most of the time was at a bar that was owned by Big Mac, or something like that.
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JPM … Once again if I recall correctly Don’s sweaters were not specialluy designed nor modified.These were the good old days when service like that never existed. But I do know for a fact that some guys with big shoulders (and Don had the hughest shoulders among the bodybuilders back them) would often do a military tuck in the back .
But from the looks of that photo he simply purchased a sweater that was two sizes larger than he would normally wear if his shoulder weren’t so darn huge.
The motorcycle gang story is exactly as I had heard it years ago so I woold assume it’s correct or nearly so.
Santa Monica Blvd was wide enough to accommodate rails down the center of the street … and in many cases … still is, but Venice Blvd is now and was then way too narrow to do so. Could be wrong though.
I don’t recall ever meeting Liedeman but that could have happened and just about all of the Physical fitness magazines had Ghost Writers writing articles attributed to one well knowb bodybuilder or another.
BIG MAC??? Cold that have possibly been Mac Batchelor? I wrote a small article about Mac Batchelor a long while back but I don’t believe he ever owned a bar.
Mac Batchelor was BIG but I believe that he was a trucker that delivered beer to various bars in the LA area (if memory serves me right).
It is my understanding that Mac had a standing offer to buy any bar patron (or was it all the bar patrons?) the next round of beer (or was it the next X rounds of beer?) if anyone in the bar could beat him at arm/wrist wrestling.
I ws probably too young to enter bars so I never did have the opportunity to accept his challenge ….. but there is no question that he would have broken my wrist, my elbow, my shoulder and a couple other of my bones if I had stepped up and given it a try.
Ia’ve never heard of anyone who had beaten him.
That coul possibly be the BIG MAC you mentioned above.
And it is possible that he became a bar owsner later on.
Did you ever hear of L’il ABNER’s which was in the vicinity of ZUVER’S GYM?
And do you remember the electric trolly that ran from the Santa Monica Pier down to Venice Beach?
Thanks, MR!B Great to reminist with ya. Or however that word is spelt.
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I forgot to mention that Mac Batchelor would bend beer bottle caps with his two fingers and that they became somewhat of a collector's item by beer drinkers everywhere within the LA basin.
Years later I would meet an average sized (but muscular) individual who could tear a quarter in half with his fingers.
And some claimed that he could remove lug nuts without a tool other than his left or right hand.
TRUTH
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ROBERT ZUVER! My computer is having problems moving around the GetBig boards but I did fall across some of your recent posts and I want to tell you that I did know your dad (Rev. Zuver) while I was stationed at Pendleton in the 60's.
I did not know your dad well but I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times in the gym and I believe I also met you if your nickname is or was RHINO when you were very young.
You dad gave us a tour of the gym starting at the Gorilla 'greeting' and then an explanation of the front door which was huge and had a sign attached saying someting like .... IF YOU ARN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO OPEN THIS DOOR, YOU CAN'T COME IN! Or something like that.
I can recall all the great and heavy equipment and the floor with the Olympic Weight 'carpeting'.
I believe your home was next door to the gym and if I'm not mistaken the gym was built in a residential area. (Costa Mesa???)
Your dad or one of the members referred us to a little bar up the main road a bit called L'il Abner's but it was too early for young, weight lifting Marines to start drinking ... (That's a lie! Actually it was closed when we stopped to get some beers after a decent workout.)
I wrote something about our Zuver's Gym visit and will do my best to find it and repost it here.
I hope you see this and will respond.
Thanks, Stunt
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FUNK, the photo of Jack Dillinger appears to have been taken with a fellow competitor by the name of Ray Rutledge but I could be seriosuly mistaken.
Where is Joe when we need him??!
HELP, JOE!!!!
Is any of this stuff new to you, Joe!?
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1954 was the year Reeves starred in the film (with his own voice!) "Athena". Dick Dubois was also in the film but billed as "Richard Sabre".
Later in life it appears that Dubois married and became a Christian minister. He recently passed away (I believe about two or three years ago) and I believe his church was in some part of Hollywood. It may have been West Hollywood, but I was unable to locate any information on his family.
Both Reeves and Dubois had great all natural physiques and their rolls in the film while relatively minor, were speaking ones and they looked and sounded fantastic.
It also starred Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Louis Calhern, Vic Damone and the very handsome (and fonly recently deceased) Edmund Purdom.
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Stunt
Yeah that's probably the Big Mac I was told about. Bending bottle caps, arm wrestling and bending iron bars. Think he did the long handled 12lb (might be mistaken about the weight) sledge hammer thing, where he held it straight out, at arms length, and slowly lowered the hammer to his nose and back up again. Sounds not that hard, but quite a feat of forearm strength. He hung mostly in the Hollywood area (lots of bars there) I believe. Think he had a SEG card, like a lot of the old time wrestlers had. Seen even women tear a deck of cards or local phone books, but thats an old trick. Guy's like Big Mac seem to be just big and strong naturals. Helps to be born with good leverage as well as strength.
Just adding: I grew up pretty much next to Camp Pendleton. So I understand that long drive going up to L.A. back in the old one lane highway days, in your younger days.. Foggy days and nights must have been hell. Use to have some military lifting and BB'ing shows around there. Haven't check any out for years, still might have some. Moved away from the area after college.
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The PE electric car stopped running in about 1950-51. It was replaced by a coach to the beach.
I was 14 in 1954 when I joined Bert's gym. I told him I was 16. He assigned Steve Reeves as my trainer. Steve showed me the ropes and kept an eye on me. Other notables in the gym were Larry Scott and my fav...Bill Smith. They left after a while to Girondas in the Valley. No easy way for me to get there by bus.
Attached is a pic of me onstage at Muscle Beach, age 11. The kid in the stripe shirt.
that pic is priceless. here's a little bill smith
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Stunt....
Scott showed up maybe '56? And yes, he did lots of preacher bench dumbell curls, Saw less and less of Reeves. Movie commitments. Smith was always at the seated press machine doing behind the neck presses. So much so we called it "Smith's machine". The TRUE story.
I had the honor, after talking to Bill for his permission, of nominating him for the Muscle Beach Walk of Fame. The jerk politicians did not let me present it to him. I was so disappointed I didn't even attend. After all I 'only' held the titles of Mr. Muscle Beach over 40, Mr. Muscle beach over 50 and 2nd place Open (age 47) Mr. Muscle Beach.
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JPM, I recall seeing a photograph of Mac doing that sledge hammer feat. I only saw him once and that was at the Embassy Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles at one of the events held there. But everyone in the place seemed to know who he was and the place got a little less rowdy while he was present.
Back in those days the contests weren’t as polite as they are today when less than deserving competitors would possibly get booed off the stage or even removed by a big long hook which was more than likely stored bacck there since the vaudevill days and now only used for bodybuilding events.
The Olympic lifters seldom got booed because most of the audience was fast asleep from boredom until the likes of Bednarski appeared on stage.
That’s one of the main reasons the Olympic lifters held off on the bodybuilding contest until the very last which was often way past mid-night. (OFTEN may be an exaggeration but I saw it happen more than a couple of times and it was often discussed among gym members everywhere. I think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.The “camel” being the AAU with regards to bodybuilding.)
JPM, what side of the base did you live on….. Oceanside or San Clamente? And what years? I guess you know that Reeves owned a ranch in what I believe was the Escondido area.
There was a very small gym on a side-street a short distance from the beach in Oceanside and many years later it became a Gold’s franchise. The guy who most likely promoted those BB/Lifting events in Oceanside was most likely PAUL (last name forgotten).
And if you knew Oceanside well you might recall BOB JANUS who ran a very small racketball/handball club on the east side of the freeway just south of the main part of town.
I don’t recall if a gym was ever opened in San Clamente. And not even in Laguna Beach but it’s been years since I’ve been that far south.
But San Clamente was one hell of a great beach town back then.
Back in the 60’s just about every major beach between LA and San Diego would hold some small event such as a pull-up contest or a race or a beauty pageant or a bodybuilding contest or some form of lifting event in addition to surf boarding.
Those were the days when you never had a problem finding a parking spot and when no one charged you $15 to park your car.
And the traffic was never like you find it today
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MR MB, Now I understand what Mr MB means. Thanks for the above info regarding your MB victories if I read it right.
In fact, there is a strong possibility that I ma y have met you a few years back.
I'm very bad at dates so let me attempt to explain the circumstances.
It was either a Sat or a Sun afternoon and I was on my usual beach stroll from Venice Beach to the Santa Monica Pier and then up to the Santa Monica parking structure on 2nd Street.
But while passing through the old SM Muscle Beach area along the 'broadwalk' I saw a bunch of old-timers sitting on the benches looking at a couple of scrap-books containing photographs that were taken when Muscle Beach really was Muscle Beach sometime during the 40's and the 50's.
I aksed one of the guys, "What's up?" and he explained that they were all a bunch of the original Muscle Beach regulars and had been called together to appear in a film or video-tape that was a project of the UCLA film school.
I spoke briefly to a couple of the guys while looking at the scrap-book photos over someone's shoulder and made a recommendation that they should be published as a part of the area's bodybuilding history.
And then I had to head off to get my car to drive back to Woodland Hills for a family gathering.
Did you happen to be there that day about maybe 5 years ago. (Could be more>)
ANd woul it be possible to name those oldd-timers if you are familiar with that event?
Thanks, MB.
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1954 was the year Reeves starred in the film (with his own voice!) "Athena". Dick Dubois was also in the film but billed as "Richard Sabre".
Later in life it appears that Dubois married and became a Christian minister. He recently passed away (I believe about two or three years ago) and I believe his church was in some part of Hollywood. It may have been West Hollywood, but I was unable to locate any information on his family.
Both Reeves and Dubois had great all natural physiques and their rolls in the film while relatively minor, were speaking ones and they looked and sounded fantastic.
It also starred Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Louis Calhern, Vic Damone and the very handsome (and fonly recently deceased) Edmund Purdom.
:Pathena one of the few times you heard reeves's real voice
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JPM … Once again if I recall correctly Don’s sweaters were not specialluy designed nor modified.These were the good old days when service like that never existed. But I do know for a fact that some guys with big shoulders (and Don had the hughest shoulders among the bodybuilders back them) would often do a military tuck in the back .
But from the looks of that photo he simply purchased a sweater that was two sizes larger than he would normally wear if his shoulder weren’t so darn huge.
The motorcycle gang story is exactly as I had heard it years ago so I woold assume it’s correct or nearly so.
Santa Monica Blvd was wide enough to accommodate rails down the center of the street … and in many cases … still is, but Venice Blvd is now and was then way too narrow to do so. Could be wrong though.
I don’t recall ever meeting Liedeman but that could have happened and just about all of the Physical fitness magazines had Ghost Writers writing articles attributed to one well knowb bodybuilder or another.
BIG MAC??? Cold that have possibly been Mac Batchelor? I wrote a small article about Mac Batchelor a long while back but I don’t believe he ever owned a bar.
Mac Batchelor was BIG but I believe that he was a trucker that delivered beer to various bars in the LA area (if memory serves me right).
It is my understanding that Mac had a standing offer to buy any bar patron (or was it all the bar patrons?) the next round of beer (or was it the next X rounds of beer?) if anyone in the bar could beat him at arm/wrist wrestling.
I ws probably too young to enter bars so I never did have the opportunity to accept his challenge ….. but there is no question that he would have broken my wrist, my elbow, my shoulder and a couple other of my bones if I had stepped up and given it a try.
Ia’ve never heard of anyone who had beaten him.
That coul possibly be the BIG MAC you mentioned above.
And it is possible that he became a bar owsner later on.
Did you ever hear of L’il ABNER’s which was in the vicinity of ZUVER’S GYM?
And do you remember the electric trolly that ran from the Santa Monica Pier down to Venice Beach?
Thanks, MR!B Great to reminist with ya. Or however that word is spelt.
:Pdon h at a happening with gil lederman john decola and hell's angels.
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Stunt
Yeah that's probably the Big Mac I was told about. Bending bottle caps, arm wrestling and bending iron bars. Think he did the long handled 12lb (might be mistaken about the weight) sledge hammer thing, where he held it straight out, at arms length, and slowly lowered the hammer to his nose and back up again. Sounds not that hard, but quite a feat of forearm strength. He hung mostly in the Hollywood area (lots of bars there) I believe. Think he had a SEG card, like a lot of the old time wrestlers had. Seen even women tear a deck of cards or local phone books, but thats an old trick. Guy's like Big Mac seem to be just big and strong naturals. Helps to be born with good leverage as well as strength.
Just adding: I grew up pretty much next to Camp Pendleton. So I understand that long drive going up to L.A. back in the old one lane highway days, in your younger days.. Foggy days and nights must have been hell. Use to have some military lifting and BB'ing shows around there. Haven't check any out for years, still might have some. Moved away from the area after college.
:Pi always got mac bachelor mixed up with bert elliot i guess it was the handlebar mustaches.
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Stunt....
Scott showed up maybe '56? And yes, he did lots of preacher bench dumbell curls, Saw less and less of Reeves. Movie commitments. Smith was always at the seated press machine doing behind the neck presses. So much so we called it "Smith's machine". The TRUE story.
I had the honor, after talking to Bill for his permission, of nominating him for the Muscle Beach Walk of Fame. The jerk politicians did not let me present it to him. I was so disappointed I didn't even attend. After all I 'only' held the titles of Mr. Muscle Beach over 40, Mr. Muscle beach over 50 and 2nd place Open (age 47) Mr. Muscle Beach.
bob b one of the greatest lifters ever and muscle beach's bill howard.
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FUNK, I had a copy of ATHENA and Steve autographed it for me but somehow it got misplaced or stolen or packed away in some forgotten storage area, so now that the subject has come up, I ordered another copy from Amazon.com. ($19.95)
I did see it in 1954 the first week it came out. Musicals were big back then and Debbie Rynolds was a major star.
I’m gonna suggest that one of the majors makes a up to date revival.
I don’t recall the plot but I seem to recall that there were a lof of objections around his home town area when he got knocked on his ass in that movie.
Or was that when Arnold hit the camel ????
A friend of Steve’s once sent me another copy of ATHENA but it was in a format that I’ve been unfamiliar with and which most likely only lasted a couple of years. It was similar to a DVD but much larger and about the size of a 78 long playing record.
Strange but I attended a Debbi Rynolds performance in a small room at the South Point Hotel/Casino here in Las Vegas about a year ago and her old movies were shown on a screen in the background while she performed.
I don’t recall seeing a clip of ATHENA though.
I think Steve was about 28 years old when he appeared in that MGM production.
And then shortly after that, Hercules hit the screens which I consider to be some of the most boring films of all times … Not just Steve’s but all of those sword and sandel flicks.
FUNK,,,, I think that's PETER LUPUS in the photo with the dumbells at shoulder heighth.
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Stunt
Lived between the southern base reservation and Mission Ave, in Oceanside. Move around the general area of north county also. Father died when I was 10 and we moved to the mainland, to Willowbrook for a while. Was eleven and a half when moved to the Oceanside area. I am an American National.
Now live in Escondido and heard that Reeves had a horse ranch here. But don't know the name of it or where at. He married very well, to a European lady I believe. Guess we have to be honest about Reeves, one of the worst actors in scene history. If he was any stiffer, in movies, could have used him as a fence post. Bill Smith wasn't a bad actor. As Dave Draper.
Know the old BB'ing contest had the best arms, best, chest, best legs, etc. Also the most muscular. Slowed down a contest ever more, I wonder. There was an Olympic lifter named Dave Shepard, around the 50-60's. Pretty good and believe he hung around the beach. Heard he smoked, and at time, drank, during some of his lifting meets. And not the only one to do that. Any truth to that?
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FUNK, I had a copy of ATHENA and Steve autographed it for me but somehow it got misplaced or stolen or packed away in some forgotten storage area, so now that the subject has come up, I ordered another copy from Amazon.com. ($19.95)
I did see it in 1954 the first week it came out. Musicals were big back then and Debbie Rynolds was a major star.
I’m gonna suggest that one of the majors makes a up to date revival.
I don’t recall the plot but I seem to recall that there were a lof of objections around his home town area when he got knocked on his ass in that movie.
Or was that when Arnold hit the camel ????
A friend of Steve’s once sent me another copy of ATHENA but it was in a format that I’ve been unfamiliar with and which most likely only lasted a couple of years. It was similar to a DVD but much larger and about the size of a 78 long playing record.
Strange but I attended a Debbi Rynolds performance in a small room at the South Point Hotel/Casino here in Las Vegas about a year ago and her old movies were shown on a screen in the background while she performed.
I don’t recall seeing a clip of ATHENA though.
I think Steve was about 28 years old when he appeared in that MGM production.
And then shortly after that, Hercules hit the screens which I consider to be some of the most boring films of all times … Not just Steve’s but all of those sword and sandel flicks.
FUNK,,,, I think that's PETER LUPUS in the photo with the dumbells at shoulder heighth.
maybe it was" lord love a duck" dave draper as billy gibbons gets punched out by a little guy in it tuesday weld was also in that movie.pic didn't look like bert elliot maybe it was mislabelled.
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JPM, Did you live in Oceanside while Gold’s Gym was in operation on the side street down by the beach?
Bill Smith has an amazing Hollywood movie and TV, amd video game career which started in 1942 in THE GHOST OF FRANKENSTEIN (a small and uncredited part in which he played the part of a boy in the village and through the 2012 release of TIGER CAGE …a story of a Vietnam War veteran recovering from the war.
Bill has performed in an incredible 273 titles according ot IMDB.com.
A good friend of mine worked with Bill on THE VIRGINIAN TV series back in the mid 60’s and we threw parties for some of the cast and crew while we were stationed at Camp Pendleton but I don’t recall meeting Bill other than on the Universal lot.
BEST BODY PARTS. Yep! Until reently most contests awarded best body parts to the competitors but it actually didn’t take too long because those decisions were made during the initial lineup during the mandatory phase. But the best poser decision was made ofter the evening finals.
I honestly don’t recall Dave Shephard but I can tell you that most of the pro’s I’ve ever met would enjoy after contest relaxation periods with a couple of tokes of Maui Wowie.
And that is when the interesting conversations always began.
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FUNK ..... I never even heard of Lord Love a Duck. I must have been out of the country when that one came out.
I think that Dave did a gret job in DON'T MAKE WAVES! ANd I believe that was his first time before a motion picture camera.
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FUNK ..... I never even heard of Lord Love a Duck. I must have been out of the country when that one came out.
I think that Dave did a gret job in DON'T MAKE WAVES! ANd I believe that was his first time before a motion picture camera.
dave was an extra in a movie in 1963 who's been sleeping ion my bed.. in 66 he was in 3 movies = lord love a duck and walk don't run and three on a couch. in 67 he did don't make waves, monkees tv show, beverely hillbillies tv show. and in 69 he did here comes the brides tv show. chet yorton and reg lewis also in waves.
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;D
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FUNK, that last photo you sent is the original Gold's Gym. I'm almost positive of that.
An thanks for the Dave Draper update. I've never seen those old movies due to the fact that I was overseas most of the time back then,
Will be sending you PM this evening.
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Stunt....
Scott showed up maybe '56? And yes, he did lots of preacher bench dumbell curls, Saw less and less of Reeves. Movie commitments. Smith was always at the seated press machine doing behind the neck presses. So much so we called it "Smith's machine". The TRUE story.
I had the honor, after talking to Bill for his permission, of nominating him for the Muscle Beach Walk of Fame. The jerk politicians did not let me present it to him. I was so disappointed I didn't even attend. After all I 'only' held the titles of Mr. Muscle Beach over 40, Mr. Muscle beach over 50 and 2nd place Open (age 47) Mr. Muscle Beach.
larry the legend
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more larry s
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Another great series of ol time photos! Thanks, Funk.
Time for a TEST .... WIthout naming them, how many people can you ID in this photo (just give a number).
And have any of you GetBiggers met any of them personally?
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Here's a decent shot of three individuals mentioned in earlier posts ...
Don Howorth
Bill Mcardle
Larry Scott
Bill passed away at a very young age. (Does anyone know the circumstances? Larry had trained Bill to win the Cal contest but that was the year that John Corvbello won the title .... A very close call.)
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Another great series of ol time photos! Thanks, Funk.
Time for a TEST .... WIthout naming them, how many people can you ID in this photo (just give a number).
And have any of you GetBiggers met any of them personally?
Five. I did not have the pleasure of meeting any of them, but still I knew them.
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FIVE! NOT bad, Scott, .... considering that that photo was taken over 40 years ago when we were all a hell of a lot younger.
GOTTA WAIT a couple of days and see if anyone says "6" or more. I doubt anyone can admit to "7".
I just counted them for the firs time myself and I can say "6" that I've personally met or have worked with over the years,
Does your five include one of the seated ladies?
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FIVE! NOT bad, Scott, .... considering that that photo was taken over 40 years ago when we were all a hell of a lot younger.
GOTTA WAIT a couple of days and see if anyone says "6" or more. I doubt anyone can admit to "7".
I just counted them for the firs time myself and I can say "6" that I've personally met or have worked with over the years,
Does your five include one of the seated ladies?
Yup. But I am familiar with the two gentlemen on the upper left row as well as the man on the left middle in the Hawaiian shirt but cannot reall their names. The rest of the guys I can almost recall as they too look familiar. Like I said before, I need a Wayback Machine!
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SCOTT, HAWAIIAN SHIRT guy is my good friend , Gene Mozee who' has been around the BB games since the 50's and I believe Gene wrote the first US article on Arnold S, but I never did see or read that one so I coul be mistaken.
BTW... that information was told to me by Only Me ... Keiith Jones who also knew Gene.
Gene is a walking, talking encyclopedia when it comes to all things regarding bodybuilding and to this day still stays in contact with most of the old timers. who still remain on planet earth.
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SCOTT, HAWAIIAN SHIRT guy is my good friend , Gene Mozee who' has been around the BB games since the 50's and I believe Gene wrote the first US article on Arnold S, but I never did see or read that one so I coul be mistaken.
BTW... that information was told to me by Only Me ... Keiith Jones who also knew Gene.
Gene is a walking, talking encyclopedia when it comes to all things regarding bodybuilding and to this day still stays in contact with most of the old timers. who still remain on planet earth.
Yup, Gene!
I know about my heroes, Dave Draper and Steve Reeves along with George Eiferman, Clarence Ross et al as I trained at Stern's for awhile and that place is historic. There used to be some great caricature drawings of the guys that lifted there (along with superb photographs of the greats of Iron) on the walls. My cousin had his drawing up there along with many other good folks. The squat bar at Leo's was curved from years of heavy use, my own included.
A good friend told me a story about Reeves coming through San Diego on his way to Italy and said he was not only well built, but quite strong. Naturally the Reeves photos were a great inspiration for me.
By the way, the format you were recalling for the film "Athena" is Laser Disc. I should know, as I have that film on Laser. And many more. Another great film featuring Edmund Purdom is "The Egyptian". I have the "Ed Wood Collection" on Laser as it had the first film Reeves appeard in, "Jail Bait".
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SCOTT. I was in Leo's gym in the early 60's and I think those characters were on the walls back then also. I stopped by to meet Leo but he was out for the day but as I was driving back to Camp Pendelton, a truck passed by me with a Bill Pearl logo on the side door and it was Bill himself behind the wheel. But it wasn't until about ten years later that I actually met him at his Pasadena Gym.
I guess Leo's gym in no longer there. Do you know when it closed down? What year were you there?
Did you ever meet a competitor by the name of Von Lamon in the San Diego area?
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SCOTT. I was in Leo's gym in the early 60's and I think those characters were on the walls back then also. I stopped by to meet Leo but he was out for the day but as I was driving back to Camp Pendelton, a truck passed by me with a Bill Pearly logo in the side door and it was Bill himself behind the wheel. But it wasn't until abou t ten years later that I actually met him at his Pasadena Gym.
I gues Leo's gym in no longer there. Do you know when it closed down? What year were you there?
Did you ever meet a competitor by the name of Von Lamon in the San Diego area?
Never met anyone by that name that I can currently recall. I trained there in the mid 70s. Stern's is still there but I think it is now owned by one of the Brown brothers (local bodybuilders) I knew Al Brown (a great physique in the mold of Robby Robinson!) but not his brother that bought Stern's. Leo passed away a few years ago and both of his sons are no longer living. If memory serves me, there was a laundry next to or below the gym.
My brother lives in Medford Oregon and used to see Pearl once in a while. Zane is not far from me here in the La Mesa area of San Diego county and I have been to his home (not inside mind you, as I do not know the man on that level) to pick up an autographed book for my brother who is a tremendous fan of Frank's. Leo introduced my brother to Frank one night at a local contest.
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Stunt...that was not me on the MB bench that day. These days I look like Ric Drasin. In fact when we are together it turns heads.
We could have met at Pearls Pasadena. I was his brother Harry's WO partner for 3 years.
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SCOTT, I’m surprised that there’s still a gym in Stern’s old location, Even back in the 60’s I can recall thinking that it was out of place among all those bars, laundries, etc,
And a 2nd floor gym was usually not a very good ‘neighbor’’ for any business below it.
I gotta aassume that that location is the oldest/longest location on the west coast in continuous use as a gym …… Except for some YMCAs maybe.
Von Lamon was an upcoming bodybuilder from the San Diego area who
suffered a severe accident to his leg with a chain-saw and we never heard anything about him after that accident. We were in the process of inviting him to give a seminar at Pendelton.
Regarding Bill Pearl in Oregon …. I haven't seen Bill for quite a while now
but it would not surprise me if he still trains at 5 pm every morning.
Will be posting more on Bill's gym later.
The last time I saw Frank and Christine must have been roughly ten years ago at one of the expos. I thought that they still resided in the Palm Springs area . (A funny Zane story for a later post,,,,,,
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Another great series of ol time photos! Thanks, Funk.
Time for a TEST .... WIthout naming them, how many people can you ID in this photo (just give a number).
And have any of you GetBiggers met any of them personally?
nine.
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:)
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:)
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:)????????????????????
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;)???
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;)
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;)
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FUNK, Great pix once again. Give me some time ti tale a closer look.
MB, I never ha the opportunity to meet Ric Drssin but Grymkowski and Keith Jones spoke about him with lots of respect …. And Ric (as you most likely know) appeared in a movie with Mae West called SEXTETT with the following BB competitors who were relatively big names back in them good old days ….
DENNY GABLE - Denny Gable died Saturday, July 22, 2000 from a pulmonary embolism, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Age 49.
REG LEWIS - Sheri (Cheri?) ended up marrying Ed Holvocik (Ed Fury)
JIM MORRIS
KAL SZKALAK
JIM TARLETON (Last contact in Hawaii)
BRIAN ABADLE
And ROGER COLLARD - Need some help here
I would guess that RIC may still cross paths with some of them on rare occasions.
SEXTEET was/is available to warch on IMDB.com if you new guys want to see a small part of BB history (movie-wise).
MB, it’s possible that our paths crossed in Bill’s Pasadeba Gym.
I’ll test my memory banks on that topic next,
MB, I never ha the opportunity to meet Ric Drssin but Grymkowski and Keith Jones spo,e about him with lots of respect …. And Ric (as you most likely know) appeared in a movie with Mae West called SEXTETT with the following BB competitors who were relatively big names back in them good old days ….
DENNY GABLE
REG LEWIS
JIM MORRIS
KAL SZKALAK
JIM TARLETON
BRIAN ABADLE
And ROGER COLLARD
I would guess that RIC may still cross paths with some of them on rare occasions.
SEXTEET was/is availab le to warch on IMDB.com if you new guys want to see a small part of BB history (movie-wise).
MB, it’s possible that our paths crossed in Bill’s Pasadeba Gym.
I’ll test my memory banks on that topic next,
PHOTO .... GABLE and COLLAED .... both mentioned above ...THE Golen Age?
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Stunt, I did not know of Callard's passing and that truly saddens me as he was a fantastic bodybuilder. Denny Gable has been gone a long time but Kal Skalak is still with us and is now a Triathlete. He still has those peaked biceps (much smaller) but now his calves better fit with the rest of him. ;D
A local guy by the name of Ty Youngs was another great physique from San Diego. He claimed natural and seeing him next to Jim Morris one night my brother said he believed the natural claim as Morris dwarfed Ty.
But Ty was fantastic all the same and he and my cousin were good friends. His brother Mike also had a good build and I knew him much better than I did Ty whom I rarely (if ever) spoke with.
I think Chet Yorton is still with us too. Great physique on that man. Everyone had their own style, their own shape if you will back then. Now it seems everyone is just huge or as John used to say, "muscularly obese" ;D ;D.
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Stunt, I did not know of Callard's passing and that truly saddens me as he was a fantastic bodybuilder. Denny Gable has been gone a long time but Kal Skalak is still with us and is now a Triathlete. He still has those peaked biceps (much smaller) but now his calves better fit with the rest of him. ;D
A local guy by the name of Ty Youngs was another great physique from San Diego. He claimed natural and seeing him next to Jim Morris one night my brother said he believed the natural claim as Morris dwarfed Ty.
But Ty was fantastic all the same and he and my cousin were good friends. His brother Mike also had a good build and I knew him much better than I did Ty whom I rarely (if ever) spoke with.
I think Chet Yorton is still with us too. Great physique on that man. Everyone had their own style, their own shape if you will back then. Now it seems everyone is just huge or as John used to say, "muscularly obese" ;D ;D.
;)mae west with the first generation mbers.
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MB… Here’s my recollection of the good ol Pearl’s Pasadena Gym days.
I’ve know Bill throughout the years for a good long time and as far as I am concerned, he’s one of the very few and last remaining ‘good guys’ within the bodybuilding world.
I have totally forgotten the dates but I do remember some of the members so you might possibly be able to solve this date puzzle if you can recall any of the following:
Harry Pearl ….. I never did meet Harry . I think Harry arrived on the scene later but I do recall some of the members saying that he was a damn tough individual, so he must have been there before I arrived..
I was on active duty at that time and was invited to spend a week or so with a good friend of mine who trained at Bill’s and was a good friend of Bill’s and Judy’s and Judy’s sister if I recall correctly. At that time Bill had a home directly behind the gym which was vey convenient even though the SO Cal traffic was nothing like it is today.
My good friend was a bodybuilding competitor by the name of ROV JOHNSON) who had just been released from 4 years in the US Navy and moved to Pasadena to train under Bill’s guidance.
The first day ROB arrived in Pasadena he made an appointment to meet with Bill and to join the gym.
Rob had great potential and Bill told him to get a job and a place to stay first …. And then to come back in for some serious training.
Rob followed Bill’s advice and within that first week he found a job and a place to stay and then joined the gym and became something like a family member with Bill and Judy, etc.
Rob also became a close friend with SOLO EL FENZY who eventually worked with and for Bill in the gym. I thin k he eventually managed it.
A young kid by the name of WAYNE BOUVIER was a shot-putter for USC (UCLA??) and he was huge and did a lot of powerlifting exercises. I’d help him load the plates and we eventually became good friends until he passed away at a very young age.
Wayne was big (huge) but he always rode a very small motor scooter and when he road it down the road it simply appeared that he was moving very fast without moving his legs. It was always a funny sight and very funny to see Wayne hop on that scooter and ‘scoot away’.
Then there was a real young kid who had won some teen age bodybuilding contest who came in when the gym was relatively empty. I forgot his name but there were some posts about his a short while back.
Judy used to reserve the gym or a part of the gym for the ladies a few days each week as those were the days when men and women trained separately.
Now here is where I need your help…..
There were two exceptionally great bodybuilders who trained at Bill’s and were planning to compete in the Mr America contest that was being promoted by Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica (Ken Spregue) and they felt that it might be to their advantage if they competed as Gold's Gym members, but they had been Bill’s Pasadena Gym members for a good long time and did not want to offend Bill.
So like the good gentlemen they were ….. they went into Bill’s office to explain the situation and immediately after explaining it, Bill said that it was a good idea and there would be no problem if they did so.
At that time one of the guys was well known for his vascularity and eventually attended a flight school and got his pilot license.(Can you name him? Most likely still well known today, but I have forgotten.)
That same weekend we received an invite to attend an afternoon pool party which was a send-off and best-wishes function for BOB BIRDSONG whom I had met a year or so earlier. Bob was competing in the IFBB Mr International Contest the next day in Tiajuana. (He won it easily/.)
This send-off event was held in a very upscale Hollywood area in a private community of very expensive homes with a common pool and garden setting and over 100+ members of various gyms throughout the LA area came to wish him well.
They also came to say congratulations to Jim Morris who had just won the Mr A.
Could you have possibly been there or even possibly attended that contest in Tiajuana when Sergio constantly challenged Arnold to a posedown?
Can you recall any of the above?
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Doing my best to respond to all these posts, but will need a bit of time to do so.
And thanks for all the help and interest.
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Roger Callard? Very much alive: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0130320/
I've seen the Ric Drasin interviews with him from a few years ago:
http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch/64322/rics-corner-roger-callard-part-1
http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch/64812/rics-corner-roger-callard-part-2
http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch/64872/rics-corner-roger-callard-part-3
http://videos.bodybuilding.com/watch/64982/rics-corner-roger-callard-part-4
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OK Stunt which man is Ric? Muscle Beach Memorial Day 2010.
Of the names you mention I knew Judy, Jim Morris and the teenager may have been Doug Brignoli. later Mr. America.
I showed up in Pasadena about April 1980. WITH HAIR.
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Ric Drasin talks about the Silver Era
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Silver Era part 2
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Reg Lewis talks about the Silver Era part 1
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Reg Lewis part 2
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GREGZS!!!! THANKS! I corrected that error earlier as shown above.
I stupidly made a mistake and mistook Roger Collard for Denny Gable.
ANd I gotta apologize for that dumb error!
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MB! Interesting resemblance but I say you are in the partially yellow shirt.
Wild guess here but I think I know the exact location where that picture was taken.
Are there two of the original Venice Beach homes behind that wall? If I'm correct those two beach front houses were built aroind 1904 and the original sales price was approximately $3,000.
Got that info from one of 1970's owners.
Thanks for posting the photo of you and Ric.
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WOW! GREGZS! Thanks for posting those 'videos'. I'll be looking at them later this evening when this house settles down a bit. (Weekend company!)
MB... DOUG BRIGNOLE!!! Right! Doug was involved in something important at that time but I have forgotten the exact details..... might have been something about a Hollywood acting role but that's a wild guess.
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WOW! GREGZS! Thanks for posting those 'videos'. I'll be looking at them later this evening when this house settles down a bit. (Weekend company!)
MB... DOUG BRIGNOLE!!! Right! Doug was involved in something important at that time but I have forgotten the exact details..... might have been something about a Hollywood acting role but that's a wild guess.
great pic doug b ,great teenage,prime and older as u could see bber,,always liked his build,,class act,,,
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Can someone reprint the caption that is under the Erik Pedersen behind the bars photo.
It arrived on my computer kin of blurry and slightly unreadable, but appears to be interesting and something I've never heard of before.
I understand that at one time he lived in Las Vegas and collected bad debts for the casinos.
Any help with that photo caption would be appreciated.
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GREGZS!!!! THANKS! I corrected that error earlier as shown above.
I stupidly made a mistake and mistook Roger Collard for Denny Gable.
ANd I gotta apologize for that dumb error!
^^
Here's Roger's interview with Ric Drasin, there are several parts:
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MB… Here’s my recollection of the good ol Pearl’s Pasadena Gym days.
I’ve know Bill throughout the years for a good long time and as far as I am concerned, he’s one of the very few and last remaining ‘good guys’ within the bodybuilding world.
I have totally forgotten the dates but I do remember some of the members so you might possibly be able to solve this date puzzle if you can recall any of the following:
Harry Pearl ….. I never did meet Harry . I think Harry arrived on the scene later but I do recall some of the members saying that he was a damn tough individual, so he must have been there before I arrived..
I was on active duty at that time and was invited to spend a week or so with a good friend of mine who trained at Bill’s and was a good friend of Bill’s and Judy’s and Judy’s sister if I recall correctly. At that time Bill had a home directly behind the gym which was vey convenient even though the SO Cal traffic was nothing like it is today.
My good friend was a bodybuilding competitor by the name of ROV JOHNSON) who had just been released from 4 years in the US Navy and moved to Pasadena to train under Bill’s guidance.
The first day ROB arrived in Pasadena he made an appointment to meet with Bill and to join the gym.
Rob had great potential and Bill told him to get a job and a place to stay first …. And then to come back in for some serious training.
Rob followed Bill’s advice and within that first week he found a job and a place to stay and then joined the gym and became something like a family member with Bill and Judy, etc.
Rob also became a close friend with SOLO EL FENZY who eventually worked with and for Bill in the gym. I thin k he eventually managed it.
A young kid by the name of WAYNE BOUVIER was a shot-putter for USC (UCLA??) and he was huge and did a lot of powerlifting exercises. I’d help him load the plates and we eventually became good friends until he passed away at a very young age.
Wayne was big (huge) but he always rode a very small motor scooter and when he road it down the road it simply appeared that he was moving very fast without moving his legs. It was always a funny sight and very funny to see Wayne hop on that scooter and ‘scoot away’.
Then there was a real young kid who had won some teen age bodybuilding contest who came in when the gym was relatively empty. I forgot his name but there were some posts about his a short while back.
Judy used to reserve the gym or a part of the gym for the ladies a few days each week as those were the days when men and women trained separately.
Now here is where I need your help…..
There were two exceptionally great bodybuilders who trained at Bill’s and were planning to compete in the Mr America contest that was being promoted by Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica (Ken Spregue) and they felt that it might be to their advantage if they competed as Gold's Gym members, but they had been Bill’s Pasadena Gym members for a good long time and did not want to offend Bill.
So like the good gentlemen they were ….. they went into Bill’s office to explain the situation and immediately after explaining it, Bill said that it was a good idea and there would be no problem if they did so.
At that time one of the guys was well known for his vascularity and eventually attended a flight school and got his pilot license.(Can you name him? Most likely still well known today, but I have forgotten.)
That same weekend we received an invite to attend an afternoon pool party which was a send-off and best-wishes function for BOB BIRDSONG whom I had met a year or so earlier. Bob was competing in the IFBB Mr International Contest the next day in Tiajuana. (He won it easily/.)
This send-off event was held in a very upscale Hollywood area in a private community of very expensive homes with a common pool and garden setting and over 100+ members of various gyms throughout the LA area came to wish him well.
They also came to say congratulations to Jim Morris who had just won the Mr A.
Could you have possibly been there or even possibly attended that contest in Tiajuana when Sergio constantly challenged Arnold to a posedown?
Can you recall any of the above?
larry jackson????
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Can someone reprint the caption that is under the Erik Pedersen behind the bars photo.
It arrived on my computer kin of blurry and slightly unreadable, but appears to be interesting and something I've never heard of before.
I understand that at one time he lived in Las Vegas and collected bad debts for the casinos.
Any help with that photo caption would be appreciated.
it says that he was arrested for auto theft and he was 18. that and he was mr calif in 47 and almost won mr a aau under the name of eric pedersen. he was useing another name when he got caught putnam plus he gave his address which turned out to be a bowling alley.
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it says that he was arrested for auto theft and he was 18. that and he was mr calif in 47 and almost won mr a aau under the name of eric pedersen. he was useing another name when he got caught putnam plus he gave his address which turned out to be a bowling alley.
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Harold (Harry) Pearl would be 85ish. Bill assigned Harry to be my trainer in April 1980. Within the year he went to a small gym in Montrose, Ca. 5 miles west of the Pearl Pasadena Gym. I joined Harry and became his WO partner for the next 3 years. The best years in my 60 years of training. I can tell you the history of Harry. He was happy to work in the shadows of his brother around the gym. Managing, training. He loved to attempt strength firsts such as riding a unicycle down Manchester Blvd. doing military presses with 135#, picking up a 10# plate with his pecs, and an iron cross on the rings at a body weight of 300. Tore his delt on that one. I was one of the few men who ever saw Harry buff, out of his time worn sweat shirt. He was 55 at the time, 235 and scary ripped. Caught him washing/polishing his Mustang in 95 degree L.A. summer heat.
Word had it that once while managing the Bill Pearl Manchester gym a memeber burst into his office shouting,"A guy is beating the crap out of (don't recall the name) gym member down the street at the bar. It's real bad Harry." Harry jumped up, ran down the street, entered the bar and pulled off the attacker, took a punch himself, then in defense returned one horrific punch. Lets just say the guy was...er...well....ummm. ..hurt very bad. Harry served 5 years.
Harry returned working at his brothers gyms. I know for a fact that he worked close with Bill on 'Keys to the Inner Universe'. Harry never got any credit and confided he was bitter. However when Bill dropped by and trained with us Harry was only a loving brother.
Harry once told me "You never see a real old cogger unless he is fit and skinny. One day Bill you will have to step away from the gym and live out your life with only cardio." The last time I saw Harry he was 175 pounds and servicing his road bike that he rode 200 miles the day before. He was in his early 70s.
6 months ago I stopped lifting. My arthritis and asthma were too much at a body weight of 215+. I am now 190 and feeling much better. I hike the 7,000' White Mountains in AZ 5-6 days a week.
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FUNK, Nope not Larry Jackson.
And thanks for clarifying the caption under the Pedersen in jail picture.
I never heard that story before. Any idea of the location in which this occurred? Smart kid with the bowling alley address.
His most recent and last know address was supposedly in Las Vegas where it was said that he collected bad debts for the casinos. That could have been during those years when the mafia was in control.
MB .... Thanks for your post regarding Bill's Gym and his brother, Harry.
I believe Harry was spending his five years of incarceration when I got there and I can recall a few stories about how tough he was.
Thanks for the input.
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:)
where do u get these pix? U have one hell of an impressive collection. And u must have them categorized pretty well to retrieve them so quick.
Is that bill pearls gym in the pic? That's awesome. I saw brignole in the post later. That kind of looks like his old gym from what I remember of it.
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Another great series of ol time photos! Thanks, Funk.
Time for a TEST .... WIthout naming them, how many people can you ID in this photo (just give a number).
And have any of you GetBiggers met any of them personally?
5
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I receive some misleading information, years ago, about Harold (Harry) Pearl,the older brother, with what I'm reading about him on GB. Glad MB cleared it up. Glad what I heard many years ago may be BS.
Heard this story about Harry, for a older man who was a guest of the California prison system, at the same time as Harry (same cell block), in San Quentin. Harry was a CHP officer and was involved in manslaughter of his than wife, or her boyfriend in norther Cal.. Can't recall which. This was the period that Cal had weight training equipment. Harry was much bigger, stronger and meaner than Bill, it's been told. And use to bully and beat Bill quite often, in Oregon when they were boys growing up. Some America Indian's are naturally big and powerful.
Sounds like Harry had gotten his life back together, as MB suggested. Or if that story was true at all about the manslaughter charge. Once you agree to the terms of parole and have a good family member sponsor, you can pretty much start over again. This gentleman, who said he knew Harry Pearl quite well, was saying that his bench went up very fast with help from Harry.
Can't vouch for any off this, just repeating another prison yarn, from a gentleman, who the last I heard was back doing joint time.
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ROGER COLLARD …. Out of the Golden Age of BB and into the movies, TV, etc.
Actor (28 titles) and a great Hollywood career since 1973!!!!
Race to Judgment (pre-production)
Hoyt Pike
Foxcatcher (post-production)
Chopper Pilot
Love and Honor
County Sheriff
Thank You, Good Night
TV Carpenter
Luck of the Draw
Fed #1
Walker, Texas Ranger (TV series)
Slater
Absence of the Good (TV movie)
Evans
Dollar for the Dead (TV movie)
Will (uncredited)
Team Knight Rider (TV series)
Driver
Virtually Yours
Coast Guard Commander
Geronimo: An American Legend
Sgt. Mulrey
Parker Lewis Can't Lose (TV series)
Andy
Renegade (TV series)
Sonny Wilkins
Sneakers
NSA Agent (uncredited)
Nails (TV movie)
Bodyguard
UHF
Conan the Librarian
Twins
Granger Son #2
Red Heat
Pytor Tatomovich
Hunter (TV series)
Jilly
Hollywood Beat (TV series)
Jake
The Beach Girls
Muscles
Charlie's Angels (TV series)
Ron Gates
A Man Called Sloane (TV series)
Jeff Morton
Barnaby Jones (TV series)
Driver / Garrison's Driver
Sextette
Javelin Thrower (uncredited)
Wonder Woman (TV series)
Bill
Stay Hungry
Bodybuilder in Blue Shorts (uncredited)
World's Strongest Man
Weightlifter/Kawaski
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where do u get these pix? U have one hell of an impressive collection. And u must have them categorized pretty well to retrieve them so quick.
Is that bill pearls gym in the pic? That's awesome. I saw brignole in the post later. That kind of looks like his old gym from what I remember of it.
i took most of them off the computer knew what to look for, i have practically every muscle magazine from 1966 to 1982 a few newer ones, and some older ones i picked up along the way. i think that's one of bill pearl's gym not 100 percent on that though. it was said that harry and bill used to get into fistfights into their early 40's at which point bill convinced harry to give that practice a rest.
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I receive some misleading information, years ago, about Harold (Harry) Pearl,the older brother, with what I'm reading about him on GB. Glad MB cleared it up. Glad what I heard many years ago may be BS.
Heard this story about Harry, for a older man who was a guest of the California prison system, at the same time as Harry (same cell block), in San Quentin. Harry was a CHP officer and was involved in manslaughter of his than wife, or her boyfriend in norther Cal.. Can't recall which. This was the period that Cal had weight training equipment. Harry was much bigger, stronger and meaner than Bill, it's been told. And use to bully and beat Bill quite often, in Oregon when they were boys growing up. Some America Indian's are naturally big and powerful.
Sounds like Harry had gotten his life back together, as MB suggested. Or if that story was true at all about the manslaughter charge. Once you agree to the terms of parole and have a good family member sponsor, you can pretty much start over again. This gentleman, who said he knew Harry Pearl quite well, was saying that his bench went up very fast with help from Harry.
Can't vouch for any off this, just repeating another prison yarn, from a gentleman, who the last I heard was back doing joint time.
i think we covered harry's problems with the law on the history thread but don't remember exactly where it is located.
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:)
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;) the first time as ever saw a preacher [scott] curling bench.
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Speaking about BILL PEARL .... I've met most of the old-timers in this game including all of the magazine owners and publishers since the late 1950's and most of them I hold in high regards, but I gotta says that BILL is at the very top of that HIGH-REGARDS list.
I don't see BILL often but I am glad that I can call him a friend.
I'm working on a short list of those individuals in the game who impressed me the most over all those good old years and I hope to post a condensed version on this board soon.
NOTE: "In the game" refers to anyone who was involved in the game while it was growing up since the 1950's.
That includes competitors (male and female), officials, editors, publishers, photographers, coaches, and fans.
.
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FUNK, Can you post the names of the individuals in those old photos you posted? It woujd be helpful for the "new kids on the block" and for myself as well.
ANd thanks again for posting these old time pics!
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Having a difficult time keeping up, but I want to thank everyone who has been contributing to this topic.
It's bringing back a lot of old time memories.
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FUNK, Can you post the names of the individuals in those old photos you posted? It woujd be helpful for the "new kids on the block" and for myself as well.
ANd thanks again for posting these old time pics!
the three guys standing there are vern weaver, jon tristam,and steve merjian pic'd above. bob birdsong who i actually met in person and the planet of the apes dudes zabo seymour kienig steve m again.
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Word had it that once while managing the Bill Pearl Manchester gym a memeber burst into his office shouting,"A guy is beating the crap out of (don't recall the name) gym member down the street at the bar. It's real bad Harry." Harry jumped up, ran down the street, entered the bar and pulled off the attacker, took a punch himself, then in defense returned one horrific punch. Lets just say the guy was...er...well....ummm. ..hurt very bad. Harry served 5 years.
Good story about Harry Pearl but the fact is he killed a woman after performing a botched abortion.
People v. Pearl
211 Cal. App. 2d 783
[Crim. No. 3332. Third Dist. Jan. 14, 1963.]
THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. HAROLD PEARL et al., Defendants and Appellants.
COUNSEL
Rudolf Binsch and Richard A. Case, under appointment by the District Court of Appeal, for Defendants and Appellants.
Stanley Mosk, Attorney General, Raymond M. Momboisse and Richard Lee, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
OPINION
SCHOTTKY, J.
Defendants, Harold Pearl and Robert Kennedy, appeal from judgments of conviction entered after a jury found them guilty of the crimes of abortion and murder of the second degree.
Full story here :
http://law.justia.com/cases/california/calapp2d/211/783.html
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Found a pic of the brothers Pearl.
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Wow. OK Big Al. That shows that if you repeat a lie often enough it is believed. The story I told was the one floating around So Cal in the early 80s.
The photo you posted is the one I have been searching for. Thanks.
BTW you are one amazing source.
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BTW Big Al. So Harry only served a year? Conviction 1963, pic above happlily in front of gym 1964.
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BTW Big Al. So Harry only served a year? Conviction 1963, pic above happlily in front of gym 1964.
Hi Mr MB (or is it BM ;) ), the court record is for the appeal of the conviction in January 63 so I'm guessing the conviction would have been sometime in 62 as the death occurred in July 61. Still, 2 years seems short. Must have helped that he was a lawman although I can think of more pleasant side lines than performing abortions. Did you notice that Bill was mentioned in the court notes?
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I can't begin to tell you how interesting all this is. As I said I was close to this man for years. He had a Central American wife 20 years his junior and a daughter with her. He was a sweet gentle giant. Yes he was bigger and stronger than Bill. Mixed Yakima Native American and German Harry got mostly German DNA.
Harry taught me several prison exercises. I used them right up till retirement earlier this year.
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Thank you Big Al and for all the time you spent of getting this information.......very interesting stuff. Must have been some plea bargaining going on (usually is) for Harry to be such a short timer. San Quentin is one serious place, probably more so in the 60's, so a year seems a pretty short time. Any way, thanks again.
Funny that Mr MB mentioned prison exercises. The gentleman, who first told me his version of the Pearl story, said that Harry showed him a couple of movements while in the joint also. Said Harry favored the Around The World DB exercise, for all around strength and development movement (lay on a bench, with two DB's resting on the legs. ..than just bring the DB's out to the side and end up touching them together at a full stretch behind the head..than back to the original position again). And that 400lbs benches were fairly common at San Quentin, at that time.
Stunt: Have a couple stories about John Trisham, back in the day. Choosing not to tell them might be a better thing to do.
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Good story about Harry Pearl but the fact is he killed a woman after performing a botched abortion.
People v. Pearl
211 Cal. App. 2d 783
[Crim. No. 3332. Third Dist. Jan. 14, 1963.]
THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. HAROLD PEARL et al., Defendants and Appellants.
COUNSEL
Rudolf Binsch and Richard A. Case, under appointment by the District Court of Appeal, for Defendants and Appellants.
Stanley Mosk, Attorney General, Raymond M. Momboisse and Richard Lee, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and Respondent.
OPINION
SCHOTTKY, J.
Defendants, Harold Pearl and Robert Kennedy, appeal from judgments of conviction entered after a jury found them guilty of the crimes of abortion and murder of the second degree.
Full story here :
http://law.justia.com/cases/california/calapp2d/211/783.html
that's the story.
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Thank you Big Al and for all the time you spent of getting this information.......very interesting stuff. Must have been some plea bargaining going on (usually is) for Harry to be such a short timer. San Quentin is one serious place, probably more so in the 60's, so a year seems a pretty short time. Any way, thanks again.
Funny that Mr MB mentioned prison exercises. The gentleman, who first told me his version of the Pearl story, said that Harry showed him a couple of movements while in the joint also. Said Harry favored the Around The World DB exercise, for all around strength and development movement (lay on a bench, with two DB's resting on the legs. ..than just bring the DB's out to the side and end up touching them together at a full stretch behind the head..than back to the original position again). And that 400lbs benches were fairly common at San Quentin, at that time.
Stunt: Have a couple stories about John Trisham, back in the day. Choosing not to tell them might be a better thing to do.
this is getbig if the stories are factual tell them. on ironage one of the members said dr c f smith was one of the strangest characters he ever encountered in the gym. yet upon pressing always failed to elaborate.
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best thread ever, tx stunt.
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awesome,builds,stories,,,
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JMP....yes Harry Pearl's 'around the worlds'. My arthritic shoulders still ache from doing these.
Prison Curls for a pack of cigs. Grab a fixed 45# bar. Goal is to do one or more reps than the other man. He then must pass you or fail. Endless ways of doing this. Gradual, mixed or all out. For kicks and giggles let me do 10 reps. You do 11. I do 20. You do 25. I do 40. You try to bury me and knock out 60 eye bulging reps. I win. Here is why. I barely grind out 61. Now moments ago you hardly got your 60....now 62? No way.
Breathing Squats a la Harry. 225 in the rack and a 60# dumbell on the floor. 10 deep reps with the 225. Quickly on to the floor while trainingg partner slides under the bar. Do knees up on your back DEEP breathing lat pullovers until the other guy does his 10 reps. Switch no rest. On and on until failure.
Then there was The Transition which I will write about another time. I did that one for show prep before taking 2nd in Mr. Cal.
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These men, from a past era, have that powerful look, but also a manly grace to them. Excellent pictures. They look like they can actually do something with their muscular development. Most Pro's today, have a hard time walking across a stage without getting out of breath. And they would be lost without any machines to work with. Maybe BB'ing will return to the more classic look of the early years...hope so.
Mr. MB
Yeah, this cell mate of Harry's also stress the pullover (either bent or straight arm) as a prime exercise. And as you mentioned, the "Pass The Trash" BB curls...one version was to face each other, do one rep than pass the bar to the other guy, than back again, etc, etc, etc..
And as old time prison vet's know, the breathing squat & pullover can be the ultimate mass builder...when doing joint time. Only had so much time to workout , so made the most of it.
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UKKE, Thanks, but it's a group effort, so it you don't mind .... I'll thank them all on your behalf!!
C.F. Smith!!!!! I need some help with my memory banks here because it's been one hell of a long time since I heard that name, but C.F. was one of the two Pearl's Pasadena members who sat down with Bill in his office and discussed the 'practicality' of joining Golds in Santa Monica for a couple of months because Gold's Gym would be promoting the Mr America (or was it the NPC National Championships?) in two months hence.
They were both long time members of Bill's Gym so they wanted to explain why they would be training at Gold's and were curtious enough to discuss it with Bill.
My confusion enters the picture when it comes to recalling C.F.'s training partner who was also planning to enter the same contest.
But it was either CF or his training partner whose name I have forgotten (HELP!, MR MB!!!).
And it was either CF or his training partner who was getting a lot of publicity in the national magazines due to his exceptional vascularity.
In fact most people in the game considered him as the man to beat that year.
So does anyone recall who C.F.'s training partner was back then?
A year or so later one National competitor came on stage for the individual posing round during the prejudging and stood there and yelled at the judging officials .... but don't ask me what derogatory remarks he made because I was attending to business in the lobby, but you could hear the rukus even back there.
I think that was the same year when Tony Pierson won the overall title and RON TEUFEL caused some commotion back-stage, but that has been a long while back and I have forgotten the details.
Any help on the above would be appreciated and may be of interest to most GetBiggers who like this sort of provocative stuff.
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JPM.... I think you might have UN-KNOW-ING-LY made an interesting comment when you offered the following
"They look like they can actually do something with their muscular development. Most Pro's today, have a hard time walking across a stage without getting out of breath. And they would be lost without any machines to work with.
Back in those days we often referred to two type of workouts ..
1. Functional Muscle Workouts.
and
2. Go for the Show Workouts.
The overwhelming and vast majority of the military guys trained for 'functional muscle' while the civilians who wanted to eventually compete or just look super-human trained as per #2 (Go for the Show!).
.
Some of the functional muscle guys would often refer to the competitive bodybuilders as "BULKY BLUNDERS" because the whole concept of what they believed to be "unfunctional muscle" was somewhat strange to them .
Gradually some respect between both groups developed simply due to the fact that one group began to understand the rational of the other and vise-vera.
Some simblence of this 'animosity' among various training methods (or for no physical training at all type of indiviuals) still exists today as evident in the postings on this GetBg Board.
But that animosity is even more "animostic" due to the fact that we are all unable to punch someone in the while on the internet which allows each of us to be as brave as we want to be ...... but really 'ain't'.
(Sorry for the sermon!)
ANd then you said ....
"
Maybe BB'ing will return to the more classic look of the early years...hope so".
I think that statement is entirely correct an what is starting to happen.
And I think that it is entirely possible that that is why the NPC initiated the Men's Physique Division. (It is being done in a manner which would be least 'offensive' to today's bodybuilding competitors. And a gradual change is always the least offensive for all concerned.)
That may not be too damn evident right now but change is always gradual and often unseen during the changing process.
Thanks for listening to my rants and raves - whatever the hell that means!
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the 212 class reigns today. Here sanity prevails. V taper is the norm. My friend Troy Alves understands and has joined these ranks. In the open he gets crushed by gorilla belly men 50 pounds bigger.
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UKKE, Thanks, but it's a group effort, so it you don't mind .... I'll thank them all on your behalf!!
C.F. Smith!!!!! I need some help with my memory banks here because it's been one hell of a long time since I heard that name, but C.F. was one of the two Pearl's Pasadena members who sat down with Bill in his office and discussed the 'practicality' of joining Golds in Santa Monica for a couple of months because Gold's Gym would be promoting the Mr America (or was it the NPC National Championships?) in two months hence.
They were both long time members of Bill's Gym so they wanted to explain why they would be training at Gold's and were curtious enough to discuss it with Bill.
My confusion enters the picture when it comes to recalling C.F.'s training partner who was also planning to enter the same contest.
But it was either CF or his training partner whose name I have forgotten (HELP!, MR MB!!!).
And it was either CF or his training partner who was getting a lot of publicity in the national magazines due to his exceptional vascularity.
In fact most people in the game considered him as the man to beat that year.
So does anyone recall who C.F.'s training partner was back then?
A year or so later one National competitor came on stage for the individual posing round during the prejudging and stood there and yelled at the judging officials .... but don't ask me what derogatory remarks he made because I was attending to business in the lobby, but you could hear the rukus even back there.
I think that was the same year when Tony Pierson won the overall title and RON TEUFEL caused some commotion back-stage, but that has been a long while back and I have forgotten the details.
Any help on the above would be appreciated and may be of interest to most GetBiggers who like this sort of provocative stuff.
not sure maybe this guy
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not sure maybe this guy
;)ron teufel a pa guy actually met him at a contest in allentown . he died young.
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:)
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FUNK!!! DAMN, DUDE!!! YOU is SMART!
Clinton is the very individual whom I had long forgotten!
How do you know this stuff!!? Are you clairvoyant?
YEP! It was Clinton and CF who trained together at Bill's and entered the contest while Gold's members that year! One of the other of them went on to receive a pilot's license and possibly still flies above the clouds today.
Can you find the results of that year's contest and tell me how each of them placed?? That's a tough one.
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:)
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FUNK!!! DAMN, DUE!!! YOU is SMART!
Clinton is the very individual whom I had long forgotten!
How do you know this stuff!!? Are you clairvoyant?
YEP! It was Clinton and CFF who trained together at Bill's and entered the contest while Gold's members that year! One of the other of them went on to receive a pilot's license and possibly still flies above the clouds today.
Can you find the results of that year's contest and tell me how each of them placed?? That's a tough one.
just a student of all iron sports[ plus football baseball, wrestling and to a lesser degree basketball and boxing]. 1977 dave johns rip won aau mr a. both clint b and cf smith were second in there classes. 78 tony pearson won clint b second in the talls again to manuel perry. cf smith dropped t0 10 th in the meds. too many trips to macdonalds i would suspect.
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UGHHH! You guys are keeping me busy trying to remember and then to respond but I'm gonna do my best as time allows.....
Gotta remember to sneak in here and talk about Troy Alves, and Ronnie Teufel, and Dave Johns, and the 212'ers which is relatively new to me since it wasn't 'old day stuff'.
And I gotta tell you some of the old time after-contest-stories that we told in smokie-filled rooms when the smell of Maui Wow-ie filled the air and almost prevented you from seeing who the story was coming from .... and you could never tell the difference between
truth and fiction, and honesty and the American way ....
Or was it simply just plain old bullshit!!!! The kind of bullshit that everyone claimed was the honest truth!
I'll leave that up for you to decide.
BTW... Can someone tell one off the GET BIG MODERATORS or possibly RON that Joe ROURK cannot sign in and it says sometihing like "you signed in 30 seconds ago!" or something like that.
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test
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Hopefully the glitch is gone- thanks, to whoever fixed it.
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That was fast, Joe!
FUNK, I believe that there is more to the story why CF was placed as low at 10th.
It wasn't Ronald's fault.
I think that 10th place included all contenders who placed 10th through 20th or however low those placings extended.
I think it was CF who made some adverse remarks directed at the judging officials while on stage during the prejudging process and was placed 10th because 10th cculd actually been last place anyway.
Could be wrong though
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:)
clint also had a brother who was a decent olympic lifter in the 198 lb class , he was noyed for his great legs. name was eldon b......e.
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I believe that Clint is now married to the very beautiful, former Cathy Gelfo (also a former girlfriend of the late Mike Mentzer).
Dale Adrian won the '75 Mr. America (AAU) and was touted as another "Larry Scott". Clint won the Tall Division and Dale the Medium Height class. I cannot recall who won the Short Division...No.... Wait! It was Pat Neve! Ron Tuefel, Manny Perry and Dave Johns are all long gone now. Robby Robinson placed somewhere down the line as did (I believe Mike Mentzer). They later on jumped the AAU ship and signed up with Weider, Inc.
As to the 212 division, it is still loaded with short men that are too big for their height. As a friend used to say, their stomachs are so big they should call them "waste lines". There is zero class and all ass (i.e., striated glutes - YUCK!) in today's bodybuilding. As previously stated, the dais is void of talent. The majority of the people that populate this forum get all butt hurted when you tell the truth and the truth is anyone can be big and strong on drugs. Anyone, including them.
Reeves used to say that if you didn't have enough testosterone to be a bodybuilder then perhaps you should take up something more appropriate, like tiddly winks. I blame the size queen judges. A bunch of sick Boo Boo Bearcubs in heat. I also tend to think that the film "Pumping Iron" is somewhat responsible as the world saw the difference between Mr. Olympia or Mr. Universe calibre competitors and the ones in the Mr. Boiled Peanut carnival contest shown in the film (the one where Katz was guest posing).
I do not see this changing anytime soon unless as mentioned elsewhere in the forum, Arnold steps in and declares enough is enough and that gross, huge legged, fat gutted, belly dancing fruits of the loon are not what they are looking for. And enforces it through sound judging and proper placement of competitors. The size queens will squeal like the piglets they are.
Here's to the days when men were men, muscle was functional and the titles of Mr. America, Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia actually meant something to not only the lifters but their families and friends as well.
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The physiques were fantastic back then. Now it's a science experiment. The muscles just look like bloated water retention. Bodybuilding was really gaining in popularity in the late 70's and early 80's. Now it is really going from a sub culture to a side show. Contests were every where back then and now just a few minor and major ones remain. Judging from the magazine sales that have always been the back bone of bodybuilding it's on life support. If there is any positive it's that fitness is bigger than ever with guys who work out. Men's Health out sells all the bodybuilding magazines combined. I guess it's not a bad thing. It use to be Strength and Health. Now bodybuilding is bloat, oil and drugs.
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When I drop by Worlds Gym, La Crescenta, Ca (one of my old stomping grounds) I run into Clint. Time has graced this man. His physique and wrinkle free smooth face is that of a man 30 years younger.
I mention my good friend Troy Alves in part because all we talk about is the Golden Days. His office wall pics look like this thread. He lives in the past and refuses to injest or shoot crap and go after the big boyz. He a grandpa turning 45, and does he take HRT?...most likely. But so do I. I have tested below 200 at the Docs. "Andropause". You mention Zane and he says..."Now thats what i'm talkin about". Troy was one of those guys you hated in high school. 19" arms playing soccer. Go figure. Watching Troy train is epic. Watching him eat humbles me. He can bankrupt a Sushi joint in an afternoon. Reminds me of the prime rib dinners I consumed with Steve Reeves. Yet, he will not sacrifice his wasp waist for anything.
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SOME very good points made here last few posts men,,,,i agree and try to pattern a build towards these types,train/eat to be strong and still lean but holding onto some asthetics my efforts allow...
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I believe that Clint is now married to the very beautiful, former Cathy Gelfo (also a former girlfriend of the late Mike Mentzer).
Dale Adrian won the '75 Mr. America (AAU) and was touted as another "Larry Scott". Clint won the Tall Division and Dale the Medium Height class. I cannot recall who won the Short Division...No.... Wait! It was Pat Neve! Ron Tuefel, Manny Perry and Dave Johns are all long gone now. Robby Robinson placed somewhere down the line as did (I believe Mike Mentzer). They later on jumped the AAU ship and signed up with Weider, Inc.
As to the 212 division, it is still loaded with short men that are too big for their height. As a friend used to say, their stomachs are so big they should call them "waste lines". There is zero class and all ass (i.e., striated glutes - YUCK!) in today's bodybuilding. As previously stated, the dais is void of talent. The majority of the people that populate this forum get all butt hurted when you tell the truth and the truth is anyone can be big and strong on drugs. Anyone, including them.
Reeves used to say that if you didn't have enough testosterone to be a bodybuilder then perhaps you should take up something more appropriate, like tiddly winks. I blame the size queen judges. A bunch of sick Boo Boo Bearcubs in heat. I also tend to think that the film "Pumping Iron" is somewhat responsible as the world saw the difference between Mr. Olympia or Mr. Universe calibre competitors and the ones in the Mr. Boiled Peanut carnival contest shown in the film (the one where Katz was guest posing).
I do not see this changing anytime soon unless as mentioned elsewhere in the forum, Arnold steps in and declares enough is enough and that gross, huge legged, fat gutted, belly dancing fruits of the loon are not what they are looking for. And enforces it through sound judging and proper placement of competitors. The size queens will squeal like the piglets they are.
Here's to the days when men were men, muscle was functional and the titles of Mr. America, Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia actually meant something to not only the lifters but their families and friends as well.
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;)dale and one denny gable pic.
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:)75 mr a and the year reg lewis entered mr o because of the flap over lack of contestants to challenge the big two arnold and sergio.
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I'm having a difficult time keeping up with all these posts so you gotta excuse me if I overlook some of your interesting comments, but here's something that I recall about Dale Adrian.
Dale was a guest poser shortly before or shortly after he won the Mr A and the event was held in conjunction with a powerlifting event that we held on the beach during the hot afternoon hours.
We had constructed a 'lifting platform' on the sand without realizing that is would eventually 'sink' towards one side or another .... so by late afternoon the competitors were performing heavy deadlifts while standing on the platform that tilted very noticeably towards the left or maybe it was the right.
But everyone was having a great time in the sun so there were no complaints but this was most likely the only time in the history of powerlifting that the squating and the deadllifting were performed at a 45 degree angle .... an exaggeration of course, but I think you can visualize it the way is really was.
So while all this lifting was going on, Dale decides to get a sun-tan!
And since 'tilted' powerlifting can get somewhat boring, Dale fallls asleep in the sun and manages to get a three hour nap.
Dale is one of those fair haired white guys who should have taken the sun in 20 minute bits and pieces, so that 3 hour nap 'over-baked' him and he was 'cooked' to a bright red lobster color which got even 'redder' when he showed up on stage to do his guest posing routine.
Light colored hair, bright white teeth and blue trunks .... when he finished his routine, we didn't know if we should offer him a round of applause or simply stand and salute him.
If anyone is in contact with Dale these days, I'd sure like to contact him. Last known location was at one of the Y's or one of the gyms in the So Cal LA basin.
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MB, I've met Troy on a good number of occasions and was successful in predicting his overall victory when he received his IFFB card which caused a lot of arguments on one of these internet boards.
Can you elaborate a bit more on your meal with Reeves.
Speaking of eating ..... There was a time when the bigger bodybuilders from Golds in Santa Monica used to go shopping in one of the larger SM super markets and simply fill up their stomachs by strolling up and down the aisles and eating to their heart's desire with no need to stop by the check-out stand.
Did you ever participate in one of those super-market 'fast food raids"?
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MB, I've met Troy on a good number of occasions and was successful in predicting his overall victory when he received his IFFB card which caused a lot of arguments on one of these internet boards.
Can you elaborate a bit more on your meal with Reeves.
Speaking of eating ..... There was a time when the bigger bodybuilders from Golds in Santa Monica used to go shopping in one of the larger SM super markets and simply fill up their stomachs by strolling up and down the aisles and eating to their heart's desire with no need to stop by the check-out stand.
Did you ever participate in one of those super-market 'fast food raids"?
he looked great winning the usa's then,,,,always liked his build.huge arms for his frame,great upper body.pro a long time ,,KUDOS..
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The physiques were fantastic back then. Now it's a science experiment. The muscles just look like bloated water retention. Bodybuilding was really gaining in popularity in the late 70's and early 80's. Now it is really going from a sub culture to a side show. Contests were every where back then and now just a few minor and major ones remain. Judging from the magazine sales that have always been the back bone of bodybuilding it's on life support. If there is any positive it's that fitness is bigger than ever with guys who work out. Men's Health out sells all the bodybuilding magazines combined. I guess it's not a bad thing. It use to be Strength and Health. Now bodybuilding is bloat, oil and drugs.
All things change. I am wary of saying anything that smacks of being a "good ol' days" kind of comment, because these kinds opinions are often attributed to older folks who are mired in the past. Incidentally, PEDs have been around for a very long time. I took them in the 60's.
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I've finally been able to take a closer look at the photos that Funk has been posting and some of them have kicked my memory banks with some little bits of memorabelia ...
Especailly Dave Johns and Ronnie Teufel ....
DAVE JOHNS ..... Was one of many BB competitors whom I held in high regards. Dave won the Mr. A or the the NPC National Title the year that Mae West presented him the overall award at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.
I was backstage that year and Bert Goodrich tapped me on the shoulder and then Mae West said , "Pardon us!" and I moved aside to let the both of them proceed on stage to make the overall presentation to Dave.
While backstage it was kind of evident that Mae could not see too swell and was actually a very old lady who needed the assistance of someone like Bert but once they left the wings Mae West became Mae West!
And she became Mae West in all her Mae West glory ..... for you new kids on the block, Mae West was once the epitome of camp sexiness with a comedic twist.
So Dave got the trophy that year, but I've failed to mention his good friend and training partner who I appreciated most of all whose name once again I have forgotten......
But he was a counsilor for wayward kids who was genuinely concerned about kids in trouble and dedicated his lifetime to rectify any problem other than his own.
SOmetimes you meet people who impress you for a lifetime and Dave and his training partner fit that mode perfectly.
A few years after I had the opportunity to meet Dave, he passed away as a result of something called Legionaire's Disease which was somewhat of a mystery back then.
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PRIME, I might have met you at the pharmacy. It was around 1961 or 1962 when I first entered the pharmay and asked for ANAVAR (I think it was Anavar back then) and got my first little container of roids in the form of pills after a 10 minute wait without a prescription.
It's been a while but we used to refer to those little blue or pink pills as "Little Footballs". (Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong here.)
I do recall using them for about a period of 6 weeks and then I got a slight pain in my side and a doctor friend told me that that slight pain was normal and to lay off it it got any worse.
It did get worse so I did lay off but I did notice a slight gain in muscle density and strength.
Was training very hard back them so maybe that short period of roid usage had nothing to do with it.
Never did use injectable because back then they were considered taboo and it wasn't till around 1965 or so that injections began to become somewhat popular.
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RONNIE TEUFEL: I can kind of recall being in Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica the week before the Mr A or the National BB Championshps when a few of the top competitors were prepping for the contest and discussing who else would be coming into Santa Monica to enter and win the title… (Whatever that title was at that time!)
The most talked about individual was Ronnie Teufel who was expected to arrive at Gold’s a few days before the contest .... and a few of the Gold’s member were determined to give him a bad time when he showed up.
So two or three days before the contest Ron did show up and was prepared for a final workout at Gold’s but within ten minutes after he came into the gym, he left and stood outside the window looking in with a sad look on his face.
You gotta realize that Ron was a young kid back then and one of the favorites to win the overall, so he had no idea of the hostility he would be meeting his first night in what would soon become the Mecca.
I stepped outside to say “Howdy“ but he simply said something like, “They hate me in there!”.
And then he left and returned for his final precontest workout when the gym was relatively empty an there was no one in there to harrass him just because he was a young competitor from someplace back east with the potential to win the overall.
I forget how Ron placed that year but the day after the contest we held a meeting at the SM Civic Auditorium and Ron was present and it was too early for the meeting so we had a decent conversation outside and somehow the subject of HAWAII entered the conversation and Ronnie said, "Where’s Hawaii?” and I pointed out to the Pacific ocean in a westerly direction and Ronnie looked … and said , “I can’t see it!”.
That was the good kid that I’ve long remembered and we stayed in contact a few times for about a year or so discussing his training and plans via tape recordings which I’ve lost long ago.
Ronnie is another bodybuilder who passéd away way too early at the age of 49 but I have forgotten the details of his early dimise.
1975 TEEN AMERICA (AAU)
1975 TEEN MR. USA / 1ST SHORT CLASS (AAU)
1977 MR. AMERICA / 1ST SHORT CLASS (AAU)
1978 MR. CALIFORNIA (AAU)
1978 MR. USA OVERALL WINNER (AAU)
1979 MR. AMERICA / 1ST SHORT CLASS (AAU)
1980 IFBB MR. INTERNATIONAL / 2ND LIGHT HEAVY WEIGHTS
1981 IFBB WASHINGTON GRAND PRIX / 5TH PLACE
1982 IFBB NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS / 7TH PLACE
For more info on someone whom I remember as a great young competitor and hard trainer, go here ....>>>> http://www.ronteufel.com/
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on dave johns workout partner was it powerlifter dave shaw. john's must of only worked out with other gus named dave. ;D ;D
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:P
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FUNK! Once again, you are correct! It was Dave Shaw who trained with Dave and a very great man indeed.
I believe that he is still among the living.
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FUNK! Once again, you are correct! It was Dave Shaw who trained with Dave and a very great man indeed.
I believe that he is still among the living.
i think so.hossein s, dan mackey, chuck collaras.
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Some bodybuilders do crazy stunts but one such bodybuilder was 'crazier' than the rest.
You might have met this guy back then,Mr MB, but I think he was from the northern part of Cal.
His name was Mike Dayton (and probably still is, I hope !).
He had a strength act and the main part of his act was ..... hanging by the neck!
And he'd hang by the neck just like cattle rustlers used to in the good old days about 6 feet off the ground for a good number of seconds before falling back to the ground.
Check it out on YouTube.
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Some bodybuilders do crazy stunts but one such bodybuilder was 'crazier' than the rest.
You might have met this guy back then,Mr MB, but I think he was from the northern part of Cal.
His name was Mike Dayton (and probably still is, I hope !).
He had a strength act and the main part of his act was ..... hanging by the neck!
And he'd hang by the neck just like cattle rustlers used to in the good old days about 6 feet off the ground for a good number of seconds before falling back to the ground.
Check it out on YouTube.
:P
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mike dayton was in the first WSM. he practiced CHi mind control . he wanted to jump off the golden gate bridge and survive it but he settled for a lesser bridge and wrecked his leg. his sister laura worked for one of the muscle rags back then. muscle digest not sure though without checking.teenage mr a aau mike dayton. saw him on merv griffin break police handcuffs.
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Dan Haggerty of "Grizzly Adams" fame was in "Muscle Beach Party" (1964).
Larry Scott and Chet Yorton among other greats of the 60s are in the film. Steve Merjanian too.
I like the way women looked then, especially so the swim suits they wore.
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Muscle Beach Party ..... Don Rickles as the boybuilding coach.
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HERE COME THE LADIES! As I witnessed it …..
Back in them old days (the ‘70’s) when most of you GetBiggers were still to see the light of day, any lady who dared to join a gym and train with the guys was a definite rarity.
In fact in most cases …. It wasn’t even allowed.
So all the gyms would either have a separate training area for the ladies or have hours or days during the week when the gym was for the exclusive use of the girls.
But that was soon to change ….. and to the best of my recollection that change was initiated by a young lady by the name of Lisa Lyon who not only trained at the same time as the men trained but she also trained with the men … most of whom were top bodybuilding contenders.
She was born in 1953 in
Los Angeles, California, USA and joined Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica around 1978 but I could be mistaken on the exact date.
I don’t think that Lisa was the first Gold’s Gym Santa Monica female member, but I’m pretty sure that she was the first Gold’s Gym Santa Monica female member who trained with the guys and did a hell of a good job keeping up.
She only competed once but she helped the women’s side of the sport gain initial media attention. She won the first IFBB Women’s World Pro Bodybuilding Championships in Los Angeles on June 16, 1979, and immediately became a one-woman media-relations activist on behalf of the sport.
She was photographed by Helmut Newton and Robert Mapplethorpe and was the first female bodybuilder to appear in Playboy (October 1980).
To the best of my recollection, Lisa was the first frmale competitor who broke the ice and trained along side of and with the guys.
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Next up .... CORY !!!
And a guy named JEFF.
Then RACHEL,
THEN CARLA.
THEN LENDA!
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HERE COME THE LADIES! As I witnessed it …..
Back in them old days (the ‘70’s) when most of you GetBiggers were still to see the light of day, any lady who dared to join a gym and train with the guys was a definite rarity.
In fact in most cases …. It wasn’t even allowed.
So all the gyms would either have a separate training area for the ladies or have hours or days during the week when the gym was for the exclusive use of the girls.
But that was soon to change ….. and to the best of my recollection that change was initiated by a young lady by the name of Lisa Lyon who not only trained at the same time as the men trained but she also trained with the men … most of whom were top bodybuilding contenders.
She was born in 1953 in
Los Angeles, California, USA and joined Gold’s Gym in Santa Monica around 1978 but I could be mistaken on the exact date.
I don’t think that Lisa was the first Gold’s Gym Santa Monica female member, but I’m pretty sure that she was the first Gold’s Gym Santa Monica female member who trained with the guys and did a hell of a good job keeping up.
She only competed once but she helped the women’s side of the sport gain initial media attention. She won the first IFBB Women’s World Pro Bodybuilding Championships in Los Angeles on June 16, 1979, and immediately became a one-woman media-relations activist on behalf of the sport.
She was photographed by Helmut Newton and Robert Mapplethorpe and was the first female bodybuilder to appear in Playboy (October 1980).
To the best of my recollection, Lisa was the first frmale competitor who broke the ice and trained along side of and with the guys.
this poster was on a lot of guys walls, was even used in a movie once. sean penn's brother chris was one of the stars so movie was pretty obscure.
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:)????how many do you know?
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Muscle Beach Party ..... Don Rickles as the boybuilding coach.
:)
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;)
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:)????how many do you know?
Good pic. Zane in the nerd glasses.
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FUNK, Interesting group photo! What was the occasion?
It’s difficult to see a lot of the faces because the picture is pretty small but a quick look shows Arnold, Frank and Christine Zane, Dickerson., Coe and a couple of others faces whose names I have forgotten.
Might be able to ID more if the occasion was known.
Once again, THANKS for the photos.
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FUNK, Interesting group photo! What was the occasion?
It’s difficult to see a lot of the faces because the picture is pretty small but a quick look shows Arnold, Frank and Christine Zane, Dickerson., Coe and a couple of others faces whose names I have forgotten. all those you mentioned plus chet yorton and his wife,art peacock, dick tyler?,irven zabo k and his wife lydia, chas fautz, don peters wife and son, joe nista and sandy,seymour kienig,franco c.
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FUNK, Interesting group photo! What was the occasion?
It’s difficult to see a lot of the faces because the picture is pretty small but a quick look shows Arnold, Frank and Christine Zane, Dickerson., Coe and a couple of others faces whose names I have forgotten.
Might be able to ID more if the occasion was known.
Once again, THANKS for the photos.
i just contacted one of the people on this shot, will let you know when they tell me.
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just found this rare old shot ed yarick reeves first trainer in a comp.
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Dave Johns died from Valley Fever a few days after he and I judged one of Dan Mackey's Ventura, Ca. shows.
I was invited by Steve to join him and other Goodrich members on a few occassions at Rands Roundup, all you can eat prime rib. We devistated the beef.
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FUNK, Interesting group photo! What was the occasion?
It’s difficult to see a lot of the faces because the picture is pretty small but a quick look shows Arnold, Frank and Christine Zane, Dickerson., Coe and a couple of others faces whose names I have forgotten.
Might be able to ID more if the occasion was known.
Once again, THANKS for the photos.
MB, Thanks for the Dave Johns info. He was another great individual who passed away way too young.
Do you recall if Reeves was a big eater? During the days when I spent time with him (very few) he was in the habit of eating relatively small meals and I do recall that he chewed all his food at least 20 times before swallowing, so meals with Steve could be rather long.
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FUNK, Interesting group photo! What was the occasion?
It’s difficult to see a lot of the faces because the picture is pretty small but a quick look shows Arnold, Frank and Christine Zane, Dickerson., Coe and a couple of others faces whose names I have forgotten.
Might be able to ID more if the occasion was known.
Once again, THANKS for the photos.
MB, Thanks for the Dave Johns info. He was another great individual who passed away way too young.
Do you recall if Reeves was a big eater? During the days when I spent time with him (very few) he was in the habit of eating relatively small meals and I do recall that he chewed all his food at least 20 times before swallowing, so meals with Steve could be rather long.
the person got back to me . pic is from 1969 it was a party after a contest maybe mr america. it was hosted by john balik and don peters. party was held the shrine auditorium in la. pic was taken by artie zeller.the person i contacted is now going to contact chas fautz also in pic for more details.
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the person got back to me . pic is from 1969 it was a party after a contest maybe mr america. it was hosted by john balik and don peters. party was held the shrine auditorium in la. pic was taken by artie zeller.the person i contacted is now going to contact chas fautz also in pic for more details.
Awesome inside stuff/pic, funk. Keep it up. We don't always acknowledge the hard work but we really do appreciate it. And you, too, stunt, as usual. Great thread. :)
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I have heard before that Reeves was a nutt about chewing his food. I don't recall if he was any slower than the rest of us. I was just a kid, WAY underage and in awe to be with these men. I loved beer and sitting there and drinking beer and eating a plate of prime rib was all I could take in. My memory bank does tell me that Steve always dominated the conversation.
The Shrine Auditorium show was the first real contest (not just Muscle Beach exhibitions) I saw. Never saw another until I stumbled onto the Masters Mr. America (thats what they called it) at the Muscle Beach platform on July 4th 1980. It was that show that inspired me to compete. It took 6 years but I did win that show then called Mr. Muscle Beach.
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Think that Rands Roundup, that Mr MB mentioned, was the same one on Wilshire Blvd (LA..near downtown) that I was told about. Lot of athletes, lifters & BB'ers went there quite a bit. All you could eat, I believe.
Looking at the Joe Weider exercise picture; seems he might have spent more time on his legs....pretty skinny.
Never heard of Dave Johns (my loss), but very impressive. Some of those vet's should never be forgotten. I thank Funk51, Stunt and the others for reminding how outstanding most of them actually were. And of course Lisa Lyons...yes indeed.
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Think that Rands Roundup, that Mr MB mentioned, was the same one on Wilshire Blvd (LA..near downtown) that I was told about. Lot of athletes, lifters & BB'ers went there quite a bit. All you could eat, I believe.
Looking at the Joe Weider exercise picture; seems he might have spent more time on his legs....pretty skinny.
Never heard of Dave Johns (my loss), but very impressive. Some of those vet's should never be forgotten. I thank Funk51, Stunt and the others for reminding how outstanding most of them actually were. And of course Lisa Lyons...yes indeed.
I think funk has a pic of Ole Joe on stage - sans with pants..
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Trying to catch up here!
FUNK, that is the one and only clear/recognizable photo of Yarkick I've ever seen.
Have seen a couple of others doing some gymnastic stuff but never a close up shot like that.
And Lalanne looks like a kid in that photo.
Have no idea who the other guy is though but I'm 90% sure that that photo was taken in the Oakland, Cal area.
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BACK TO WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING ……
Just a short reminder to myself to post some information about the ladies who were the female pioneers in the world of bodybuilding.
I’ll list those whom I’ve met or have known or worked with initially and then as we proceed I’ll add some info regarding each of them separately.
Lisa Lyon …. Briefly mentioned above. Lots of info on the net.
Cory Everson (no longer Everson) …. Good friend and great lady.
Rachel McLish ….
Lenda Murray …. Still very beautiful today.
Bev Francis ....
There are more but in my mind they are the true pioneers of Women’s Bodybuilding.
GOOGLE “BILL DOBBINS Photography” for some great photos of the ladies since way back when.
“WHEN” = When the ladies looked like ladies, but even better.
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Three Pioneers ...... but not all of them.
More to follow.
Ladie's bodybuilding started off with good intentions .......
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Three Pioneers ...... but not all of them.
More to follow.
Ladie's bodybuilding started off with good intentions .......
last pic is lenda murray also a ms o. carla dunlap was the only one of these women i actually saw in person. when she was just a young up and comer from jersey i think saw her in allentown actually competeing.carla on front iof flex.
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I think funk has a pic of Ole Joe on stage - sans with pants..
weider in mr u won by reg park. he competed at the insistance of the same mr park. w pants actually was a late call out and weider hurried to stage.
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;D joe w in trunks
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;) mr forearms bob birdsong. saw this guy in person best forearms i ever saw up to this point, most say phil heath's the man now?????
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Rands was an allyou can eat joint. A fav hangout of Bodybuilders in 50s/60s.
http://www.cardcow.com/303602/typical-round-up-chuck-wagon-rands-hollywood-california/
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bodybuilding was just so cool during the golden time
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bodybuilding was just so cool during the golden time
Yes, there weren't pregnant bodybuilders back then ;D
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Rands was an allyou can eat joint. A fav hangout of Bodybuilders in 50s/60s.
http://www.cardcow.com/303602/typical-round-up-chuck-wagon-rands-hollywood-california/
amazing that it's still in business.
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Thanks for that correction, FUNK! Changes made.
I believe it was at the most recent Oly Expo that I saw LENDA and she's still as beautiful as ever.
It's been many years sine I've seen BIDSONG. The most recent was at some function in Anahiem when just about every bodybuilder in the area showed up at some unreal restaurant south of Disneyland (name forgotten but MR MB may recall it).
We sat with Bob, his wife, and his daughter and Bob advised us to just order a "little bit" becaue a "little bit" was way too much for the average eater.
One of us ordered the Turkey Plate and I ordered a Turkey Sandwich.
The Turkey Plate arrived and it was one-half of a 16 lb turkey with all the trimmings!
And my sandwich was the other half of that 16 lb bird (but sliced)
and half a loaf of bread .... plus plate-loads of the other stuff that goes into the construction of such a sandwich.
Definitely a fine dining spot for off season men of iron.
Anyone recall that place?
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FUNK, There's a strong possibility that I took that elephant picture that day. That story comes next.
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amazing that it's still in business.
^^
It exists now only in memory, I tried googling it: it is now a liquor store.
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:) :) :) :) :)
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FUNK, There's a strong possibility that I took that elephant picture that day. That story comes next.
always found it funny that MTi a new york musclemag used to devote a whole issue to a contest outside of it's organization the WBBG.
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always found it funny that MTi a new york musclemag used to devote a whole issue to a contest outside of it's organization the WBBG.
:o
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Was that the retaurant located in a funky jungle setting? It did have an outragious menu.
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=524651)
Ken Waller and Dave Dupree. Dupree was a big fan of Steve Reeves and it showed in his excellent physique.
Ken Waller had a solid, powerful build and seemed a nice guy too.
As soon as I locate my Way-Back Machine, I will be setting the dial for the 40s through the 70s not only to visit the men whose physiques I admire but also to stop by and influence myself a little more. If Doc Brown can meddle with his past, then why not me? ;D
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The Waller/Dupree (another great person) on the elephant photo was taken on a Friday morning in 1977 in Santa Monica, California.
And Waller and Dupree and Robinson and Grant and Cathy and a lot of the other Gold’s Gym regulars of that period were in a parade …. THE 1977 MR. AMERICA PARADE!
At that time Gold’s was situated on 2nd Street in Santa Monica and was owned and operated by Ken Sprague who was responsible for the promotion of the 1977 MR. AMERICA contest which would be held in the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium the next morning.
And Ken proceeded to promote the hell out of that contest with a parade, a Mr. America newspaper, and a live symphony orchestra playing Star Wars type nusic for each and every posing routine.
The City of Santa Monica even declared it “Mr. America Week” and the gym was open to one and all free of charge.
That was the year that Dave Johns won and was Awarded the overall trophy by Bert Goodrich and Mae West.
This was most likely the most extravagant bodybuilding production of all time … the likes of which will never be seen again.
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MB, You could definitely be right. but I seem to recall it as more of a ranch-house / barn type setting.
SCOTT, I ran into Dave recently and will do my best to find and post the photo.
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:) :) :) :) :)
I'm always amazed to see those old fragile looking benches, holding heavy ass weight
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Stunt the ranch house restaurant setting was Knott Berry Farm?? You could in those days order all you can eat fried chicken.
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MB, Nope, it wasn’t Knott’s Berry Farm. I knew Knott’s chicken dinners very well. Went there often in the 60’s when it was a much smaller place.
The big dinner place was roughly 5 miles south of DL, Sorry that I have forgotten its name but I’m sure its closed down now anyway.
New Subject - I think that the following photo is interesting because I think that this photo was taken at the contest in which a lot of the competitors complained about Franco taking 2nd place.
Note the looks on Birrdsong’s and Grant’s faces……
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A couple more Birsong pictures.
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Yeah...Franco. "The gift". And when he won the Oly....gag me. When he dislocated his leg and tore up his quad on live TV in 1977 hoisting a frige on the Worlds Strongest Man show he had signed an "iron clad" waver. Similar to the waver signed by every pro athlete in the USA. Franco and his attorney broke that waver, sued for the heavans, won, and set the scene for a multitude of law suits against sports and promotional organizations F'ing it up for everyone. In the long run the fans paid more for tickets (and still do) to all kinds of events and shows. THANKS FRANCO.
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:-\
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;)
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;)
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Going back to the ladies for a second, I remember the first time I saw Laura Combes (RIP) in a mag, I said "holy s*&t" things are a changing.
These days, Laura would look tiny compared to the current crop of IFBB "ladies"..
Thanks for keeping this thread going, some good reading on a slow day..
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Going back to the ladies for a second, I remember the first time I saw Laura Combes (RIP) in a mag, I said "holy s*&t" things are a changing.
These days, Laura would look tiny compared to the current crop of IFBB "ladies"..
Thanks for keeping this thread going, some good reading on a slow day..
;)laura was one of the pioneers of the sport, along with several others
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;)laura was one of the pioneers of the sport, along with several others
this woman was a big early influence back than and still around.
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:)
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:)
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DANG!!!! I completely forgot about DORIS B.
I did meet DORIS more than once but I believe DORIS was from someplace back east (FLORIDA???) and I had (dumbly) forgotten all about her.
A very GREAT lady by the way!
I gottta start a list of all the great people in this game whom I have forgotten.
Here's the start.... Maybe some of you GetBiggers remain in contact with some of them ...
Mel Knoll .... San Francisco bodybuilder in the 50's/60's.
Curt Freeman ..... SF Bay Area bodybuilder back them also.
Gary Leonard .... Good old friend when he won the Mr. A. (Lost contact shortly after he got lost in some forest near the High Sierra).
Phil Hernon ... Will be calling him soon.
Joe Nazarrio .... Gym owner someplace outside the US way down south. WIll email him for an update and pass it along.
A hell of a lot more to follow but now I gotta go rob a casino.
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FUNK, I'll take a closer look at the latest photos once I return. Never saw either of those shots.
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FUNK, I'll take a closer look at the latest photos once I return. Never saw either of those shots.
good luck ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D hopefully this turns out bigger.
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DANG!!!! I completely forgot about DORIS B.
I did meet DORIS more than once but I believe DORIS was from someplace back east (FLORIDA???) and I had (dumbly) forgotten all about her.
A very GREAT lady by the way!
Florida is right- she was interviewed at the Sunset Classic on June 29th:
2013 NPC Sunset Classic NPC Sunset Classic Interview With Doris Barilleaux and Georgia Miller Fudge!
http://www.rxmuscle.com/video/contest-interviews/8636-2013-npc-sunset-classic-npc-sunset-classic-interview-with-doris-barilleaux-and-georgia-miller-fudge.html
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Funk...who is the 8' tall giant next to Don Peters? He is still taller than the dude on the box.
I once competed against Don. It was one of those unwise comeback attempts. He was a handsome man yet his physique was sadly no longer responsive.
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Funk...who is the 8' tall giant next to Don Peters? He is still taller than the dude on the box.
I once competed against Don. It was one of those unwise comeback attempts. He was a handsome man yet his physique was sadly no longer responsive.
he was an arm wrestling champ= lloyd lampton or something like that was his name guy is tall.
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:)millard williamson with zabo?????????????????????????????
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he was an arm wrestling champ= lloyd lampton or something like that was his name guy is tall.
On the nose info Funk. He was 6'8". I did a quick search on his name and this link was the first result: http://www.ontarioarmwrestling.com/ArmwrestlingHistory.html
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Two of my youthful inspirations.
Clint Walker and Steve Reeves.
(http://www.clintwalker.com/cart_images/full/celeb4_full.jpg)
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CLINT WALKER now lives in Grass Valley, Ca. about an hour north of Sacramento and roughly an hour south of Truckee.
Beautiful country up 'thar" with Lake Tahoe being an aditional 20 minutes east of Truckee.
I mention this for two reasons ....
Clint was a close friend of James Drurey (The Virginian) and the Lake Tahoe/ Truckee/ Grass Valley area was where I learned how to grow up at a very young age.
If you want to see God's Country, pack it up and hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
As a kid, I always mistook Clint Walker for Jim Garner, But I think I've told that story before.
Back to BODYBUILDING .... Steve was 6 foot and as you can see Clint Walker was somewhat taLLER AT AROUND 6'6".
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CLINT WALKER now lives in Grass Valley, Ca. about an hour north of Sacramento and roughly an hour south of Truckee.
Beautiful country up 'thar" with Lake Tahoe being an aditional 20 minutes east of Truckee.
I mention this for two reasons ....
Clint was a close friend of James Drurey (The Virginian) and the Lake Tahoe/ Truckee/ Grass Valley area was where I learned how to grow up at a very young age.
If you want to see God's Country, pack it up and hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
As a kid, I always mistook Clint Walker for Jim Garner, But I think I've told that story before.
Back to BODYBUILDING .... Steve was 6 foot and as you can see Clint Walker was somewhat taLLER AT AROUND 6'6".
:)for someone who knows how to imbed videoes there's a great clip on youtube of clint walker showing his home gym .
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:)
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:)
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One of the writers at Muscle & Fitness had contact with Walker, and was vying to interview him. Never materialized.
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:)for someone who knows how to imbed videoes there's a great clip on youtube of clint walker showing his home gym .
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If you love Old School and our brothers who continue to lift despite aging maladies you will love Peter Finch. The RX site interviewed me about what I know about Peter. They did a real nice piece....
http://forums.rxmuscle.com/showthread.php?120087-Meet-the-amazing-Peter-Finch
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thanks james ; that's the one. ;D ;D ;D ;D 8) 8) 8)
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One of the writers at Muscle & Fitness had contact with Walker, and was vying to interview him. Never materialized.
there's was a story about clint in a 60's MD pic'd below.
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We’ve been talking a lot about the old time West Coast (USA) bodybuilders, but there were a couple of other US areas that produced some damn good bodybuilding competitors.
Namely the New York area and the Florida area.
But the vast majority of BB competitors resided in the Los Angeles area for numerous reasons such as film and TV work in front of and behind the cameras and the decent weather throughout the year.
SO it might be a decent idea to leave the West Coast for a while and give some credit to those guys and gals who were lifting heavy things in regions somewhat east of the Golden State of California.
And maybe even make an attempt to explain why Joe Weider packed it up and eventually moved to the Los Angeles area …. Initially to a small shop in Santa Monica which Dave Draper used to manage …. A one man operation at that time.
I’ll start this off with some facts and photos of a great bodybuilder from Tampa, Florida by the name of “Haislop”.
To be continued in 60 seconds …..
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Jim Haislop's Contest Record
1965 - Mr Florida - AAU, Winner
Mr USA - AAU, 3rd
1966 - Mr America - AAU, 5th
Mr North America - AAU, Winner
Mr USA - AAU, Most Muscular, 5th
Mr USA - AAU, 3rd
1967 - Mr America - AAU, Most Muscular, 3rd
Mr America - AAU, 2nd
Mr Southern States - AAU, Winner
Mr USA - AAU, Most Muscular, 2nd
Mr USA - AAU, Winner
1968 - Mr America - AAU, Winner
Junior Mr America - AAU, Winner
Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 2nd
1969 - Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 1st
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Interesting photo .....
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:) haislop was supposed to be a clone of steve reeves according to the mags.
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;)
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fucking awesome
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Stunt did you ever work with Peter Graves or James Arness?
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Good role model; an intelligent, calm and humble person with discipline.
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RONNIE, I never met nor did I ever work with James Arness. He was constantly working on the GUNSMOKE TV series while I was in LA.
I don't recall ever meeing Peter Graves but he did some work in the VIRGINIAN TV series when I was there so that could have been a remote possibility
I seemed to always be preoccupied and amazed by all the behind the scenes of the making of movie and TV shows to notice who was whom while on a set, most of the western TV and movie extras always seemed to be too damn tall to have a decent conversation with.
I'm 6' but I always had to strain my neck and look way up to join in any conversation back then.
That was especially true among the cowboy extras in a TV show called THE BIG VALLEY with Barbara Stanwyck.
I happened be on that stage when they were 'filming' a scene in which a heard of cattle came walking over a hill while the 'cowboys' were having a conversation around a camp-fire in the fore-ground
It was amazing because it was all lit up to look completely real but it was being filmed inside a sound stage at Universal if I recall correctly.
When the scene was over, everyone stood up and I felt like a midget.
I can't explain why but I think all those extras had four inch 'elevators' in 'them thar' boots.
I guess what I'm trying to say is ...... it's possible that I met a lot of well known actors on various sets but failed to recognize them because in real life they just don't look the same as they do on a TV or movie screen.
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i keep saying it each few pages,,i love this thread stunt/funk.the builds are really awesome...
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All these old photos here sure show how much different bodybuilding and competitive bodybuilding was back then.
I don't want to say that the bodybuilders of today are any better or any worse but ....... they sure were different.
Is it possible that this new Men's Physique Division will take the game of muscular competition back to the way it used to be???
I think that there was a lot of thought in that regards when NPC Physique Competitions was initiated.
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Thanks again, NJ.
Here'S another competitor who was damn impressive a few years back...
JOHN BROWN ..... From where- I don't know.
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Thanks again, NJ.
just giving your props here,,i read it everyday,,
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stunt i was watching the burt reynolds movie " hooper" the other day and noticed dick tyler and bob tessier were in it. surprised that rewatching it all these years later i'm more aware of these guys esp tyler thanks to this thread.tyler was always an intersting writer of that early period. a collection of his early gossip column can be found in the book west coast bodybuilding.
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FUNK, I never met Mr Tyler, nor can I recall ever reading any of his articles. Strange??!
I forgot to mention another great bodybuilder in his day who resided outside of the West Coast of California. (ATLANTA, GEORGIA.)
His name was/is Dave Rogers and he was often considdered to be one of the principal contenders in the A/ or Nationals. but for some reason never won it.... except for the overall 1980 Mr. USA title.
ThaNKS TO MUSCLE MEMORY FOR THE FOLLOWING INFO AND PHOTO
1974 - Teen Mr America - AAU, Did not place
1976 -Mr East Coast - AAU, Winner
Gold's Classic - AAU, Overall Winner
Gold's Classic - AAU, Tall, 1st
1977 - Mr America - AAU, Tall, 4th
Junior Mr USA - AAU, Tall, 1st
Junior Mr USA - AAU, Overall Winner
1978 - Mr USA - AAU, Tall, 2nd
1979 - Mr America - AAU, Tall, 2nd
1980 - Mr America - AAU, HeavyWeight, 12th
Mr USA - AAU, Overall Winner
Mr USA - AAU, HeavyWeight, 1st
1982 - Nationals - NPC, HeavyWeight, 10th
1985 - Georgia Championships - NPC, Overall Winner
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FUNK, I never meet Mr Tyler, nor can I recall ever reading any of his articles. Strange??!
I forgot to mention another great bodybuilder in his day who resided outside of the West Coast of California.
His name was/is Dave Rogers and he was often considdered to be the principal contenders in the A/ or Nationals. but for some reason never won it.
ThaNKS TO MUSCLE MEMORY FOR THE FOLLOWING INFO AND PHOTO
1974
Teen Mr America - AAU, Did not place
1976
Mr East Coast - AAU, Winner
Gold's Classic - AAU, Overall Winner
Gold's Classic - AAU, Tall, 1st
1977
Mr America - AAU, Tall, 4th
Junior Mr USA - AAU, Tall, 1st
Junior Mr USA - AAU, Overall Winner
1978
Mr USA - AAU, Tall, 2nd
1979
Mr America - AAU, Tall, 2nd
1980
Mr America - AAU, HeavyWeight, 12th
Mr USA - AAU, Overall Winner
Mr USA - AAU, HeavyWeight, 1st
1982
Nationals - NPC, HeavyWeight, 10th
1985
Georgia Championships - NPC, Overall Winner
i remember reading and seeing dave rogers in the mags. here's a guy from the early period from the movies. have you ever heard of cal bolder???? he was supposedly discovered by a hollywood producer while he was being given a ticket by motorcycle cop cal bolder. will check for his real name.
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i remember reading and seeing dave rogers in the mags. here's a guy from the early period from the movies. have you ever heard of cal bolder???? he was supposedly discovered by a hollywood producer while he was being given a ticket by motorcycle cop cal bolder. will check for his real name.
earl craver was his real name.
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EARL C. Craver... CAL BOUDER .... Possibly renamed by the same agent who gave Roy Harold Scherer, Jr. his new Hollywood name.
Mostly TV work .... westerns
While working as a California Highway Patrolman, Earl C. Craver was "discovered" by an agent who was impressed by Craver's 6' 4" height, his 260 pound physique, his 52" chest and his 32" waist. The agent changed the patrolman's name to "Cal Bolder".
Born in 1931, Cal retired at the end of the 1960s and moved to the state of Washington. Published the novel Last Reunion under his real name, E. C. Craver. Has recently written another novel that has yet to be published.
Passed away 2005
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Speaking of old movies ..... I can recall in the late 1930's that some Hollywood agency was looking for a teenage with a good build to play one of the lead roles in a movie called I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN and during one of the castting calls one of the girls showed up to offer support for her boyfriend and was asked to do a screen teat for an upcoming Elvis movie.
She got a contract to be in the Elvis movie and he got nothing, but they did manage to find someone to play the Teenage Frankenstein who went on to play in some top rated TV shows.
Here's his photo .....
Trivia question .....Can anyone name him without doing an IMDB or Google search?
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A few pages back we were mentioning Don Howorth and the size off his delts ......
Here's a decent photo showing that his shoulders were among the largest back then.
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:)
Joe Means of that group is retired from law enforcement and he competes in Triathlons. He rides his bike crazy distances everyday. He told me the distances but my memory is fuzzy. I just remember I was shocked by his weekly mileage.
He was at the time the most ripped bodybuilder I ever saw. I think it was the 75 AAU Mr. America where he was so much smaller than the rest of the guys but he won best legs and most muscular. He was second in abs. He really looked skinless in that contest.
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Joe Means
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Joe Means
legs in certain cases were neglected or not pushed as 80/2000's,,this guy needed some more sweep to quad..
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Another early 1950's bodybuilder by the name of ED HOLVOCHIK became a big sword and sandles movie star after his name was changed to ED FURY.
Here's a photo taken on Santa Monica Beach (Muscle Beach) in the early 50's.
The building in the background was some sort of private club in the early 50's and is the location where I believe Joe Gold stored some of his gym equipment prior to opening his first commercial gym.
I was there and used some of the equipment but no one has ever been able to verify if I am correct or not.
I missed the opportunity to ask him before he passed away.
That building is now the SEA CASTLE and is a very expensive high rise apartment building. A very unique residence because of itts direct location right on the Santa Monica Beach.
You can see it in the background of many of the original MUSCLE BEACH photos taken in the 40's and the 50's as the lifting pit was less than 40 yards on the beach to the north.
We used to sit with our backs to the sea-wall you can see in this photo because it prevented the wind from kicking up the sand on windy days.
MR MB ..... I bet you've sat in that exact same spot many times.
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Speaking of old movies ..... I can recall in the late 1930's that some Hollywood agency was looking for a teenage with a good build to play one of the lead roles in a movie called I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN and during one of the castting calls one of the girls showed up to offer support for her boyfriend and was asked to do a screen teat for an upcoming Elvis movie.
She got a contract to be in the Elvis movie and he got nothing, but they did manage to find someone to play the Teenage Frankenstein who went on to play in some top rated TV shows.
Here's his photo .....
Trivia question .....Can anyone name him without doing an IMDB or Google search?
That's a really good trivia question. If my memory is correct, Michael Landon was in I Was A Teenage Werewolf." But, Frankenstein... I don't know.
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Another early 1950's bodybuilder by the name of ED HOLOVOCHIK became a big sword and sandles movie star after his name was changed to ED FURY.
Here's a photo taken on Santa Monica Beach (Muscle Beach) inthe early 50's.
The building in the background was some sort of private club in the early 50's and is the location where I believe Joe Gold stored some of his gym equipment prior to opening his first commercial gym.
I was there and used some of the equipment but no one has ever been able to verify if I am correct or not.
I missed the opportunity to ask him before he passed away.
That building is now the SEA CASTLE and is a very expensive high rise apartment building. A very unique residence because of itts direct location right on the Santa Monica Beach.
You can see it in the background of many of the original MUSCLE BEACH photos taken in the 40's and the 50's at the lifting pit was less than 40 yards on the beach to the north.
We used to sit with our backs to the sea-wall you can see in this photo because it prevented the wind from kicking up the sand on windy days.
MR MB ..... I bet you've sat in that exact same spot many times.
Ed was also a popular "physique" model in his day.
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legs in certain cases were neglected or not pushed as 80/2000's,,this guy needed some more sweep to quad..
Not a fair picture of his legs at that contest. The were skinned alive.
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REPS. The teen Frankenstein was GARY CONWAY who went on to star in a couple of TV series ..... Land of the Giants, 77 Sunset Strip, etc.
Synopsis .....I WAS A TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN ... Professor Frankenstein, a university lecturer with an alligator pit under his house, steals body parts of dead athletes from the wreckage of a crashed airplane. He builds a hunky male monster (BOB) with a hideously disfigured face, which goes on a killing spree.
American International Pictures released this film to many drive-in theaters on a double bill with Blood of Dracula with the tag line: "Warning! Can You Take It? Fiendish! Frenzied! Frightening! It Will Haunt You For Days Afterwards!"
I read someplace that this movie was made for $82,000 and made a $2,000,000 profit.
This will eventually be a remake using a current Men's Physique Division winner. Followed with another BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN remake featuring a current National Fitness champion.
Any investors out there?
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that movie with conway was a classic the scene where he sees himself in the mirror is classic. much like the bride of frankenstein when she first sees the monster. did you ever have any encounters with any of the tanny clan, vic,vic jr or armand?
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that movie with conway was a classic the scene where he sees himself in the mirror is classic. much like the bride of frankenstein when she first sees the monster. did you ever have any encounters with any of the tanny clan, vic,vic jr or armand?
;)
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that movie with conway was a classic the scene where he sees himself in the mirror is classic. much like the bride of frankenstein when she first sees the monster. did you ever have any encounters with any of the tanny clan, vic,vic jr or armand?
I worked out a Vic Tanny's in Reseda, CA for awhile in the early 60's. Does this count? I don't remember seeing anyone special, but I probably wouldn't have recognized them anyway. :-\
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I don't think I ever met VIC but ARMOND used to hang out at Waikiki Beach directly behind the Outrigger Hotel with the professional wrestlers when professional wrestling was not as popular as it would be later and I'd say "Hello" in passing just about every weekend.
To the best of my recollection that group consisted of Curtis “The Bull” Iaukea, Ripper “The King” Collins, the Missing Link, Johnny Barend and Lord Tally-Ho Blears.
I think Don "Hot Pants" Moracco joined them a few years later.
Long ago .... so I'm not sure much of the above is 100% accurate.
I also think that The ROCK's father would join them often.
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I don't think I ever met VIC but ARMOND used to hang out at Waikiki Beach directly behind the Outrigger Hotel with the professional wrestlers when professional wrestling was not as popular as it would be later and I'd say "Hello" in passing just about every weekend.
To the best of my recollection that group consisted of Curtis “The Bull” Iaukea, Ripper “The King” Collins, the Missing Link, Johnny Barend and Lord Tally-Ho Blears.
I think Don "Hot Pants" Moracco joined them a few years later.
Long ago .... so I'm not sure much of the above is 100% accurate.
I also think that The ROCK's father would join them often.
i heard of all the wreslers with the exception of collins, actually saw the rock's dad train at fitness america back in allentown pa. ever encounter billy superstar graham aka wayne coleman?
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:)ed fury aka ed holovik
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:)
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:)eddie guiliani
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:)
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:)
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;)
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Bill Grant went off the radar in 2011. He had a show on the East coast if I recall and kept active with many inteviews. I would see Kent Kuehn, the host of Golds Mecca, at the Muscle Beach shows with the Ironman Mag peeps. We would visit and he always said..."You just missed Bill Grant". Bill stayed with Kent when visiting the left coast. Kent was wheel chair bound when we last visited in 2011. So my question is....anybody have updates on Bill or Kent?
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MB, I have not seen Bill in many years but I see Kent at least once a year while visiting LA. Last run-in was at last month's annual Memorial Day contest at Venice Brach.
Kent was sitting in his chair in the shade under the officials' tent and I was standing about 10 feet away and yelled a "Howdy!" and he was in the process of getting up to come over to talk but I yelled, "Stay there. I'll talk to you after this is over!" but due to all the activity, that didn't occur.
He looked as well as he looked in the previous year, but not as well as he looked in the 1980's.
I've noticed that among all my old friends from those good old days .
It must be something contagious!
I'll post some pictures we took that day.
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Bill Grant went off the radar in 2011. He had a show on the East coast if I recall and kept active with many inteviews. I would see Kent Kuehn, the host of Golds Mecca, at the Muscle Beach shows with the Ironman Mag peeps. We would visit and he always said..."You just missed Bill Grant". Bill stayed with Kent when visiting the left coast. Kent was wheel chair bound when we last visited in 2011. So my question is....anybody have updates on Bill or Kent?
bill grant continues to live and thrive ob the east coast. he had several shows in the allentown area the bill grant classic. he held it in atlantic city new jersey a few years back. bill's often in the area along with leon brown. i was talking to leon at the one show and didn't realize till later who he was.
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=524946;image)
Is that Paul Wynter with Chet? Paul had an excellent physique coupled with good looks. A real inspiration to many young men so very long ago.
Clint was and is, an all the way big man. From what little I know of him, he is a man of moral conscience. I really enjoyed watching both "Cheyenne" and his films.
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=524946;image)
Is that Paul Wynter with Chet? Paul had an excellent physique coupled with good looks. A real inspiration to many young men so very long ago.
Clint was and is, an all the way big man. From what little I know of him, he is a man of moral conscience. I really enjoyed watching both "Cheyenne" and his films.
yes paul wynter mr symentry and also in the hercules movies as a second to hercules usually . one movie he was in with mark forest aka lou degni.
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bill grant continues to live and thrive ob the east coast. he had several shows in the allentown area the bill grant classic. he held it in atlantic city new jersey a few years back. bill's often in the area along with leon brown. i was talking to leon at the one show and didn't realize till later who he was.
the second pic with grant on top of the girl was in the book pumping iron. wasn't this the cause of a lawsuit by the girl??????????????????????
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;D
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FUNK, This is hte first time I've heard about Paul Wynter, Never even saw his photo. Was he from the east coast?
I'm gonna take a break and post some old and some newer photos, some of which I have taken and some of which I have not.
Some of you GetBiggers may recognize some of the people in these upcoming shots and you might even find yourself in one or two.
In most of the cases I'll not ID anyone and let you take a guess as to who/whom they may be.
Some of the individuals I don't know myself but I think their photos are appropriate for this board.
And in some spots I'll insert an "intermission' consisting of photos that are not bodybuilding related, but which you may find interesting nonetheless.
Gotta take this break because typing without a properly working cursor is one hell of a task.
All GetBiggers should be able to name two of the three individuals in this picture.
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1st shot ... Great abs which have never been seen among the Pros recently. I could be mistaken though.
2nd shot ... The most impressive bodybuilding photo I've ever come across. I read his story a couple of years ago but can no longer find it.
Any help about this courageous human being would be greatly appreciated.
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FUNK, This is hte first time I've heard about Paul Wynter, Never even saw his photo. Was he from the east coast?
I'm gonna take a break and post some old and some newer photos, some of which I have taken and some of which I have not.
Some of you GetBiggers may recognize some of the people in these upcoming shots and you might even find yourself in one or two.
In most of the cases I'll not ID anyone and let you take a guess as to who/whom they may be.
Some of the individuals I don't know myself but I think their photos are appropriate for this board.
And in some spots I'll insert an "intermission' consisting of photos that are not bodybuilding related, but which you may find interesting nonetheless.
Gotta take this break because typing without a properly working cursor is one hell of a task.
All GetBiggers should be able to name two of the three individuals in this picture.
big pete looking healthy there,amazing he was so massive,,,
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NJ, I'll be posting more of Pete as we proceed.
EIght now I am posting the pictures in the sequence in which they appear in my photo log .... in an attempt to avoid missing any.
So a lot of these photos will be out of sequence time wise.
All you'se guys and gals should recognize two out of the three lost while on a safari while searching for the Fountain of Youth.
We never found it. (PS .. I'm the guy behind the camera.)
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You old timers should have no problem here. Try not to cheat by looking at the names below the pictures.
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You old timers should have no problem here. Try not to cheat by looking at the names below the pictures.
jackowidz sp?something and hernon he was massive,, looking good there too,,
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Robert Benavente ...Very sad to say that this young bodybuilder passed away way too early.
I never did hear the details but he was an up and coming competitor from Florida. (I think it was Florida).
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Gere's another shot of Bob taken around the time he was competing against Ernie Santiago.
And a lady whose name I have forgotten with a neat haircut (kind of like a female Mohawk).
Quite a few Mohawk cuts in LV these hot days.
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Curt Haywood sometime in the 80's (but not too positive about time frame).
And the lineup of Reeves, Eifferman, and Tanny
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Erik Hunter ... One magazine cover and then he disappeared ti the best of my knowledge.
Anyone know the location of this 2nd photo?
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1st shot ... Name them?
2nd shot ..... I have a few gymnasts in my family and this is what they call 'functional muscle'.
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=525746)
That looks like Grimek on the left, next to the woman.
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THE SCOTT, You could be correct. I met Grimik once during a lfiting and bodybuilding contest at the Embassy Auditorium in Downtown Los Angeles and he was apparently mad at one of the officials because he sure was grouchy.
But later on a friend of his said that that was his usual demeanor.
And I don't think that the York guys appreciated the LA area too very much.
And that was even before Weider arrived.
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Who the hell is this BIG guy on the right?
Swedee posted it originally but he had no idea either.
Apparently some of the others are MMA participants.
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INTERMISSION ....
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THE SCOTT, You could be correct. I met Grimik once during a lfiting and bodybuilding contest at the Embassy Auditorium in Downtown Los Angeles and he was apparently mad at one of the officials because he sure was grouchy.
But later on a friend of his said that that was his usual demeanor.
And I don't think that the York guys appreciated the LA area too very much.
And that was even before Weider arrived.
Yes, I recall hearing the same thing many years ago. I am pretty certain that is John C. Grimek as he, like all his contemporaries (and unlike the bloated whales of today) had a distinct, easily recognized physique.
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1st shot ... Name them?
I don't know the guy in the white shirt. I assume he is the business partner of Chris Bell, who is in the black UnderArmour jacket. I think the movie in their hands is the documentary he made: Bigger Stronger Faster.
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Mickey Hargitay
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Who the hell is this BIG guy on the right?
Swedee posted it originally but he had no idea either.
Apparently some of the others are MMA participants.
I can be wrong, but he looks a bit like Peter van der Veen, the Dutch bodyguard of Lady Gaga
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SqSg4nh3ILE/TtugUOH9SMI/AAAAAAAABPQ/CiV4o35Ktx0/s1600/Peter+Van+der+Veen+02.jpg) (http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110524162754/ladygaga/ru/images/a/a4/PETER.jpg)
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Erik Hunter ... One magazine cover and then he disappeared ti the best of my knowledge.
Anyone know the location of this 2nd photo?
that's an interesting one a few years ago i started a thread about this guy who appeared in a couple of movies as erik hunter= only under his real name ed guke. he was an east coast guy.
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Yes, I recall hearing the same thing many years ago. I am pretty certain that is John C. Grimek as he, like all his contemporaries (and unlike the bloated whales of today) had a distinct, easily recognized physique.
:)for sure that's the great JCG, i could always kick myself in the ass for not getting an autograph and or a picture with the great grimek when i made several pilmagrages to york for equipment in the mid to late 60's
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INTERMISSION ....
nice shots i'm always fascinated by crocs and all animals for that matter. sorry couldn't resist posting a few.
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FUNK, This is hte first time I've heard about Paul Wynter, Never even saw his photo. Was he from the east coast?
I'm gonna take a break and post some old and some newer photos, some of which I have taken and some of which I have not.
Some of you GetBiggers may recognize some of the people in these upcoming shots and you might even find yourself in one or two.
In most of the cases I'll not ID anyone and let you take a guess as to who/whom they may be.
Some of the individuals I don't know myself but I think their photos are appropriate for this board.
And in some spots I'll insert an "intermission' consisting of photos that are not bodybuilding related, but which you may find interesting nonetheless.
Gotta take this break because typing without a properly working cursor is one hell of a task.
All GetBiggers should be able to name two of the three individuals in this picture.
paul w was an english bodybuilder mostly competed in the nabba actually won there mr universe 2 times 60 and 66 when it mattered.
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Curt Haywood sometime in the 80's (but not too positive about time frame).
And the lineup of Reeves, Eifferman, and Tanny
:)curt haywood and charles loesch noted for his arms.
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:)for someone who knows how to imbed videoes there's a great clip on youtube of clint walker showing his home gym .
For those who want to embed videos, you can copy the URL from the "share" box, but only post the last piece of it here using the YouTube embed button. So for the Clint video, the full URL is:
So you then copy only the last piece of it, after the "/" which is right after the "youtu.be"...
So I would only paste this into the youtube share brackets: 1IknyHOdKAQ
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GREGZ, You are correct. I took that picture a couple of years ago at some Venice Beach function.
POWER, Thanks for that video embedding info. I'll give it a try later.
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GRANT and KYLE .... shot at the 2012 USA Championships
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Jack LALANNE pulling a boat across San Francisco Bay.
There were people in that boat on many occasions. This was usually performed on his birthday.
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JIM HAISLOP .... Great bodybuilder from Florida I believe.
Often mistaken for Wally Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver!)
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Photo one.... shot at USA before Kevin Perod got his Pro Card.
Photo two .... shot at the LV Championships a few years back
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Various event photos
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Norway (?) Olympia visitors with Cody Lewis.
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Intermission ....
I like this second shot. I shot it.
A quiet moment between mom and son.
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Various event photos ....
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:)
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Gene MOZEE (Photo above) is a living, walking, talking encyclopedia of all things bodybuilding - especially when it comes to bodybuilding on the West Coast.
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Various event photos ....
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=525886;image)
Hidetada? I've never seen him looking like a 'men's physique competitor'.
Amazing what a broken wrist can cause in such a short time. :o
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;)
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:)zabo wedding pic
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:)
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:)
First guy looks like James Coburn. The second like Bobby Mitchum.
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I don't think the second guy lifts.
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First guy is Armand Tanny
Thrd guy is George Eifferman
Second guy is unknown but my wild guess would be Vic Tanny Jr,.
The photo was taken at the LV Sahara Hotel Casino which was a first class operation back then and George owned and ran his gym on Sahara Ave in an old shopping center about a half mile east of the Sahara.
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I bought a tee shirt from that gym, Stunt. Even after MONTHS, the ink on the printing was wet to the touch. I finally threw it out. ;D
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:)
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First guy is Armand Tanny
Thrd guy is George Eifferman
Second guy is unknown but my wild guess would be Vic Tanny Jr,.
The photo was taken at the LV Sahara Hotel Casino which was a first class operation back then and George owned and ran his gym on Sahara Ave in an old shopping center about a half mile east of the Sahara.
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=525968)
The second guy is Glen Sundby.
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=525713)
The beautiful young woman (centered) in the above photo is Beverly Jocher, Miss Muscle Beach of 1952. This, my friends, is what being an in shape, beautiful woman is all about. These ladies were all physical culturists, not hormonized heifers like the crap that populates the dais in the year of our Lord, 2013.
What man wouldn't wish to be seen with one of the lovelies on his arm? Who among us that are real men wouldn't want to bring home such a gorgeous, healthy woman to meet mom?
Drugs took what was a health oriented way of life and turned it into a cess pool for degenerates and by that I mean "competitor" and "fan" alike.
People that want to know what it was once all about need to purchase and read, "Remembering Muscle Beach" by Harold Zinkin. The first winner of the Mr. California title and inventor of the Universal Gym.
I really hate what bodybuilding is now. It is gross.
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George's gym on Sahara was my hangout in Vegas, part of my selling territory. He was always in the gym, most of the time doing one set every half hour. Shall we say recovery time? He and my father in law had a mutual best friend so I was able to confuse George with some little jabs on his youth and WWll days....he never could figure out where I got my info. Funs times with a great guy.
Scott, not all Bodybuilders who dabble in AAS are scum. Some of the finest men in my travels incl. Doctors, business men, scientists, ministers, entrepanuers, and one Congressman (the good kind) dabbled a bit. And yes there are lots of scums in our gyms and on stage. There are scums in all walks of life. Now do I prefer the Old School physiques myself over the gorilla belly idiots parading out there now ('most' of the 212s excepted).....YES.
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=525968)
The second guy is Glen Sundby.
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=525713)
The beautiful young woman (centered) in the above photo is Beverly Jocher, Miss Muscle Beach of 1952. This, my friends, is what being an in shape, beautiful woman is all about. These ladies were all physical culturists, not hormonized heifers like the crap that populates the dais in the year of our Lord, 2013.
What man wouldn't wish to be seen with one of the lovelies on his arm? Who among us that are real men wouldn't want to bring home such a gorgeous, healthy woman to meet mom?
Drugs took what was a health oriented way of life and turned it into a cess pool for degenerates and by that I mean "competitor" and "fan" alike.
People that want to know what it was once all about need to purchase and read, "Remembering Muscle Beach" by Harold Zinkin. The first winner of the Mr. California title and inventor of the Universal Gym.
I really hate what bodybuilding is now. It is gross.
harold zingin. bottom pic is dr john ziegler holding court with some of the york boys.
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Stunt, think you know this story.
May be wrong but been told that the blond sitting on the right was Babara Thomason, one of the wifes of old time actor Mickey Rooney. She was having an affair, while married, and was short to death by her lover who shot himself. Ruled a murder suicide, though strong rumors that they were both murder by a hitman.
Stunt, ever run across a stuntman/actor named Milos Milos, he was the guy who committed suicide.?
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Stunt, think you know this story.
May be wrong but been told that the blond sitting on the right was Babara Thomason, one of the wifes of old time actor Mickey Rooney. She was having an affair, while married, and was short to death by her lover who shot himself. Ruled a murder suicide, though strong rumors that they were both murder by a hitman.
Stunt, ever run across a stuntman/actor named Milos Milos, he was the guy who committed suicide.?
this was a big scandal in 1958 she was the 5 th wife of mickey rooney. for those who know how to do such things the story was in the la times back than. barbara thomason actress tried to commit suicide at mickey rooney's home.
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THE SCOTT…. Glen Sundby!? How the heck did you know his name? How was he involved within the bodybuilding world?
I’ve never heard of him and will Google him to make sure.
JOE! Good to see you bought one of George’s shirts. Can’t think of any reason why the ink didn’t dty, but I have a good friend who used to print all the Casino T-shirts before they cut back on that type of promotional material.
I’ll ask him about west ink shirts. He might have even printed them himself.
I gonna drive by George’s old location and see what’s there at present.
JPM …. I never did meet Barbara Thompson but I did meet Mickey Rooney on a couple of occasions. On one occasion he was real sad due to a pending divorce from some famous actress whom I have forgotten.
And then just earlier this year I met one of his sons who turned out to be a very colorful guy similar to his dad. I believe that he was a part of a major singing group in one of the major casino shows.
We were at an MMA planning meeting and he just walked up and shook my hand and casually mentioned his dad. We lost contact shortly after that meeting.
And just to end this on an upbeat note, I was recently a short time guest at Dean Martin’s old Las Vegas home which was interesting because the home had photos that were taken of the RAT PACK while in that home and were positioned in the exact locations where the photos were taken.
Milos Milos .... Don't think so but let me check
Back to bodybuilding …. I’ll be the USA Championships and will shoot any photos I can of any of the old-timers in attendance. That should be easy as there just ain’t too many old timers left.
And I still have no idea who the top contenders will be this year.
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JPM/FUNK..... I don't know anything about the Rooney/Thompson situation but it wasn't too long ago when the major studios took care of their own internal problems in order to save the reputations of their principal stars.
I was involved in a couple of minor alications which would have been more appropriately handled by the Police Department but that would have meant adverse publicity for the studio and the stars involved .... so any star problems were better handle "within house" so to speak.
My Hollywood friends worked in the studios and were all Clint Walker size and on some occasions would be called into the front office and requested to do the studio a favor and solve a situation. (When I say "front office", I mean as high as you can go within that studio.
My peersonal involvement was to ride to a mansion in Beverly Hills with very big people and hold an OSCAR so that it would not be used as a weapon during a heated discussion.
I made an "acceptance speech" during that heated discussion and reluctantly returned it to be replaced on the mantel once the situation was resolved.
Mere threats solved most of the studio problems back then but I have a strong feeling that many situations were somewhat more violent.
Maybe it was my humble presence that prevented serious percussions.
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harold zingin. bottom pic is dr john ziegler holding court with some of the york boys.
Three fags and five hoes.
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JPM/FUNK .... I just Googled Milos Milos and can definitely say that I've never met him.
He was a tough street-fighter before going to Hollywood and IMDB says the following ...
As a young Hollywood actor, Milos is best known for his performance as a Soviet naval officer in the 1966 comedy The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, as well as for his titular role in the 1966 Esperanto horror movie, Incubus.
In 1965, Barbara Ann Thomason (stage name Carolyn Mitchell) began an affair with Milos. The two were found dead in her husband Mickey Rooney's Los Angeles house in 1966. The American official inquiry stated that Milos had shot Thomason with Rooney's chrome-plated .38 caliber revolver and then committed suicide.[citation needed]The official inquiry provoked rumors and doubts that they were actually both murdered in revenge for having an affair.
Interesting story which I was never aware of.
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JPM/FUNK..... I don't know anything about the Rooney/Thompson situation but it wasn't too long ago when the major studios took care of their own internal problems in order to save the reputations of their principal stars.
I was involved in a couple of minor alications which would have been more appropriately handled by the Police Department but that would have meant adverse publicity for the studio and the stars involved .... so any star problems were better handle "within house" so to speak.
My Hollywood friends were all Clint Walker size and on some occasions would be called into the front office and requested to do the studio a favor and solve a situation.
My peersonal involvement was to ride to a mansion in Beverly Hills and hold an OSCAR so that it would not be used as a weapon during a heated discussion.
I made an "acceptance speech" during that heated discussion and reluctantly returned it to be replaced on the mantel.
Mere threats solves most of the studio problems back then but I have a strong feeling that many situations were somewhat more violent.
hard to believe but mickey rooney will be 93 in september. guy is still making movies my kid was in a movie with him in 2011 called bamboo shark. local bodybuilding champ joe meeko also was in a movie with him before his untimely demise.
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stunt did you ever cross pathes with joe meeko. he was out in california in the late 80's stayed at mike mentzer's house for a time when he considered switching from the aau to the ifbb. but changed his mind.
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:)
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FUNK, No, sorry to say but I never met Joe Meeko.
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Is he still alive if so looks like he needs to go to work for Lizard Lick Towing in NC.
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THE SCOTT…. Glen Sundby!? How the heck did you know his name? How was he involved within the bodybuilding world?
I’ve never heard of him and will Google him to make sure.
A great many of the photos up here are also featured in the book, "Remembering Muscle Beach". I have had it for several years now and every once in a while I take it out and look it over.
Highly recommended.
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THE SCOTT, I did a very quick search for Glen Sundby and noticed that
Zabo, Armond Tanny and others held a memorial function on his behalf on Santa Monica Beach.
Not sure if my nephews ever met him but they are all gymnasts and were Cirque du Soleil performers for a few years before gong into the movie business.
They did a lot of gymnast stuff on the beach when Cirque du Soleil had their show in a big tent off the side of the SM Pier.
I'll have to ask but it would definitely be a small world if they ever did meet Glenn .... with two 'n's I believe.
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From 1987-1990 Sundby produced the Muscle Beach Alumni Assoc. Newsletter.
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JOE, Thanks! I was not aware off that newsletter. Do you have copies?
This is most likely the first issue.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=561643200535019&set=a.441583045874369.108761.441548532544487&type=1&relevant_count=1
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Is he still alive if so looks like he needs to go to work for Lizard Lick Towing in NC.
meeko took his own life several years ago, he went through some tough times . his wife[cousin of matt millen the nfler] attacked him and almost killed him with an iron frying pan. then he got lymes disease.... :( :( :( :(
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there's also another book about muscle beach called muscle beach by marla matzer rose.
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I was completely unaware of Joe Meeko's history. ANother bodybuilder who died way too young.
In one of these posts I'll tell a story about a good friend of mine who committed suicide during his very early 20's leaving a young wife and child behind.
He won a teen bodybuilding event in Cal and was picked to be one of the major contenders in the top contests back then, so his story may be appropriate to post on this board later if I change the name of those involved.
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Next up ... Karjo and Hannu Selin.... Two of my favorite people within the Bodybuilding World ......
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No one has a better time in this game than Hannu. And he goes for the laughs in all his routines. Marjo and Hannu ... two of my favorite people .... and they don't even read this I betcha!
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Another great bodybuilder from the past we have forgotten to mention ... Lance Dreher
N0TE; PHOTO IS CAPTIONED INCORRECTLY
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MORE LANCE ..... BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN PRO CARDS WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN ,,, BUT STILL NOT EASILY OBTAINED TODAY.
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Another great bodybuilder from the past we have forgotten to mention ... Lance Dreher
N0TE; PHOTO IS CAPTIONED INCORRECTLY
dreher was a beast i always thought he should have beaten tim belknap for overall aau mr america.course that's my opinion.
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FUNK, If that was the contest which was held at Caesars in Las Vegas, I was there and also questioned Belnap's win ....... but just a little bit though.
I believe that was hte same year in which Jeff and COry Everson won the couples. ANd the same contest at which Cory slid out of Jeff's grip while in the over-head position.
Apparently they never practiced their routine while drenched in baby oil.
HEADING OUT TO SEE THAT NEW TYPE "MEN IN BLACK" MOVIE WHICH COMES OUT TODAY.... DDON'T HAVE THE NAME OF IT BUT IT'S THAT ONE ABOUT THE DEAD COPS RETURNING TO COMBAT CRIME AMONG THE DEAD BAD GUYS ... or something like that.
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FUNK, If that was the contest which was held at Caesars in Las Vegas, I was there and also questioned Belnap's win ....... but just a little bit though.
I believe that was hte same year in which Jeff and COry Everson won the couples. ANd the same contest at which Cory slid out of Jeff's grip while in the over-head position.
Apparently they never practiced their routine while drenched in baby oil.
HEADING OUT TO SEE THAT NEW TYPE "MEN IN BLACK" MOVIE WHICH COMES OUT TODAY.... DDON'T HAVE THE NAME OF IT BUT IT'S THAT ONE ABOUT THE DEAD COPS RETURNING TO COMBAT CRIME AMONG THE DEAD BAD GUYS ... or something like that.
R>I>P>D> starring jeff bridges and ryan reynolds. ever heard of moe most?
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Interesting thread! Full of vintage pics
Random question...
Who is Stuntmovie? (New here...)
hey bro check out the history section on getbig. esp the history of the aau mr america. and don't forget to copy print frame and hang the getbig logo on your wall. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D pic of gold's gym is optional
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Sad these guys were very smart Ray died a day after Mike.
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I bet there is only one person on this boar who can name the first AAU Mr America title holder and the year it was won.
Take a guess within your own mind before reading the attached photo.
Second shot is Gary and Alyse Strydom taken .....?
Alyse looks like a very young Cory E.
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More recent photos of important people in the game of muscle and strength.
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Back to the past once again!
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Good friends from long ago.
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One old photo and the other was taken two years ago at the USA Championships.
You should be able to ID two of them in the USA shot/
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Intermission and .....
sometimes most appropriate on discussion boards such as GetBig and many others
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More recent photos of important people in the game of muscle and strength.
the great grymko and anthony clark, i never really got the reverse bench press thing, seems so awkward a move. but it worked for anthonyand the barbarian pros the pauls.
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FU NK, You are right once again.
Old friends..... I hope I ain't repeating these photos.
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Random shots .... no time to write anything. Heading out ....
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Name the couple and the location, and you know this stuff pretty darn well...
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FU NK, You are right once again.
Old friends..... I hope I ain't repeating these photos.
great pic tomy kono and gary gubner two of the greatest american weightlifters.tommy k realized his potential. gubner was on par with the top russians till injuries did him in.
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:)gary was also a great shot putter
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Back to the past once again!
what's the story behind that strange arnold, draper pic. was this taken in hawaii???? bill starr writer lifter looking like a hippie here.
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Name the couple and the location, and you know this stuff pretty darn well...
pax beale author of body for the ages is quite the inspirational person from heart surgery survivor to bodybuilder.
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pax beale author of body for the ages is quite the inspirational person from heart surgery survivor to bodybuilder.
book "body for the ages" is still available on amazon for 30 bucks new and 22 used.
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Ahhhh to be Arnold. He is lifting here....correct?
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MB, Arnold looks more like he's squatting.
FUNK, I'm impressed by your weight game knowledge. I honestly didn't think anyone would ID Pax, but ou did. Plus his heart incident.
I'm gonna throw a few weight related names at ya to see if you can ID them without searching on the net. Let me know if you can do it ....
Dr Peter Gerorge
Harold Sakata
Mike Lambert
Gus Rethwisch
Gene Mozee
Hugo Labra
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FUNK, the photo with Arnold, Draper, and Wayne Anderson (ISMC) was taken by myself many years ago.
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MB, Arnold looks more like he's squatting.
FUNK, I'm impressed by your weight game knowledge. I honestly didn't think anyone would ID Pax, but ou did. Plus his heart incident.
I'm gonna throw a few weight related names at ya to see if you can ID them without searching on the net. Let me know if you can do it ....
Dr Peter Gerorge
Harold Sakata
Mike Lambert
Gus Rethwisch
Gene Mozee
Hugo Labra
Funk will know these names...
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How about you, JOE?
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How about you, JOE?
Yes all well known to me. I posted about Sakata on the ironhistory facebook page over the weekend before I saw this list.
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MB, Arnold looks more like he's squatting.
FUNK, I'm impressed by your weight game knowledge. I honestly didn't think anyone would ID Pax, but ou did. Plus his heart incident.
I'm gonna throw a few weight related names at ya to see if you can ID them without searching on the net. Let me know if you can do it ....
Dr Peter Gerorge
Harold Sakata
Mike Lambert
Gus Rethwisch
Gene Mozee
Hugo Labra
yup, i know all the names. here's a few pics for you. how many of these guys have you encountered or met thru the years. [ics next post.
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i know you talked about means but any vince g stories.another pic of essmaker.
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MB, Arnold looks more like he's squatting.
FUNK, I'm impressed by your weight game knowledge. I honestly didn't think anyone would ID Pax, but ou did. Plus his heart incident.
I'm gonna throw a few weight related names at ya to see if you can ID them without searching on the net. Let me know if you can do it ....
Dr Peter Gerorge
Harold Sakata
Mike Lambert
Gus Rethwisch
Gene Mozee
Hugo Labra
Oddjob. Goldfinger (1964).
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Betty Weider.
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:) bert goodrich number 2
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Betty Weider.
:) the former betty brosner.
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:) the former betty brosner.
She was hot that hour glass figure.
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Oddjob. Goldfinger (1964).
;D
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anirher betty w shot
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:) the former betty brosner.
Brosmer, I believe. Sometimes an 'e' was inserted.
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Name the couple and the location, and you know this stuff pretty darn well...
Holy cow....Pax Beale....how could I forget him? One of the greatest self promoters of our time. I was on stage with him at least twice. When he was announced the audience went wild. I wondered "Who TF is he?"
He promoted winning the Mr. America Over 40. Well that was not the AAU (I was National Masters Chairman for a while) as they called it Masters Mr. America. The NPC calls their National show Masters Nationals where Pax took 4th if I recall in Over 60 Heavyweight. The Venice Muscle Beach had a few shows in the 70s they called the Mr. America Over 40. Perhaps? The AAU put a stop to the trademark infringement as they did with the NPC. Pax also claimed 19 1/2" arms. What? Then mine were 20". I always want to say..."He was a nice guy". However Pax was standoffish so I never got to know him to comment. Pax did overcome MAJOR heart surgery. Tough nut!! Sure hope he is still around pushing the iron.
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One old photo and the other was taken two years ago at the USA Championships.
You should be able to ID two of them in the USA shot/
I trained in the same gym as John back in the day. He was a county cop but I believe he left to pursue pro bodybuilding. As far as I know he never went back to being a cop. I wonder what he's doing now?
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MB, Didn’t PAX hold a patent on some important piece of medical equipment related to heart surgery. I worked with Pax a couple of times and Keith knew him well and told ne that story once upon a time but I have forgotten it over the yearso
I run into Pax once in a while when I am visiting LA and I believe he now owns and lives in one of those nice houses on Venice Beach. Last saw Pax about two years ago when that photo was taken.
I don’t know anything about John H. but Gene stays in contact with most of those old timers and I’ll give him a call for an update.
Under another topic about bodybuilders from the past … I believe it was Funk who posted a photo of Walt MILNER (from Canada if I recall correctly).
Back in the day when Walter was just beginning to get national publicity, there was a story printed about his training methods which most of us found to be very interesting.
If I recall that story correctly, he would lock himself up in a cabin during the winter, get snowed-in, and train until the snow thawed and summer arrived.
I have met Canadians who have confirmed this but it could be a confirmed exaggeration.
Speaking about Canada …. Does anyone recall Ray Beulieu??? (Spelling??). Another old friend from way back when who won some major title up north and then disappeared from my radar. Once worked for Canadian Airlines.
And also JOHN MIKL (THOR – God of Thunder) who had a rock group and most likely still does. Another old friend I’ve long forgotten and ..... with a couple of interesting stories for a later post.
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MB, Didn’t PAX hold a patent on some important piece of medical equipment related to heart surgery. I worked with Pax a couple of times and Keith knew him well and told ne that story once upon a time but I have forgotten it over the yearso
I run into Pax once in a while when I am visiting LA and I believe he now owns and lives in one of those nice houses on Venice Beach. Last saw Pax about two years ago when that photo was taken.
I don’t know anything about John H. but Gene stays in contact with most of those old timers and I’ll give him a call for an update.
Under another topic about bodybuilders from the past … I believe it was Funk who posted a photo of Walt MILNER (from Canada if I recall correctly).
Back in the day when Walter was just beginning to get national publicity, there was a story printed about his training methods which most of us found to be very interesting.
If I recall that story correctly, he would lock himself up in a cabin during the winter, get snowed-in, and train until the snow thawed and summer arrived.
I have met Canadians who have confirmed this but it could be a confirmed exaggeration.
Speaking about Canada …. Does anyone recall Ray Beulieu??? (Spelling??). Another old friend from way back when who won some major title up north and then disappeared from my radar. Once worked for Canadian Airlines.
And also JOHN MIKL (THOR – God of Thunder) who had a rock group and most likely still does. Another old friend I’ve long forgotten and ..... with a couple of interesting stories for a later post.
heard of them both and still actually have my thor keep the dogs away lp. the poster that came with it is gone had it up on the gym wall and my cat tore it to shreds guess it didn't like the dogs on the pic.
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i also remember that thor aka john mikl was also in some hokey horror movie years back.while talking about muscular rockers here's a guy i actually met kane roberts of kane roberts, alice cooper, and phoenix down.
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:)reb brown mark forrest aksa lou degni and denny miller of whom many consider the worst tarzan ever.
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:)was watching an old western the other day with emilio estevez and william forsyth and howie long in it. and roger callard appeared in a small part.did anyone in california ever wear these power braclets or bomber tanks???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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Pax Beale has been credited for patents on several back rehab machines and Creatine Pyrovate, which he credits his heart repair, stating the 4 bypasses only brought him 25% RECOVERY.
Pax could have been the succesor to Jack La Lanne but his physical exploits are mostly hearsay and not cronicled like La Lanne. Pax claims to have swum Alcatraz roundtrip, run 30+ marathons, done the 80 mile Death VAlley run in August in 120 degree heat, and raced a steamship from L.A. to Alaska ON HIS BIKE AND WON. What a man.
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MB, How much of that was factual?
FUNK, that last time I saw MIKL was when he was in the process off heading up to Canada to appear in a movie in which Donald Sutherland was the star. Gonna guess around the mid 80's.
I forgot the name of that movie but I sort of recall seeing it and Jon did appear in more than one scene if I'm not mistaken.
After that film appearence, JON and his group became the major attraction in a well respected lounge act around Las Vegas, vut I never did manage to make contact with him.
He was a quiet and very polite individual and nothing like how he appears while performing as the GOD OF THUNDER.
Story to follow ....
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I have never tried to confirm any of Pax's achievements. I just googled and several links talk about the same dramatic claims without pics, videos, etc. like you can find on Jack La Lanne. Never the less he is alive and healthy and has a great physique for his age....79 I believe.
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thor movie was called rock and roll nightmares.
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:)
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:)
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MB, Didn’t PAX hold a patent on some important piece of medical equipment related to heart surgery. I worked with Pax a couple of times and Keith knew him well and told ne that story once upon a time but I have forgotten it over the yearso
I run into Pax once in a while when I am visiting LA and I believe he now owns and lives in one of those nice houses on Venice Beach. Last saw Pax about two years ago when that photo was taken.
I don’t know anything about John H. but Gene stays in contact with most of those old timers and I’ll give him a call for an update.
Under another topic about bodybuilders from the past … I believe it was Funk who posted a photo of Walt MILNER (from Canada if I recall correctly).
Back in the day when Walter was just beginning to get national publicity, there was a story printed about his training methods which most of us found to be very interesting.
If I recall that story correctly, he would lock himself up in a cabin during the winter, get snowed-in, and train until the snow thawed and summer arrived.
I have met Canadians who have confirmed this but it could be a confirmed exaggeration.
Speaking about Canada …. Does anyone recall Ray Beulieu??? (Spelling??). Another old friend from way back when who won some major title up north and then disappeared from my radar. Once worked for Canadian Airlines.
And also JOHN MIKL (THOR – God of Thunder) who had a rock group and most likely still does. Another old friend I’ve long forgotten and ..... with a couple of interesting stories for a later post.
^^
Re: Ray Beaulieu... Ray Beaulieu passed away
former Canadian and international bodybuilder Ray Beaulieu of Vancouver has passed away at age 60 on the 25th of January 2012
My most sincere condolences to his friends and family.
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Thanks, Spritz. I was unaware of Ray's passing. We were good friends a year or so after he won that Canadian contest. I believe Ray worked as a ground crew member for Canadian Air so we'd always get together when he took a free flight to the states.
He was a great guy and had a distinctive manner of speaking which he always claimed was the way everyone talked in Canada.
He was also a good friend of another friend of mine who was somewhat of a genius when it came to the lifting of heavy things and the complete understanding of what was on Gironda's mind before Girondda evern thought of it.
Steve was the kind of person who could simply tell the powerlifters to change the position of their feet and that would produce a 10 to 20% increase in their totals.
And he could talk your head off about who lifted what since the early days of the lifting of heavy things.
Get him and his good frien Bill Starr together and the conversation would go on throughout the evening and into the morning hours.
More about Steve at a later date.
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did you ever envounter the first man to win the aau mr america contest who had not been born in the old us of a ??????????
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Roy Hilligenn was an amazing athlete. A lacto/ovo vegitarian like Bill Pearl he made a big deal about no meat. What I remember from nutrition school is that egg yolks/milk fat and animal fat are just about the same. Lets not digress. Roy was a champion olympic lifter and feats of strength performer. Claims to have done a one handed 500 pound lift/press. He died at age 85 from a fall/bump on the head.
Roy had the genetic wide waist and thick muscle density that we quickly pin the HGH/insulin label on Bodybuilders today.
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Roy Hilligenn was an amazing athlete. A lacto/ovo vegitarian like Bill Pearl he made a big deal about no meat. What I remember from nutrition school is that egg yolks/milk fat and animal fat are just about the same. Lets not digress. Roy was a champion olympic lifter and feats of strength performer. Claims to have done a one handed 500 pound lift/press. He died at age 85 from a fall/bump on the head.
Roy had the genetic wide waist and thick muscle density that we quickly pin the HGH/insulin label on Bodybuilders today.
that and he ran afoul of the law several times in later life, once for a massage gone wrong with a woman client.
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:P
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:P
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:P
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I remember Roy saying he was really injured for that Olympic lifting contest. I think it was his wrists.
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Yes, Hilligenn had both wrist strained very badly. Lot of guts still staying in the contest and he being a natural 181lb'er lifting in the 198 class. He was born a natural strong man, and made the most of it through his life.
Vegan BB'ers/lifters tend to stay clean, with regards to taking chemicals/drugs for physical advantage. Are exceptions of course.
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hilligenn was supposed to be able to C&J 375 at 173 lbs bwt. he was said to have made 405 at a higher weight. he was only 5 ft 6.
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He broke the world record for the clean and jerk in the gym. Didn't he spend some time in prison for a felony?
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He broke the world record for the clean and jerk in the gym. Didn't he spend some time in prison for a felony?
yup see above it was mostly sex crimes, first one was a massage of a female client that went awry. it was said that if he specialized on the olympic lifts he could have done a 440 clean in jerk in competition.
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Is this the Roy Hilligenn of whom your speak???
Charges: 02/22/1989: GRAND THEFT FIREARM Sentenced 01/09/1991
02/22/1989: GRAND THEFT FIREARM Sentenced 01/09/1991
06/08/1990: SEX BAT/INJURY NOT LIKELY(ATTEMPTED) Sentenced 05/03/1991
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Is this the Roy Hilligenn of whom your speak???
Charges: 02/22/1989: GRAND THEFT FIREARM Sentenced 01/09/1991
02/22/1989: GRAND THEFT FIREARM Sentenced 01/09/1991
06/08/1990: SEX BAT/INJURY NOT LIKELY(ATTEMPTED) Sentenced 05/03/1991
that's the guy.
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Roy Hilligenn passed away a short while back. I believe he served a 4 year prison term but since I can't read that legalize, I have no idea why .
Strange ... but while I was looking through the MUGSHOT website, I ran across a couple of former and very good friends of mine ... both of whom I thought would get in trouble with the law while we were growing up.
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:)few odd ball pics from yesteryear.
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;)
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;)
eddie sylvestre mr u
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^^^^^^^ That's Eddie Giuliani with Joe Gold. Eddie was Al Pacino's personal trainer. http://www.yovenice.com/2012/07/05/al-pacino-inducts-eddie-giuliani-to-muscle-beach-hall-of-hame/
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^^^^^^^ That's Eddie Giuliani with Joe Gold. Eddie was Al Pacino's personal trainer. http://www.yovenice.com/2012/07/05/al-pacino-inducts-eddie-giuliani-to-muscle-beach-hall-of-hame/
i think pacino was the presenter when they put eddie g in the muscle beach hall of fame.
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the famous heidi
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Why was Heidi famous? ;)
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Why was Heidi famous? ;)
:P see the book pumping iron page 90.... :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
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:P
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:)
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:P see the book pumping iron page 90.... :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
here you go page 90, this is the cropped version of arnold and heidi
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:)
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=529047;image)
Those faces, priceless! :D
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POWERLIFTING USA .... MIKE and INJU LAMBERT ... Owner of the world's best powerlifting magazine. It's amazing how Mike was able to publish all those powerlifting records. I believe he recently retired and put the magazine to rest.
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POWERLIFTING USA .... MIKE and INJU LAMBERT ... Owner of the world's best powerlifting magazine. It's amazing how Mike was able to publish all those powerlifting records. I believe he recently retired and put the magazine to rest.
that's what i don't understand these current mags have 200-300 or more pages in them , yet they don't cover anything. the old strength and healths and muscular developements used to cover bodybuilding, powerlifting, olympic weighlifting in a fraction of the pages. they profiled people of many walks of life as long as it was fitness related. these new mags keep offering advice on how to train and the like. i mean a curl was a curl in 1900 just as it was in 2013. no wonder most people lost interest in the mags.
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that's what i don't understand these current mags have 200-300 or more pages in them , yet they don't cover anything. the old strength and healths and muscular developements used to cover bodybuilding, powerlifting, olympic weighlifting in a fraction of the pages. they profiled people of many walks of life as long as it was fitness related. these new mags keep offering advice on how to train and the like. i mean a curl was a curl in 1900 just as it was in 2013. no wonder most people lost interest in the mags.
Today's magazines are turgid with druggies making faces like their making feces. The rest of the mag is filled with ads for garbage that doesn't do anything except separate someone from their money.
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I have been dismantling my mag collection of approx. 7,000 issues. I keep articles that interest me and discard the remainder of each mag- hundreds of pounds of paper gone.
Any issue dated 1970 or older, I keep, because the content in general interests me.
Some of the issues from two years ago may yield only 4 pages or so that remain in my collection.
The ads don't bother me because they yield income making the other pages possible. What bothers me is the void of real information, particularly of history, and writers whose sincerity does not replace their ignorance of old terms and situations.
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I trained from age 12 until 6 months ago at age 72 when arthritis finaly nailed me. I have trained with Steve Reeves, Bill Pearl, a dozen others and most recently Troy Alves. All champions sharing similar diciplines, good/bad habits, goals and love for Bodybuilding. Each and every man had his own dietary oddity, unique sets/reps/time in gym. Some men smoked like a forest fire, some loved booze, others pot and a lot snorted cocaine. In the mid 50s on it was rare to find a major Bodybuilder who did not secretly use Ciba Labs little blue pill...Dbol. I have watched so called natural men nearly blow out their kidneys taking 3-500+ gms. daily of protein. I watched one 'natural' champion drink a liquid protein drink evey hour in addition to his 3 squares. Had to be 750 grams. I have seen men with several dozen bottles of specific aminos which they took a prescribed time of the day, night. Alarms were set at late sleeping hours for Arginine and or other aminos. Crazy you say? Its something about the champs. Driven, chance taking, experimental. Yes there is that rare DNA exception. Rare.
I myself, a former alcoholic/adict, do not condone drugs of any sort unless they are for life exention or post surgery pain reduction. I do accept and love the wild and crazy champs of yester year and their little foibles/secrets, but less the idiots who waddle their gorilla belly physiques on to todays stage and who use HGH and insulin. I do like the look of most 212s who compete today....Troy Alves and his 29" waist is my fav.
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MB, I have to agree with you regarding Alves.... A great bodybuilder and a great person.
MB , can you elaborate on your workout with Reeves?
We are heading off to the High Sierra to take a multi-day hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. The nephews intend to walk the whole route from Canada to Mexico in small 4 to 5 five day hikes over the next few years.
I think I told you all about the bear incident they encountered a couple of years ago so this time out we are sure to take the bear-proof food canisters that the rangers provide in order to avoid close up meetings.
I have to encourage everyone to take that hike someday and see some spectacular sights that most people never knew existed.
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I trained from age 12 until 6 months ago at age 72 when arthritis finaly nailed me. I have trained with Steve Reeves, Bill Pearl, a dozen others and most recently Troy Alves. All champions sharing similar diciplines, good/bad habits, goals and love for Bodybuilding. Each and every man had his own dietary oddity, unique sets/reps/time in gym. Some men smoked like a forest fire, some loved booze, others pot and a lot snorted cocaine. In the mid 50s on it was rare to find a major Bodybuilder who did not secretly use Ciba Labs little blue pill...Dbol. I have watched so called natural men nearly blow out their kidneys taking 3-500+ gms. daily of protein. I watched one 'natural' champion drink a liquid protein drink evey hour in addition to his 3 squares. Had to be 750 grams. I have seen men with several dozen bottles of specific aminos which they took a prescribed time of the day, night. Alarms were set at late sleeping hours for Arginine and or other aminos. Crazy you say? Its something about the champs. Driven, chance taking, experimental. Yes there is that rare DNA exception. Rare.
I myself, a former alcoholic/adict, do not condone drugs of any sort unless they are for life exention or post surgery pain reduction. I do accept and love the wild and crazy champs of yester year and their little foibles/secrets, but less the idiots who waddle their gorilla belly physiques on to todays stage and who use HGH and insulin. I do like the look of most 212s who compete today....Troy Alves and his 29" waist is my fav.
Man, that's a interesting story in a nutshell about your experiences as a lifter. Thanks for sharing this, and sorry to hear that you were forced to stop lifting.
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Thanx DP. It was an amazing run. Met great men, competed in 30+ shows, National Judge, wrote for Iron Man and Bob Kennedy.
Stunt....ran into a big bear on John Muir trail 1959. Attacked the horses and was shot by the Ranger. (he blew the bear up with a stick of dynomite and let the forest critters cart remains away)
We have a 300 pounder in our neighborhood. We carry bear spray on our walks just in case.
Its been 60 years since I trained with Reeves. Honestly don't remember the specifics...just vague chit.
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:P
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Picture proves that it pays to have a head smaller than other guys!
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Guess everyone knows that Wayne Coleman later became Pro wrestler "Superstar Billy Graham". He used to come into Central Y.M.C.A. in Honolulu and train. He grew up in Phoenix and in high school threw the shot around 65 and the disk around 200 but couldn't compete for various reasons. Had the first 20 inch arms in wrestling/acting.
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:) iwould have liked to seen when billy superstar graham used to walk into bars with his full grown lion.
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I could be wrong but I seem to recall that he was a bouncer in one of the Miami area nightclubs.
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(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4464370262_c64e6dc6e3.jpg)
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(http://sites.moca.org/thecurve/files/2010/07/yavno_feature.jpg)
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Good old time shots, Power! Thanks!
Next time in SM O'm gonna check to see if those old beachwalk stores are still there.
But I think that they are all long gone except for the commercial spots just north of the red Lemonade stand which seems to have been there forever.
I think there is a web site history about that Lemonade business. I'll try to find it
During a short visit to SM Muscle Beach about five years ago I ran into a bunch of the original Muscle Beach old-timers (in their 70's and 80's it appeared) who were sitting on the benches talking about them good old days and a couple of them were showing scrap-books full of photos taken back then. All old Muscle Beach photos that have never been published before shot of guys and gals who have since passsed away.
There was about 12 of these old timers sitting in the sun and carrying on conversations while waiting for a UCLA film crew who was going to film a school assignment around the old time Muscle Beach participants ..... and twelve or a bit more showed up to participate.
I had to leave early so I never found out how that assignment worked out, but 'm sure if I looked hard enough through the UCLA film files or on YouTube, it might turn up.
Have any off you GetBiggers ever run across it??
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Good old time shots, Power! Thanks!
Next time in SM O'm gonna check to see if those old beachwalk stores are still there.
But I think that they are all long gone except for the commercial spots just north of the red Lemonade stand which seems to have been there forever.
I think there is a web site history about that Lemonade business. I'll try to find it
During a short visit to SM Muscle Beach about five years ago I ran into a bunch of the original Muscle Beach old-timers (in their 70's and 80's it appeared) who were sitting on the benches talking about them good old days and a couple of them were showing scrap-books full of photos taken back then. All old Muscle Beach photos that have never been published before shot of guys and gals who have since passsed away.
There was about 12 of these old timers sitting in the sun and carrying on conversations while waiting for a UCLA film crew who was going to film a school assignment around the old time Muscle Beach participants ..... and twelve or a bit more showed up to participate.
I had to leave early so I never found out how that assignment worked out, but 'm sure if I looked hard enough through the UCLA film files or on YouTube, it might turn up.
Have any off you GetBiggers ever run across it??
just the stuff ric drasin puts on , he tours the area like where muscle beach was and gold's gym[the original one]and talks to bbing personalities like reg lewis, boyer coe, robby robinson, beckles etc.
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Sorry for the length of this one .....
Thanks, FUNK! I'll Google RIC to see what I can find about those good old days.
Those two photos POWERLIFT posted above have brought back some old memories of how SM Muscle Beach used to look. It's gone through a lot of changes since the early 1950's.
I can recall my first visit when there was absolutely no problem finding a free parking spot in the lot that used to be right along the boardwalk just south of what is now the Sea Castle apartments.
Back then Santa Monica Beach was just about vacant unless you showed up on a Saturday or a Sunday when the weather was somewhat decent.
ANd the weather seldom got 'decent' until the sun decided to make an apperance sometime between the hours of 11 AM to noon.
So most of the casual beach goers would show up around the sunny period betwwen 1 and 2.
But there always seemed to be a few of the regulars in or around the small fence-surrounded, rusted weight area.
My first visit was on an early Saturday morning before the sun appeared and I simply parked my old FOrd along the highway and walked down the hill about thirty yards to the beach and found myself on Muscle Beach simply because the weight pit was there and a solitary individual was putting rusted plates on rusted bars preparing to get a workout before the sun came out.
That sole individual in the pit happened to be DOUG STROHL.
We managed to talk for a couple of minutes but I had to get back to one fo the studios to get something done ... family in the movie business even then.-
I can recall that there were some small beach front homes in the area (one of which we had the opportunity to purchase for $34,000 US but failed to do so), but those old homes are long gone and are now the sites of fancy hotels and ritzy apartments.
The beachfront area just east of the Merry Go ROund and mere yards away from the Santa Monica Pier elevated roadway is somewhat the same as it was during the Muscle Beach days. Particularly Dean's Muscle Inn and the red lemonade stand .... both of which seem to look the same as they appeared during my first visit a coupe of hundred years ago.
The small red building I always remember recall as the "Lemonade Stand" is still there but was actually the very first location of HOT DOG ON A STICK.
ON the beach itself .... there have been a number of changes since the removal of the weight area.
A huge liffe guard headquarters was constructed with a small grass area on the east side of the building where the circus performers and gymnasts used to set up shop on busy weekends, but during my most recent visit it was the grass spot where class was being held for new Southern California Beach Lifeguard hopefuls. And also a staging area during none fo the very difficult Lifeguard Competitions back then.
I sort of recall that beach vollyball became somewhat popular around the 60's (possibly earlier or possibly later) and numerous vollyball nets were installed steps away on the south side of the Santa Monica Pier which I believe are sitll there today.
Can also recall numerous visits to POP .... Pacific Ocean Park which was located on a pier that no longer exists at the midway point between Santa Monica Pier and the present-day "Muscle Beach" in Venice.
That pier and POP was discussed earlier and a lot of the wood that ended up adrift onto the beach ended up as part of the construction in one of the Barbarian Brother's home. Or maybe is was used to construct some of the furniture. (I forget that story but will have to ask one of them the next time I run into either of them ... or both.) I think it was Keith who told me originally.
Back then some of the most wealthy Hollywood moguls owned beach homes immediately north of the Santa Monica Piers and some still do today. A few stories about the Kennedy's, the Lawford's, and Marilyn Monroe are still written about today when they all gathered at one of those expensive homes on Santa Monica Beach just north of the pier.
Back then those fancy oceanfront homes along the Pacific Coast Highway north of Will Rogers Beach and all the way north to Malibu were non-existent so the beach and the ocean was wide open and available to everyone . Just park you car on the side of the road and step down onto the beach and have a nice day. The only ‘rule’ was that you could not start a fire.
I never did undersand that rule because there were absolutely no buildings on that 6 mile stretch of beach except for some driftwood wind barriers that some beach-bum had set up.
Now a days you can't even see the ocean behind all those ocean front homes built along that busy Pacific Coast Highway.
Things were different then …. But not completely. (See attached photos)
Gotta find the photo I recently took of Dean's Muscle Inn which is just about the same as it was long ago.
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draper used to round up the driftwood and make furniture arnold and eddie g used to have his stuff in their homes.
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draper used to round up the driftwood and make furniture arnold and eddie g used to have his stuff in their homes.
Didnt Draper have a station wagon car and would pull out dip bars from the back do dips.
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Didnt Draper have a station wagon car and would pull out dip bars from the back do dips.
;D dave did dips everywhere.
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;D dave did dips everywhere.
I knew you would have the pic. 8)
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:)
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:)arnold with bed draper made him from driftwood. he also made a table for ed giuliana, it took 4 men to carry when ed g moved. but draper carried it in himself when he made it.
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true quote
arnold said in a gq article about draper he would never get rid of that bed he still has it.
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true quote
arnold said in a gq article about draper he would never get rid of that bed he still has it.
i could see why. draper learned the craft from a family member , not sure think it might have been an uncle. he was kind of careless back than working on the wood with welding equipment he often would work in shorts and burn his legs as can be seen in some of his pics.
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true quote
arnold said in a gq article about draper he would never get rid of that bed he still has it.
those 70's yrs Arnold had the physical dream life,muscle,women,parties,beach,magazines...
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(http://www.lowbird.com/data/images/2012/11/venice-beach.jpg)
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Pics by Jeff Preston of Daves furniture skills.
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.
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(http://www.lowbird.com/data/images/2012/11/venice-beach.jpg)
pudgy stockton her and les were mb mainstays.
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Pics by Jeff Preston of Daves furniture skills.
thanks for those pics crown actually only saw 1 of the whole lot. draper did some nice work.
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(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Mr-America-STEVE-REEVES-Pudgy-Stockton-Vintage-Bodybuilding-Muscle-Photo-B-W-/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjM2/z/HrMAAMXQQSFRjE~v/$(KGrHqN,!rMFG!IFN3c6BRjE+vo5pw~~60_35.JPG)
This is how men and women should be built.
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Pics by Jeff Preston of Daves furniture skills.
cool stuff
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(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4464370262_c64e6dc6e3.jpg)
Wow, most of the people in that pic are probably dead now.
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I'm here.
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I'm here.
Good to hear.
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Yes, those glory days are long gone. I never visited LA until 1968 and by that time things had changed a lot. There was still some adagio happening but the weights were gone. I saw some of the old guys at Santa Monica Beach but the excitement and crowds disappeared.
The boardwalk is a sham compared to what happened in the fifties.
I could park near Santa Monica and not pay anything. Ditto for Venice Beach. You could park right on the beach and get some food at the German's little cafe. Ah, the good old days.
Look at the bathing suits the women wore in those days. Many had the modesty flap across the bottom to conceal any bumps there! Pudgy actually was very modern with her costume.
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Vince, Thanks for mentioning the GERMAN's. If I recall right you could get a dozen scrambled eggs for about $4 and a huge bowl of strawberrys for about a buck and a half and it was always packed.
The waiter staff all looked like they were just out of some rehab facility but the food was damn good and CHEAP!
All the gym members (Gold's and World's) would be in there for a late breakfast or an early lunch.
Parking never was a problem and the Santa Monica hotels/motels were less than a block or so from the beach and less than $20 a night.
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When I was at Golds Gym in October 1968 the guys helped each other. I was told about good places to get meals. Heck, I even went to the Oar House because I could fill my pockets with free peanuts! What a place that was.
The German cafe had a filling meal of hamburger patties and mashed potatoes and gravy for a couple of dollars. I had several meals there.
I met George Sheffield at Santa Monica. He wouldn't train at Golds because blacks could train there! Or some sort of excuse. There was prejudice re colour in those days and who can forget that?
Chris Dickerson was the first black to win the AAU Mr America and that wasn't until 1970. Lots of good black guys missed out before that. Harold Poole, Sergio Oliva, George Paine, etc.
When I arrived at Golds I thought this was it. Great gym and close to the beach. Joe wanted to sell the gym and travel on ships. I didn't know then that the gym wasn't making any money.
So I always aspired to have a gym as good as Golds and even better. Today the successful gyms are based on what Joe started but they include cardio equipment that wasn't there in those days.
Who would have thought that the gym business would be what it is today? Sure we had fancy chains over the years but most people couldn't afford them. Today gyms are relatively cheap to join.
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:)another person of color who was ahead of his time.
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When I was training at Bert Goodrich in Hollywood no blacks. When I went to USC I joined a neighborhood gym.....almost all black. I was amazed at the level of the physiques. The love of iron was the common denominator...more so then with black gyms than the white.
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MB, Some old memories kick'en in!
Can you recall the address of Goodrich's gym and what's there at present? Was it actually located on Hollywood Blvd?
Did you know Dr. Jekot back then?
Were you in Santa Monica when Ken Sprague promoted the contest (AAU or NPC ???) at the Santa Monic Civic Auditorium with a parade the day before and a live orchestra playing during the posing routines? And with Bert and Mae West filling in as the trophy presenters?
Did you ever train at Gold's while it was located in Santa Monica?
Buy supplements from the Weider store under the management of Dave Draper?
"Fine dine' at Zucky's and enjoy their ultra fine Jewish Soup which was sure to cure a cold or any other ailment while Arnold held court over his dominion at the furthest table in the rear?
Or stop to have chat wirh Joe Nazario at the entrance to Tony Roma's whiere he pulled people in and then threw them out .... thereby making room for the next large group of baby-back-rib fans. (A very popular Santa Monica place to dine!)
Or how bout the Swedish Smorgasboard Buffet where you could eat all you desired for a damn low price?
But then the Gold's Gym guys found it and just ate too damn much .... so the Swedish owners had to close it down and look for another location that was situated miles away from any location in which a gym was situated.
And maybe you can recall a night club called the JAGUAR which was situated in Venice a block or so from the beach just about in the same location where the CIrcle Bar is presently located. It was there long before that area re-created itself, but people would drive up from Orange County just to raise hell for a few good hours before driving back to Anaheim in an alcoholic haze.
Were you a POP fan and am I mistaken or am I not .... but wasn't the Rose Cafe one located on Rose Avenue a mile or so north of its present location?
Were times way much better back then ..... or wot?
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My Mac died and working off tablet until we drive back into civilization in a week or so. We spend the summer deep in the Arizona drop dead beautiful forest. I will rack my rusty memory and do my best to answer your questions. Note from 1954-58 trained at Berts. 59-79 at various So cal gyms in between bouts of alcohol and drugs. Sobered in 80 and trained non stop until this year due to arthritis at age 73. Trained at Brignolis Pasadena, Pearls Pasadena, Golds Venice, Worlds Glendale, then Golds No Hollywood until I moved to AZ. In 2010 and joined Golds. Peoria AZ and hooked up with Troy Valves. I used Dr. Walzcak as my sports med Doc from 1980-85. Then Dr. Dean, sports med. I knew Dr.J. lunched with him at Ceasars Palace. Vegas around 88. Also at table was Sanchez, NPC official, Rory Lidelmeyer, and Joe Antouri AAU Mr. USA. Berts was on Hollywood Blvd. I have pics in my Mac. Went to one Santa Monica show with the Goodrich gang.....fuzzy. We also went to a major show ??? at the L.A. Shrine Auditorium. Also fuzzy. I was 15ish. The Goodrich gang did the Rands Roundup all you can eat. Closer to Hollywood. However gid the Tony Romans once even thoughI passed on the ribs. Zuchys I knew but never went in. My clubbing was in and around Hollywood and Sunset blvd'. Rose Cafe was on Rose near gym when I went there. I got my first ink at POP.
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MB, Sorry to hear about your mom.
Sounds like you had a busy summer. I have met or know well most of the people you have mentioned above.
Sounds like you had an interesting life and surprised that we haven't crossed paths at some point during all those good old years.
I come from a major alcoholic family and surprisingly it appears that alcoholism skips generations as I never seemed to have that problem ..... but I've been to hundreds of AA meetings in an effort to drag some good friends into the program.
I have to admit that some of the most interesting people I've ever met started with the "..... I'm an alcoholic!" introduction and that included a good number of well known movie and tv personalities as well as some Fortune 500 individuals who were damn impressive public speakers.
I first met Doug Brignole when he was training at Pearl's in Pasadena. That was the same year in which Bob Birdsong won some IFBB International contest in Tiajuana and I think that Doug still a teenager . After that contest, the "Farmacieas" had long lines waiting to make an order. And the same even where Sergio kept challanging Arnold to a posedown but only Franco eventually accepted.
You might have also known Solo El Fenzy who ran the gym for Bill for a short while and possibly even wayne Bouvier who was a great shot-putter at USC or UCLLA. And Rob Johnson who was a great friend of Bill and Judy's before he got hurt and headed back to Ohio and went to work for Remington Arms.
I also have known or have met Drs. Wolzak, Jekot, and Ken Kerr who took a lot of the credit for "creating" the champions.
Rory was still a teemager to the best of my knowledge at that time and used to give haircuts in the back of a gym that I recall as being on the edge of civilization because beyond that area there was little more than dirty-deser- dirt until you came to Las Vegas which was mainly dirty desert dirt itself back then.
Clark and Patty Sanchez are great people and I've known them for a good long time and whenever we get together we talk about his latest movie making ventures. Patty always seems to be busy at the judges' table.
I have a feeling that you may also know Steve and Elysse whom I believe presently own two Gold's Gym operations in AZ.
You might also have met or known LANCE (last name I have forgotten but he was on active duty during my tour). Lance won the AZ State Championships a while back but I have long forgotten exactly when.
We were at POP on a couple of occasions but all I can remember was the roller coaster and something like an indoor apple orchard where the apple trees tossed apples at you while you walked through.
If I recall right, the Disneyland entry fee was $12 and included A,B,C, and D tickets for each ride or attraction.
Great days back then. We'd drive down from Northern California with less that $60 each in our pockets and have a blast drinking, dining and sneaking into the movie studios for an entire week. And that included a day in DL and also Knott's and a chicken dinner.
Marlon Brando even bought us a round of beers at a joint called the Lamplifghter and we were three years shy of 21.
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That's my Mac laptop that died. I was Harold Pearl's WO partner and knew Solo well. Met Wayne and Rob. Was a different Sanchez. This guy was Rory's mentor out of Whittier Ca and a head judge at local L.A. shows. And Kerr, he assisted several of my friends. I know it was either J or K who went to jail for a short time and wrote a book about anabolic stopping waisting from AIDS. I never met any of the Arizona bodybuilding hierarchy. Too busy training for the Masters and taking care of my 31 years younger GF. I did not know she was a sober alike. She came off the wagon big time. Fugly. The escape was just in time. I no longer train due to arthritis issues and now happily married.
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MB, OPPS! Sorry about your "MAC".
!It sounds to me like "Sanchez" just might actually be "Joe Valdez" who was also a good friend of Rory's and an NPC official in So Cal plus a damn good photographer.
Joe V. worked at one of the studios and became a close friend of a good number of the top stars and always told me about a book he planned to write .... "Why is Everyone in Hollywood Famous Except Me!!?"
I guess you also knew CF Smith and his training partner whose name I have presently forgotten.
Does the name Dale Adrian ring a bell?
Birdsong?
Do you recall who won the national contest (AAU or NPC) the year it was held at the Shriner's Auditorium (or was a contest held there more than once?)?
MB, Thanks for kicken my memory banks.
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Joe Valdez.....yes. your memory keener than mine. I sat with Joe when Rory won the AAU tall class at the Mr. A in Tucson. *I met Bob B once I think at Brignolis. The other gents, know of them but never met. Don't recall much more than the huge posters of the competitors at the Shrine. Lots of stuff other than bodybuilding going on. Memory fuzzy on this. Which of the 50 do you reside in these days? I will get those Goodrich pics up once the MAC is fixed. * Funny day in Tucson. My hair and beard made me a dead ringer for Jesse Ventura those days. I was flooded for autographs. Wife insisted I do it for the younger kids to make their day.
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Thanks, MB! I don't think that any of this is of much interest to anyone else but it's great to recall these good old days of bodybuilding and the great people who we had the opportunity to meet who were an important part of it.
when I was a kid my dad actually kicked me out of the house and told me to get out into the world and meet people. He even gave me his 1941 Ford to do so.
So a bunch of us high school adventure seekers piled in that old car and drove the 400 miles down to LA and had the adventure of anyone's lifetime meeting the likes of Brando, Strohl, Reeves, Linkletter, Crosby, Fisher, Gold, and even a lady by the name of Mae West who laughed when we asked her about W.C. Fields.
There are a couple of bodybuilders up-there in that mix of names and most of the others you're probably familiar with even though first names ain't mentioned.
I'm totally convinced that Joe Gold had his very first gym location or storage facility in an old beach front Santa Monica hotel now known as the very exclusive Sand Castle Apartments, but no one else seems to remember if that is a fact or not. I entered the place and lifted a couple of dumbells but other than myself, the place was empty. This was long before Joe opened his first Venice Beach location.
Thanks again, MB. Been enjoyable recalling the distant past and the good people within it.
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Thanks, MB! I don't think that any of this is of much interest to anyone else but it's great to recall these good old days of bodybuilding and the great people who we had the opportunity to meet who were an important part of it.
when I was a kid my dad actually kicked me out of the house and told me to get out into the world and meet people. He even gave me his 1941 Ford to do so.
So a bunch of us high school adventure seekers piled in that old car and drove the 400 miles down to LA and had the adventure of anyone's lifetime meeting the likes of Brando, Strohl, Reeves, Linkletter, Crosby, Fisher, Gold, and even a lady by the name of Mae West who laughed when we asked her about W.C. Fields.
There are a couple of bodybuilders up-there in that mix of names and most of the others you're probably familiar with even though first names ain't mentioned.
I'm totally convinced that Joe Gold had his very first gym location or storage facility in an old beach front Santa Monica hotel now known as the very exclusive Sand Castle Apartments, but no one else seems to remember if that is a fact or not. I entered the place and lifted a couple of dumbells but other than myself, the place was empty. This was long before Joe opened his first Venice Beach location.
Thanks again, MB. Been enjoyable recalling the distant past and the good people within it.
Stunt, would the Fisher in your post be "Gene Fisher"? Good guy.
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SCOTT, No, not GENE FISHER!
Actually is was EDDIE FISHER ... the singer who was once married to Debbie Reynolds and then Liz Taylor. He had some big TV show around that time that was sponsored by Ford and was driving along side of us in a Ford and one of my high school friends wanted us to smash into the side of his Ford so he would meet him and the lady we could not identify in the passenger seat. (True story.)
Me being the only one with any brains decided against that recommendation and just kept driving down Sunset Blvd.
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Sunset Strip was my backyard. Lived on corner of Sunset and Doheny for a few years between my two early marriages. Just watched the documentary Sunset Strip (2012). The Whiskey was my hangout. Use to down beers with Jim Morrison pre show when Doors was the house band. My gym when not hung over in those days was a private club in Westwood. Training was more off than on.
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MB, Was the Whiskey the same place at WHISKEY A GO GO?
I guess you also knew PANDORA'S BOX.
We used rto go to The Playboy Club when it first opened, but most of my drinking days were spent closer to Camp Pendleton at a USMC hangout called The Sandpiper.
That drive from Hollywood to San Clemente was too damn difficult while intoxicated so most of my drinking was done further down south in the beach towns.
If we did any serious drinking in the LA area it was over in the Valley where some some Universal stuntmen friends of mine got somewhat rowdy on the weekends.
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SCOTT, No, not GENE FISHER!
Actually is was EDDIE FISHER ... the singer who was once married to Debbie Reynolds and then Liz Taylor. He had some big TV show around that time that was sponsored by Ford and was driving along side of us in a Ford and one of my high school friends wanted us to smash into the side of his Ford so he would meet him and the lady we could not identify in the passenger seat. (True story.)
Me being the only one with any brains decided against that recommendation and just kept driving down Sunset Blvd.
His version of "O Mein Papa" is a favorite of mine. Great singer but poor taste (except for Debbie!) in women. He and Debbie did a remake of "Bachelor Mother" called "Bundle Of Joy". I enjoyed both versions.
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Yes the Whiskey a Go Go. Just across the street. I thought the Box was too crazy a scene for me. I was 26 and had 2 kids. I was into good music, Jack Daniels and getting laid.
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The only MB in the 1979 Mr America was Mark Brazen who placed 16th in the tall class. Ray Mentzer won the overall.
But Mr MB could be simply Mr Muscle Beach here. No worries.
Here is a link to an Ellington Darden article about Muscle Beach.
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_interviews/a_return_to_the_golden_age_ii
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The only MB in the 1979 Mr America was Mark Brazen who placed 16th in the tall class. Ray Mentzer won the overall.
Here is a link to an Ellington Darden article about Muscle Beach.
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_interviews/a_return_to_the_golden_age_ii
Vince,, I believe Brazen was 17th. Frank Wainwright also competed in that class.
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Back to early 1990s, I had trained at Joe Gold's World Gym for weeks.
And as i remember that Joe Gold is a very very nice guy. he is a great legend !
here is a pic of Lee Priest when he trained there too.
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The only MB in the 1979 Mr America was Mark Brazen who placed 16th in the tall class. Ray Mentzer won the overall.
Here is a link to an Ellington Darden article about Muscle Beach.
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_interviews/a_return_to_the_golden_age_ii
good addition to thread. pics of el darden steve m and bill peanuts west.louie paul pic'd with zabo and bill peanuts west
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The first time I saw a picture of Ellington Darden he was on the cover of a long forgotten bodybuilding magazine and if I recall correctly he was sitting in a tub of mud doing 'resistance exercises'.
I never did have the opportunity to meet him but I understand that he was a very interesting individual,
Here is some info taken from Wikipedia.
Ellington Darden has a goal: to help people live leaner and stronger longer. For the last 30 years he has worked with thousands of men and women who wanted to feel better physically, look more attractive, and improve overall health through a disciplined approach to nutrition and exercise.
He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from Baylor University and a doctorate in exercise science from Florida State University (1972) as well as two years of postdoctoral study in food and nutrition.
Darden was director of research for Nautilus Sports/Medical Industries for 17 years. There he helped develop and popularize the Nautilus exercise machines. Darden is the founder and chairman of Living Longer Stronger, a corporation devoted to science and education.
He was honored by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in 1989 as one of the top 10 health leaders in the United States. He has written 45 books including A Flat Stomach ASAP, The Nautilus Book, 32 Days to a 32-Inch Waist, Living Longer Stronger, Body Defining, and Hot Hips and Fabulous Thighs.
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I met Bill West (Peanuts) and his good friend, George Frenn, many times while they were competing in various Odd Lift events in the LA area. I do recall that they were considered to be the "wild men" within the powerlifting game, which to the best of my knowledge was just getting started.
it the photo with Zabo, Peanuts is the guy on the right wearing the T-shirt and what appears to be a USMC cover.
The individual on the left looks familiar but I can't recall his name. Any help?
It appears that that photo was taken in the early 1960's.
And I have been told that Bill competed in a SoCal bodybuilding contest shortly before he passed away.
I think that Mike Lambert did a good story on Bill in Powerlifting USA. Any help?
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:Pbill howard
I am reading entire thread. I have a pic somewhere of Bill Howard handing me my first Mr. MB trophy. I spent the day at MB with Ric Drasin (this man is a walking history of MB) in 2010 and he did an interview with Bill. If I had my laptop working I could post these. Embassy Aud saw shows there. Paramount Studios aka Desi lu, I worked there 2 summers as an apprentice set man. POP, my fav date place. My first ink there.
At least 3 of you gents gotta have me by 3-5 years. I have 11-16 year old memories and you seem a bit more savy and or observant.
OK back to reading and awakening dormant brain tissue.
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MB, I've got some old LA and Hollywood and crashing into the movie studios stories that you may find to be of interest but they arn't too much bodybuilding related.
But I'll pass them along anyway because during all those crazy, old So Cal events we'd start or end the day within the Santa Monica Beach and pier area so it might be somewhat appropriate to mention here. And I'll probably mention some names of individuals who you may recall a long time ago.
Here goes .... Back in the 1950's one of my relatives graduated from school (GIL DONALDSON) and had no idea what he intended to do for the rest of his life. He loved to ride horses but he was too damn big to be a jockey, so I somewhat seriously mentioned that he should move to LA and become a cowboy in the movies. He simply laughed.
Shortly after that suggestion he and his wife packed up and left the San Francisco Bay Area (the Sunset District) and moved down to the San Fernando Valley where one day he was 'discovered' by a famous actress who encouraged him to try out for a part in her next feature film.
To CUT TO THE CHASSE, he got the part and had a major role in a 1950's Warner Brothers movie called DALLAS with GARY COOPER and RUTH ROMAN. He impressed the studio enough that they started a major publicity camgaign to make him a major star but he didn't like what he had to do to become a major Hollywood movie star, so he quit outright and went into TV roles for the next few years until he retired completely.
And then a local bodybuilder by the name of Reeves whom I first met as a young kid got a break and became a major star.
Then Joan Blackman from our neighborhood got a good role in an Elvis movie which started her movie career after a few years of TV work.
That was 3 for 3!
I never had the opportunity to meet anyone who was not successful in the movie business back then, so I sort of grew up thinking that it was pretty damn easy to become a movie star ....
And within the few short years that followed .... I was convinced entirely.
More if interested.....
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Love to see where Stuntmovie wraps into this.....yes.
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(MB, as you probably know ..... A good number of the old time bodybuilders of the 50's and the 60's had part or full time jobs in major film studios within the LA area).
OK, MB, continuing …..
So as a young kid I was not familiar with any failures on the part of anyone regarding their attempt to get into the movie business as an actor or an actress.
And later on that would include various individuals who went to Hollywood to work in some job behind the camera or within some field related to the entertainment Industry.
This positive attitude on my part continued throughout the 1960’s while I was stationed at Camp Perndleton when a good friend was released from active duty and was having some difficulty deciding what to do wit h the rest of his life.
I encouraged him to drive up to Los Angeles and get a job working in the movies. (History repeating itself!)
Jack Tyree was a Recon Marine in the 1st Marine Division and served as a Scuba Diving Instructor so he did manage to get a job teaching SCUBA diving classes to civilians at a public pool near Universal Studios. (This was years before Universal began building its theme park “up on the hill”.
Jack was not a movie fan so he knew nothing about movie making nor the stars involved in the making of major motion pictures, but a few of the Universal Studio ‘people’ were in his class as well as some of the cast members from the old “Virginian” TV series.
And Jack was asked if he’d be interested in working at Universal as a SCUBA instructor and a stuntman in some of the westerns that were being filmed in the ‘back lot”.
Jack accepted that offer convincing me once again that getting into the movie business was not a difficult task.
I would often visit the ‘back lot’ and would sometimes volunteer my head to insure that ‘break-a-ways’ actually broke-a-way before the principal stars got hit over the head with spun glass bottles or plywood chairs …. called breakaways back then.
When my hard head wasn’t needed I would have free reign to roam about the studio and enter any sound stage providing that I didn’t enter while the red light was on. That red light meant that the camera was rolling and sound was being recorded.
These guys were not major stars at this time but I can recall meeting the likes of Bill Smith (Vince Gironda Gym member), Woody Strode (trained), Rosalyn Russel, Pat Boone., Edward Everette Horton, Raymond Burr, Sean Flynn (Errol’s son), Jack Elam, Pam Austin, Terry –Thomas, and a few of the first PLANET OF THE APES apes, etc.
Just about around this time the stunt guys used to ‘barrow’ film making equipment from the studio/studios over the weekends when it would not be missed. And then they would proceed to make motorcycle movies that were eventually released to drive in theaters and to the smaller movie houses throughout the orient.
So up to this point everyone I personally knew who wanted to be in the movies … was in the movies or making movies and making money while doing so.
And more stuff would come about that would convince me that being part of the movie business was not an impossibility.
I had yet to meet anyone who had failed while making an attempt to get into the legitimate movie making business.
BUT arguments were soon to folllow.....
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Sitting here with my popcorn......waiting to read if you worked on any ZIV productions.
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MB, Nope! Never did work in a ZIV tv production if you are referring to ZIV-UNITED ARTIST, but I either knew or have met some of the participents (actors) who have.
I never did too much 'in-front-of-the-camera work, but I was 'invited' to do so on numerous occasions, but Frank Sinatra knocked me over once in the original cut of Pal Joey and I appeared in a couple if teen-age-cult movies which I never saw and most likely never made it into any theater.
I gotta admit that I never did get 'reimbursed' for my two-second Pal Joey scene be cause I actually snuck into that part and had no idea what was going to happen.
Actually they filmed "my" scene twice because I fooked up the first take by 'acting' very stupid. Unlike Brando, my 'method' was .... The JUST ACT STUPID method!
And I was pretty damn good at that.
Most of those come-on-up-and-help-us-make-this-movie 'invites' occured while I was involved in some military thing in a distant land. My biggest disappointment was my 'unavailability' to accept an invite to be an original monkey (meaning Ape) in the original Planet of the Apes.
And that's a funny story in itself because many years later ... family members became apes of importance in the most recent POTA productions as well as the next one to be released soon. My help there consisted of standing in front of an ape enclosure for an entire day watching the movements of an ape in the LA Zoo east of Universal the name of which I have forgotten. Actually that observation amounted to little more than an often repeated 'stare-down' between man and beast.
I Might have an interesting UNITED ARTISTS story to pass on to you if there is any interest.
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:)original apes
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:)original apes
and unmasked
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first guy is seymoer koenig, than zabo kow...ski, big guy on end is steve mari....an , third guy not sure could be jerry trayler.
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Funk! Thanks. I never saw that photo before. Do you have any idea what year it was taken?
It looks like the 3rd individual is my good friend (now deceased) JACK TYREE.
But Jack's ape role required that he be in the make up chair for a good number of hours before he was called on set. So those APE MASKS were most likely only used for the background apes.
I was on the "Apes" set during the filming when Mark Wahlberg was the major actor and it took at least a couple of hours to prepare Orville Burke and my nephew before their scenes.
A savings of many hours in the make-up chair.
(ORVILLE??! At least I think it was Orville sitting in that make-up chair. 90% positive as we discussed it a few years later.)
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BTW, Rich Piana had an ape role in the most recently released Planet of the Apes movie.
Thanks, FUNK! This is getting more weight training related.
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Seymour Konig ... An ape in the making! (Thanks to Muscle Memory)
1952 - Mr America - AAU, 21st / Mr New York Metropolitan - AAU, 5th
1953 -Mr Southern California - AAU, 3rd
1961 - Mr America - AAU, 17th
1974 - Masters Mr America - AAU, Winner
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Funk! Thanks. I never saw that photo before. Do you have any idea what year it was taken?
It looks like the 3rd individual is my good friend (now deceased) JACK TYREE.
But Jack's ape role required that he be in the make up chair for a good number of hours before he was called on set. So those APE MASKS were most likely only used for the background apes.
I was on the "Apes" set during the filming when Mark Wahlberg was the major actor and it took at least a couple of hours to prepare Orville Burke and my nephew before their scenes.
A savings of many hours in the make-up chair.
(ORVILLE??! At least I think it was Orville sitting in that make-up chair. 90% positive as we discussed it a few years later.)
jack tyree was the guy who died when he missed the airbag doing a stunt for the movie the sword and the scocerer. he was up 24 meters. earl maynard wrestler, movie star mister universe was also in that movie.
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The most famous logo in Bodybuilding was first drawn on a paper napkin in what restaurant, by whom, who else was at the table? The logo?
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GOOD ONE, MB. Whenever I get the opportunity to talk with Peter G. this is the kind of stuff we talk about.
But I have completely forgotten where and whom and I might have never know in the first place.
Details, please!
Why was he drawn bald?
Pete once told me that those T-shirts kept them in business when he first started in SM.
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FUNK, Thanks again on your Jack Tyree input!
Jack was a close friend while we served together as Recon Marines. In fact I was his best man in his second wedding and was asked to be his best man in his first which was held in an underwater tank on the Universal lot but I was someplace out of the country doing military stuff.
Somewhere on this computer I have a complete story about Jack's demise but here is some personal stuff that was never mentioned before.
If you've been reading the above posts about "Marines in Hollywood" you might recall that Jack got out of the Corps and moved to LA and got a job as a SCUBA instructor where he met some of the cast and crew from THE VIRGINIAN tv series.
As a result of that meeting he was invited to work at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS and then help set up an organization that would allow the studio to get involved in underwater photography for future major motion pictures. (I failed to mention this earlier.)
It's been a long while back so the following is a bit fuzzy but that 'envolvement' led to the formation of one or two stuntmen's associations .... Stunts Unlimited and Stuntmen's Association.
Jack's first wife was a stunt-lady at Universal, but they still referred to the one organization
as "Stuntmen's Association".
And the story goes that the ladies involved complained so "Stunts Unlimited" was formulated.
I can't recall those details but back in the 60's the stunt guys and gals were a real tight community and were considered to be the 'real men and real ladies' within the movie making industry. And each individual was in full support of each other.
(A couple of years back, I visited the present day office and all the stunt people in the pace were pretty damn young and knew very little about the individuals who started it all in the 60's. I mentioned Jack's name and one stuntman told me that he recalled the name and told me that the stunt business was much different today ... insinuating that a lot of back stabbing was involved at present.) It would be interesting to hear about this from any GETBIGGER who may be involved in the stunt business today.
Women's lib was not a major factor back then, but the few ladies involved worked damn hard and their work was definitely appreciated by the stuntmen as well as the actors who sat b ack while they watched 'themselves' catch on fire or jump from moving airplanes, etc., etc.
If I recall correctly, all of this was going on way before the Univertsal Theme Park was developed and that hill above the back lot was mainly used for jungle scenes and whatever type of outdoor scenes which were required by the script.
Jack was a hard worked and a likeable individual so he had a great reputation within the movie and tv making biz and eventually met a hell of a lot of higher-ups who were always interested in his wellfare.
As a result of the above Jack worked himself up to the top 10% of the guys and gals involved within the stunt business and he seemed to be working constantly. At 6'2" he even doubled for a very smaller DON ADAMS (Get Smart TV series) who did not want to fall off that collapsing bridge that you pass over today when you make that studio tour.
Jack did it and got paid good money. Actually it was simply a matter of getting wet after a very short fall which he did between scenes of another 'role'.
Jack was encourage to attend an acting school and that's where he met Goldie Hawn and they did a couple of acting scenes together as a class assignment and both agreed that whomever got a big break in the movies, would help the other.
Goldie won and kept the promise and I found Jack in some of the movies that she made.
More to follow. Anyone recall the sway backed horse in the SPIN and MARTY TV series? He was one of the stuntmen's gold-mine and retired within a green grassed corral of his own.
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GOOD ONE, MB. Whenever I get the opportunity to talk with Peter G. this is the kind of stuff we talk about.
But I have completely forgotten where and whom and I might have never know in the first place.
Details, please!
Why was he drawn bald?
Pete once told me that those T-shirts kept them in business when he first started in SM.
done at the defunked zucky's restaurant.
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Drasin told me that at a lunch in Zuckys with Ken Waller and Joe Gold he drew up the Golds logo on a paper knapkin. Why the bald head? Perhaps Ric was looking into his future. He had a wad of hair back then. About 2 years later around '78 he sketched the world's gorilla logo.
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Here is the cast from the 1968 Planet of the Apes.
Don't see Seymour or Jerry there. Maybe they weren't listed or they used different names?
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Stuntmovie should register at Ironage US and view the Lydia thread I started there. She posted many, many photos of Zabo and others from the late sixties and early seventies. There is mention of the lads doing the Planet of the Apes. Lots of photos should be saved because they are rare. Zeller took many of them.
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Stuntmovie should register at Ironage US and view the Lydia thread I started there. She posted many, many photos of Zabo and others from the last sixties and early seventies. There is mention of the lads doing the Planet of the Apes. Lots of photos should be saved because they are rare. Zeller took many of them.
Zabo was a cool dude best I understand.
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Wow, most of the people in that pic are probably dead now.
Some of aren't. I grew up in Southern California, in the 1950's my parents house was in West Los Angeles very near the old 20th Century Fox studios. Every day that the weather was even remotely good, my mom and I would head for the beach. Her favorite beach was State beach which is a couple of miles north of Venice beach. When I got older, I'd hike down to Venice beach to see the bodybuilders working out right off the boardwalk.
The day I turned 18, I moved to Santa Monica right near the Santa Monica pier and just two blocks back from the beach. I can't believe that I could actually afford the rent there, but things were much less expensive than they are today. This was in 1962 and muscle beach was still going strong.
Daring women wore two-piece swimsuits most often with a skirt or panel to cover the pubic area. Most men wore boxer style swimsuits. Brief style suits had to measure a minimum of 5" at the side seam or you could be arrested for indecent exposure. The police actually carried something to measure with. It is funny to think of this today.
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Some of aren't. I grew up in Southern California, in the 1950's my parents house was in West Los Angeles very near the old 20th Century Fox studios. Every day that the weather was even remotely good, my mom and I would head for the beach. Her favorite beach was State beach which is a couple of miles north of Venice beach. When I got older, I'd hike down to Venice beach to see the bodybuilders working out right off the boardwalk.
The day I turned 18, I moved to Santa Monica right near the Santa Monica pier and just two blocks back from the beach. I can't believe that I could actually afford the rent there, but things were much less expensive than they are today. This was in 1962 and muscle beach was still going strong.
Daring women wore two-piece swimsuits most often with a skirt or panel to cover the pubic area. Most men wore boxer style swimsuits. Brief style suits had to measure a minimum of 5" at the side seam or you could be arrested for indecent exposure. The police actually carried something to measure with. It is funny to think of this today.
Good to know some of you are still around.
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someone just put on the general board the story of jack tyree 's death an account from one of the crew members of that fateful day.
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Removing sticky (for now) to leave more room up top. Remind me to put it back after this weekend if warranted.
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stunt is awesome
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Stuntmovie should register at Ironage US and view the Lydia thread I started there. She posted many, many photos of Zabo and others from the late sixties and early seventies. There is mention of the lads doing the Planet of the Apes. Lots of photos should be saved because they are rare. Zeller took many of them.
YOU A BANNED FOR LIFE BY IRONAGE website ;D
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stunt is awesome
Yes.
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BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE OLYMPIA STUFF .... (A break from Muscle Beach History and making movie stuff!)
I Had a short talk with Ron at the Olympia Meet and Greet Thursday evening while he was super-busy shooting tons of photos for this GetBig group and also for Bodybuilding.com (I think).
Whoever thinks that bodybuilding is dead has one foot in the grave and is 'gravely' mistaken.
Just for starters .... the Press Conference at noon on Thursday was packed solid with standing room only and roughly 200 - 300 people locked out hoping some people would leave the showroom so that they could enter, but not one left so the stranded never entered.
Then that evening there was a solid line of fans weaving throughout the casino that went on for about a 100 yards waiting to enter the arena to talk to the competitor.
ANd then once inside, the fans were lined up 100+ deep to meet and greet the likes of Branch and James and Phil and Kai and Jay, and etc. plus some of the best looking ladys in Lav Vegas that evening ... and that is a very worthy and deserving compliment.
I then I heard that the line at the Expo on Friday morning appeared to be an hour or so wait just get a $25 ticket!
And once inside the Expo if you wanted to grab a seat in the prejudging section, the minimum price of a ticket was $60. ANd some say it was pretty damn full.
And the Expo itself was packed all day long. (Ain't beren there yet myself, but will be stopping in an hour or so.)
So bodybuilding comps are far from dead and the NPC/IFBB will continue to grow by leaps and 'pounds' thanks or 'no-thanks' to Men's and Women's Physique and the numerous weight, height, and age classes that are becomeing pretty damn popular for the average 'GI Joe and Jayne"!
Pretty soon you'll all be up there on that stage competing for a coveted plastic trophy and accolades of praise (or rejection) from fellow GetBiggers.
It's inevitable!
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BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE OLYMPIA STUFF .... (A break from Muscle Beach History and making movie stuff!)
...Pretty soon you'll all be up there on that stage competing for a coveted plastic trophy and accolades of praise (or rejection) from fellow GetBiggers.
It's inevitable!
Pardon the pull quote but for me, this is impossible. Why? They don't have a "no class" Class for me. ;D
In an unrelated aside, I'm listening to SiriusXM on the 70s on 7. American Top 40 from 1972 is on and its the great Chuck Berry with "My Ding-A-Ling" wafting across the airwaves.
Great music.
Time for some breakfast.
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And once inside the Expo if you wanted to grab a seat in the prejudging section, the minimum price of a ticket was $60. ANd some say it was pretty damn full.
$60 for the prejudging only? Wow...
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GOOD ONE, MB. Whenever I get the opportunity to talk with Peter G. this is the kind of stuff we talk about.
But I have completely forgotten where and whom and I might have never know in the first place.
Details, please!
Why was he drawn bald?
Pete once told me that those T-shirts kept them in business when he first started in SM.
I still have a Golds Sweatshirt that I bought when I was there for a week in 1987?
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stuntmovie, how do you like Kai's turtle gut ;)
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why not just move it to the history thread and i'll put it at the top where it belongs? i'm just saying it's history. ;D ;D ;D
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TEUTONIC, I've never been a Kai fan, nor have I held any deep respect for him ...... but that tended to change a bit once I saw (and got to know him a bit better) GENERATION IRON.
I think you'll agree once you see it.
And ... I personally think that Kai should have placed 4th in this most current "O", but many in the game seem willing to duke it out upon hearing me say that in public.
I didn't see his presentation so I can't offer any comment on your "turtle gut" comment
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TEUTONIC, I've never been a Kai fan, nor have I held any deep respect for him ...... but that tended to change a bit once I saw (and got to know him a bit better) GENERATION IRON.
I think you'll agree once you see it.
And ... I personally think that Kai should have placed 4th in this most current "O", but many in the game seem willing to duke it out upon hearing me say that in public.
I didn't see his presentation so I can't offer any comment on your "turtle gut" comment
He shoulda been at the highest, third.
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UGLY, I can't argue with you on Kai's placing lasgt weekend as I was not present at the prejudging nor the finals and many GetBiggers may not agree but it's damn near impossible to offer an accurate placing assessment based on photos taken at the event.
I think that Pepe made that pretty damn clear during the finals telecast when he mentioned that he was looking at the monitors and then looking up to see the competitor ... and there was a vast difference.
But BB competitions seem to be most popular when you have adverse opinions regarding the contenders and adverse discussions when it comes to discussing the honesty or dishonesty of the judging 'staff'.
I still somehow manage to support the decisions of the IFBB officials concerning their ultimate decisions even though it's somewhat contrary to those who were not physically present at the contest .... or were present but seated way behind the officials' table.
BUT .... I have personally witnessed a total of TWO 'ATTEMPTS' to manipulate the contest results.
One of which was neither an NPC nor an IFBB contest, but was successful.
ANd the other which was a small (local) NPC event but was NOT successful due to the fact two honest NPC officials stood up and told the "culpret" to "Get the fuck out of here!"
It's possible that I have been less than honest here when I said we used the word... "fuck" ..... which I simply add here for emphasis in my attempt to say that we were damn serious.
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I believe that this year's 'O top-5 placings were pretty fair. Jay & Branch' placings however, were nothing but GIFTS :-\
It was a pretty exiting event this time, esp the posedown, so it was worth it to get up @3:15 AM, LOL
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DROP, I can't argue or intelligently discuss the validity of the OLYMPIA placings this year because to be perfectly honest with ya ...... these pro shows bore the shit out of me and I fell asleep midway through the individual routines on Saturday night while watching it on a computer and on Friday night during the prejudging, I was involved in some function in the Prime Rib restaurant.
But .... Once again I gotta emphasize that what you see on TV or on your computer screen is not what's being seen through the eyeballs of the judging staff .... nor even those a few rows behind them.
This 'fact' usually becomes very evident when those who are seated at the very rear of a venue object to the placing of a contender who is somewhat overweight and bulky when seen by those up front.
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So true. Contestants look a lot different from the front row than from the back of the room or on the monitor. I was HJ at a Muscle Beach show and was attacked by a wife of the runner up after the show. I can see where from her viewpoint her husband may have been better. However from my viewpoint I could see the damage he had from a badly healed torn bicep. Just enough to place him second as did all my co judges. She even accused me of being the winner's father.
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So true. Contestants look a lot different from the front row than from the back of the room or on the monitor. I was HJ at a Muscle Beach show and was attacked by a wife of the runner up after the show. I can see where from her viewpoint her husband may have been better. However from my viewpoint I could see the damage he had from a badly healed torn bicep. Just enough to place him second as did all my co judges. She even accused me of being the winner's father.
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TEUTONIC, I've never been a Kai fan, nor have I held any deep respect for him ...... but that tended to change a bit once I saw (and got to know him a bit better) GENERATION IRON.
I think you'll agree once you see it.
And ... I personally think that Kai should have placed 4th in this most current "O", but many in the game seem willing to duke it out upon hearing me say that in public.
I didn't see his presentation so I can't offer any comment on your "turtle gut" comment
If you didn't see him compete in the 2013 Olympia, how can you know where he should have placed?
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I have never understood why judges sit so close to the stage. Up close they are looking up at the contestants and that view distorts the physiques and makes everyone look narrower. I felt that judges should be seated in different parts of the venue and not next to each other where they can see what the other guy did. Ideally, the judges view should be at waist level of the competitors. So in places where judges are seated and the contestants are on the same floor then that is much better than what we see at the Olympia and most other places. You would think everything would and should be done to be valid and fair in the judging process.
The whole system should be redone but, of course, those in charge don't agree so it will be business as usual. The controversies and politics will continue.
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PRIME, I should have clarified that .....
My observation was solely based on what I 'observed' during the telecast.
And even that observation was 'incomplete' due to the fact that I only watched a very small part of it.
(Taking foot out of mouth!)
To be perfectly honest ..... I'm just not a Kai Greene fan ... although I have great respect for his drive and determination especially after seeing GENERATION IRON.
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VINCE B, It APPEARS that you have a 'bit of hostility' towards the BB judges and the judging procedures.
Is there a valid reason for that apparent hostility?
And I gotta respectfully disagree with you regarding the judges' location with regards to their distance from the competitive stage.
No time to elaborate on that statement right now, but I'd like to discuss it with you on this board soon.
PS .... Have you ever had the opportunity to visit Peter Jackson's motion picture production office in NZ or Hobbit-Town or Hobbit-Ville itself?
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VINCE B, It APPEARS that you have a 'bit of hostility' towards the BB judges and the judging procedures.
Is there a valid reason for that apparent hostility?
You're opening a can of worms, stunt.
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PRIME, I should have clarified that .....
My observation was solely based on what I 'observed' during the telecast.
And even that observation was 'incomplete' due to the fact that I only watched a very small part of it.
(Taking foot out of mouth!)
To be perfectly honest ..... I'm just not a Kai Greene fan ... although I have great respect for his drive and determination especially after seeing GENERATION IRON.
I am not his fan either. I think he just looks fat.
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UGLY. You're probably right about that "can of worms" ..... but I had no intent to go fishing but it could be interesting to hear opposing view-points about any part of contest officiating in these IFBB/NPC events.
PRIME, I see Kai as somewhat similar but he has a lot of fans who feel differently ..... and my 'disregard' for him an a competitor changed a lot after getting to know him better upon seeing Generation Iron.
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UGLY. You're probably right about that "can of worms" ..... but I had no intent to go fishing but it could be interesting to hear opposing view-points about any part of contest officiating in these IFBB/NPC events.
PRIME, I see Kai as somewhat similar but he has a lot of fans who feel differently ..... and my 'disregard' for him an a competitor changed a lot after getting to know him better upon seeing Generation Iron.
Stunt, do you ever post pics of the old days, when you were working with some of the big Hollywood names? Those would be great to see. Understand if you want to remain anonymous, though.
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UGLY, Nope ... no old days Hollywood pictures for a couple of reasons...
1. Cameras were not as common nor as popular as they are today and weren't small enough to stick in your pocket like the are today (except for one brand that was too damn expensive and mainly sold to spies.
and
2. Cameras (as far as I can recall) were forbidden on most movie sets. This is still true today and some type of 'non-disclosure' contract is very common for all movie making 'participants'.
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UGLY, Nope ... no old days Hollywood pictures for a couple of reasons...
1. Cameras were not as common nor as popular as they are today and weren't small enough to stick in your pocket like the are today (except for one brand that was too damn expensive and mainly sold to spies.
and
2. Cameras (as far as I can recall) were forbidden on most movie sets. This is still true today and some type of 'non-disclosure' contract is very common for all movie making 'participants'.
Ok, that's a shame. It would have been great to see some of that stuff.
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Yea, no pictures from those old day sets but I can tell you some little bits of stuff that have stuck in my mind after all these years and thereby let you see that "picture' in your own 'noggin'.
When I was a kid I did some pretty damn crazy stuff in an effort to get in front of the camera and hopefully see myself on a theater screen so I could yell out to the entire audience, "Hey! That's me!".
Some of this stuff I've told before but this topic has been pretty damn slow lately ... so maybe no one will object if I mentioned some of the following.
What I'll be telling some of you interested GetBiggers is what I have argued about with some of you "Hollywood GetBiggers" who have made unsuccessful attempts to get into the movie business in front of or behind the cameras.
I was raised (actually I was 'forced" to be raised by an old fashioned Swedish father) to be 'positive' about everything I ever thought of ... and even more positive when it came to anything I ever attempted. I was never allowed to see the negative side of things.
So I grew up believing that nothing was impossible ..... which, actually, was pretty damn stupid.
But this 'stupidity' produced some very positive outcomes ... most of the time.
For instance when I was a kid, I thought acting in the movies was simply a matter of 'signing up' which was pretty damn stupid on my part; but my cousin (about 10 years older than myself) moved to So Cal and I encouraged him to go 'sign up' and be a movie actor.
He simply laughed at my stupidity, but within a couple of months he gave my advice a try and ended up getting a major role in a movie called DALLAS which starred Ruth Roman and Gary Cooper. So in that case ... my stupidity paid off.
ANd that was the first "pay off" of many more to follow which I plan to continue with if I can't find anything related with bodybuilding to pass on to anyone who may be interested.
Some of you GetBiggers seem to be a lot more 'stupider' than myself ... so maybe you have some similar success stories to pass along
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Back to bodybuilding with some X-PO photos that Ron did not take. This here camera was $4.95 at Wal_Mart.
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A lot of OLY money was spent on huge graphics outside and within the Convention Center ..... These alone were over 6 feet tall.
Read the text.
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Yea, no pictures from those old day sets but I can tell you some little bits of stuff that have stuck in my mind after all these years and thereby let you see that "picture' in your own 'noggin'.
When I was a kid I did some pretty damn crazy stuff in an effort to get in front of the camera and hopefully see myself on a theater screen so I could yell out to the entire audience, "Hey! That's me!".
Some of this stuff I've told before but this topic has been pretty damn slow lately ... so maybe no one will object if I mentioned some of the following.
What I'll be telling some of you interested GetBiggers is what I have argued about with some of you "Hollywood GetBiggers" who have made unsuccessful attempts to get into the movie business in front of or behind the cameras.
I was raised (actually I was 'forced" to be raised by an old fashioned Swedish father) to be 'positive' about everything I ever thought of ... and even more positive when it came to anything I ever attempted. I was never allowed to see the negative side of things.
So I grew up believing that nothing was impossible ..... which, actually, was pretty damn stupid.
But this 'stupidity' produced some very positive outcomes ... most of the time.
For instance when I was a kid, I thought acting in the movies was simply a matter of 'signing up' which was pretty damn stupid on my part; but my cousin (about 10 years older than myself) moved to So Cal and I encouraged him to go 'sign up' and be a movie actor.
He simply laughed at my stupidity, but within a couple of months he gave my advice a try and ended up getting a major role in a movie called DALLAS which starred Ruth Roman and Gary Cooper. So in that case ... my stupidity paid off.
ANd that was the first "pay off" of many more to follow which I plan to continue with if I can't find anything related with bodybuilding to pass on to anyone who may be interested.
Some of you GetBiggers seem to be a lot more 'stupider' than myself ... so maybe you have some similar success stories to pass along
It'd be fun to sit down and have a few beers with you, Stunt, just to hear some of your stories. Not in a gay way, of course.
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UGLY, Most of the people who were a major part of these stories have long ago passed away or have moved on to bigger and better things and no longer communicate witth he "little people".
And in an effort to ease your mind regarding the 'gay way" stories, I'll do my best to get them out of the way ASAP.
Two "gay way stories" come to mind as I write this stuff so I'll do my best to explain them now as honestly as I possibly can due to the fact that there seems to be so many GetBiggers interested in "gay way" stuff and the sexual lives of guys and gals they've never met within the world of bodybuilding.
I play Poker with a bunch of ''ed-u-ma-ka-ted'" shrinks and Docs and it's not rare to start a discussion about various individuals on this board.
These ed-u-ma-catre-ted guys talk about people whom I think are a bit fucked up in the mind but the ed-u-ma-ca-ted guys consider these “ fucked-up minds” are an everyday occurance and not to be too concerned about.
One doc says that it is easier to analyze 'patients' by what they say on boards such as this than a 50 minute personal analysis. (My words, not his!)
And the general consensus of opinion is that there appears to be a large amount of jealousy among a lot of us simply due to the fact that the other person is 'bigger' or better looking than we are.
In our minds that other person is physically better than we find themselves to be.
The also speak a lot of psycho-bable that is beyond my apprehension, but the point here is that some docs are interested in what we have to say on this board .
But their main point of interest is "How we say it.”
The point I'm trying to make here is that they find it interesting that so many bodybuilding fans, such as us on this GetBig Board, are so damn interested in the possibility and actuality of gay activities within the BB world.
With that said ... here are a couple of my personal observations.
Tons of years ago when Mr MB was most likely still in diapers, there use to be monthly "Mazola Oii" parties in one particular home in the hills above the city of Los Angele.
And bodybuilders were most welcome.
You could bring your wife or your girlfriend, but in order to gain entrance, you had to check all your clothes at the front door and enter in your birthday suit. (I never found out where one kept his/her claim check.)
Actually I never attended …. but many friends did.
It was called the "Mazola Oil" party because once you got down to your birthday suit, you were doused with oil from head to toe and shown to a very dark room covered in plastic where the party was going on.
And no one seemed to be engaged in conversation.
That party seemed somewhat strange to me but there were many who enjoyed it.
Then many years later ….
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Back to the Expo.
Oly Jacket $150.
How many do you want?
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But before you got there, you had to park ....
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And once you parked, there were OLY graphics everywhere ....
On roadside poles......
And covering the Convention Center..
Graphics everywhere ....
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ANd once inside ... See the expensive ticket entrance ....
ANd say howdy to RON.
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OPPPS! That was not RON.
Here's Ron...
Sorry, RON!
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And other interesting people!
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Some with 2,000+ plus jumps from perfectly functioning air-craft.
And those of whom I've never met nor ever heard about..... (I don't watch TV, I guess!)
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WJO IS BEHIND THIS COMPANY!?
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Friends from good old England and Jay at Interview!
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Overall Physique Winner and IFBB PRO (I think).
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OPPPS! That was not RON.
Here's Ron...
Sorry, RON!
MATT T IN BACKROUND STALKING RON.
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Overall Physique Winner and IFBB PRO (I think).
Physique shows are for people that cant make the big show = losers.
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Mr. NO, You gotta give some credit to these Physique Contender guys and gals who "Go for the "Go" ... and not the Show" .......... Meaning that they are more concerned about physical performance and hot so much concerned about increased muscle size.
For instance ...
Promote an event such as the military's obstical course 'race' .... and the physique contenders will outclass by far the bodybuilding contenders (especially if the bodybuilder contenders are among the pro ranksn).
I find it difficult to discredit either one simply because they have given up a hell of a lot of the good times to accomplish what others find impossible .... or simply hate for reasons of their own.
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From the 40s through the 80s, bodybuilding was better. And then, it went from showtime to schmoetime.
Reeves, Ross, Grimek, Park on up through Arnold, Zane and Paris. Of course there's others inbetween, but not the disgustingly overdeveloped stuff that came after.
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SCOTT, It might just b e possible that you have discovered the reason that the NPC sanctions Men's and Women's Physique events.
But I gotta tell you that the opinions of the majority of people on this here planet have not changed their attitude regarding individuals with muscular bods since the 1940's.
Those opinions have not changed .... nor never will.
And that's so damn evident on this GetBig Board.
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Stunt….good to see you here. Been trying to draw you out over at the 'who is the oldest get bigger?' thread. I know it's not moi.
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SCOTT, It might just b e possible that you have discovered the reason that the NPC sanctions Men's and Women's Physique events.
But I gotta tell you that the opinions of the majority of people on this here planet have not changed their attitude regarding individuals with muscular bods since the 1940's.
Those opinions have not changed .... nor never will.
And that's so damn evident on this GetBig Board.
I like to think that for the public's opinion to change, today's bodybuilding must first change itself for the better.
If you've ever seen the 1954 film "Athena", then you know that bodybuilding was treated as a something of a harmless nutcase health craze. Nothing healthy about today's bodybuilding.
And the competitors at the top level are nuttier than ever. ;)
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SCOTT,I doubt that competitive bodybuilding will ever change for the better unless numerous deaths occur and found to be the direct fault of 'too much muscle".
And I see no signs of any efforts within the game that desire to change 'public opinion" .... EXCEPT for the fact that the NPC his promoting PHYSIQUE events ...
which in itself may help to change this so call public opinion.
The bodybuilding 'fans' may not like this new Physique Division but it's apparent that a good number of contestants do!
And many of those contestants come from the bodybuilding contender ranks for numerous reasons of their own.
You mentioned ATHENA .... Steve Reeves game me an autographed copy of that 1954 MGM movie a couple of years before he passed awa.
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SCOTT,I doubt that competitive bodybuilding will ever change for the better unless numerous deaths occur and found to be the direct fault of 'too much muscle".
And I see no signs of any efforts within the game that desire to change 'public opinion" .... EXCEPT for the fact that the NPC his promoting PHYSIQUE events ...
which in itself may help to change this so call public opinion.
The bodybuilding 'fans' may not like this new Physique Division but it's apparent that a good number of contestants do!
And many of those contestants come from the bodybuilding contender ranks for numerous reasons of their own.
You mentioned ATHENA .... Steve Reeves game me an autographed copy of that 1954 MGM movie a couple of years before he passed awa.
I wish I could have met him.
Thanks!
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:)
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:)
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:)
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:)
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Zabo was a cool dude best I understand.
Zabo was very cool. I knew him when I trained at World Gym in Venice. Really nice guy with a good sense of humor.
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:- ;D zabo with his wife lydia . baby in pic grew up to look exactly like her.
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:)
A width Phil Heath aspires to.
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:- ;D zabo with his wife lydia . baby in pic grew up to look exactly like her.
One of my favorites not a big guy but didnt give a shit about Society's rules.
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:- ;D zabo with his wife lydia . baby in pic grew up to look exactly like her.
Beautiful wife, compare that with today's attention sluts in Venice..
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hugo labra? or lou "bug eyes" paul ??? ??? ???
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Beautiful wife, compare that with today's attention sluts in Venice..
For sure,no plastic natural beauty
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:)
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Thanks, FUNK and All.
In an effort to continue .... This will be my attempt to elaborate a bit on what MR. MB mentioned earlier under another topic concerning the early days of MUSCLE BEACH ( the Santa Monica version).
It will be as honest as I can write it but not completely accurate when it comes to the minor details simply because it all happened so damn long ago …. When the world was an entirely different place and relatively “Victorian” in its attitude..
Some of you guys and gals may field objections but those objections will most likely occur because the younger generation/generations are completely confused when it comes to comprehending how ‘life’ and the individuals who lived it back in them good old day…. really was.
And ‘life’ in the 40’s and the 50’s was completely different back then. In fact, almost nothing is the same today….. except for that one ‘something’ that has not changed and possibly never will.
But …. you’ll have to continue reading to find out what that one ‘something’ was.
But if your attention span is pretty damn short, I’ll mention it up front before you fall asleep of die of bore-dumb!
So with that said, I’m gonna do my best to remember things I have long forgotten with an attempt to give you some idea of how everything that pertains to increased muscle size, strength, or better athletic performance really was back then …. And how its all been changed over the years.
SO … WAKE UP! , if you really want to know this shit! ... 'Shit' as seen by the eyes and heard by the ears of someone who was physically present and lived through it over the past 60+ years or so who had the oppottunity of meeting just about 80% or more of the ‘athletes’ who were ever mentioned on this GetBig Board ... plus a good number of the major 'players' and studio owners in La La Land.
As well as many others with the exception of Jonsey of course.
If you hate reading this… blame Mr MB! He got me started by talking about Muscle Beach in the 50’s … but I’ll be starting a few years earlier than that.
Chapter 2 to follow shortly ....
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:)
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Attached are some of my fav 1950s Muscle Beach stills. I so much want to go back in time and jump on the Pico Trolly and head for Santa Monica for 10 cents.
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MB, My memory may be a bit messed up here but didn't the Pico Trolly go by 20th Century Fox and terminate in or near the Venice area? Or was that the same trolly that just south of the Morman Church up there on that thar hill?
You were on Santa Monica Beach much earlier than I ever was so you may recall the electric trolly that ran along the beach from the Santa Monic Pier and all they way down to what is now the Venice Beach Pit.
Back then the Venice beachfront was mainly occupied by old Jewish folks who only spoke Yiddish and sat on the benches in the sun talking about the old days before WWII.
And there were two or three Jewish synagogs right there along the beachfront that were very popular. (Wiggs may know more about that than I do.)
ANd how about the DUNGEON? I went down there once but it was too damn dark to see anything.
ANd the Swedish Smorgasboard place that was so damn popular among the Gold's guys that it was forced to close down because they just ate too damn much way too often.
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MB, I don't know the year that your most recent photo was taken, but it'd definitely an early photo of the Venice Pit.
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My foggy memory says we took the Pico Trolly from Rimpau Blvd. in L.A. to about Lincoln in Santa Monica. From there we could walk down to the pier (later Pacific Ocean Park), Muscle Beach and up to State Beach. I recall all the old folks on the benches. I did not know then about Jewish people. Now my kids are either married to or half Jewish. Never took the beach trolly but I remember seeing it. The only place we could afford to spend for food was at what we called the Frosty Freeze. Five cents for a single. That would require about a mile walk up Pico then we would catch the Trolly home from there.
I knew nothing of the Dungeon. My first site of a gym was Bert Goodrich's Hollywood Gym in summer of '54.
I sure loved the pretty girls who huddled around and on the MB stage. "One day they will be looking at me. I will be the 'muscle man' on that stage." It took 35 years.
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Stunt movie - great thread!
Hey what were the rec drugs u were taking back then? Just coke and speed or something more hardcore? And how common was it?
As for PEDs can u confirm what guys were taking during the golden era? Word is the Arnie special was pretty much dol 80-120 mg a day and primobilan?
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Stunt movie - great thread!
Hey what were the rec drugs u were taking back then? Just coke and speed or something more hardcore? And how common was it?
As for PEDs can u confirm what guys were taking during the golden era? Word is the Arnie special was pretty much dol 80-120 mg a day and primobilan?
those are always the go 2 drugs when ever mentioning Arnold,i think more were involved and used..
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MB, My memory may be a bit messed up here but didn't the Pico Trolly go by 20th Century Fox and terminate in or near the Venice area? Or was that the same trolly that just south of the Morman Church up there on that thar hill?
You were on Santa Monica Beach much earlier than I ever was so you may recall the electric trolly that ran along the beach from the Santa Monic Pier and all they way down to what is now the Venice Beach Pit.
Back then the Venice beachfront was mainly occupied by old Jewish folks who only spoke Yiddish and sat on the benches in the sun talking about the old days before WWII.
And there were two or three Jewish synagogs right there along the beachfront that were very popular. (Wiggs may know more about that than I do.)
ANd how about the DUNGEON? I went down there once but it was too damn dark to see anything.
ANd the Swedish Smorgasboard place that was so damn popular among the Gold's guys that it was forced to close down because they just ate too damn much way too often.
^^
STUNT, did you ever see the Ric Drasin video where he goes in depth on all the Venice/Santa Monica buffets?? Funny stuff!!!
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Happy Holidays Stunt.....missed ya` buddy! ;)
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WES. Good to you back on this crazy BOARD. Same for JNN.
Just returned from seeing a great movie ...Wolf of Wall Street and I recommend it highly.
Family still involved in the making of major motion pictures and I pitch in whenever possible but I don't want to travel to foreign locations just to hand someone a towel aflter 12 hours of shooting in a frozen creek-bed. My importance is somewhat limited now-a-days with these new movie making techniques. Falling off a horse was simple but now these fall from mountain tops and helicopters into frozen rivers.
Anyway, WES, great to see ya back! Have a great 2014.
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On TCM, rightnow: Don't make Waves,1967, with Dave(id) Draper on the front board credits.
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On TCM, rightnow: Don't make Waves,1967, with Dave(id) Draper on the front board credits.
One of the flicks that got me into lifting. Dave is a great guy.
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SCOTT and DOC, Thanks for mentioning Dave and Don't Make Waves.
I knew Dave back then and used to stop by the first Californiua Weider store across from Zucky's in Santa Monica when he managed and ran the place. I think he was the sole employee at that time.
On one such visit he told me that he was in the process of appearing in a movie called Don't Make Waves and had been filming a part of it on one of the cliffs overlooking the beach ... If I recall correctly it must have been the scene where he lowered himself don into the home that had slid off that cliff to rescue one of the principal stars in the movie. (I forget those details.)
But shortly after, Sharon Tate and some of her friends were murdered by that asshole whose name I have forgotten and Dave was devestated because he had known her well as a result of working in that film with her.
Here is an article that my good friend GENE MOZEE wrote about that movie way back in 1967.
Thanks for memory kick!
Don't Makes Waves
Hollywood's Greatest Muscle Movie
By Gene Mozee for
Muscular Development
December 1967
Muscle men are becoming more and more sought after for TV and movie work. Three well known bodybuilders, Dave Draper, Chet Yorton and Reg Lewis have important roles in Hollywood's latest muscle flick, "Don't Make Waves."
The new MGM-Filmways production has Tony Curtis and Claudia Cardinale as the top featured performers with Sharon Tate and Dave Draper in the co-starring roles. The $4,000,000 film is based on Ira Wallach's novel, "Muscle Beach." The movie can be described as a "sex and flex" gala spectacular featuring blondes, bikinis and bulging biceps.
The big surprise of the movie to Tony Curtis, Claudia Cardinale and the other pros in the cast of Martin Ransohoff's comedy was the big blond giant, Dave Draper. Dave plays the part of Harry, winning the role from forty-two others who were tested for the part. The film brass at Filmways were so pleased with the terrific job Dave did in the movie that they signed him to an exclusive long-term contract, and have high hopes for his future as an actor. The publicity chief for Filmways Productions, Fred Baum, said, "Dave did such a great job he surprised everyone. In fact, he just might steal the picture." One of the cast, beautiful Joanna Barnes commented, "Honestly, he's so appealing in the picture you want to hug him."
"Don't Make Waves" is not Dave's first movie. He appeared in three others, but in very minor roles. This is an important step for Dave who has been studying drama for the past two years with Peyton Price, Hollywood's finest dramatic coach. The executives at Filmways feel that Dave is definitely on his way to becoming a successful film actor, except for one thing: top roles for lads with 20" arms and a 53" chest seldom get written if you discount the "Hercules" genre. He's really not the type for the gladiator roles. He's too boyish looking. In spite of the "handicap" (which I'm sure most bodybuilders wish they had", the Filmways staff is enthusiastic about his future.
With Draper in the cast of "Don't Make Waves" are other musclemen Chester Yorton (Mr. Universe 1966) and Reg Lewis. Yorton plays the role of Ted Gunder, husband of the beautiful and talented Ann Elder. Reg Lewis looks like the original "tattoo man" in the part of "The Monster." Lewis made several movies in Europe before landing a role in this film, including: "Son of Hercules," "Taur, King of Force," "Gladiatricic," and "Ursus and the Beast."
The whole cast and production crew were very favorably impressed with the fine conduct and cooperation of Draper, Yorton and Lewis and the other bodybuilders who appeared in the movie.
As is Hollywood's custom, the film pokes a little fun at the muscle world, but on the whole, the movie is quite entertaining and I am sure bodybuilders throughout the world will enjoy seeing it.
Co-starring as Draper's girlfriend is the very lovely Sharon Tate, one of the most beautiful girls these eyes have ever seen!
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WES. Good to you back on this crazy BOARD. Same for JNN.
Just returned from seeing a great movie ...Wolf of Wall Street and I recommend it highly.
Family still involved in the making of major motion pictures and I pitch in whenever possible but I don't want to travel to foreign locations just to hand someone a towel aflter 12 hours of shooting in a frozen creek-bed. My importance is somewhat limited now-a-days with these new movie making techniques. Falling off a horse was simple but now these fall from mountain tops and helicopters into frozen rivers.
Anyway, WES, great to see ya back! Have a great 2014.
Same to you my friend! ;)
I just saw the previews to that flick.......looks pretty good,and your importance is surely great here on this board.
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Same to you my friend! ;)
I just saw the previews to that flick.......looks pretty good,and your importance is surely great here on this board.
stunt is the man..this thread delivers,,i like to see that movie...maconaghey /dicaprio..
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stunt is the man..this thread delivers,,i like to see that movie...maconaghey /dicaprio..
X 2 on both counts
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NJ, Since family members are actively involved in the making of major motion pictures, I see a lot of them the first week that they come out on the big screen (three to four a week at least) and they expect me to offer some comments on each and every one.
I'm not a great movie 'reviewer' because I only explain how I PERSONALLY FEEL about that particular film, so I'm often in conflict with a lot of others who feel differently about this or that movie.
I rate each movie on a scale of 1 - 10 and I usually rate a movie high if "I FALL INTO IT".
"Falling into it" is the best way that I can explain my own individual enjoyment experience.
And "falling into it" just might be how others rate a particular film, but they may be calling it something else.
So for the sake of argument ... here are some of my 'falling into it' experiences while watching what I consider to be exceptional movie making or acting, or whatever you want to call it.
THE WOLD OF WALL STREET ..... I fell into this one entirely. I actually felt that I was part of the story. And I don't think I was the only one in the theater who was laffing his ass off when Decaprio took too many ludes and crawl back to his car.
I also 'fell into' INSTRUCTIONS NOT INCLUDED which is probably my favorite movie of 2013 even though it had a very emotional moment at the ending. I enjoyed this film so much that I gathered up a group and saw it for my second time.
ANd unlike some other GetBiggers on thjis site, I honestly think that Casey Afflick is a great actor and will be reaching the top of the acting profession once he appears in a memorial motion picture. I though he did a hell of a great job in OUT OF THE FURNACE which I would have enjoyed more if I had not seen that similar story so many times before. But, all in all, it was a great movie ... but I only got to the doowway.
OFF TOPIC HERE.... Sorry about that.
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i never go by reviews , i prefer to make up my own mind when it comes to watching and enjoying movies. most of the award winning films suck in my opinion, the english patient etc, etc. give me some good old fashion escapism any day of the week.
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Nothing personal Bill,but I can`t stand Casey Affleck,but I do think he`s better than his brother Ben. :(
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Nothing personal Bill,but I can`t stand Casey Affleck,but I do think he`s better than his brother Ben. :(
He was a standout performer as Robert Ford in the Jesse James movie
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WES ... Re Casey Aflick .... Them are fighting words, WES!
In fact I'm so pissed off right now (LOL) that I'll make a long range forecast regarding his Hollywood career.
Casey will be receiving Hollywood accolades not too far down his stardom path.
I was super impressed by hjis "stare down" performance with Woody H. when they first met in the OUT OF THE FURNACE flicker.
And I totally agree with AVBG regarding his pereformance in that Jessie James movie.
So I ain't gonna invite ya to his Acdemy Award Reception when tht time comes!
( I'm so full of shit right now!)
But I still think he'll be 'breaking out' soon.
WES! Great physical condition. I just saw your photos on another post.
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WES, Give this kid a break and hold any judgement until you see one of the following flicks or borth ....
SUPPOETING ROLE in INTERSTELLER …..A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage. Director: Christopher Nolan
LEADING ROLE IN TRIPLE NINE (2015) …. A group of gang members and a corrupt cop plan the murder of a police officer in order to pull of their biggest heist yet across town. Director: John Hillcoat
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He was a standout performer as Robert Ford in the Jesse James movie
It was Oscar worthy.
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OK,he was good in his role in the Jesses James flick,I`ll give him that.
The first flick I saw him in was a movie called Gerry ( I think,not sure),his pal Matt Damon was in it also.
They walked around in cicles in the desert for 90 minutes.....shitty performances and a shit plot/concept.
That being said,I haven`t see the other flicks you mentioned Stunt,so I`ll reserve judgement until I so so,plus I don`t want you guys gunning for me! :D
Thanks for the kind words on the physique Stunt.......I`m forever trying to stay at least a half a step in front of that relentless "Father Time" guy. ;)
All the best bud,and please continue this thread.....good stuff.....reading it in installments.
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Here's some Las Vegas New Year's Eve news ..... Nothing out of the ordinary this year, folks ,,,,, but you never know what this evening's news will bring ....
More than 180 fireworks per second shot from the roofs of seven Strip hotels at the stroke of midnight, continuing for eight minutes.
More than 335,000 visitors were expected in Las Vegas for one of the world’s largest New Year’s Eve gatherings, bringing an estimated nongaming economic impact of $213 million, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Both figures are on par with last year’s numbers.
Despite the crowds, Las Vegas police said in a press release that the celebration was “one of the most orderly in recent history.” As of 1:30 a.m., police were reporting seven arrests within the Strip corridor. The Downtown Area Command, which covers Fremont Street, reported no arrests.
Las Vegas police made two DUI arrests in connection with the New Year’s Eve celebration.
Fremont Street Experience celebrated the Downtown Countdown on New Year’s Eve with performances from Papa Roach, Blues Traveler, Loverboy, Vince Neil and Adelitas Way.
The main event in town was America’s Party on the Strip, where the showgirls and Jack Sparrow were out early trying to capitalize on the event, which was picketed by a group wielding signs calling to “Stop Abortion. End Sodomy. Halt Islam.”
More than 10,000 circuits were set to ignite the 88,000 pyrotechnics in split-second unison from seven Las Vegas Boulevard resorts — MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, The Venetian and the Stratosphere — making for a choreographed-to-music spectacle.
Fireworks were by the same company on New York’s Long Island, Fireworks by Grucci, planning to break a Guinness World Record for biggest fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.
That record-breaking show was in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai with 1,250 explosions per second for a total of about 450,000 fireworks.
Maybe WIGGS can elaborate!
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Stunt, you're the man this thread always delivers, Wes, you don't like Casey Affleck, he's a much better actor than Ben!
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Thanks, RR! But we've been getting off track lately. There's only so much history that you can talk about history .... and I think we've said just about all of it under this topic.
I think that the most interesting part of this topic was the picture of Mr MB sitting on the 'runway' as a very young kid. Of all the millions of people ... there sits Mr MB in real life and we actually 'know him' via this crazy internet board ... yada, yada, yada.
That photo alone has given one of my writer friends an idea for a screenplay about a series of such photos of one individual throughout his lifetime and the stories behind each of them.
I like that idea and have been offering suggestions with the hope of get some minor 'producer's' credit if it ever gets produced.
Or fall off a horse or somehting!
Happy New Year to ya all.
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Stunt, you're the man this thread always delivers, Wes, you don't like Casey Affleck, he's a much better actor than Ben!
I`m a better actor than Ben Affleck Ronnie!! ;D
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OK,he was good in his role in the Jesses James flick,I`ll give him that.
The first flick I saw him in was a movie called Gerry ( I think,not sure),his pal Matt Damon was in it also.
They walked around in cicles in the desert for 90 minutes.....shitty performances and a shit plot/concept.
That being said,I haven`t see the other flicks you mentioned Stunt,so I`ll reserve judgement until I so so,plus I don`t want you guys gunning for me! :D
Thanks for the kind words on the physique Stunt.......I`m forever trying to stay at least a half a step in front of that relentless "Father Time" guy. ;)
All the best bud,and please continue this thread.....good stuff.....reading it in installments.
If you have a chance watch 'Killer Inside Me' with Casey
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Cool,will do...I`m a movie freak.
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OK, WES! And while you're at it ... watch me in PAL JOEY and a couple of others I have forgotten.
And I gotta agree that Casey is a hell of a great actor and just waiting to "break out".
And his older brother now has a great reputation in Hollywood both as an actor and as a producer.
And while we're at it DO NOT waste your money on THE MARKED ONES.
The kids in kit did a good job but the story and the ending is pure crap.
Or maybe ... I just didn't understand it.
Any intelligent explanation would be appreciated.
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Casey Affleck can fool you because his playing of any role is subtle but strong. Gone Baby Gone and Ain't Them Bodies Saints for example. Out Of The Furnace, that pissed off inner fire, another example. Brother Ben, like George Clooney, is talented but (in my view) Casey Affleck is better. I know Brother Ben's wife is not what would be called hot...but, man something about her,,don't know what(?).
Woody Harrelson , best supporting actor for Out Of The Furance, no doubt. Christian Bale, best all around actor today. Jennifer Lawrence, outstanding actress and major babe out there today. She in American Hustle....my, my,my.
Stunt: This is the time of the year video's of movies considered for the awards are passed out to voting members. You get any yourself? I know a couple of ladies who get these films.
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JPN, I didn't get any movies for AA consideration but my nephew has received a couple and we talk about the latest Hollywood offerings weekly but we have not discussed AA considerations just yet as he is in Canada on another production and has little time to talk story even though it's his favorite work related subject and I'm sort of the big mouth when it comes time to being a Hollywood movie critic.
Here an opinion that may cause a lot of arguments among some GetBiggers ... I HATED "The Hunger Games" and was completely bored but it turned out to be a major hit.
I also disliked Jennifer Lawrence in that movie (mainly because I hated the movie) but I had a complete turn-a-round after seeing her in AMERICAN HUSTLE.
It would be great to see Harrelson get a nomination, but I don't that will be happening this time out.
But that scene in which Casey Afflick confronted him was a classic in my opinion.
You may find this to be of some interest .... we have a family friend who is in his early 20's .... a great athlete with a great Hollywood look and an I-Can_Do-Anything attitude.
I asked some family members to give him some attention for a couple of roles such as Ender in "ENDER'S GAME" and as FOUR in "Divergent", but on each occasion he was 'forgotten' simply due to the fact that he was not represented by an accredited Hollywood agent.
Then by some quirk of fate, he got a call from a mutual friend and did some minor work in a forthcoming motion picture, but he still has not gotten an agent ... mainly due to the fact that he enjoys recording his music here locally in Las Vegas and actually believes that everything will fall into place without exerting too much effort to make it happen eventually.
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If he has the charisma, and can go through life that way, good for him.
He will have much less stress that way. Unfortunately, many like him take advantage of others' generosity in the process.
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Thanks, KURT! You sound like the voice of experience ... and you are correct
in both regards....
He has charisma. He's als a great athlete, singer, and piano player.
And he will most likely t ake advantage of others but t he family is wealthy and helps him financial while he's enrolled in college but after that ... who knows.
Good comment by the way.
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SUPPOETING ROLE in INTERSTELLER …..A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage. Director: Christopher Nolan
LEADING ROLE IN TRIPLE NINE (2015) …. A group of gang members and a corrupt cop plan the murder of a police officer in order to pull of their biggest heist yet across town. Director: John Hillcoat
Really looking forward to these two, stunt.
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OK, WES! And while you're at it ... watch me in PAL JOEY and a couple of others I have forgotten.
And I gotta agree that Casey is a hell of a great actor and just waiting to "break out".
And his older brother now has a great reputation in Hollywood both as an actor and as a producer.
And while we're at it DO NOT waste your money on THE MARKED ONES.
The kids in kit did a good job but the story and the ending is pure crap.
Or maybe ... I just didn't understand it.
Any intelligent explanation would be appreciated.
Bill where are you in Pal Joey.....what scene or scenes if I may assk?
Little know trivia Factoid,but I was Sinatras stand in in Pal Joey..true story! :D
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One more question my friend,did you ever meet any of the famous makeup artists the Westmores?
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WOW, WES!! You asked two (2) amazing questions!
And my response to both of them may be amazing coincidences!
"Could you be my long lost brother? ... is NOT one of of hem though!
But first I gotta make a pot of coffee, feed the cat, let loose the dog, and brush my teeth.
Stand by to stand by, but I hope to answer up before you yourself do any of the above and read this post.
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OK, WES! I'm back to answer your questions, but I gotta answer by offering some stories in an effort to paint a more accurate picture providing I can still recall the actual details.
Back in 1955 or so, they made a movie called PICNIC and that was the first time I saw KIM NOVAK on the screen ,,, and I sort of fell in love. Loved that song for years to follow also ... MOON-GLOW.
Then in 1956 or so Hollywood came to San Francisco to shoot some scenes for PAL JOEY which starred Kim and a fuy named Frank Sinatra.
An attempt was made to keep the shooting locations secret so that they could shoot without a major distraction, so I decided to drive around the city (7 by 7 miles in each direction) in an attempt to find KIM and introduce myself as one of her biggest fans. ( I hope she's reading this!)
Me and some friends bought or possibly stold some beer and drove all over the city and while I was driving up Grant Ave (the major road through san Francisco's CHinatown) I noticed a large crowd of CHinese individuals lined up neatly on the sidewalk all heading in the same direction but completely motionless while listening to some guy wearing a baret yeloling at them through a megaphone.
Me, being as smart as I think I am, put two and two together and realized that we were diriving past a photo shoot which most likely was for the PAL JOEY production.
So I hopped out of the car after asking one of my friends to drive around for an hour or so and then come back and pick me up. (Impossible to find a parking space in Chinatown).
So I 'casually' joined all these Chinese individuals and paid attention to the guy yellng at 'us' in the purple(?) baret.
He was my first 'director' and he directed me/us to just walk up the street just like a crowd of Chinese and one haole individual would normally do .... and then come back if this scene had to be shot again .. and then we could stand in another line to get paid.
SO somewhere up in front someone yelled "ACTION!" and me and the Chinese crowd started walking.
We walked a short distance and then I saw a lot of lights and a very professional looking motion picture camera on a moving dolly (my first official gaze of professional movie making gear).
So I figured that it was time for me to ACT and gave a quick thought to what I would normally do while walking up the street in Chinatown ... so I deciuded to look at my watch to see what time it was.
And that's when someone yelled in a very loud voice "CUT!! CUT!! CUT!! DAMN IT!"
And he continued ... "What the hell are you looking at your wrist for!!? You don't even have a watch!"
So once again we got lined up ... Me and a bunch of CHinese individuals.
And someone up front yelled "ACTION" .. and we started moving!
And once again I was all lit up with that damn professional looking camera on that damn dolly right in front of me ... but actually a little bit off to my right side.
ANd to my surprise .... I guess I didn't read the script ... I hear a loud BANG and some guy who looked like SINATRA cojmes flying out of a doorway and hits my knees knocking me over a bit.
And then another "CUT!" and tht was the end of that and all my Chinese film-mates went to another line to get paid. I joined them thinking I'd at least get paid a bit extra for my 'stunt" work ... only to discover that my name was not on the list of Chinese guys , which caused a lot of "What the hell" What the hell!" type comments from a couple of the Hollywood guys who oversaw us Chines individual guys.
So I didn't get paid that nite but some of the Hollywood guys in the background informed me that I'd most likely be on a motion picture screen getting knocked over by Frank Sinatra simply because Frank was tired and didn't want to shoot that scene again,
In fact he was so tired that I never even got the chance to say that I saw his face! In was out of Chinatown in a flash!
So niow I'm thinking... Maybe it wasn't even FRANK who knocked me over after all.
Maybe it was you, WES!!
And to be perfectly honest, I don't recall ever seeing that movie!
I just hope 'my scene' was never cut.
Next up .... My 'date' with KIIM!
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OK, WES! I'm back to answer your questions, but I gotta answer by offering some stories in an effort to paint a more accurate picture providing I can still recall the actual details.
Back in 1955 or so, they made a movie called PICNIC and that was the first time I saw KIM NOVAK on the screen ,,, and I sort of fell in love. Loved that song for years to follow also ... MOON-GLOW.
Then in 1956 or so Hollywood came to San Francisco to shoot some scenes for PAL JOEY which starred Kim and a fuy named Frank Sinatra.
An attempt was made to keep the shooting locations secret so that they could shoot without a major distraction, so I decided to drive around the city (7 by 7 miles in each direction) in an attempt to find KIM and introduce myself as one of her biggest fans. ( I hope she's reading this!)
Me and some friends bought or possibly stold some beer and drove all over the city and while I was driving up Grant Ave (the major road through san Francisco's CHinatown) I noticed a large crowd of CHinese individuals lined up neatly on the sidewalk all heading in the same direction but completely motionless while listening to some guy wearing a baret yeloling at them through a megaphone.
Me, being as smart as I think I am, put two and two together and realized that we were diriving past a photo shoot which most likely was for the PAL JOEY production.
So I hopped out of the car after asking one of my friends to drive around for an hour or so and then come back and pick me up. (Impossible to find a parking space in Chinatown).
So I 'casually' joined all these Chinese individuals and paid attention to the guy yellng at 'us' in the purple(?) baret.
He was my first 'director' and he directed me/us to just walk up the street just like a crowd of Chinese and one haole individual would normally do .... and then come back if this scene had to be shot again .. and then we could stand in another line to get paid.
SO somewhere up in front someone yelled "ACTION!" and me and the Chinese crowd started walking.
We walked a short distance and then I saw a lot of lights and a very professional looking motion picture camera on a moving dolly (my first official gaze of professional movie making gear).
So I figured that it was time for me to ACT and gave a quick thought to what I would normally do while walking up the street in Chinatown ... so I deciuded to look at my watch to see what time it was.
And that's when someone yelled in a very loud voice "CUT!! CUT!! CUT!! DAMN IT!"
And he continued ... "What the hell are you looking at your wrist for!!? You don't even have a watch!"
So once again we got lined up ... Me and a bunch of CHinese individuals.
And someone up front yelled "ACTION" .. and we started moving!
And once again I was all lit up with that damn professional looking camera on that damn dolly right in front of me ... but actually a little bit off to my right side.
ANd to my surprise .... I guess I didn't read the script ... I hear a loud BANG and some guy who looked like SINATRA cojmes flying out of a doorway and hits my knees knocking me over a bit.
And then another "CUT!" and tht was the end of that and all my Chinese film-mates went to another line to get paid. I joined them thinking I'd at least get paid a bit extra for my 'stunt" work ... only to discover that my name was not on the list of Chinese guys , which caused a lot of "What the hell" What the hell!" type comments from a couple of the Hollywood guys who oversaw us Chines individual guys.
So I didn't get paid that nite but some of the Hollywood guys in the background informed me that I'd most likely be on a motion picture screen getting knocked over by Frank Sinatra simply because Frank was tired and didn't want to shoot that scene again,
In fact he was so tired that I never even got the chance to say that I saw his face! In was out of Chinatown in a flash!
So niow I'm thinking... Maybe it wasn't even FRANK who knocked me over after all.
Maybe it was you, WES!!
And to be perfectly honest, I don't recall ever seeing that movie!
I just hope 'my scene' was never cut.
Next up .... My 'date' with KIIM!
NICE ...
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NEXT UP GAY HOLLYWOOD AND THE COVERUP..
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My "date" with KIM!
WES! I might have also crossed your path when they were shooting a PAL JOEY scene the night before or the night after the above ocurrrence.
Hollywood was out in force shooting a scene at the base of San Francisco's Coit Tower with Frank and Kim .. I was on a first name basis now .....
The parking area at the base of the tower was packed full of movie making equipment, trucks and vans, so if you wanted to watch the actors while the camera rolled, you had to join the crowd who could see absolutely noting about 40 yards away or so.
So I decided that this was bullshit and got determined to do whatever was necessary to get a better 'seat'.
So I picked up a huge spool of electrical wire and ddid my best to 'act' official by telling the crowd to make a hole nad let me through. And sure enough they did and the cop on duty even moved the barrier for my easy access.
So now I figured that I was part of this Hollywood movie making crew and kept on walking straight on to the camera with the Panavision lens attached ... That's how close I got while Frank and Kim were doing their thing no further than 10 feet away.
And then the director sai, "CUT!" and once again FRANK was outta there, leaving poor KIM standing all alone looking at the San Francisco Bay in the backgrtound,
That's when I dropped the wire and walked over and looked at the Bay with her. And she turned to me and said, "It's really beautiful here!"
And I most likely said something stupid which I've long forgotten, but that 'conversation' went on for a couple of minutes .... until the make-up on her face started cracking. Sort of like a Kim Novack jig saw puzzel.
And then it was time for her to go.
I left to, but with a big smile on my face.
Make-up or not.... she was a beautiful lady.
WES! Were you involved with that San Francisco shoot?
And most important ... Did you ever meet KIM?
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WES! Regarding the Westmore brothers.
During my tenure, WALLY was the main contender in the Hollywood make up arena, but I don't recall ever meeting him or one of the bros.
But I was on the set of one of the Planet of the Apes productions ... the 2001 production with Mark Wahlburg ... in which one of more of the
Westmores MAY have been involved in the ape make up process.
In fact I sat in the make up trailer and watched the entire process while a family member was in the chair, but I honestly forget who the make-up artist actually was.
Orville Burke was also in that trailer that day going trough the ape making process.
ANd somewhere, someplace I have some great photos of me and the 'apes' involved in that day's shoot.
By the way ... I think it was John Chambers who did the make-up work in the original Planet of the Apes production which I had a chance to be involved with but was on active duty in some foreign land at the time.
My good friend Jack Tyree told me that he sat in that make up chair for 6-8 hours during that original shoot.
I think that this was one of Wally's original creations.
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8)
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from my experience i found most people actors and actresses were petty and insecure. i was shocked when reese weatherspoon was portrayed as an arrogant little bitch with the dui incident, she actually seemed like a geniune person in my opinion. met her on the set of how do you know. which was more than i can say of mostly the big names i met on set.
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Stuntmovie; All this stuff is way too cool.
Heard that Sinatra was a one take wonder and really never had a problem with lines. One take.....OK. A second take wanted by the director...the director was going to have a problem. Sinatra was a good street wise Sicilian gentleman, or so I have been told. Saying on many lots, "Sinatra got more ass than a toilet seat". Walked by Frank jr once in Palm Springs...in fact bumped his BG by accident. Though jr was going to freak...after being kidnapped and all that mess in Tahoe.
Speaking of Palm Springs: NJflex mentioned gay Hollywood coverups. Can start at Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Palm Springs, etc. That's where their playground seems to be, in SoCal at least.
A few friends of mine who do security, events and BG work got stories you wouldn't believe about that desert area. Just as much lesbian as male gay stuff...really big Hollywood and TV names. Or so I've been told. Even one well known Christian preacher makes a habit of going done there.
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JPM, FUNK, NJ ... Thanks for liking this off topic Hollywood stuff. but I've been there and done it all and have met some damn important people along the way ... so it's fun to recall and talk about and it's only a very few miles from Muscle Beach which sort of justifies this off topic shit.
I've written earlier about my good friend, Jack Tyree, who also served time in the Corps. Jack died while doin a high jump stunt for THE SWORD AND THE SORCEROR but I t hink it's worth repeating.
Jack was a very respected stuntman in the Hollywood movie industry and was often called upon by studio executives to 'handle in-house problems" which the studio wished to remain private ..... and on a couple of occasions I was invited along.
On one such occasion I was given an OSCAR to hold while Jack handled a 'situation'. I held this heavy little statue if for a good long while so that it would not be used as a weapon in case of major conflict within this ultra-million dollar Beverly Hills residence.
And since I was a good friend of Jack's I had free reign of the Universal Studios 'campus' and met many top performers on and off the sets in and out of the sound-stages.
Then a few years after Jack passed away, my family got into the motion picture biz and it's been lots of fun watching it from the sidelines ever since, especially when they say, "Get yur butt over here and lend a hand".
And that's when this stunt-shit started which was chapeter 8 or 9 of my very adventurous lifetime passage.
When I actually settle down, Chapter 10 may be something about all the shit I've learned about my fellow GetBiggers ... the good and the bad and the ugly and eveything in between.
Now where the hell is WES!?
OH YEA.... If you want to see a great and totally different movie ..... Go see Dhoom 3.
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i love bbing history 60/90's and i love movies,older hollywood when stars were stars and 'walk of fame'was cary grant /gary cooper/heck i'll take clooney but britney spears ::)and the like watered down hollywood...those older actors had great slicked hair/clothes and could crossover act like a great singer dean martin could stir a cocktail and wear great suit in rat pack movies and do rio bravo as a good looking cowboy..still great films 80/90's 00's too..
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NJ, You said that well and I agree entirely.... but there's more to what you said that's hidden behind the screen.
I'm sure you are aware of this but back in them good old days the motion picture making process and the studios which controlled it all .... were completely different.
Each of the major studios and everyone who worked within that studio was under the control of one 'tyrant-type' of individual who ensured that everyone in front of the camera, as well as those behind it and way off to the side of it, performed their particular 'job' in accordance with that tyrant's ambitious desires.
Those 'tyrants' ensured that their Publicity Departments did their job to make all those participants you mentioned above appear as 'demi-gods' to the movie going public.
So one of that department's main jobs was to hide the participants oft-repeated 'evil deeds' or the simple things that they may have done that the public would simply not appreciate.
Those Publicity Departments would have direct phone lines to the likes of Hedda and the other journalist whose name I have just forgotten, begging them to NOT write that story about their top star who fucked up a bit last night and offer them a better story about a lesser star or a promise of something better regarding a star who was on the verge of being fired anyway,
A lot of this behind the screen stuff was performed to turn the average actor into a movie idol who would make millions for the studio.
It takes many people to turn an actor into a movie star.
Even I, myself, helped one time ... but that help was so damn minor ... that I have long forgotten.
Some people dislike Mark Wahlburg ... but i see him as one individual who appears to have done most of it on his own..... singer, actor, producer ..... accomplishments that are somewhat rare in LA-LA Land.
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NJ, You said that well and I agree entirely.... but there's more to what you said that's hidden behind the screen.
I'm sure you are aware of this but back in them good old days the motion picture making process and the studios which controlled it all .... were completely different.
Each of the major studios and everyone who worked within that studio was under the control of one 'tyrant-type' of individual who ensured that everyone in front of the camera, as well as those behind it and way off to the side of it, performed their particular 'job' in accordance with that tyrant's ambitious desires.
Those 'tyrants' ensured that their Publicity Departments did their job to make all those participants you mentioned above appear as 'demi-gods' to the movie going public.
So one of that department's main jobs was to hide the participants oft-repeated 'evil deeds' or the simple things that they may have done that the public would simply not appreciate.
Those Publicity Departments would have direct phone lines to the likes of Hedda and the other journalist whose name I have just forgotten, begging them to NOT write that story about their top star who fucked up a bit last night and offer them a better story about a lesser star or a promise of something better regarding a star who was on the verge of being fired anyway,
A lot of this behind the screen stuff was performed to turn the average actor into a movie idol who would make millions for the studio.
It takes many people to turn an actor into a movie star.
Even I, myself, helped one time ... but that help was so damn minor ... that I have long forgotten.
Some people dislike Mark Wahlburg ... but i see him as one individual who appears to have done most of it on his own..... singer, actor, producer ..... accomplishments that are somewhat rare in LA-LA Land.
YES I remember from documenatries the old studios would lock an actor/actress to be in 10 movies and held them to it,,,one notable was judy garland and she was crafted from the get go and then was told when to lose weight and all kinds of things,,through booze/pills/bad marriages she was very scornful and angry person in the ens ,,sad life,she was incredible singer'no homo'there is an old collection of recordings she is taped,she is drunk or stoned in them and slurring speech,incoherent at times and nasty,talks about her life,marriages,studios,how she was treated,'howard stern'played them long time ago..
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NJ, YEA! What you said about Judy Garland was also true for Mickey Rooney whose son I had the opportunity to meet. Of all the places I could have met, it turned out to be at an MMA fight here in LV at Planet Hollywood. He was great to talk with and even gave me his phone number in case I ever wanted to meet his dad who is still hard at work making movies.
Speaking of Judy Garland ..... My brother was a fireman in San Francisco and one of Judy Garland's daughters lived across the street from the firehouse and would sometimes do some cooking for the guys on duty. (I think it was Lisa Minelli).
One of my relations was one of the last of the studio contract stars and that is a short but interesting story which I write up if there is any interest.
The 'studio system' eventually broke up due to two Hollywood individuals.
Can you name either of them or both?
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NJ, YEA! What you said about Judy Garland was also true for Mickey Rooney whose son I had the opportunity to meet. Of all the places I could have met, it turned out to be at an MMA fight here in LV at Planet Hollywood. He was great to talk with and even gave me his phone number in case I ever wanted to meet his dad who is still hard at work making movies.
Speaking of Judy Garland ..... My brother was a fireman in San Francisco and one of Judy Garland's daughters lived across the street from the firehouse and would sometimes do some cooking for the guys on duty. (I think it was Lisa Minelli).
One of my relations was one of the last of the studio contract stars and that is a short but interesting story which I write up if there is any interest.
The 'studio system' eventually broke up due to two Hollywood individuals.
Can you name either of them or both?
Somehow I see Lorna as more the type to cook for some firemen....on the other hand, Liza was pretty "man crazy" when she was young....maybe she still is. Liza is 7 years older then Lorna. Lorna was born in 1952.
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PRIME, You could be right. I'll have to ask my brother who retired recently and moved to some remote part of this planet in an effort to avoid contact with various family members.
And I think I'm one of them.
Was just informed that some old time Hollywood people are reading this so I gotta make an effort to keep this as accurate as possible.
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PRIME, You could be right. I'll have to ask my brother who retired recently and moved to some remote part of this planet in an effort to avoid contact with various family members.
And I think I'm one of them.
Was just informed that some old time Hollywood people are reading this so I gotta make an effort to keep this as accurate as possible.
Nice brotherly love you two have going there. But then, what would I know, all I ever had were two sisters. ;D
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Nothing like that, PRIME. He just likes to be an independent loner while my sister is the complete opposite.
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My "date" with KIM!
WES! I might have also crossed your path when they were shooting a PAL JOEY scene the night before or the night after the above ocurrrence.
Hollywood was out in force shooting a scene at the base of San Francisco's Coit Tower with Frank and Kim .. I was on a first name basis now .....
The parking area at the base of the tower was packed full of movie making equipment, trucks and vans, so if you wanted to watch the actors while the camera rolled, you had to join the crowd who could see absolutely noting about 40 yards away or so.
So I decided that this was bullshit and got determined to do whatever was necessary to get a better 'seat'.
So I picked up a huge spool of electrical wire and ddid my best to 'act' official by telling the crowd to make a hole nad let me through. And sure enough they did and the cop on duty even moved the barrier for my easy access.
So now I figured that I was part of this Hollywood movie making crew and kept on walking straight on to the camera with the Panavision lens attached ... That's how close I got while Frank and Kim were doing their thing no further than 10 feet away.
And then the director sai, "CUT!" and once again FRANK was outta there, leaving poor KIM standing all alone looking at the San Francisco Bay in the backgrtound,
That's when I dropped the wire and walked over and looked at the Bay with her. And she turned to me and said, "It's really beautiful here!"
And I most likely said something stupid which I've long forgotten, but that 'conversation' went on for a couple of minutes .... until the make-up on her face started cracking. Sort of like a Kim Novack jig saw puzzel.
And then it was time for her to go.
I left to, but with a big smile on my face.
Make-up or not.... she was a beautiful lady.
WES! Were you involved with that San Francisco shoot?
And most important ... Did you ever meet KIM?
Bill,I thought Kim Novak was simply and ourageously gorgeous..still do.
Unfortunately,I didn`t start working as Mr. Siniatras stunt double util later years....I was born in 1955,and just in case you believe me,I`m sorry for being sarcastic! LOL :D
Shit,if I did 1/4 of the stuff you`ve done,I`d consider myself a freakin` movie star! ;)
I only wish I could have stood within a 10 mile radius of Kim Novak,and if I did,she`d still be in trouble! :D
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NJ, YEA! What you said about Judy Garland was also true for Mickey Rooney whose son I had the opportunity to meet. Of all the places I could have met, it turned out to be at an MMA fight here in LV at Planet Hollywood. He was great to talk with and even gave me his phone number in case I ever wanted to meet his dad who is still hard at work making movies.
Speaking of Judy Garland ..... My brother was a fireman in San Francisco and one of Judy Garland's daughters lived across the street from the firehouse and would sometimes do some cooking for the guys on duty. (I think it was Lisa Minelli).
One of my relations was one of the last of the studio contract stars and that is a short but interesting story which I write up if there is any interest.
The 'studio system' eventually broke up due to two Hollywood individuals.
Can you name either of them or both?
GOLDWYN/MAYER
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WES! Regarding the Westmore brothers.
During my tenure, WALLY was the main contender in the Hollywood make up arena, but I don't recall ever meeting him or one of the bros.
But I was on the set of one of the Planet of the Apes productions ... the 2001 production with Mark Wahlburg ... in which one of more of the
Westmores MAY have been involved in the ape make up process.
In fact I sat in the make up trailer and watched the entire process while a family member was in the chair, but I honestly forget who the make-up artist actually was.
Orville Burke was also in that trailer that day going trough the ape making process.
ANd somewhere, someplace I have some great photos of me and the 'apes' involved in that day's shoot.
By the way ... I think it was John Chambers who did the make-up work in the original Planet of the Apes production which I had a chance to be involved with but was on active duty in some foreign land at the time.
My good friend Jack Tyree told me that he sat in that make up chair for 6-8 hours during that original shoot.
I think that this was one of Wally's original creations.
Good stuff as usal my friend.
I have always been a huge horror movie fan,as well as just a huge fan of movies in general.
My 4 favorite genre`s are:
Film Noir
Horror
Westerns
Action/Sci-Fi (tie)
I love some of the work the make up people have done in the past...along with the special effects folks who are for the most part,sadly competing with todays computer generated imaging.
I don`t mind CGI too much if it`s done well but some of it is just hokey crap and too much of it even when done nicely,reminds me of a video game instead of a movie.
Look at the things a guy like ray Harryhausen did decades ago.....still some of his work goes unmathched to this day.
The Westmores
Jack Dawn
Ben Nye
Gordon Bau
Jack Pierce
Rick Baker
Almost all forgotten these days. :(
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WES! Regarding the Westmore brothers.
During my tenure, WALLY was the main contender in the Hollywood make up arena, but I don't recall ever meeting him or one of the bros.
But I was on the set of one of the Planet of the Apes productions ... the 2001 production with Mark Wahlburg ... in which one of more of the
Westmores MAY have been involved in the ape make up process.
In fact I sat in the make up trailer and watched the entire process while a family member was in the chair, but I honestly forget who the make-up artist actually was.
Orville Burke was also in that trailer that day going trough the ape making process.
ANd somewhere, someplace I have some great photos of me and the 'apes' involved in that day's shoot.
By the way ... I think it was John Chambers who did the make-up work in the original Planet of the Apes production which I had a chance to be involved with but was on active duty in some foreign land at the time.
My good friend Jack Tyree told me that he sat in that make up chair for 6-8 hours during that original shoot.
I think that this was one of Wally's original creations.
Well, Perc Westmore was a legend by anyone's standards in Hollywood. And, Kim Novak, was a total beauty, although her MH got the better of her. Robert Osborne had a nice later-life interview with her. Recommended.
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NJ, YEA! What you said about Judy Garland was also true for Mickey Rooney whose son I had the opportunity to meet. Of all the places I could have met, it turned out to be at an MMA fight here in LV at Planet Hollywood. He was great to talk with and even gave me his phone number in case I ever wanted to meet his dad who is still hard at work making movies.
Speaking of Judy Garland ..... My brother was a fireman in San Francisco and one of Judy Garland's daughters lived across the street from the firehouse and would sometimes do some cooking for the guys on duty. (I think it was Lisa Minelli).
One of my relations was one of the last of the studio contract stars and that is a short but interesting story which I write up if there is any interest.
The 'studio system' eventually broke up due to two Hollywood individuals.
Can you name either of them or both?
Off the top of my head I would hazard you mean Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Sr., whom I believe founded United Artists? Probably wrong but as I said, off the top of the ol' noggin' so I have not even given this question a web search.
And Kim is still a lovely woman. One of my brothers recently had the pleasure of meeting and talking with her. Class all 'round.
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NJ, SCOTT, Good try but you're both incorrect although SCOTT cou ld be partially correct regarding UA which was established in 1919 for an interesting reason but way too early to have an adverse affect on the studio system.
In fact UA had its own studio system.
Actually the 'studio system' fell apart for a good number of reasons ... some say "Seven good reasons." , but most people within the industry attribute that breakup to one individual by the name of Lew Wasserman .
(Following is cut and pasted.) Lew Wasserman's great triumph as an agent was the 1950 arrangement under which Jimmy Stewart starred in the film Winchester '73 for a hefty cut of the profits rather than a flat fee.
This proved to be an epic transformation in the fiscal life of Hollywood.
Where once the studios reigned supreme during the golden age of the movies, power shifted to the stars and the big-name directors, most of whom were represented by Wasserman's agency, MCA.
One film historian wisely said .... "In effect, Wasserman was the man who put the inmates in charge of the Hollywood asylum."
So one answer to the above question is .... Lew Wasserman and Jimmy Stewart.
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SCOTT, regarding your UNITED ARTISTS response ....
Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith were seeking to gain more financial and artistic control over producing and distributing their films. On February 5, 1919, they joined forces to create their own film studio, which they called the United Artists Corporation.
The studio system break-up ocurred roughly 30 years later.
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Cool, that's something I've wondered about. I look forward to it!
I have a photo of my grandfather in Korea (during the war) with some guys that are more jacked than anyone at my gym. It's something I've also wondered about.
Please post that pic Roger.
:)
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Good stuff as usal my friend.
I have always been a huge horror movie fan,as well as just a huge fan of movies in general.
My 4 favorite genre`s are:
Film Noir
Horror
Westerns
Action/Sci-Fi (tie)
I love some of the work the make up people have done in the past...along with the special effects folks who are for the most part,sadly competing with todays computer generated imaging.
I don`t mind CGI too much if it`s done well but some of it is just hokey crap and too much of it even when done nicely,reminds me of a video game instead of a movie.
Look at the things a guy like ray Harryhausen did decades ago.....still some of his work goes unmathched to this day.
The Westmores
Jack Dawn
Ben Nye
Gordon Bau
Jack Pierce
Rick Baker
Almost all forgotten these days. :(
Wes: do you have a favorite film noir? I was thinking what might be my favorite... I think it might be Laura.
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OOOPPPPS!!!! Correction!
Somewhere up above I mentioned something about the Planet of the Apes (2001) make-up artist.(The one with Don Wahlburg in it.)
Actually the make-up artist on that set was RICK BAKER whose name I noticed when WES mentioned him in an earlier post.
ANd it was ORVILLE BURKE going through the same make-up process two chairs over. ( I think I mentioned that.)
And since we left the beach and are now in Hollywood, I once again gotta recommend "DHOOMI 3" ..... One of my favorite pictures of all time.
If you miss it, you're missing a great movie and an interesting story. Gotta see it on the big screen though.
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I have no idea who NELLY is but if you're a NELLY FAN, he'll be on the Beach (Venice - Muscle Beach) at one of the first Beach NN events of the year .....
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SCOTT, regarding your UNITED ARTISTS response ....
Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith were seeking to gain more financial and artistic control over producing and distributing their films. On February 5, 1919, they joined forces to create their own film studio, which they called the United Artists Corporation.
The studio system break-up ocurred roughly 30 years later.
I had forgotten about Chaplin! Not a big fan of his, but that doesn't mean he wasn't great. It's kinda like the Marx Bros. I like them but not nearly so much as I enjoy Abbot and Costello and the 3 Stooges!
Stunt do you (or anyone here!) remember the really bad series of films called "The Sons of Hercules"? My youth was filled with such fare. Comic book ads too. Today's youth have nothing to compare, really. Sad.
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SCoTT, I never have heard of The SOns of Hercules, but I had the opportunity to meet Steve Reeves(the original Herc!) a few times when I was a very young kid and work with him for a week or so about three years before he passed away.
I notice that there is a new Herc movie that came our today. The actor who plays the part was in a movie that I really enjoyed watching called ARENA.
I recommend it highly for any fight fans on this Board.
Speaking about comic books ... I used to collect them and one in particular I can now recall.
It was a Superman comic that was published before steroids became a 'no-no' among the general public. Probably around the time when they were only known by bodybuilders and strength athletes.
I forget how the exact story went but somehow Superman gets loaded up on steroids and gets so damn huge and muscular that he has to leave planet earth because he is breaking or destroying everything he comes in contact with.
Anyone recall that one? A very different Supeerman tale.
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You're a great guy, Stunt. Thanks for hanging around.
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Stunt, I don't recall any comic where Supes took steroids. I think since he's basically the all time greatest Boy-Scout, that'd never happen!
The Sons of Hercules was a hoot. Still that pablum fueled my desire to have a good physique. Goofy theme song about the "Mighty Sons of Hercules"...
I miss those days but for the most part who doesn't miss their childhood?
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Thanks, UGLY ... providing you don't mean 'hanging' from an oak-tree with a noose around my neck.
SCOTT, Yep ... I feel the same way about Supe and have been a "pal" of his for longer than I can remember. Have seen just about every Superman serial ever shown at the early afternoon Saturday matitines. witht he accompayning 17 Mighty Mouse and Tom and Jerry and Popeye Cartoons .
But SCOTT .... I really am correc about that Superman/steroid story-line, but he didn't do it knowingly . I think he flew through some very elaborate steroid cloud.
I think Hollywood should bring back those old time serials but bring them up to date for mature audiences. A new FLASH GORDON would be a great serial if they used some of these new Fitness girls and a noteworthy Physique competitor in the starring roles.
And hire some GetBigger for the EMPEROR MING role. I have a couple GetBiggers I migh
t s
I'muggest . gonna bring this subject up durring my next family visit.
ANy starring role suggestions are appreciated.
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Flash Gordon!
I knew a guy whose stepfather (or so he told me) has a star on the H'Wood walk of Fame for directing some of the Flash Gordon serials with Buster Crabbe or so my feeble memory recalls. Not a friend really, more of an acquaintance. Another friend was/is in the film and voice business to this day. He worked for George Lucas on Star Wars films and does voice over work everywhere.
A dear childhood friend. His cousin worked at Universal Studios in the 70s and got us in. She was dating a stuntman and he got a ride home from him one day in a studio "patrol car". I took him to Venice when he went to make his mark in the business in the late 70s. A great guy indeed.
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SCOTT,This really is a small world.
Here are some comments about what you said above.
GeORGe LUcAs has a big ranch inLUCAS Valley up in Northern California by San Rafael. That valley was named LUCAS VALLEY before George Lucas bought that ranch.
My brother -in-law would sometimes do some a/c work a for ILM nd would often see the crew working n various INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND MAGIC stuff for various movies such as Star Wars, etc. He says it was amazing work that they were doing.
I never did have the opportunity to go with him on one of those jobs but did have the chance to visit the new Lucas facilities which are now located on the old San Francico Presido. (An amazing facility!)
NOT positive but I think DISNEY bought the Star wars rights for something like Seven-Billion but don't quote me on that figure. (It's public info someone on the net if you need accuracy.)
ANd regarding the Hollywood stunt business in the 60's and the 70's ... I've posted a few articles about those days someplace on this Board ,,, and those days and those people always bring back great memories.
I'll go into that more later if there is any interest.
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SCOTT,This really is a small world.
Here are some comments about what you said above.
GeORGe LUcAs has a big ranch inLUCAS Valley up in Northern California by San Rafael. That valley was named LUCAS VALLEY before George Lucas bought that ranch.
My brother -in-law would sometimes do some a/c work a for ILM nd would often see the crew working n various INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND MAGIC stuff for various movies such as Star Wars, etc. He says it was amazing work that they were doing.
I never did have the opportunity to go with him on one of those jobs but did have the chance to visit the new Lucas facilities which are now located on the old San Francico Presido. (An amazing facility!)
NOT positive but I think DISNEY bought the Star wars rights for something like Seven-Billion but don't quote me on that figure. (It's public info someone on the net if you need accuracy.)
ANd regarding the Hollywood stunt business in the 60's and the 70's ... I've posted a few articles about those days someplace on this Board ,,, and those days and those people always bring back great memories.
I'll go into that more later if there is any interest.
I am very much interested, Stunt!
Thanks!
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Wes: do you have a favorite film noir? I was thinking what might be my favorite... I think it might be Laura.
Laura is a clasic.
Hard to name just one but here`s a few that I like the most:
"Kiss Of Death"-Victor Mature and a brutal early appearance by Richard Widmark where he kills his own mother!!
"Out Of The Past"-Robert Mitchum trying to change his past life but his former cronies won`t allow it.
"White Heat"-My man Cagney at his best with my man Sreve Ciochran also.
"I,Mobster"-Another one with Steve Cochran..kind of obscure.........Cochran never got his just due as far as great roles went,but whatever he played,he was great in.
"Key Largo"-Bogart,Bacall,Edward G.Robinson,Claire Trevor.....need I say more? A true classic.
I must own over 400 Film Noir Flicks alone and hundreds and hundreds of other movies of almost ever genre`.
Notable Mentions:
"Side Street"
"The Killers" (the one with Lancaster not Lee Marvin and Ron Reagan,although that ones good also.)
"The Maltese Falcon"(who doesn`t love Sidney Greenstreet,Peter Lorre,Barton McLane and Ward Bond as 2 prick cops,as well as that great character actor ,Elisha Cook Jr. ?
"Double Indemnity"
"The Desperate Hours"
"Dark Passage:"-Another great Bogie/Bacall flick.
"Railroaded"- John Ireland
"Hoodlum" -Lawrence Tierney brother of Scott Brady
Shit,I could go on for weeks,but I`ll spare you! ;D
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Well, Perc Westmore was a legend by anyone's standards in Hollywood. And, Kim Novak, was a total beauty, although her MH got the better of her. Robert Osborne had a nice later-life interview with her. Recommended.
I saw a part of that Doc.....good stuff,I`m sure it`ll play again.I hope.
I live for TCM...Osborne and Mancowicz are great and "THe Essentials" ........with Robert and Drew Barrymore is usually pretty damn good as well.
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STUNT YOU ARE THE MAN......PROUD TO CALL YOU A FRIEND EVEN IF IT IS ONLY AN E-FRIEND.
You`re a great guy who lived a helluva` life and is still doing just that.
All the best buddy! ;)
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STUNT YOU ARE THE MAN......PROUD TO CALL YOU A FRIEND EVEN IF IT IS ONLY AN E-FRIEND.
You`re a great guy who lived a helluva` life and is still doing just that.
All the best buddy! ;)
x2 guy is a true gent,,answers post with your handle then tells his story or quote or fact..
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Laura is a clasic.
Hard to name just one but here`s a few that I like the most:
"Kiss Of Death"-Victor Mature and a brutal early appearance by Richard Widmark where he kills his own mother!!
"Out Of The Past"-Robert Mitchum trying to change his past life but his former cronies won`t allow it.
"White Heat"-My man Cagney at his best with my man Sreve Ciochran also.
"I,Mobster"-Another one with Steve Cochran..kind of obscure.........Cochran never got his just due as far as great roles went,but whatever he played,he was great in.
"Key Largo"-Bogart,Bacall,Edward G.Robinson,Claire Trevor.....need I say more? A true classic.
I must own over 400 Film Noir Flicks alone and hundreds and hundreds of other movies of almost ever genre`.
Notable Mentions:
"Side Street"
"The Killers" (the one with Lancaster not Lee Marvin and Ron Reagan,although that ones good also.)
"The Maltese Falcon"(who doesn`t love Sidney Greenstreet,Peter Lorre,Barton McLane and Ward Bond as 2 prick cops,as well as that great character actor ,Elisha Cook Jr. ?
"Double Indemnity"
"The Desperate Hours"
"Dark Passage:"-Another great Bogie/Bacall flick.
"Railroaded"- John Ireland
"Hoodlum" -Lawrence Tierney brother of Scott Brady
Shit,I could go on for weeks,but I`ll spare you! ;D
My man Wes, good shit there. Double Indemnity, too.
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Yup,stunt is cool.
And yes bro,I love Double Indemnity....Edwrd G, Robinson was great in it too,and "The Stranger" with Robinson and Orson Welles is good too.
Another one pairing up Stanwyck with MacMurray is "Border Incident"....nowhere near on the same scale what so ever though.....still a good "B" noir.
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Yup,stunt is cool.
And yes bro,I love Double Indemnity....Edwrd G, Robinson was great in it too,and "The Stranger" with Robinson and Orson Welles is good too.
Another one pairing up Stanwyck with MacMurray is "Border Incident"....nowhere near on the same scale what so ever though.....still a good "B" noir.
Love the old noir. Night of the Hunter, The Third Man?
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Love the old noir. Night of the Hunter, The Third Man?
They both reside in my collection my friend!
Good flicks.
They should put an all noir station on the tube.....I`d be willing to bet that it would be a success.
At any rate,TCM should have at least one night a week for noir.
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They both reside in my collection my friend!
Good flicks.
They should put an all noir station on the tube.....I`d be willing to bet that it would be a success.
At any rate,TCM should have at least one night a week for noir.
Ha. Love the Wes.
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I saw a part of that Doc.....good stuff,I`m sure it`ll play again.I hope.
I live for TCM...Osborne and Mancowicz are great and "THe Essentials" ........with Robert and Drew Barrymore is usually pretty damn good as well.
Agreed. The best thing going, for those of us in the know. *Brushes side of nose with index finger* :)
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Agreed. The best thing going, for those of us in the know. *Brushes side of nose with index finger* :)
Hell yes my friend.................. ...I`m not into musicals as a rule, which the show a lot,but great channel.
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WOW! Thanks for the 'accolades' but I hate accolades for some unknown reason. Even in the corps ... I hated to get some kind of metal or another. I think most former military guys feel that way for some unknown reason.
Any 'Shrinks' in the house!
WOW!!!! I cannot believe that lI have NOT seen most of those movies you movie fans have been mentioning above.
ANd I thought that I was the major MOTION POICTURE GURU on this board but WES and others put me to shame.
But I will "outclass' ya all by telling you all that I spent some time with Jane Wyman in a USMC hangout near Pendleton while she sobered up before heading back to LA after a busy weekend at some horse races in Tiajuana. A great lady by the way!
I bet that she was in some of those movies you have mentioned above..
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JANE WYMAN.......damn you Bill,some guys get all the breaks! :)
You deserve any and all accolades you get buddy,trust me on that.
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OPPS!! WES!!! I just re-read some of he above and you mentioned BARBARA STANWYCK and one fine day while I was wandering around UNIVERSAL STUDIOS waiting for some of my stunt friends to get off work, I wandered into one of the SOUND STAGES and found myself on an amazing set that represented a huge pasture with a large hill in the background.
They were in the process of filming a scene in which a bunch of cowboys were sitting around a bon-fire discussing that day's round-up .... and Barbara Stanwyck was standing beside the camera waiting for her que to enter the scene.
That ended quickly and everyone took a break and I'm 6 foot but I was the shortest guy on that set where everyone involved was at least 6'3". Except for Barbara of course.
One of the crew noticed that I was looking at this elaborate set and proceeded to tell me that a 'hurd' of cattle actually walked over that artificial hill in a scene that was filmed the day before.
I'm not a big TV fan so I have no idea what that show was all about, but it was definitely a western.
Movie making is serious business.
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Cool stuff Bill........may have been "The Big Valley" if it was a TV show as opposed to a movie.
in your other post you re,marked on my movie knowledge,the big big difference,and there are lots more of course,but the big difference is,I watched a shitload of films ever since I was a kid,BUT,and this is a big BUT,while I was watching them,you were in the friggin` things! LOL :D
Respect!!
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WES! MOst of the times (and those were very few time) I was only on the sidelines using my head so that the individual responsible for "break-a-ways made sure that they'd actually break-a-way.
Plus ... Just about every old time wild west bar you have seen in those old movies of yours ... I can honestly say,,,"I stood at that plank but was never offered anything stronger than Sasperilla!".
ANd I bet you have this movie also .... It was shot at Universal and was a screenplay about the Knights of the Round Table. And we spent some time on that set one of the days when it was not in use.
That was the day one of the stunt guys invited me t have a sword fight on top of that huge table where all the Knights supposedly sat while do whatever Knights do at big round tables. Eat dinner, maybe???
So I had a fake sword fight on that big table which you might have seen in one of the movies you mentioned earlier.
That table was in a 'castle room' which filled up the entire sound stage and looked realer than reality but was only painted styrofoam.
Do you recall the name of that one, WES?
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Did it star Robert Taylor by any chance ?
Sasparilla is good stuff ! ;)
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One other short story you may find interesting, WES!
I was on the Universal lot and noticed a large crew moving a lot of huge trees into a sound stage so I went inside to look around and immediately ran into a huge forest/jungle set.
As long as you looked two to three feet off the ground, it looked like you were in a real forest/jungle. All these trees and all these plants were sitting in large pots or mounted on plywood boards.
One of the crew members told me to go into the middle of this jungle and take a look at the jungle huit they ad just constrhucted.
So while they were still moving these trees and plants around, I found my way to te center of this jungle-ized soundstage and saw this very cool jungle hut that would be important in telling the story of this forthcoming film.
So I turn around to leave bte trail I took in was no longer there to take out because the crew had rearranged the trees and left me stranded.
So I looked up and saw the rafters and get some sense of direction and start walking thru the bush and hear someone following me.
I turn around thinking this guy knows the most direct way out but he's more lost than I am.
"I'm just here to see where we';ll be shooting tomorrow !"
It turned out to be George Peppard, but I have no idea what that movie was.
The crew was laughing when we finally got out of there.
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WES, Did RObert Taylor ever play in a Prince Valient movie? I'm thinking more like RObert Wagner., but you could be correct.
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WES, Did RObert Taylor ever play in a Prince Valient movie? I'm thinking more like RObert Wagner., but you could be correct.
I`m thinking "The Black Knight" and/or "Ivanhoe" which both starred Taylor ???
I like the jungle hut story! :)
I was never a big fan of George Peppard,but I do like him better than Casey Affleck! ;D
JUST KIDDING!! :D
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DAMN!! WES!, Ivanho was back in 1952. That was the first movie "set" i was ever on. Hollywood came to the San Francisco Golden Gate Park to film a horse riding scene which they apparently could not film in the LA area. That was the first time I saw how well organized a film production crew really is,
But it still took a lot of time to shoot a scene that was probably no longer than 60 seconds on the silver screen.
That BLACK KNIGHT title is
unknown to me.
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One other short story you may find interesting, WES!
I was on the Universal lot and noticed a large crew moving a lot of huge trees into a sound stage so I went inside to look around and immediately ran into a huge forest/jungle set.
As long as you looked two to three feet off the ground, it looked like you were in a real forest/jungle. All these trees and all these plants were sitting in large pots or mounted on plywood boards.
One of the crew members told me to go into the middle of this jungle and take a look at the jungle huit they ad just constrhucted.
So while they were still moving these trees and plants around, I found my way to te center of this jungle-ized soundstage and saw this very cool jungle hut that would be important in telling the story of this forthcoming film.
So I turn around to leave bte trail I took in was no longer there to take out because the crew had rearranged the trees and left me stranded.
So I looked up and saw the rafters and get some sense of direction and start walking thru the bush and hear someone following me.
I turn around thinking this guy knows the most direct way out but he's more lost than I am.
"I'm just here to see where we';ll be shooting tomorrow !"
It turned out to be George Peppard, but I have no idea what that movie was.
The crew was laughing when we finally got out of there.
^^
Must have been "Sands of the Kalahari", with the baboons hunting the group in the jungle... this was a 1965 film!!!
Much respect, STUNT- I wasn't even born yet!!!
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SPRITZ, I think you are 100% correct because it was around 1965 to the best of my recollection.
FIVE MINUTES LATER .... I just check Sands of the Kalihari and that was not a Universal picture. In fact it wasm't even shot in the LA Area. ANd according to IMDB, George Peppard was not in it,
But the 1965 date is most likely correcrt. Checking Peppard movies around that year ....
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DAMN!! WES!, Ivanho was back in 1952. That was the first movie "set" i was ever on. Hollywood came to the San Francisco Golden Gate Park to film a horse riding scene which they apparently could not film in the LA area. That was the first time I saw how well organized a film production crew really is,
But it still took a lot of time to shoot a scene that was probably no longer than 60 seconds on the silver screen.
That BLACK KNIGHT title is
unknown to me.
COOL! :)
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Wes, did you say you were also in the industry at one point, or am I mistaken?
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Wes, did you say you were also in the industry at one point, or am I mistaken?
Yes,I did but I was just fucking with Stunt! LOL :D
I was in Pumping Iron though.
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I was in Pumping Iron though.
Still fucking around?
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Still fucking around?
No,really,I`m in two crowd scenes when Mike Katz in guest posing.
Unfortunately,they didn`t let me have a speaking role. :D
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No,really,I`m in two crowd scenes when Mike Katz in guest posing.
Unfortunately,they didn`t let me have a speaking role. :D
Oh, ok, that's cool.
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No,really,I`m in two crowd scenes when Mike Katz in guest posing.
Unfortunately,they didn`t let me have a speaking role. :D
^^
I wish someone could upload a screen shot of the crowd scene and you can point out where you are: your T-shirt color, etc...
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Laura is a clasic.
Hard to name just one but here`s a few that I like the most:
"Kiss Of Death"-Victor Mature and a brutal early appearance by Richard Widmark where he kills his own mother!!
"Out Of The Past"-Robert Mitchum trying to change his past life but his former cronies won`t allow it.
"White Heat"-My man Cagney at his best with my man Sreve Ciochran also.
"I,Mobster"-Another one with Steve Cochran..kind of obscure.........Cochran never got his just due as far as great roles went,but whatever he played,he was great in.
"Key Largo"-Bogart,Bacall,Edward G.Robinson,Claire Trevor.....need I say more? A true classic.
I must own over 400 Film Noir Flicks alone and hundreds and hundreds of other movies of almost ever genre`.
Notable Mentions:
"Side Street"
"The Killers" (the one with Lancaster not Lee Marvin and Ron Reagan,although that ones good also.)
"The Maltese Falcon"(who doesn`t love Sidney Greenstreet,Peter Lorre,Barton McLane and Ward Bond as 2 prick cops,as well as that great character actor ,Elisha Cook Jr. ?
"Double Indemnity"
"The Desperate Hours"
"Dark Passage:"-Another great Bogie/Bacall flick.
"Railroaded"- John Ireland
"Hoodlum" -Lawrence Tierney brother of Scott Brady
Shit,I could go on for weeks,but I`ll spare you! ;D
Wes,
Great list. I'm sorry to say a few of those titles I don't recognize. I will say Maltese Falcon is in a class by itself (and I actually own a replica of the falcon). Double Indemnity is truly great; "maybe we're both a little rotten." Certainly my second favorite noir would be Mildred Pierce. One movie I've recently come to like is His Kind of Woman (Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Raymond Burr). It's been a long time, but I remember D.O.A. as being very good. Somewhat along those lines, I would truly love to see Ed Wood's Jail Bait, which has Steve Reeves in it.
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^^
I wish someone could upload a screen shot of the crowd scene and you can point out where you are: your T-shirt color, etc...
bradistani posted a screen shot of it a long time ago..it`s on my other PC though.
I`ll PM him and ask if he still has it and if not can he do it again.
I`m skinny,long shitty looking hair,cigarette,with my buddy who was a teenage beast.
Yes,I was good looking even back then. LOL :D
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Wes,
Great list. I'm sorry to say a few of those titles I don't recognize. I will say Maltese Falcon is in a class by itself (and I actually own a replica of the falcon). Double Indemnity is truly great; "maybe we're both a little rotten." Certainly my second favorite noir would be Mildred Pierce. One movie I've recently come to like is His Kind of Woman (Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Raymond Burr). It's been a long time, but I remember D.O.A. as being very good. Somewhat along those lines, I would truly love to see Ed Wood's Jail Bait, which has Steve Reeves in it.
I have a DVR copy of Jailbait.......Steve reeves baby! :D
D.O.A.,also have it,Edmund O`Brian is great in it.
Gotta` look into "His Kind Of Woman" a new one on me but great cast.
That bust of the Maltese Falcon must be awesomely cool.
Mildred Pierce..Joan Crawford right ???
Saw it but eons ago,just a blur in my old mindless mind.
A great place to buy DVD`s like noir which are hard to find without paying an arm and a leg is Amazon.I get most of my movies from there..great prices and really hard to find and obscure noir.
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OK, here's a forgettable bodybuilding movie no one has ever seen. It played as a second feature to Elvis Presley's KISSING COUSINS and was called THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST- years before the Disney animated project and not at all related.
I don't recall the exact story-line but a young girl in her 20's arrives at the Santa Monica Greyhound Bus Station ... I used that station often ... and befriends a bodybuilder whom she meets by the beach.
The rest of the story was forgettable but it was possibly the first movie in which a bodybuilder was portrayed by a bodybuilder and in the major role along the girl.
This is one of the very few films which is not listed on the IMDB web site unless it was added recently.
Anyone recall seeing this one?
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That`s a new one on me Stunt......must be a really obscure "B" movie,but I bet I`d like it.
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Yes, good thread. Here is another cool story.
It was 1825, venice beach. Bill was going to the beach. And saw Larry Scot. Larry was doing benchpress.
Bill told Larry - Hello ! Larry told him Hi !
Insane and cool stuff. That was a good time !
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;D did you ever encounter this guy on the beach.
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Yes, good thread. Here is another cool story.
It was 1825, venice beach. Bill was going to the beach. And saw Larry Scot. Larry was doing benchpress.
Bill told Larry - Hello ! Larry told him Hi !
Insane and cool stuff. That was a good time !
Unnecessary, guy.
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Yes, good thread. Here is another cool story.
It was 1825, venice beach. Bill was going to the beach. And saw Larry Scot. Larry was doing benchpress.
Bill told Larry - Hello ! Larry told him Hi !
Insane and cool stuff. That was a good time !
::)is this the bill and larry to whom you refer.... ::) ::) ::) ::)
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Say funk….nothing new. I find that most younger people could give a rats ass about history, be it Bodybuilding or USA history. The world started when they were hatched and will end the moment they cry "Hey man, WTF is happening here?" and their last breath leaves their body.
Even my own adult grandchildren don't really give a damn about our collective family history. I have a businessman grandson living in Chicago. He considers himself Mr. Everything Chicago but has never seen his great x 5 grandfathers name on buildings and monuments around the City. Even a large nearby city named after the old man.
I have trained a few times with Pearl and worked out next to Scott. I love those pics thank you.
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MB, You gotta thank FUNK and I'll take this oppertunity to thank him and the other picture and story posters also.
I gotta agree with your comments about the younger generation, but when I was a part of that younger generation, I think I felt likewise.
In fact there is only one cousin in my family who has any interest in our family geneology.
She got as far back as about 400years ago and discovered tha she was related to that original English FISH and CHIPS fast food chain that was so popular years ago which is another name I have forgotten.
But one interesting 'geneoloical' "Way Back" (Sorry, Mr. Peabody!) story is often told at family reunions whiich I think I have mentioned earlier ... Most of my family members are heavy drinkers so this story usually ends up with what some of us saner ones call the annual family Indian War Dance
It was either my great or great-great or great-great-great grandmother that had a Pow- Wow with a Cherokee in a Tee-Pee on her way out west.
But that ancient Pow Wow did not qualify me to receive some of the US Government wam-pum that others of my tribe receive each and every new moon.
So that was about the extent of my previous lifetime interest and I think most young'uns feel somewhat similar. That old saying, "Young and dumb and full of .....!" will never change no matter how many generation follow this present one.
Oh yea, some others (or maybe it was just one) came to the US fron England via Austrailia ... Definitely some of Europe's best criminals if those traits continue down through the generations.
And ... I've known Bill for a good number of years now, but only met Harry once and at one time was a good friiend of Solo ElFenzy. (You probably met solo or Rob Johnson or Bouvier if you trained with Bill in Pasadena. Good people - all! Jail-time or not!)
One thing about Bill, once he meets you ... he never forgets your name. And the last I heard, he's still training every morning before the sun comes up,.
And Larry Scott... I still think he's one of the best bodybuilders I've ever met... He and Nubret are among the best of all time as far as my thoughts go.
Larry is the only bodybuilder who put on a seminar that held my total and complete interest. I'll tell you how he did it if there is any interest.
Thanks for kick'en my memory brain cells, MD ... the few that still remain.
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Unnecessary, guy.
X 100000000000000
I`ll be nice and keep my comments inside my head. :(
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MB, You gotta thank FUNK and I'll take this oppertunity to thank him and the other picture and story posters also.
I gotta agree with your comments about the younger generation, but when I was a part of that younger generation, I think I felt likewise.
In fact there is only one cousin in my family who has any interest in our family geneology.
She got as far back as about 400years ago and discovered tha she was related to that original English FISH and CHIPS fast food chain that was so popular years ago which is another name I have forgotten.
But one interesting 'geneoloical' "Way Back" (Sorry, Mr. Peabody!) story is often told at family reunions whiich I think I have mentioned earlier ... Most of my family members are heavy drinkers so this story usually ends up with what some of us saner ones call the annual family Indian War Dance
It was either my great or great-great or great-great-great grandmother that had a Pow- Wow with a Cherokee in a Tee-Pee on her way out west.
But that ancient Pow Wow did not qualify me to receive some of the US Government wam-pum that others of my tribe receive each and every new moon.
So that was about the extent of my previous lifetime interest and I think most young'uns feel somewhat similar. That old saying, "Young and dumb and full of .....!" will never change no matter how many generation follow this present one.
Oh yea, some others (or maybe it was just one) came to the US fron England via Austrailia ... Definitely some of Europe's best criminals if those traits continue down through the generations.
And ... I've known Bill for a good number of years now, but only met Harry once and at one time was a good friiend of Solo ElFenzy. (You probably met solo or Rob Johnson or Bouvier if you trained with Bill in Pasadena. Good people - all! Jail-time or not!)
One thing about Bill, once he meets you ... he never forgets your name. And the last I heard, he's still training every morning before the sun comes up,.
And Larry Scott... I still think he's one of the best bodybuilders I've ever met... He and Nubret are among the best of all time as far as my thoughts go.
Larry is the only bodybuilder who put on a seminar that held my total and complete interest. I'll tell you how he did it if there is any interest.
Thanks for kick'en my memory brain cells, MD ... the few that still remain.
arthur treacher's fish and chips.???????????????????
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FUNK, I just called our family geneologist and found out it was Haddon Salt ... once very famous for H. Salt's Fish and Chips. we think the first IS store location was in Tiburon, California across the bay from San Francisco.
Thanks for ask'en!
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Sorry about having a difficult time to write anymore about the past, the present, and the future of Muscle Beach (both Santa Monica and Venice area) so I want ot tell you that I saw Lone Survivor yesterday and enjoyed it immensely.
I've had the priviledge of working with a few Seals and it's always been a great honor and something I'll always be very proud of.
I do recall one very dark evening when we were cruising off the California coastline ... I happened ot be on deck and saw a number of Seal Team members being tossed or jumping overboard as the ship continued heading in the opposite direction.
I couold see the lights of Oceanside in the far distance and I only assumed that that is where they were headed for.
I'd be lieing if I told you ho far those shoreline lights actually were, but I'm a great swimmer and would never think of swimming that distance. And I was told that no Seal Team member could go ashore until the entire team walked ashore as one unit.
The movie was great but I wish it had spent 30 minutes or so taking the movie audience through the rigors of BUD/Seal training before they were sent overseas
Here's some basic info if you think you're tough enough to give it a try .....
The training curriculum begins at the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (NSW Prep) in Great Lakes, Illinois.
The two-month training period begins with a Physical Screening Test. The goal: Improve the candidates' physical readiness for the rigorous activity they will face at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S).
The NSW Prep ends with a modified Physical Screening Test (PST). The test is a 1000-meter swim, push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and a four-mile run.
The minimum standards for this expanded test are as follows:
1000-meter swim - with fins (22 minutes or under)
Push-ups: at least 70 (Two-minute time limit)
Pull-ups: at least 10 (Two-minute time limit)
Curl-ups a.k.a. Sit-ups: at least 60 (Two-minute time limit)
Four-mile run - with shoes + pants (31 minutes or under)
Candidates who don't pass the longer, more intense test are removed from training and reclassified to other jobs in the Navy.
The above is just to get your foot in the door ...... but once you get inside .... they do everything they can physically and mentally to
tear you down and give up and quit.
You can quit when you want to but there is a procedure fro doing so.
Any SEALS on this Board?
Thanks to the cast and crew of Lone Survivor for making a damn fine movie about the USN Seals and what they go through to wear that name and ...... Well ... See the movie.
And stay through the ending credits to see the actual SEAL Team members who were involved.
God bless them all!!!
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Good stuff, Stunt!
Many years ago I had a friend that was a SEAL and later became a paramedic when he got out. I can't even swim... :'(
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I met my first "pre" SEAL in the mid 50s at Bert Goodrich Gym in Hollywood. The SEALs were not created under that name until 1962. They had other classifications such as UDTs, Underwater Demolition Team. The man I knew was a UDT. He trained at Goodrich along the side of Steve Reeves, Bill Smith and Larry Scott despite his terrible war injuries. Sneaking into some gawd awful No. Korean harbor to plant explosives a coral filled boobie trap went off behind him. Once he took his shirt off and he had mangled pink popcorn flesh in the outer outline of scooba tanks on his back.
Special thoughts and blessings to our SEALs.
We will see this movie. Saw the author interviewed on FOX.
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I've mentioned this before, but I've met a few SEAL's over the years. Their west coast training area is on Coronado Island (San Diego). I grew up near a Marine base, by Oceanside, so have come into contact with many navy/marine personal. Met ex & active SEALs mostly through friends in social situations (bars & restaurant..and parties). Some through training.
Biggest surprise, when first meeting a SEAL team Member, was that a few were in their early 40's. Late 20's to mid 30's seem the average age. Guess experience can make up for age sometimes. Some try keeping that old fighting edge by working out. A very few are into Tri Athletes events. Hundreds of Tri Athletes around San Diego and North County.
If going to some bars around Coronado, where duty and retired SEALS hangout , might suggest McP's, Danny's & Little CLub. One in Imperial Beach, think it's called the Plank or something like that. Also Point Loma offers many good bars, but SEAL's tend to stay among their own or some select civilians. EX-SEAL members look just like anyone else;long hair, buzzes, beards, short, fat, etc. Active members have a distinct look, hard to put into words.
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SCOTT, M B, and JPM , Thanks for your USN SeAL comments.
ANd while we're at it I gotta offer lots of praise to the 101st Airborne who took a major risk to fly in and get us out of a very bad situation during a Vietnam tour.
That in itself is a very long story but the 101st was the only unit ready, willing, and able to pull us out when we were about to get over-run by a sizeable force of 'bad guys'.
As a result of that rescue operation I was responsible for hosting a party as a show of appreciation and in their honor.
It ended hours later when a battle erupted a few miles nort
And that's when the fun began with enough stuff happening to fill a book or make a damn fine movie.
Will write more about it if this Muscle Beach Topic fails to 'function'.
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SCOTT, M B, and JPM , Thanks for your USN SeAL comments.
ANd while we're at it I gotta offer lots of praise to the 101st Airborne who took a major risk to fly in and get us out of a very bad situation during a Vietnam tour.
That in itself is a very long story but the 101st was the only unit ready, willing, and able to pull us out when we were about to get over-run by a sizeable force of 'bad guys'.
As a result of that rescue operation I was responsible for hosting a party as a show of appreciation and in their honor.
It ended hours later when a battle erupted a few miles nort
And that's when the fun began with enough stuff happening to fill a book or make a damn fine movie.
Will write more about it if this Muscle Beach Topic fails to 'function'.
Much respect for serving, Stunt, I didn't know. Please, more Nam stories whenever.
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We will see this movie. Saw the author interviewed on FOX.
Marcus Luttrell, one intense dude.
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With the lovely Debbie Reynolds from the film, "Athena".
(http://content9.flixster.com/photo/94/33/43/9433431_ori.jpg)
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SCOTT, If I recall right, Steve is eating part of the orchid that the leading character had just given her, but I don't think orchid eating (or something equivelant) caught on among the hard core body builders until a few years later.
ATHENA was released in 1954 and supplements of any type or in any form were just about non-existent back then.
The few shelves in what eventually evolved into what is now known as a 'health food store' were mainly stocked with 'stuff' which catered to the gereatric set to releive constipation and/or settle upset stomachs
But you could also purchase the 'necessities' such as wheat germ oil, very bad tasting cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and small protein wafers that tasted somewhat like wet grass and dry hay with a hint of alfalfa - the original product of Gypsy Boots who could throw a football a mile and a half (not quite .... but almost).
A 'doctor' by the name of Paul Bragg had numerous 'remedies' and bottles of stuff on the shelf but it wasn't until a few years later that products from Hoffman and Weider and just a handful of others came on the scene and built the supplement industry into what we see today.
Those individuals and companies who endured over the years eventually made many millions in the process even though some of what was on those shelves, and in those bottles, and in those cans was of little nutrition value.
Many referred to those ealry day 'pioneers' as the Snake Oil Salesmen of the modern world.
Back then no one would ever believe what the future held for two 'things' that we presently take for granted .... the success of the supplement industry and today's workforce now known as the Personal Trainers brigade.
SCOTT, Every few months DEBBIE REYNOLDS does a one or two night show in the very small theater located in the South Point Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.
She is still a great entertainer and her act recalls the history of her MGM movie career with stills and movie clips in the background.
It's worth a ticket if you are an old musical movie fan.
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Gypsy was a fun guy. I use to have lunch with him from time to time in Pasadena at a little healthfood store with a lunch counter. Down on his luck at the time my WO partner Harry Pearl ran the lunch counter.
For those who never heard of Gypsy the attached will bring you up to date. Also while the Raiders were in L.A. Gypsy ran up and down the field leading impromtu cheers.
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Stunt, I am a big fan of musicals with my favorites being such classics as Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma! and Brigadoon. I've found that musicals based upon a "book" seem to be the most engaging.
I have not been to Vegas in ten or so years...I need to go see Miss Reynolds show. I also would like to take in a Barry Manilow concert and perhaps Bette Midler as well. I have no talent but appreciate those who do and display it with class. Missed seeing Sinatra in San Diego in the 80s but was fortunate enough to attend a concert by another personal favorite, Johnny Mathis.
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;D a couple more screenshots from athena. and on the subject of health foods and the like did the mighty atom ever make his way to your neck of the woods. he travelled with carnivals and did his strongman act and sold special soap and other elixirs???????????????? he is little guy in bottom pic.
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(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lzk_NVYMlCE/TijrhUeJ6AI/AAAAAAAADkY/KSuifX32Jcs/s1600/reeves.jpg)
Reeves and Ross.
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SCOTT, FUNK, WES, MB, UGLT, JMB, and all other contributors to this thread ... Your help is requested.
Back in the late 1950's or early 1960's, I joined AMERICAN HEALTH STUDIOS which was a new gym in the San Francisco Bay Area that was either owned or managed (or possibly both) by some of the old time bodybuilders back then.
My memory seems to recall that Steve Reeves was involved in some capacity (that story told earlier) but that business only remained in business for a very short time.
Does anyone have any information regarding American Health Studios, who was behind it, how long it stayed in business, etc., etc.?
Thanks!
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from all my readings on reeves he only owned a gym in miami florida for a short time, and was doing PR for american health studios in 1957 when he was first contracted for the first hercules film.
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this is just a guess but could it have been one of the other big names of the day, clancy ross, jack delinger, or george eiferman?
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FUNK, Regarding the owners, I think you are precise;ly correct but a friend of Steve's just sent me a link to more info on that subject with regards to Reeves and AHSn ... which I have yet to have a chance to read, but plan to do so late this afternoon.
But as I said in an earlier post .... Steve did show up at one of the AHS guyn on Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco and watched me do some heavy benching at a bodywt of about 180 lbs.
I forget the amount of wt I was benching back then but it was enough to impress him and others.
More to follow after I read the link I just received.
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FUNK, How did you make such an accurate guess?
But I don't recall if George Eifferman was involved back then.
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FUNK, How did you make such an accurate guess?
But I don't recall if George Eifferman was involved back then.
i just figured the main guys in the area and who usually showed up in pics with reeves, or had a connection to ed yarick's gym.
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SCOTT, FUNK, WES, MB, UGLT, JMB, and all other contributors to this thread ... Your help is requested.
Back in the late 1950's or early 1960's, I joined AMERICAN HEALTH STUDIOS which was a new gym in the San Francisco Bay Area that was either owned or managed (or possibly both) by some of the old time bodybuilders back then.
My memory seems to recall that Steve Reeves was involved in some capacity (that story told earlier) but that business only remained in business for a very short time.
Does anyone have any information regarding American Health Studios, who was behind it, how long it stayed in business, etc., etc.?
Thanks!
Sorry stunt,I`m clueless.
Great thread by the way! ;)
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OK, WES!! I'll do some inverti-ma-ga-tions and see what I can come up with, but most of the characters and the UN-usual suspects have long departed into happier hunting grounds or 'haunting-grounds' in some cases.
I think I told my Jack Dellinger story a while back but for you guys not born at that time ... here it goes again ..
I was once asked to help set up a large gym chain and since I know just about everyone on this here planet, I set out to accomplish this mission in the cheapest way posssible.
My first stop was a foundry in the WATTS area (Bell Foundry which may still be there) .
Bell Foundry made olympic plates and olympic bars which no Olympic Lifter ever lifted because the 45's would actually weigh anywhere from 38 to 48 pounds. ANd those plates were the most 'accurate' of them all.
ANn the bars appeared to bend in the middle.
So anyone attempting to press a 135 pound bent bar overhead usually ended up leaning or falling to one side or another, thereby simply refusing to take a second attempt at a higher weight.
But this new gym didn't give a damn because the price per pound was unbeatable by the likes of York and all those others I've long forgotten.
So I'd purchase a a ton or so of those plates which most likely only weighed 1,700 pounds and get them shipped off toe this half assed gym that is no longer in existence, but those weights are still in various gyms throughout the world.
ANd then I'd head in a northerly direction towards Oakland, California to buy a couple of those Universal type sets that would offer about 6 to 8 'stations' ,.... except they were not of the same quality as the real Universal gear and therefore were a hell of a lot cheaper.
And the 'boss' was none other than Jack Dillinger with a full leg cast on his leg (where else would it be?) sitting on a bar-stool taking my order while telling me how his leg got broke.
It took him a while to explain but the short version is that he fell off a bar stool in a bar that sold alcohol ... the story of which he himself thought was pretty funny.
And as far as I can recall, that was the extent of that meeting except for the usual banter of who's alive and still lifting heavy things.
And then I drove down to the M-L-O 'factory'.
How any of youse guys or gals ever used Muscle-On? (WES / MB , Name the originator or founder of that company!) I'd not be surprised if FUNK came up with it.
Sorry about this uninteresting bit of history but once a name is mentioned on this board that I had the 'honor' of associating with (even if it was only for a minute or two or simply an attempt to cause some harm (very rare) for some very stupid reason), I sorta gotta mention it with the hope that someone will learn something that could be important one day .... such as checking both ends of the olympic set before attempting a world record clean and jerk.
Those plates are still out there somewhere!
WES! FUNK is doing a damn good job coming up with some decent answers.
He are smart!
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JPM, You mentioned CORONADO.
Is that Mexican restaurant right over the bridge still a USMC hangout?
Back in my day we'd stop in there on our way back to Pendleton after a day in Tiajuana and have a few too many top shelf Margaritas which they were very famous for.
Back then 'DON'T DRINK WHILE DRIVING' was not too famous and I often wonder how we managed to get through the front gate without knocking the guard shack over.
I can recall watching the world's most sickening car wreck movies which we had to sit through for a couple of hours before the liberty bell sounded allowing us off base to do our best to stay out of trouble
That was the extent of the 'Don't drink while driving' campaign back then.
So most good Marines would get hit while crossing heavy traffic while the light was red instead of while sitting behind a steering wheel.
I've seen that happen more than once.
We had a lot of good times on Coronado. .... Drinking as well as driving and other sociable activities.
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The following will most likely be too much information for most GetBiggers who have no interest regarding the somewhat rapid growth of the modern day gym/spa business ....
SO YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP THIS PART ....
The following came up because I was once a fully paid member of AMERICAN HEALTH STUDIOS which I still believe was owned or operated by a few of the better known (at that time) Northern California bodybuilders.
One day without notice of any kind, the west Portal location in san Francisco and the Golden Gate Avenue locations were closed down.
Steve Reeves was employed by AHS and was not an owner nor a partner as he mentions in a 1994 interview for The Perfect Vision Magazine.... part of which is included as follows ...
"At the time (after appearing in 1954's MGM production of ATHENA) I (Steve Reeves) was working for American Health Studios in public relations.
I'd go to Riverside and open up a fitness studio with the mayor and Miss Riverside, then wait another two weeks or so and open another one someplace else.
I had a good job with them, it didn't use too much of my time, and the owner made me promise I'd forget about show business if I worked with him.
So when the Hercules offer came, I just ignored it.
Then Francisci wrote me another letter and said 'Look, this is serious. Here's an airplane ticket.' There was also an advance of $5000, which in those days was quite an advance.
I realized the guy was serious. I started growing a moustache and goatee on my job. This way I didn't have to have something glued on, which is terrible.
My boss asked me what I was doing it for, and I said I wanted to look more distinguished.
I was only paid $10,000 for Hercules and I had no percentage. The film cost a half million to make, and it earned $40 million in the United States alone. It was the box office champion of 1959.
I outgrossed John Wayne, Rock Hudson, and Doris Day, who were the big money makers at the time. And I was the biggest box office star, not only in the United States, but around the world.
"
END OF REEVES INTERVIEW .... The above is a small part of Reeve's interview that day. If you want to read the entirety of this very interesting talk with Steve ....
Go here >>>>>> http://www.drkrm.com/reeves.html
According to the internet (cut and paste) .... The chain of American Health Studios was founded by Ray Wilson. Years later Ray Wilson would buy out Chuck Norris's studios.
Ray Wilson was one of the original driving forces behind the entire Health Spa industry.
Few individuals have had as much influence on the modern era of the health and fitness facility industry as Ray Wilson. From owning and operating ten distinct chains of clubs, to bringing our industry its first high-tech piece of equipment, the Lifecycle™ exercise bike, Ray Wilson has had a significant hand in shaping the fitness club industry we know today.
During the 1950s, Ray brought to market four club chains, the most prominent being AMERICAN HEALTH STUDIOS and Silhouette Figure Salons. He also opened European Health Spas, which became one of the leading chains in the U.S., many of which later were purchased by Health and Tennis Corporation, or as we know them today, Bally Total Fitness.
In the 1970s Ray opened what might just have been his most successful group of clubs: Family Fitness Centers. He later sold the chain to Mark Mastrov and his group, forming the launching pad for 24 Hour Fitness.
Over the course of 60 years owning and operating clubs, Ray was the first to introduce concepts like monthly dues and alternating usage days for men and women in gyms. He even brought the first recreational pools and whirlpools into the club industry. A true legend in fitness, Ray was honored in 2004 with the International Health Racquet and Sportsclub Association's (IHRSA) Dale Dibble Lifetime Achievement Award.
While owning and operating clubs was his bread and butter, Ray’s most significant contribution to the industry may have been his creation of Lifecycle Inc. with co-founder Augie Nieto, which later evolved into Life Fitness. In the early 1970s Ray purchased the rights to an electronic bike invented by Dr. Keene Dimmick, seeing in it the future for cardiovascular exercise in the club environment. Under Ray’s vision and that of his partner, they took Dimmick’s creation and made it into the most recognized and most used piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment in the history of the fitness club industry.
The Lifecycle is celebrating its 40th year in 2014, with over 1 million sold, making it the number one selling piece of cardio equipment in the world. It has served as the template for every bike that has been introduced to the market since. Lifecycle, like Ford did for U.S. automobile industry, has created an entire industry devoted to technology driven cardiovascular equipment.
Spreading his influence around the world, Ray continues to stay at the forefront of the club industry with the opening of California Fitness in Southeast Asia – the first club opening in Hong Kong at the turn of the century. Ray is truly an industry legend and pioneer, not only to the Life Fitness family, but to the entire fitness community.
------------------------------------------------------
SURE DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD CLOSE A CLUB WITHOUT NOTICE, SO IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TWO SAN FRANCISCO CLUBS COULD HAVE BEEN UNDER THE OWNERSHIP OF INDIVIDUALS OTHER THAT MR. WILSON WHO MAY STILL BE UNKNOWN.
Any other GetBiggers get locked out under similar circumstances?
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OK, WES!! I'll do some inverti-ma-ga-tions and see what I can come up with, but most of the characters and the UN-usual suspects have long departed into happier hunting grounds or 'haunting-grounds' in some cases.
I think I told my Jack Dellinger story a while back but for you guys not born at that time ... here it goes again ..
I was once asked to help set up a large gym chain and since I know just about everyone on this here planet, I set out to accomplish this mission in the cheapest way posssible.
My first stop was a foundry in the WATTS area (Bell Foundry which may still be there) .
Bell Foundry made olympic plates and olympic bars which no Olympic Lifter ever lifted because the 45's would actually weigh anywhere from 38 to 48 pounds. ANd those plates were the most 'accurate' of them all.
ANn the bars appeared to bend in the middle.
So anyone attempting to press a 135 pound bent bar overhead usually ended up leaning or falling to one side or another, thereby simply refusing to take a second attempt at a higher weight.
But this new gym didn't give a damn because the price per pound was unbeatable by the likes of York and all those others I've long forgotten.
So I'd purchase a a ton or so of those plates which most likely only weighed 1,700 pounds and get them shipped off toe this half assed gym that is no longer in existence, but those weights are still in various gyms throughout the world.
ANd then I'd head in a northerly direction towards Oakland, California to buy a couple of those Universal type sets that would offer about 6 to 8 'stations' ,.... except they were not of the same quality as the real Universal gear and therefore were a hell of a lot cheaper.
And the 'boss' was none other than Jack Dillinger with a full leg cast on his leg (where else would it be?) sitting on a bar-stool taking my order while telling me how his leg got broke.
It took him a while to explain but the short version is that he fell off a bar stool in a bar that sold alcohol ... the story of which he himself thought was pretty funny.
And as far as I can recall, that was the extent of that meeting except for the usual banter of who's alive and still lifting heavy things.
And then I drove down to the M-L-O 'factory'.
How any of youse guys or gals ever used Muscle-On? (WES / MB , Name the originator or founder of that company!) I'd not be surprised if FUNK came up with it.
Sorry about this uninteresting bit of history but once a name is mentioned on this board that I had the 'honor' of associating with (even if it was only for a minute or two or simply an attempt to cause some harm (very rare) for some very stupid reason), I sorta gotta mention it with the hope that someone will learn something that could be important one day .... such as checking both ends of the olympic set before attempting a world record clean and jerk.
Those plates are still out there somewhere!
WES! FUNK is doing a damn good job coming up with some decent answers.
He are smart!
MLO and muscle-on sound familar i think i used to see their ads in either muscle digest or ironman???
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FUNK, MLO and Muscle On are one and the same unless I am mistaken which I think I'm not.
More on the origination of MLO to follow.
Here are two photos of Reeve'sv I've never seen before and posted by a fellow GetBiggers whose name I can no longer find.
Sorry about that!
Must have been shot in Europe and never released in the US of A.
Thanks, unknown benefactor!
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JPM, You mentioned CORONADO.
Is that Mexican restaurant right over the bridge still a USMC hangout?
Back in my day we'd stop in there on our way back to Pendleton after a day in Tiajuana and have a few too many top shelf Margaritas which they were very famous for.
Back then 'DON'T DRINK WHILE DRIVING' was not too famous and I often wonder how we managed to get through the front gate without knocking the guard shack over.
I can recall watching the world's most sickening car wreck movies which we had to sit through for a couple of hours before the liberty bell sounded allowing us off base to do our best to stay out of trouble
That was the extent of the 'Don't drink while driving' campaign back then.
So most good Marines would get hit while crossing heavy traffic while the light was red instead of while sitting behind a steering wheel.
I've seen that happen more than once.
We had a lot of good times on Coronado. .... Drinking as well as driving and other sociable activities.
If you're speaking of the one we call the "green fly" in Chicano Park, I don't think its much of a hangout for anyone these days. The last time I tried to go there for lunch it was closed but I have no idea if it was permanently or not.
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SCOTT, That doesn't sound like the place I used to know which was right over the bridge to COronado and about a half block straight on down. It was a huge Mexican restaurant and cantina and was known all over So Cal for its excellent Margaritas. ANd it could have even been the home of the original "Margarita'. I'd be surprised if it ahs closed down.
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OK ... Here's my attempt to get back to MUSCLE BEACH ... which today most likely includes the Venice Beach area as well as the original Santa Monica.
But first a lead-in photo ...
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WES and /or Mr MB and even possibly even FUNK will have to correct me if I'm wrong, but here's the way I remember it .......
Actually 'MUSCLE BEACH" was mis-named.
That mistake occured for a number of reasons ... but the first real characters on that section of Santa Monica Beach just a few yards south of the Santa Monica Pier were actually CIRCUS PERFORMERS (not the lions and tigers and bears type though!).
But NOT solely CIRCUS PERFORMERS because sometimes the circus left the town while other 'characters' remained behind ... and I don't mean just the clowns.
The original characters on that stretch of sand were actually gymnasts of every type and description ,,,, fat, skinny, short, tall ... and sometimes very creepy.
The 'creepy' ones were usually the under-nurished contortionists from some mid-eastern region far beyond the Mississippi who could squeeze inside a suitcase ... and shut the lid.
The others were gymnasts who stood on each others shoulders sometime four shoulders high while the others did some very basic gymnast stuff.
So a more appropriate name could have been GYMNAST'S BEACH, but apparently one sunny morning some wise ass kid in East LA yelled, "Hey! Let's go to MUSCLE BEACH!" .... and that name stuck forever after, (Or almost.)
This could have been true because the city of Santa Monica City Council merely ADOPTEDd that name. They never did ORIGINATE it.
This is only an estimate but .... back when this all started the 'circus folk' outnumbered the muscle guys 20 to 1 ... or even by much more.
So .. a bit of tribute to gymnasts everywhere!
RAH! .....
Their performances have sure improved over the years!
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Stuntmovie
Don't recall any Mexican place much beyond the bridge, that's mostly parks and residential areas now. If there is a Mexican joint around there, might be pretty small. Off the bridge your on 4th st and can get to Pomona (ave/st/blvd...never remember) so that place you mentioned might be up there. PB (Pacific Beach) & Point Loma and more towards downtown is where some Marines hang. The Midway(strip club) and a couple other strip joints are pretty popular around PB and the airport area. Thougth Marines are everywhere, including the casinos (lots of them in SD county).
Did they have the Coronado bridge built back in your core days or just the ferry working? Bridge wasn't built until '69 or 70. You could drive the strand, from Imperial Beach to Coronado, that would be easy if coming back from TJ. Getting into Coronado that way, there are eating places and bars, take your pick. SEAL's hang near Imperial Beach also. I bounced down there for a bit.
I think TJ is still Off Limits to Marines. Though that might have been lifted again, not sure. Once you get off Revolution Ave (TJ's main drag) it's every man for himself...not a cool place to be, night or day.
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=552081;image)
Aside from the fact that the skinny guy in the picture appears to be looking at the big guys crotch, that skinny guy could be me when I was a kid going to State Beach with my mom and I'd hike down to muscle beach back in the 50's. From early on, I wanted to look like those muscle dudes (who didn't look like most bodybuilders do today). Although that skinny kid complex ended when I finally hit 225 lbs. at 30 years of age, I still look in the mirror and sometimes see that skinny kid staring back at me. I am trying my best to overcome this (disorder) since I decided to lose weight. We will see how low I can go before I break and start pilling in the food and protein shakes again.
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**off topic sorry** ........but I think it was "The Ugly" that mentioned the movie Mildred Pierce,well it`s on tonight at 8:00 PM EST on TCM
**OK,back to your regularly scheduled programming** :)
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JPM, DAMN !! I would have placed a thousand dollar bet against you but I did some checking on the opening date of that Coronado Bridge and you are precisely correct.
And I also found a map that showed photographs of the area on the Coronado side of that bridge and gotta admit that I did not recognize it at all.
I've either entered the TWILIGHT ZONE or else the neighborhood on that side of the bridge has been completely redeveloped and that Mexican restaurant has been completely demolished.
Let me ask you this to see if I am remembering that area as it used to be.
Once over the bridge, you could take a right turn and head out towards the beach and you'd be in the USN Officer's Club which was not too fancy but a hell of a great pace to have a great time.
I honestly can't recall being there after 1969 but I honestly do recall going across that beautiful bridge, having a few too many great Margaritas at that Mexican restaurant on the other side , and then maybe a couple more of more at that O Club on or close to the beach.
If I knew how to write music, I'd include the TwiLIGHT ZONE medley here.
But the lyrics went something like this .... "Da Da Da Da, Doo Doo Doo Doo.....
I'm gonna ask some Camp Pendleton friends if they recall this place.
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SCOTT, That doesn't sound like the place I used to know which was right over the bridge to COronado and about a half block straight on down. It was a huge Mexican restaurant and cantina and was known all over So Cal for its excellent Margaritas. ANd it could have even been the home of the original "Margarita'. I'd be surprised if it ahs closed down.
I think I know where you talking about now. I was speaking about on the city side of the bay, vs the island side.
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sCOTT, Here are 4 Mexican places on Coronado. The one I am trying ot remember was very close tot he COronado end of the bridge.
Can you tell which one is close to the bridge by looking at the address?
La Salsa, 1360 Orange Ave
Candelas On The Bay,1201 1st St
Miguelito's, 1142 Adella Avenue
Miguel's Cocina, 1351 Orange Ave
I'm gonna take a wild guess that it was MIGUELITO's.
Sorry for this confusion but we used to have a hell of a great time there.
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sCOTT, Here are 4 Mexican places on Coronado. The one I am trying ot remember was very close tot he COronado end of the bridge.
Can you tell which one is close to the bridge by looking at the address?
La Salsa, 1360 Orange Ave
Candelas On The Bay,1201 1st St
Miguelito's, 1142 Adella Avenue
Miguel's Cocina, 1351 Orange Ave
I'm gonna take a wild guess that it was MIGUELITO's.
Sorry for this confusion but we used to have a hell of a great time there.
The one on First St. is (I think!) very near to where the ferry dropped off and is to the right of where the bridge hits the island, so perhaps that's it.
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Stuntmovie
Your just going to have to take a drive, over the bridge, and check out Coronado. If you hit that Mexican place on Orange, keep going and you'll wind up at McP's Irish Pub. Great Hamburgers. Some SEAL's are usually there (active & retired), plus some female military groupies of all ages and sizes
Going further down on Orange you'll run into The Hotel Del Coronado , with one of the coolest bar's anywhere. Had a few Glenfiddich's there. Been to a couple of weddings and stayed a few nights also. Cost me an arm and leg but well worth it. Don't know why but that bar reminds me of one in Tonga...that's my twilight zone experience I guess.
I only moved to SD county when I was 12 (1984) so you got much more history on me. And been told SD has changed quite a bit over the years. I know Oceanside and Carlsbad has greatly.
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JPM, Thanks again for that info. I'm gonna try to get down to Coronado during one of our next USMC get-togethers
A good friend recently retired as a DI and I'm trying to get him to tell some of the true stories regarding his tour as a Drill Instructor. I think it's about time for Hollywood to produce another major film around that subject along the lines of Full Metal Jacket.
I also think it's about time for Hoilywood to film a hard core movie about the USN SEALS training as a prelude to SOLE SURVIVOR which I thought was an awesome movie.
Some family members even agree with some GetBiggers about the lack of serious injury to the team when they fell 'down' that cliff, but I think it could be possilbe (as someone on this Board so intelligently stated) due tot he fact that their packs absorbed some of the impact.
But Hollywood has been know to exaggerate the facts a bit in an effort to make a scene more exciting ... so that's what I think happened.
Regarding Hotel Del Coronado ... I was there a long while back when friends were involved working on a movie called THE STUNT MAN which was not one of the greatest movies I've seen.
Hollywood also filmed some of the SOME LIKE IT HOT scenes there.
A very beautiful and historic place.
OK, thanks for the 'update ' once again.
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JPM, Thanks again for that info. I'm gonna try to get down to Coronado during one of our next USMC get-togethers
A good friend recently retired as a DI and I'm trying to get him to tell some of the true stories regarding his tour as a Drill Instructor. I think it's about time for Hollywood to produce another major film around that subject along the lines of Full Metal Jacket.
I also think it's about time for Hoilywood to film a hard core movie about the USN SEALS training as a prelude to SOLE SURVIVOR which I thought was an awesome movie.
Some family members even agree with some GetBiggers about the lack of serious injury to the team when they fell 'down' that cliff, but I think it could be possilbe (as someone on this Board so intelligently stated) due tot he fact that their packs absorbed some of the impact.
But Hollywood has been know to exaggerate the facts a bit in an effort to make a scene more exciting ... so that's what I think happened.
Regarding Hotel Del Coronado ... I was there a long while back when friends were involved working on a movie called THE STUNT MAN which was not one of the greatest movies I've seen.
Hollywood also filmed some of the SOME LIKE IT HOT scenes there.
A very beautiful and historic place.
OK, thanks for the 'update ' once again.
Spent many a summer day on the Silver Strand. I don't go there much any more. No real reason to as I've got my memories and any new ones I care to make I look for new shores on which to do so. However this thread has given me pause to consider a nice ride there in the near future.
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SCOTT, I never got that far south down the Strand because of too darn many stops and good times at the Mexican Margarita bar and then the 'O' CLub on the beach.
Strange to say this but I've never lived further than a 3 minute walk from the world's greatest beaches for most 0f my life-time. (That does not include any of the beaches in the European region.)
For you GetBiggers who may still be reading this off-topic stuff, I'll include some photos of the Coronado Island area..... just one of California's many beautiful beaches.
Most California visitors never get the chance to see California beaches outside of Santa Monica and Venice beaches, both of which are among the most unattractive beaches in the state.
This Silver Strand Beach that SCOTT mentioned above is a state park located on the west side (Pacific Ocean side) of Coronado Island which really ain't an island at all but a 7 mile strand or peninsula that separates the San Diego Bay (the Naval Station) from the Pacific. (See the map)
Back in my day the SeALS would hit this beach nite and day and all the hours in between while we were busy blowing up shit a few miles north within another very beautiful but restricted beach area.
On a very few occasions we'd join forces and get 'destructive' durfing training maneuvers.
My brother in law owns a deep sea fishing boat and loves the ocean (abalone diver) and we hope to take that boat and scout out all the beaches that lay between San Francisco and a bit south of San Diego. Most of these beaches cannot be seen any other way
Some friends who have made that trip say that there are some beautiful beach front homes on that coastline without neighbors in either direction for a good long stretch. And that BIG SUR is an unbelievable sight while sailing past.
Here are the Coronado photos ...
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(http://www.joeweider.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/with-Aline-and-Steve-Reeves.jpg)
Joe Wieder, Aline (Steve's 2nd wife) and Steve Reeves.
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SCOTT, I never got that far south down the Strand because of too darn many stops and good times at the Mexican Margarita bar and then the 'O' CLub on the beach.
Strange to say this but I've never lived further than a 3 minute walk from the world's greatest beaches for most 0f my life-time. (That does not include any of the beaches in the European region.)
For you GetBiggers who may still be reading this off-topic stuff, I'll include some photos of the Coronado Island area..... just one of California's many beautiful beaches.
Most California visitors never get the chance to see California beaches outside of Santa Monica and Venice beaches, both of which are among the most unattractive beaches in the state.
This Silver Strand Beach that SCOTT mentioned above is a state park located on the west side (Pacific Ocean side) of Coronado Island which really ain't an island at all but a 7 mile strand or peninsula that separates the San Diego Bay (the Naval Station) from the Pacific. (See the map)
Back in my day the SeALS would hit this beach nite and day and all the hours in between while we were busy blowing up shit a few miles north within another very beautiful but restricted beach area.
On a very few occasions we'd join forces and get 'destructive' durfing training maneuvers.
My brother in law owns a deep sea fishing boat and loves the ocean (abalone diver) and we hope to take that boat and scout out all the beaches that lay between San Francisco and a bit south of San Diego. Most of these beaches cannot be seen any other way
Some friends who have made that trip say that there are some beautiful beach front homes on that coastline without neighbors in either direction for a good long stretch. And that BIG SUR is an unbelievable sight while sailing past.
Here are the Coronado photos ...
my last name is similar to coronado'spanish'translation just swap d for 't' italian translation..
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NJ, If your last name was the Spanish version (with the 'd"), you'd most likely have been an heir to a Spanish land grant.
I once was acquainted with a member of the Smith family whom I understand once owned thousands of acres along the Laguna Beach coastline all the way east into what is now the city of Irvine where the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station used to be located .... the result of a Mexican Land Grant, I've been told.
Mexican Land Grants - an interesting bit of early California history.
Any Land Grant historians in this group?
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NJ, If your last name was the Spanish version (with the 'd"), you'd most likely have been an heir to a Spanish land grant.
I once was acquainted with a member of the Smith family whom I understand once owned thousands of acres along the Laguna Beach coastline all the way east into what is now the city of Irvine where the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station used to be located .... the result of a Mexican Land Grant, I've been told.
Mexican Land Grants - an interesting bit of early California history.
Any Land Grant historians in this group?
;D... :-\...
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Always great to see Steve Reeves mentioned. Steve was promoting his Power Walking just before he died of cancer of the lymph.
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An interesting YOUTUBE video on REEVES regarding the use of 'roids'.
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An interview ...
A letter ...
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Somewhere in those Steve Reeves photos there is a photo of Steve and my good friend TIMMY LEONG.
A very polite and humble guy.
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Timmy was an old time builder who was a part of the Muscle Beach day.
And I think it might be appropriate if we gave him some recognition here ....
This article was printed in one of Honolulu's newspapers shortly after he passed away.
________________________ _____________________
1927-2010
Timmy Leong, a pioneer for Hawai'i in the sport of bodybuilding and retired owner of Timmy's Gym, died May 16.
He was 83.
"He was a real nice guy, always smiling, always trying to be helpful. (He) made friends with everybody," said three-time Olympian Tommy Kono, who visited Leong the day before he passed.
Although best known for being the owner of his gym, Leong was one of the best bodybuilders Hawai'i ever produced.
And he did it the old school way — hard work.
Admittedly underweight as a youth, Leong did not participate in sports while at McKinley High School.
Despite not having anyone to guide or train him, Leong molded himself into a bodybuilding champion, using magazine articles as references.
Leong said in a 1973 Advertiser story, "When I strive for something, I keep working at it until I reach it."
By 1953, Kono said, Leong had won all the physique titles in Hawai'i. He competed in the 1953 Mr. America contest in Indianapolis, where he placed seventh and won the best back award.
Kono accompanied Leong on the trip and what he remembers most about it was that "it took us almost three days to get from Hawai'i to Indianapolis."
Kono said it took nine hours on a propellor airplane to fly from Honolulu to San Francisco. Then they had to take a four-passenger Cessna plane to go from Alameda to Indianapolis.
"We flew out OK, but communication was not good and you can't fly too high," Kono said.
Because of a threat of a tornado, "we got stuck in Wyoming," he said. "We went from Laredo to Cheyenne to catch a commercial flight, flew to Chicago.
"We might have gotten there as fast if we took the train."
Kono said Leong returned and opened a gym to teach his trade and groom future physique winners.
Leong also competed in the Mr. USA contest in 1958, finishing fourth.
"Timmy was the first to bring wellness and health and fitness to Hawai'i before anyone else was talking wellness," said Darryl Lee, Leong's nephew.
"He epitomized that by how he lived. He lived the talk. He was a pioneer for Hawai'i. He touched a lot of lives. He spread wellness way before his time."
Leong is survived by a sister, Audrey N.L. Lee, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be Friday at Diamond Head Mortuary Chapel with visitation from 9:30 a.m., followed by services at 11:15 and burial to follow around 12:45 p.m.
Leong at first requested a private service, but the family decided to go public.
"He really belongs to the public," said Sharoh Mooe, his niece. "The public was his true home. The public was his family. He had aloha for everybody. He lived for the people."
"REST in PEACE, Tommy!
Aloha and mahalo from me .... Your old friend "Stunt".
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Always great to see Steve Reeves mentioned. Steve was promoting his Power Walking just before he died of cancer of the lymph.
Interesting in that within this video the narrator states (or so it sounds) that Steve died of a blood clot that "worked its way to his brain" after a "minor surgical procedure".
Tremendous physique and an inspiration to many young men so many, many years ago. Myself included.
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SCOTT, Shortly after Steve passed away George Eifferman was in the hospital and we were asked to not mention anything about Steve's death because he himself was not well and that sort of news would not help his recovery.
Not positive about this but I think steve was found dead on the bathroom floor. There's an accurate report on his passing somewhere on the net.
I first met Steve when I was a very young kid and ran into him on rare occasions during my lifetime, but i had the opportunity to work with him for a week or so a few years before he passed away.
One of Steve's relations was a member of this board a few years ago and may still be. Maybe she can add a few comments regarding the one individual whom I consider to be the real pioneer of bodybuilding.
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And then I drove down to the M-L-O 'factory'.
Stunt, Do you mean the MLO who sold/sells protein? I used to buy big jugs of their stuff for very little money, back in 1991 or so. (A local vitamin store basically used to give the stuff away). I was in Rite-Aid yesterday, and noticed they are still selling it?
(http://www.smarthealthshop.com/image/cache/data/product/main/yhst-58749677523116_2243_63853393-500x500.jpg)
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POWER, Short answer is "YES", but stick around for the longer answer which will follow after we get rid of this company ...... or at least shoot them!
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POWER< SOrry for the delay on getting back to this MLO subject ....
To te best of my memory this goes back to the 1970 era when MLO (Mus - L - On) was owned and operated by Millard Williamson and located in a small warehouse in the Hayward area of Northern California.
I managed to drop by one afternoon and helped a good friend transfer the product into the original cardboard container (with a metal top if I recall correctly).
I think the product retailed for about $6 back then but I think most of the L.A. guys were still Rheo H. Plair 'fans',.
That was over 40 years ago so I have no idea if Milalrd still owns the company or if he is even still alive and kicn'n.
It might be interesting to write about the original suppliments and their founders, but I'd need a lot of help with my memory banks.
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I could purchase MLO in the cardboard cylinder and metal top/bottom from my neighborhood healthfood store in Glendale, Ca. (L.A.). I had to go to Gironda's Gym for Blair. Then he was almost always out of stock.
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MB, These two photos were taken back in your Muscle Beach days.
Look hard! You may be in the background possibly.
Both shots include Doug Strohl (the first real bodybuilder I met while visiting Santa Monica) and the other individual is Millard Williamson whom to the best of my knowledge was the original founder of MLO which in the 70's was called Mus-L-On ... (or it could hav e been vice-versa).
Larry Scott was apparently a spokesperson of a sort for Rheo H. Blair whose protein was the 'protein of choice' back then.
I think Blair's was the first milk and egg protein, but I could be mistaken, but it was very popular and difficult to find while I was stationed at Pendleton.
I do recall driving up to Los Angeles in an attempt to meet Mr. Blair and somehow ended up in what I recall to be an old shack by the side of a laker within the city and only had the opportunity to meet a couple of individuals my own age who were employees.
I think I paid something like $6 for a large 'can' of Mr. Blair's popular product.
Anyone have any idea what ever happened to Mr Blair?
A few years later someone came up with the idea of manufacturing liver protein. You could clear out an auditorium merely by opening that can.
("CAN" means "cardboard container" back in them good old days. And sometimes just a paper bag.)
It smelt like a year's supply of dirty sweat socks.
I don't think that 'liver product" was in much of a demand after a year or so.
One last comment regarding 'sups' back then.....
In the 60's I was in Nam and ordered a bottle of something that would make you gain weight. It was a Weider product and took forever to arrive, but once I opened it and took a 'gulp' it reminded me of GERITOL .... and today I'm sure that it was some bogus stuff with of couple of shots of Geritol to make it at least taste official.
Thanks for the memory kick, MB!
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I'm not in any of those pics. Do you remember a protein powder that came in a small brown paper bag, folded over at the top, with a label stapled thru it?
I tried that liver ONE TIME. Tossed the rest in the trash. I did take the desicated liver and brewers yeast tablets. Talk about pfarts….good grief!!
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MB. I did likewise concerning the Liver powder, the liver tabs, and the brewer's yeast and I also farted up a storm!
Do you recall the gelitin days? I forgot the real reason why it was recommended and consumed frequently but it made your finger-nails and hair (the stuff on the top of your head) grow like weeds.
It was supposedly helpful for muscle growth also,
And I have a feeling you can recall the frequent use of a spoonful of apple cider vinegar with the wise recommendation that you swallow it before it came in contact with your teeth.
The claim was that the vinegar removed enamal from your 'tooths'. ( I had an Italian coach.)
I mentioned this before but Health Food Stores were non-existent back then unless some 'crack-pot' risked his reputation by opening a shop that offered and sold crack-pot remedies for every ailment/maladjustment known to man and more that were yet to be discovered because spme crack-pot devised a cure for it.
Athletes who had any degree of brain-ivity (there were a few) would enter that den of thieves and make intelligent purchases such as WHEAT GERM OIL and terrible tasting YOGURT (no such thing as flavored yogurt in them good old days and some electrical apparatus that would shock your muscles into growth. (Got one of those in the attic someplace!)
Now-a-days we got GNC and Whole Foods, etc. ... so nothing really has changed except for the fact that we got a larger variety of 'health food stuff' to spend our hard earned money on.
I waz stupid once, but now I are smart.
I hope you're doing likewise!
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There was a 'Health Food Bar' at the bottom of the steps going up to Goodrich's gym. There were about 8 stools at the bar. They specialized in protein drinks and sandwiches. A dish of sour Greek yogurt covered with real maple syrup and a scoop of wheat germ was the starter. A typical protein drink would be orange juice, scoop of vanilla ice-cream, handfull of strawberries, 1/2 banana, 2 scoops of Hoffmans protein, one raw egg, 2 packs of Knox gelatin, crushed ice and blend. Sandwich would be whole wheat, tuna salad, and alfalfa sprouts. Yes this was 1955. They also had fresh juices and their 50/50 carrot/coconut was their best seller.
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MB, I don't recall ever going to the Goodrich Gym but I had the honor of meeting him while he escorted Mae Weat when she delivered the overall Mr America trophy to Dave Johns when he won the Mr A title (or was that the NPC National Championship title??).
I always was a Mae west fan and was disappointed that W.C. Fields did not escort her personally but he was most likely in some bar knocking smal kidsl in the nose .. or maybe he was dead at the time.. I forget!
But that meeting was a very short Hello/Goodbye type pf occurance.
Come to think of it, he did say something like, "Get out of our way kid!" so maybe it really was W.C. made up to look like Bert.
Stranger things have happened in La-La Land!
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MB, I forgot to add this .....
The health food "salad-drink" you mentioned in your post was something that you'd never find on any menu in Northern California.
Instead, we had Hot Dog on a Stick and a 35 cent Chicken Pot Pie.
Some of the 'Northerners" thought that you people in the southern part of the state were completely insane, but I considered you 'southerners' to be way ahead of the time when it came to training in a gym, eating nutritious 'stuff' , and spending half a day or more on the beach lifting other people over-head.
The only place in the city of San francisco that served something I'd call nutritious was a small cafe on Powell Street by Market Street and the only nutritious thing on the menu was cottage cheese with pineapple and a strawberry on the top.
And some kind of nutritional salt that you could sprinkle on the top if you were so inclined.
Now it's pretty common ..... but back then it was a rare-ity.
The only thing bodybuilding related up north was Steve Reeves ... but the likes of Eifferman, and Ross and Dilinger and Lallanne were soon to follow.
I'm overlooking a few ... butyou get the idea. The Bay Area was way behind the south when it came to anything body building related.
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In the 50s the outdoor Farmers Market in Los Angeles next door to Gilmore Field (Hollywood Stars baseball team) had three health related vendors. A fresh juice bar where you could order a scoop of protein powder blended in. A do it yourself nut butter store. Mine was a chunky blend of peanuts, a handfull of spanish peanuts, handfull of macadamia nuts, dates and raisins. Then there was a real 'vitamin' store. They had all the stuff from the Bodybuilding magazines including the magazines. I would buy my MLO or Hoffmans, des liver, brewers yeast, toasted wheat germ, some sort of a oneaday and the newest rage…vitamin E there.
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POWER< SOrry for the delay on getting back to this MLO subject ....
To te best of my memory this goes back to the 1970 era when MLO (Mus - L - On) was owned and operated by Millard Williamson and located in a small warehouse in the Hayward area of Northern California.
I managed to drop by one afternoon and helped a good friend transfer the product into the original cardboard container (with a metal top if I recall correctly).
I think the product retailed for about $6 back then but I think most of the L.A. guys were still Rheo H. Plair 'fans',.
That was over 40 years ago so I have no idea if Milalrd still owns the company or if he is even still alive and kicn'n.
It might be interesting to write about the original suppliments and their founders, but I'd need a lot of help with my memory banks.
;D millard williamson mr. shoulders. wasn't he the one who got joe gold into bodybuilding????
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FUNK, I am not aware if Millard got Joe involved in bodybuilding but I think JOe was involved in the gym business when Millard was still a kid.
I could be wrong though.
Here's something that may be of interest to Bodybuilding Historians but I can't find anyone old enough who will remember this and establish it as a fact.
Back in the late 1950's I drove down to LA to visit some family members who were involved in the movie making business and ended up in Santa Monica with a short visit to Muscle Beach.
Parking was seldom a problem back then so I pulled into a vacant parking space which was located in what is presently the Sand Castle Apartments .... and while I was locking up the 1941 Ford Sedan, I noticed an open door leading into a small room with a lot of heavy duty gym equipment.
There was no one there so I took a short look around and realized that all the equipment was home-made and not the typical wobilly crap that was available on the open market.
Many years later I met Joe Gold himself and had a short conversation while he was welding some gym equipment for his relatively new Gold's Gm in Venice but ....
I didn't put two and two together until many years later ....
Most old timers have gone to the Big Gym in the Sky so I can't confirm this but I believe Joe's first gym was located in a that small room off the parking lot of what is now called the Sand Castle Apartments.
This very expensive apartment building was once a dump and had the 'distinction' of being less than 100 yards from the original Muscle Beach area so it was an ideal location when the fog rolled in.
I think that this was Joe's first Gold's Gym location.
MB, Any thoughts on this?
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MB, the only Farmer's Market I knew about was the one adjacent to the huge CBS TV Studios which we still visit just about every trip to LA.
But nothing that you have mentioned in your Farmer's Market post was available in the Northern California Bay Area area as far as I can recall.
SoCal was way ahead of its time when it came to health related products and gyms and sunny weather.
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Stunt, Joe had a 1951 gym in New Orleans before the one in California.
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FUNK, I am not aware if Millard got Joe involved in bodybuilding but I think JOe was involved in the gym business when Millard was still a kid.
I could be wrong though.
Here's something that may be of interest to Bodybuilding Historians but I can't find anyone old enough who will remember this and establish it as a fact.
Back in the late 1950's I drove down to LA to visit some family members who were involved in the movie making business and ended up in Santa Monica with a short visit to Muscle Beach.
Parking was seldom a problem back then so I pulled into a vacant parking space which was located in what is presently the Sand Castle Apartments .... and while I was locking up the 1941 Ford Sedan, I noticed an open door leading into a small room with a lot of heavy duty gym equipment.
There was no one there so I took a short look around and realized that all the equipment was home-made and not the typical wobilly crap that was available on the open market.
Many years later I met Joe Gold himself and had a short conversation while he was welding some gym equipment for his relatively new Gold's Gm in Venice but ....
I didn't put two and two together until many years later ....
Most old timers have gone to the Big Gym in the Sky so I can't confirm this but I believe Joe's first gym was located in a that small room off the parking lot of what is now called the Sand Castle Apartments.
This very expensive apartment building was once a dump and had the 'distinction' of being less than 100 yards from the original Muscle Beach area so it was an ideal location when the fog rolled in.
I think that this was Joe's first Gold's Gym location.
MB, Any thoughts on this?
maybe it was ed corney who millard got started, i'm not sure how the story goes.
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JOE, Thanks ... I was unaware of that. Is more info on that subject available anyplace on the net?
FUNK, I'll check that out and get back to you with the details.
One very interesting bodybuilding history story concerns how and why Peter G. came to the west coast of the USA (Southern California to be specific) and eventually formed a partnership to purchase Gold's Gym from Ken Sprague.
Gotta get a from of approval first.
But maybe this story has already been told on the internet.
(Help, Joe! "Has it been told before?")
If so ... I could only offer corrections if any mistakes have been made.
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Honestly never heard of Joe Gold until the 70s in a magazine. I hung around the MB beach stage on weekends until 1954. Someone told me that these guys trained at the Goodrich Gym in Hollywood. Only 10 min. by bus from my house to Hollywood Blvd. I dropped by on a summer weekday. I met Bert, lied about my age and gave him 15 bucks. I was wearing jeans, wife beater and tennis shoes. Bert called over Steve Reeves, introduced us (my jaw dropped) and asked him to show me around and set me up with a program. I trained there until about 1958 when I joined a mostly black gym near the USC campus. I had coke bottle thick glasses which kept me out of sports except for wrestling. My Steve Reeves training weight gain from a 120 pound geek to a 185 pound ripped heavyweight placed me second in the City finals. All this while I never laid eyes again on MB stage until I stepped on it (the Venice version) in 1986 and won the show. I was battling drugs and alcohol during that long absence from the beach and stayed in the nearby downtown L.A. gyms when sober. I was never a part of the "Bodybuilding scene", keeping to myself. That all changed with my sobriety in 1980 and meeting the Pearl brothers. Then I wrote, competed, traveled the country and trained others.
And yes, the Farmers Market near CBS studios.
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Stunt, I have no other info on Gold's Gym in New Orleans- that info from June 1983 FLEX.
Regarding what else has appeared on the Internet about it, I do not know. I seldom search the Internet- am buried in my manuscript these days.
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JOE, Why don't you place a link to your fine website here. I think some GetBiggers would be interested.
For you younger GetBiggers who have not been involved within the olden days of bodybuilding, here's a photo of the main contenders (the usual suspects) who were the real pioneers in the game.
There are many others but this is a decent shot of the main contenders who got competitive bodybuilding on its feet.
DOn't name each of them just yet, but let know if you can ID each and everyone of them. Let's see how many GetBiggers know anything about BB history.
I'd like to do a short post on each of them from their beginning to the present when I get the time, but Joe may already have done this.
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MB, Thanks for your latest post. Interesting stuff. DId you ever manage to visit Zuver's while you were living in the So Cal area?
FUNK, I just spoke with one of Ed Corny's old training partners and to the best of his recall, Ed was in the US COast Guard for 8 to 10 years and once he got out he joined Bob's (Peralta) Gym in Fremont, California around the age of 30 or 31.
He's thinking that that was around 1965 and recalls that Ed won his first BB contest (Mr. Fremont) in 1967.
He can recall that date pretty accurately because he won the same title in 1968 and was Ed's training partner. (Guess his name and you get a golden ticket!)
He'll be talking to Ed this weekend and will inquire but he is pretty sure that no one other than Ed, himself, got him interested in bodybuilding.
He also stated that there is a lot of Ed Corny history on the net, so I'll be looking that up when I get a few spare moments.
I, myself, first met Ed the month that he won his IFBB Pro Card and can recall having lunch with Ed at the GERMAN's (a great bodybuilder's restaurant in Venice Beach) years ago when he decided to let the world know that his competitive days were over and he was gonna retire.
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Thanks again, Joe!
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JOE, Why don't you place a link to your fine website here. I think some GetBiggers would be interested.
For you younger GetBiggers who have not been involved within the olden days of bodybuilding, here's a photo of the main contenders (the usual suspects) who were the real pioneers in the game.
There are many others but this is a decent shot of the main contenders who got competitive bodybuilding on its feet.
DOn't name each of them just yet, but let know if you can ID each and everyone of them. Let's see how many GetBiggers know anything about BB history.
I'd like to do a short post on each of them from their beginning to the present when I get the time, but Joe may already have done this.
l to r bert goodrich, clancy ross, jack delinger, steve reeves? can't see face that good, alan stephen.
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Double breasted suits in that pic really send me back.
Zuvers was in a different league. Big men and big weight. Never saw the place. I was a linear 6' ecto and knew my limits. Only one year '85-'86 with the urging of gym mates did I go for it. I took a potpourri of AAS and climbed under the squat rack. I got my normal competition weight from 202 up to 235. My normal squats were 225 X 10. 315 X 6. That year I got up to 405 X 10 and wore a rubber waist wrap, HD belt and wrapped my knees tight. My incline bench was 315 X 3 and I dipped 150 added X 10. Chins were done with a 45 hanging. A lot for this skinny ass. I won a big show and took 2nd in some other shows on the east coast. It took a year to recover. Never did that again.
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MUSCLECENTER, Thanks for posting the Arnold/Venice video. I have not had a chance to watch it yet but will do so ASAP.
My connection with the Venice Beach area goes back to 1957 or there-abouts ... so I hope to offer some appropriate comments after I get a chance to watch it thoroughly.
Thanks again, MC!
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MB, Thanks! Another interesting post .... this time about Powerlifting.
When I started to lift heavy things it was called the Odd LIFTS and some of the more serious odd-lifters would wrap any part of the body in an effort to increase there efforts by one pound here and one pound there ... and it sounds like you did likewise .... but with a bit of diffenence.
When you were lifting heavy things, you called it Powerlifting. And by your time,such lifting of heaving things was governed by a set of rules.
But in the Odd Lift days there were no rules except for the one rule that there would be no rules.
So back then what we would call "cheating" today ... was non-existent.
You could wrap yourself like a mummy and that would be perfectly OK ..... and even encouraged.
I've never seen this but I've been told by one of the world's best Odd Lifters of that time that a few very serious odd lifters would bind tennis balls to the backside of their knees and then put on a pair of very tight Levis and then stiff-leg up to and under a very heavy barbell and set a new squat record in the process.
Sounds insane to me but more than one friends claims it to be truthful.
I've been involved in and with a good number of powerlifing 'events' and gotta admit that the best of the best of the world's best powerlifters are a bit on the insane side of the grocery store when it comes to setting new world records.
But once off that platform .... most of them ..... but not all .... come back to reality.
MB... Did you subscribe to or were you ever mentioned in Mike Lambert's POWERLIFTING USA?
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FUNK, Good try.
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Back to the Muscle Beach era .....
Reeves and Pedersen the year Pedersen lost to Reeves..... Good call!
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ever encounter norman marks i think he owned a gym in chinatown.????????
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FUNK, Norman Marks had a gym in Oakland,California which was managed by his two daughters after he passed away in 2006.
The daughters managed to keep it open for two years after Norm passed away but recently closed it down after roughly 56 years in the 'physical culture' business.
Strange to say but I don't recall ever meeting him but we did have mutual friends.
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Floyd Page is to the right of Reeves, in the picture. Been told he was a natural when it came to BB'ing genetics. Tended to drink,chain smoker and kept very late hours. Died in his 30's, I believe. Pedersen (spelled right?) lost by a point or so against Reeves. That picture doesn't do him any justice at all. Was successful in wrestling (the make believe kind)
Any stories about Muscle House By the Sea....heard that place had quite a history back in the day. As was Mae West's apartment (Rossmore, near Melrose, in Hollywood) when a few BB'ers were invited to "come up and see me some time".
Heard Peanut West garage was a well known power training place. Lot of very strongmen trained there. Different groups of odd lifts back then. Usually 3 to 5 lifts in a odd lift contest, which may include the BB curl and upright row.
Confession Time: Getting a lot of this stuff from one of my uncles and his old time lifting buds. Maybe they came across Stunt, don't know. Some many people, in and out,of the the beach scene back then. I'll send them GB pages/pictures and see if any jar their memory's.
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JPM, Yes, I did run into Bill 'Peanuts' West a number of times but never did get to know him well.
Back then he and George Frenn (spelling?) and a good number of other heavy-lifting lifters trained in his garage-gym, but I was never there and have completely forgotten where it was located.
Both Bill and George were present at about every lifting event I ever attended in them thar early days.
I kind of recall that one of the magazines did an article on Peanuts and his gym, and I also kind of recall that he did enter a bodybuilding contest a few years before he passed away ... but all that stuff is kind of hazy in my memory banks.
Muscle House By the Sea was a few years before my time in So Cal, so I am only aware of minor details which I think I posted here a few years ago.
I think that JOE may be more helpful on that subject ..... and I do intend to contact my good friend GENE MOZEE (Google GENE MOZEE) who was very active in the lifing world back then and is a walking historian who somehow manages to keep track of the usual suspects of that time period.
All this 'stuff' was very minor back then and very few individuals were involved with anything to do with lifting heavy things or building muscle on skinny frames.
In many cases it was impossible not to know most of the individuals who called themselves Powerlifters, Olympic Lifters, or Bodybuilders simply due tot he fact that there were so few of them.
So it's definitely possible that I either met or knew or heard of one or more of your family members if they showed up more than once or twice.
All this 'stuff' was totally different way back then.
And only a very few participated.
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JPM, I do hope you contact your uncles and jar their memories a bit and post those memories here so that we can all enjoy them.
MB, You memtioned those suits in the group photo above. One big thing to notice are the 'shoulder pads' that were built into them thar suits.
Everyone had suits with shoulder pads.
And I got no idea why! So I gotta do some fashion-ware research.
This from the one indiviidual who has worn Levis and Tshirts and USMC jungle boots all the days of his life except for dress up days in the Corps.
But even then you never had to tie a tie if you had a snap on kind which I sort of recall was against the rules and regulations and the UCMJ.
UCMJ .... Look that one up. I just about had it memorized once ... Not each word but the crux of its entirety.
But it never mentioned a snap on tie.
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JPM, Yes, I did run into Bill 'Peanuts' West a number of times but never did get to know him well.
Back then he and George Frenn (spelling?) and a good number of other heavy-lifting lifters trained in his garage-gym, but I was never there and have completely forgotten where it was located.
Both Bill and George were present at about every lifting event I ever attended in them thar early days. ;D
I kind of recall that one of the magazines did an article on Peanuts and his gym, and I also kind of recall that he did enter a bodybuilding contest a few years before he passed away ... but all that stuff is kind of hazy in my memory banks.
Muscle House By the Sea was a few years before my time in So Cal, so I am only aware of minor details which I think I posted here a few years ago.
I think that JOE may be more helpful on that subject ..... and I do intend to contact my good friend GENE MOZEE (Google GENE MOZEE) who was very active in the lifing world back then and is a walking historian who somehow manages to keep track of the usual suspects of that time period.
All this 'stuff' was very minor back then and very few individuals were involved with anything to do with lifting heavy things or building muscle on skinny frames.
In many cases it was impossible not to know most of the individuals who called themselves Powerlifters, Olympic Lifters, or Bodybuilders simply due tot he fact that there were so few of them.
So it's definitely possible that I either met or knew or heard of one or more of your family members if they showed up more than once or twice.
All this 'stuff' was totally different way back then.
And only a very few participated.
;D mozee pic for ref.
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Stunt…I never did get into powerlifting other than heavy (for me) squats, deadlifts and incline bench getting my weight up to 235 for the Muscle Beach show. Pic. Me by the flag…a la Jusup Wilkosz. Some interesting facts. The man in the bottom left of news paper article had a large audience that showed up from Golds up the street. He was Sergio's WO partner and had flown out to L.A. to pick up an easy title with a good ring to it. Oooops. The tall dude in the middle was an Oakland Raider just retired. A year later he was found shot to death in the front seat of his Rolls vert in his driveway. Over one miilion dollars of Bolderone was found in his garage. Tom Gaertner, who later that year beat me out for Mr. California is in the middle of the judges. He won the heavies that year in the NPC Masters. I later out placed him at the AAU Mr. USA. The little fellow with white hair was the inventor of the TEMs muscle contraction machine. Vince Gironda was a judge this day, pic not shown. I would have loved him in this pic.
Where the frik has time gone?
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MB. Thanks once more for the above. You were definitely a part of bodybuilding history.
The younger GetBiggers who may be reading this old time stuff are possibly lost a bit when you name certain individuals such as WILKOSZ and the others you mentioned above.
So I think it may be somewhat appropriate to post a bit of info about the individuals yu mentioned who were also a part of this 'physical culture history'.
So to start off here is some info on WILKOSZ which I found on the Wikipedia site (a lot of it I never knew before). ANd I'll see if I can do the same for the others you have mentioned unless you want to take that on yourself.
Thanks again, MB.....
Jusup Wilkosz is a German bodybuilder (born 1948). He competed in weightlifting before turning to bodybuilding. In the mid-1970s, Wilkosz trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
During his career, he also met Tom Platz, Franco Columbu, Chris Dickerson and many other famous athletes. Several injuries forced him to end his career before reaching its potential peak. In 1994 Jusup Wilkosz intended to prepare for the Mr. Olympia Masters, but was stopped by injuries again.
In spring 2007 a semi-fictional novel about Wilkosz's life was published in Germany. Its title is "Was bleibt. Die Reise des Jusup W." (engl.: What remains. The Journey of Jusup W.) and leads the reader back to the 70s and 80s, a time that is often considered the golden age of bodybuilding. The reader looks through the eyes of legendary Jusup Wilkosz, whose life is characterized by great success in overcoming enormous obstacles. This perspective offers also deep insights in the world of bodybuilding and a closer look at Arnold Schwarzenegger, who used to train with Mr. Wilkosz during his competitive career.
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MB. Thanks once more for the above. You were definitely a part of bodybuilding history.
The younger GetBiggers who may be reading this old time stuff are possibly lost a bit when you name certain individuals such as WILKOSZ and the others you mentioned above.
So I think it may be somewhat appropriate to post a bit of info about the individuals yu mentioned who were also a part of this 'physical culture history'.
So to start off here is some info on WILKOSZ which I found on the Wikipedia site (a lot of it I never knew before). ANd I'll see if I can do the same for the others you have mentioned unless you want to take that on yourself.
Thanks again, MB.....
Jusup Wilkosz is a German bodybuilder (born 1948). He competed in weightlifting before turning to bodybuilding. In the mid-1970s, Wilkosz trained with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
During his career, he also met Tom Platz, Franco Columbu, Chris Dickerson and many other famous athletes. Several injuries forced him to end his career before reaching its potential peak. In 1994 Jusup Wilkosz intended to prepare for the Mr. Olympia Masters, but was stopped by injuries again.
In spring 2007 a semi-fictional novel about Wilkosz's life was published in Germany. Its title is "Was bleibt. Die Reise des Jusup W." (engl.: What remains. The Journey of Jusup W.) and leads the reader back to the 70s and 80s, a time that is often considered the golden age of bodybuilding. The reader looks through the eyes of legendary Jusup Wilkosz, whose life is characterized by great success in overcoming enormous obstacles. This perspective offers also deep insights in the world of bodybuilding and a closer look at Arnold Schwarzenegger, who used to train with Mr. Wilkosz during his competitive career.
THICK MUSCLE...DAMN,NOT THE GREATEST SHAPE LIKE SOME OF HIS PEER'S,BUT BIG SIZE..
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Tom Gaertner was a fixture along the Muscle Beach Venice strand. He hand made lifting belts and straps for the local gyms, Golds, World and Powerhouse. He also sold his own Ts and tanks. I believe he lived in the back of his shop. I lost personal contact with him and read of his death in a tiny article in a muscle mag. Early 90s. I've tried to run down both the X Raider and the guy with the TENs. Research shows he did not invent it like he claimed. You could not go to a BB show in L.A. without seeing him and his wife in the lobby pushing his TENs. The Raider dude, a least 6'5" had a wife of about 4'10". They would attend most of the shows in their white Rolls vert. If there was a lawn or parkway in front of the venue…thats where they parked the Rolls. It was never towed away. Can't find him or the article on his death for the life of me. Sergio's training partner has zero press on the web.
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and to have Vince Gironda judge your posing….this says it all…
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(http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/5/54353/1929600-steve_reeves___photo_bw.jpg)
Best look I've seen. Especially in a genuine natural. This man was too good looking.
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(http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/5/54353/1929600-steve_reeves___photo_bw.jpg)
Best look I've seen. Especially in a genuine natural. This man was too good looking.
;D headshot
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SCOTT / FUNK, Thanks for posting those SR shots.
I had the opportunity to work with Steve a few years before he passed away and he looked about the same at that time.
Great genetics can be the only answer.
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SCOTT / FUNK, Thanks for posting those SR shots.
I had the opportunity to work with Steve a few years before he passed away and he looked about the same at that time.
Great genetics can be the only answer.
Reeves is the Poster Boy for what good genes are about. From the 60s on, it was no longer about genes, but rather genies. The kind that come in a bottle.
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Interesting statement, SCOTT, But ........
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.... the use of roids as we know it today ocurred garadually.
USE to ABUSE did not rapidly occur overnight.
If my memory banks are still functioning properly ... it was a gradual transition over a ten year period.
The guys in the 60's a took few pills each week or so, one of which was referred to as a "little football" and another simply called according to its color. (NO pins, no needles!)
But over the years the use of roids grew in popularity because (contrary to the AMA's 'opinion') .... they produced results.
But then some liver aches and pains developed which resulted in the injection method ..... which I'll estamate that only a relatively few contestants did back then.
By "contestants" I mean Olympic Lifters and Power Lifters as well as the bodybuilding contenders. I don't know when it became a problem within other sports organizations.
And when good results are produced by a 'little bit", many are determined to ttake a lot .... which gradually turned to what many in the know considered to be a problem of abuse.
But back then there were very few individuals "in the know"!
Roids were legal back then and even the doctors were professionally unaware and would often ask the competitors what they used and what gains were noticeable.
A bit off the track here but during one discussion with a doctor who was himself an exceptional athlete and also interested in the physical effect of steroid use stated that, "Med School taught us how to treat illness, NOT prevent illness .... nor enhance muscle growth!"
And it is my understanding that the AMA at that time claimed that the use of roids had absolutely no affect on muscle growth nor strength increase.
So I'll make a claim that would most likely cause a lot of arguments by those who were not physically present back then and say that, "The use of roids did not become a matter of concern until around the befinning of the 70's."
And it only became a matter of concern among those competitive bodybuilders who realized that "Joe" was taking more than he was and would most likely win the trophy.
The general public wasn't concerned at all simply because they knew nothing about it.
But that all changed one day when an Annapolis student informed his dad (a US Congressman) that he didn't make the football team because all the other guys were taking roids.
That's the day the shiit hit the fan! (Not to overlook the IOC concerns ... but that's another story!)
And eventually (but very gradually) it became a major topic within locker rooms, cocktail parties, and on internet boards such as GetBig and way too many others.
Could it be that a change is being attempted by the initiation of the Men's Physique Division and the elimination of Women's bodybuilding?
Give it five more years, and you'll probably 'see' the answer.
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Back to early 1990s, I had trained at Joe Gold's World Gym for weeks.
And as i remember that Joe Gold is a very very nice guy. he is a great legend !
here is a pic of Lee Priest when he trained there too.
I used to train there during that time. May have seen you there...
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;D MB backdrop for a movie. some triva julie newmar was supposed to do the sharon tate role as malibu but she had shooting conflicts. sharon tate got 750 bucks a week to shoot don't make waves. a stuntman died in the pacific ovean shooting the skydiving sequence.
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;D
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;D
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;D
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an odd coincidence the byrds did the music for the movie and their producer first owned the house where sharon tate was later murdered by the manson clan.
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;D they also shot a movie called the hustler of muscle beach it had tim kimber in it and lisa lyon.
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;D they also shot a movie called the hustler of muscle beach it had tim kimber in it and lisa lyon.
Yup. I saw that made for TV film. Zane had a small part in it as himself being (I think) a commenter on the physique competition. Overall, it was a bad film. ;D
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Yup. I saw that made for TV film. Zane had a small part in it as himself being (I think) a commenter on the physique competition. Overall, it was a bad film. ;D
yup a bad film ,but better than this one.
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yup a bad film ,but better than this one.
Yeah, but that one had Don Rickles as "Jack Fanny"! ;D "All muscles are beautiful. Today, we'll study the latissimus. The latissimus is beautiful because, it's a muscle..."
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yup a bad film ,but better than this one.
Ahh cool! Peter Lupus (on the right) went on to TV's "Mission Impossible" fame. I read he's 84 now and has a business (or did) in Scottsdale, AZ.
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Ahh cool! Peter Lupus (on the right) went on to TV's "Mission Impossible" fame. I read he's 84 now and has a business (or did) in Scottsdale, AZ.
and he claims to be one of the oldest guys to bench press 300 lbs yet a couple of years ago.
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I realize that there is another spot to place this LARRY SCOTT topic but since I first met Larry on the Santa Monica Beach (the former Muscle Beach), I’ll place it here.
It was sometime during the early 60’s while I was stationed at Pendleton and happened to be in the LA area with a side trip to the beach and ran into Larry who was taking a day off and getting a sun-tan while talking to some of his friends.
That first meeting was just a casual “Hello. How ya doing?”, but our paths were to cross on many different occasions during both our lifetimes.
I worked with Larry during a couple of his seminars and have to admit that he offered the best bodybuilding seminars I’ve had the opportunity to attend or to participate in.
Larry would start off with a brief introduction and then ask the audience to ask questions which he would then proceed to write on a blackboard resulting in something similar to the following ….
DIET
TRAINING
CONTEST PREP
SUPPLEMENTS
STEROIDS
JOE WEIDER
VINCE GIRONDA
ETC.
ETC,
ETC.
Once the questions were complete he’d start at the top and discuss each topic in great detail.
The “JOE WEIDER” question always arose because at that time there was some problem between Joe and Larry, but Larry would discuss the subject with a great amount of respect.
(Does anyone recall what that problem was? I have forgotten long ago.)
When discussing “VINCE’… it always centered about leg training techniques as Vince believed that heavy squats were not beneficial.
So Larry would train elsewhere on ‘leg day’.
At the end of each seminar Larry would offer to answer individual questions if anyone wished to stay for the next half hour or so.
I may be wrong here, but I think it was Larry who initiated the off season, bulk-up phase in which he would increase his body-weight substantially and then go into a pre-contest phase 12 weeks before the contest date.
Does anyone recall what Larry’s heaviest bodywt happened to be?
RIP, Larry
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maybe between 215 to 220 lbs but he didn't like his jowels were beginning to look, when he retired he left his bodyweight go down to 168 or so until he mounted his first comeback.
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FUNK, this is a wild guess cause it was so long ago but I think his bodywt was way more than 220 when he did some guest posing atone of the local high schools in the vicinity of Newport Beach back around 1965.
Possibly around 240. Definitely miles away from contest shape.
We took a couple of photos with Larry at that size, but they have been gone long ago.
I'll see if G. Mozee can give me a correct update. But I'll say again, Larry was one of he first pros who took his bodywt up 10 to 20% beyond his competitive wt..
I could be wrong but that's how I recall those good old days.
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Regarding Peter Lupus .... He competed in a small contest (they were all small contests back then when the only people in attendance were family members, fellow gym members, and good friends of the competitors). 40 max in attendance.
This particular small contest was held on a baseball field in Palm Springs and the contest consisted of about 8 competitors from the L.A. area. The same competitors who always showed up in an attempt to win a metal trophy ... plastic trophies were not too common then.
Peter Lupus was one of the competitors and that particular contest was won by DON PETERS.
That was the day that Gypsy Boots showed up and threw a football for a damn long distance which impressed most fans in the bleachers.
And that was the day I returned to the base with a different colored car due to the removal of all the paint as a result of driving throgh a massive sandstorm on that long stretch of road heading out of Palm Springs.
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Gypsy was everywhere in the L.A. scene from Hollywood Blvd. to Muscle Beach. When the Oakland Raiders showed up at the L.A. Coleseum so did Gypsy. He was the only individual the security allowed on the field. He would walk up and down the field with bells and horns getting the fans involved. Every year for some 10-15 years KTLA Los Angeles would have in their parking lot on his birthday tossing a football. At 75 he could hurl it some 60 yards. Bikini clad girls would cheer him on then smother him with kisses after the feat.
I second to last time I saw him was at a health food store counter in Pasadena about 1988. Harry Pearl (Bill's brother) just whipped us up two protein smoothies. Gypsy was complaining about his hemroids. I told him to mega dose on Rutin and other bioflavanoids. A few months later at a Pasadena fitness/health fair he sees me from his booth (he was selling something green) and yells across the hall…"Hey Mortimer thanks again for fixing my hemroids". A dozen surprised attendies all turned to me and smiled. I had nowhere to hide.
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Gypsy was everywhere in the L.A. scene from Hollywood Blvd. to Muscle Beach. When the Oakland Raiders showed up at the L.A. Coleseum so did Gypsy. He was the only individual the security allowed on the field. He would walk up and down the field with bells and horns getting the fans involved. Every year for some 10-15 years KTLA Los Angeles would have in their parking lot on his birthday tossing a football. At 75 he could hurl it some 60 yards. Bikini clad girls would cheer him on then smother him with kisses after the feat.
I second to last time I saw him was at a health food store counter in Pasadena about 1988. Harry Pearl (Bill's brother) just whipped us up two protein smoothies. Gypsy was complaining about his hemroids. I told him to mega dose on Rutin and other bioflavanoids. A few months later at a Pasadena fitness/health fair he sees me from his booth (he was selling something green) and yells across the hall…"Hey Mortimer thanks again for fixing my hemroids". A dozen surprised attendies all turned to me and smiled. I had nowhere to hide.
;D
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FUNK, this is a wild guess cause it was so long ago but I think his bodywt was way more than 220 when he did some guest posing atone of the local high schools in the vicinity of Newport Beach back around 1965.
Possibly around 240. Definitely miles away from contest shape.
We took a couple of photos with Larry at that size, but they have been gone long ago.
I'll see if G. Mozee can give me a correct update. But I'll say again, Larry was one of he first pros who took his bodywt up 10 to 20% beyond his competitive wt..
I could be wrong but that's how I recall those good old days.
you might be right, i think larry was one of the first bulk up than cut up guys.this might be a bulked up pic. i know of one other but can't find it .
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FUNK, It's good to see that someone else recalls that Larry was possibly one of the first competitors to go through a BULK-UP phase before 'cutting-up' for the contest.
I can't recall anyone else before him that went through that 'bulk-up/cut up' method of contest-prep.
That day he guest posed as mentioned above .... he actually looked like the twin brother of the Pillsburry Dough Boy.
And to be perfectly honest ... I don't think you'll ever find a photo of a totally ripped-up Larry Scott.
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FUNK, It's good to see that someone else recalls that Larry was possibly one of the first competitors to go through a BULK-UP phase before 'cutting-up' for the contest.
I can't recall anyone else before him that went through that 'bulk-up/cut up' method of contest-prep.
That day he guest posed as mentioned above .... he actually looked like the twin brother of the Pillsburry Dough Boy.
And to be perfectly honest ... I don't think you'll ever find a photo of a totally ripped-up Larry Scott.
maybe second if you want to count bruce randall but not sure what he did would qualify, as he carried bulking up to the extreme.415 lbs down to below 200 and back to 230 lbs to win nabba mr u.
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FUNK, It's good to see that someone else recalls that Larry was possibly one of the first competitors to go through a BULK-UP phase before 'cutting-up' for the contest.
I can't recall anyone else before him that went through that 'bulk-up/cut up' method of contest-prep.
That day he guest posed as mentioned above .... he actually looked like the twin brother of the Pillsburry Dough Boy.
And to be perfectly honest ... I don't think you'll ever find a photo of a totally ripped-up Larry Scott.
But did guys really get super ripped at all back then?
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UGLY, You're right, but there was one competitor who was an exception in the early 60's. I mentioned him before (a few years back).
His diet consisted of nothing more that a cans of tuna after it was strained through a nylon stocking. Once that was done ... it appeared to be the consistency of saw-dust.
Four to six months of tuna and an occasional tablespoon of honey made him look like he was tured inside-out and won him the annual metal medallion on the red, white , and blue ribbon that everyone strived to win.
I believe he initiated the ripped-up look before anyone knew what 'ripped-up' meant.
Only saw him enter one event, so it's possible that he died shortly after.
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UGLY, You're right, but there was one competitor who was an exception in the early 60's. I mentioned him before (a few years back).
His diet consisted of nothing more that a cans of tuna after it was strained through a nylon stocking. Once that was done ... it appeared to be the consistency of saw-dust.
Four to six months of tuna and an occasional tablespoon of honey made him look like he was tured inside-out and won him the annual metal medallion on the red, white , and blue ribbon that everyone strived to win.
I believe he initiated the ripped-up look before anyone knew what 'ripped-up' meant.
Only saw him enter one event, so it's possible that he died shortly after.
Stunt, great that he was shredded, but MAN, what a miserable diet.
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But did guys really get super ripped at all back then?
here's a couple from that early era 1955-68
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FUNK, that ripped-up Hinds picture is a surprise to me. I don't recall ever meeting him back in those good old days, but while doing some research to see if our paths ever crossed ... I came across an interesting article that was written about HOFFMAN around the time that photo was taken.
I suggest you read it as it can be found here ... http://www.musclememory.com/showArticle.php?mb561023
ANd it's pretty damn interesting and based on one solitary meeting/observation I had with Mr HOFFMAN, I'd say it's pretty damn accurate.
More on that statement if there is any interest.
You have to realize that HOFFMAN was the principal player in all things weight related around that time. But read the link for the rest of the story ... but not the complete story.
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FUNK, that ripped-up Hinds picture is a surprise to me. I don't recall ever meeting him back in those good old days, but while doing some research to see if our paths ever crossed ... I came across an interesting article that was written about HOFFMAN around the time that photo was taken.
I suggest you read it as it can be found here ... http://www.musclememory.com/showArticle.php?mb561023
ANd it's pretty damn interesting and based on one solitary meeting/observation I had with Mr HOFFMAN, I'd say it's pretty damn accurate.
More on that statement if there is any interest.
You have to realize that HOFFMAN was the principal player in all things weight related around that time. But read the link for the rest of the story ... but not the complete story.
Stunt, there was a DVD of the first Mr. Olympia made by a guy that was there with a Super 8 camera. He also included footage of Olympic lifters and talked about how they took steroids and how it improved their lifting. He also mentioned dreading eating breakfast with Hoffman and company at a restaurant as he wanted to look like good man/healthy eater.
He said Hoffman at something like chicken fried steak and gravy like it was going out of style. Bob H. was all about the health. We're all human, some of us at the top just want to appear more super human. And truth be told, without the drugs those at the top would be a lot further down towards the bottom. Especially the jokers of today.
Hoffman and Weider supposedly hated one another too. Go figure.
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SCOTT, I think I saw the Super-8 version of that DVD you mentioned above. I saw it when DVD's weren't even thought of yet. Even computers were non-existant.
If that contest coverage included a competitor by the name of Rock Stonewall, I definitely saw it. And Scott was damn impressive.
Years later when Pete G and the partners sponsored the Nationals in Las Vegas, we had a reception party for all the VIPs and I finally had the opportunity to sit and have a short talk with Mr. Stonewall as well as many other of the old time greats whose names I have long forgotten.
And speaking of Mr Hoffman ,,, there's enough of a story there to fill a book and produce a major motion picture unless some of the participants pass away before it's written and put to print, but I was partially involved in an insignificant capacity when all this historical bodybuilding stuff was going on and was a prart at the major meeting when all the big shots got together to make the decision to break away from the AAU and then to accept the invitation from Joe and Ben to become somewhat associated with the IFBB as it was back then.
That meeting was helkd in the Santa Monica CIvic AUditorium the Sunday following Gary Leonard's win of the Mr America title .
Just about eveyone who was anyone was in attendence including the likes of the Hofffmam group led by Mr Terpak (if my memory serves me well), Dan Louri, Joe and Ben Weider, and a large contingent of people who were somehow associated the the Weider's in the past, some of whom did not speak in favor of their former bosses.
One old time weider associate even took the floor to inform one and all that the International IFBB was mainly composed of individual foreign PO Boxes from which small kids would pick up the mail on a continual basis.
But that meeting was run on a formal and very legal basis (Robert's Rules of Order) and it was Ben Weider himself who was hte only individual pereson who showed up in a suit and tie (an Oxford looking blazer) fully prepared and made an offer to the present governing body whose names I have forgotten except for the likes of Jerome weise and Ralph Countryman.
When the proper time arrive, Ben took the follr and make something like the following offer ...
a. The IFBB would recognize the NPC as the sole governing body for all amateur bodybuilding contests that were to be held in the US and its possessions.
b. In return the IFBB would not sanction nor promote amateur bodybuilding contests within the US and/or its possessions.
c, And the NPC would recognize the IFBB as the sole governing bodybuilding organization for professional bodybuilding contests within the US and as the sole governing bodybuilding organization for amateur and professional bodybuilding events outside of the USA.
This resulted in numeeous and very heavy arguments from the floor ... mainly from the Hoffman group and Dan L. ... but a vote was taken and the Weiders won the day.
Ben and a very silent Joe won that day because they made an offer that could not be refused .... while the others came unprepared and left disappointed.
The Weiders has the advantage due to the fact that they had a magazine that was in full support of the bodybuilders and refused to use bodybuilding competitions to draw a crowd for the monotony of many hours of Olympilc lifting competitions in which the bodybuilding comps were held after the lifting trophies were presented which was more than once ... about 2 PM in the morning.
More stuff went on ... but that's enough
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i think the dvd you are talking about was shot by a young man at the time by the name of norn komnich he has since died. i have a copy of the dvd which i purchased off of norm for 2 dollars[he wasn't trying to get rich off it that's for sure.] he was good friends with chuck sipes and there's some of that footage on there too. plus other contests. rock stonewall was defintely on it. along with many others .
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FUNK, that ripped-up Hinds picture is a surprise to me. I don't recall ever meeting him back in those good old days, but while doing some research to see if our paths ever crossed ... I came across an interesting article that was written about HOFFMAN around the time that photo was taken.
I suggest you read it as it can be found here ... http://www.musclememory.com/showArticle.php?mb561023
ANd it's pretty damn interesting and based on one solitary meeting/observation I had with Mr HOFFMAN, I'd say it's pretty damn accurate.
More on that statement if there is any interest.
You have to realize that HOFFMAN was the principal player in all things weight related around that time. But read the link for the rest of the story ... but not the complete story.
a pic from that contest look at 5 th place man harry johnson and steve k who actually was the first mr america to graduate from college.
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a pic from that contest look at 5 th place man harry johnson and steve k who actually was the first mr america to graduate from college.
When politics, nepotism or what have you raises its heinous head, its rare indeed to find someone willing to cut it off. I think Padilla was the rightful winner of the '81 Olympia. I would have gone with Paris in several Olympias as well. Bodybuilding is a highly subjective pageant, ergo it is subject to the whims (unsavory and otherwise) of the often inappropriately nominated judges.
Unless it's a different gentleman, it does appear that Mr. Johnson went on to win the A in 1959, but I agree he looks better in the photo of the '55 Mr. America than the winner that you displayed in your post.
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When politics, nepotism or what have you raises its heinous head, its rare indeed to find someone willing to cut it off. I think Padilla was the rightful winner of the '81 Olympia. I would have gone with Paris in several Olympias as well. Bodybuilding is a highly subjective pageant, ergo it is subject to the whims (unsavory and otherwise) of the often in appropriately nominated judges.
Unless it's a different gentleman, it does appear that Mr. Johnson went on to win the A in 1959, but I agree he looks better in the photo of the '55 Mr. America than the winner that you displayed in your post.
same johnson. aau with hoffman pulling the strings did this for years. to hoffman bbing contest were a sissified sport as compared to weightlifting.sergio oliva, harold poole, arthur harris,marvin eder,geo paine were just some to feel his wrath. a lot of it is chronicled in john fair's book.
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same johnson. aau with hoffman pulling the strings did this for years. to hoffman bbing contest were a sissified sport as compared to weightlifting.sergio oliva, harold poole, arthur harris,marvin eder,geo paine were just some to feel his wrath. a lot of it is chronicled in john fair's book.
Yeah, I once read a quote from Steve Reeves on the first Mr. Universe in England which he lost to John Grimek. Reeves said they were tied and to break said tie they had to display some sort of athleticism or the sort and Grimek did a bit of gymnastics and his muscle control act and won. Reeves said he was disappointed because he thought it was a physique competition, not a gymnastics display.
I think Hoffman had plenty to do with this decision.
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John Fair's upcoming book on the history of the AAU Mr. America contest should be very informative.
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Keep us informed, Joe.
I hope his book includes the real reasons why the AAU went under regarding the control/sanctioning of bodybuilding contests.
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John Fair's upcoming book on the history of the AAU Mr. America contest should be very informative.
thanks for the heads up joe looking forward to it.
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JOE, I was an active participant in the separation of the AAU from bodybuilding and only wish that I had tape recorded a couple of those important meetings.
Especially the big meeting at the Santa Monica CIvic Audirotium in which both of the Weider's were involved along with the Hoffman group (Mr Hoffman himself was not present), Dan Louri (spelling?), and a vast number of other antagonists and supporters within the bodybuilding world.
That was the formal meeting which decided that the NPC (was the NPC in fact organized at that point or was it in a 'transition' phase?) would recognize the IFBB as the world governing body etc, etc .... as stated in an earlier post.
It should prove interesting to read how another individual saw how this separation occured as I have long forgotten the finer details.
But the two names that I can recall who were most instrumental in creating this separation from the AAU were Ralph Countryman and Jerome Weise. Most others just cast a vote in response to their recommentdations.
I'd like to see if my memory of all this stuff serves me correctly. and look foreward to reading Mr, Fair's book mentioned above.
Thanks, Joe!
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John Fair's upcoming book on the history of the AAU Mr. America contest should be very informative.
Joe, Do you have any idea when the release date for this will be? Sounds interesting...
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Joe, Do you have any idea when the release date for this will be? Sounds interesting...
there is a 30 page pdf of a john fair article entitled mr america idealism and rascism 1941-1982. on line.
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there is a 30 page pdf of a john fair article entitled mr america idealism and rascism 1941-1982. on line.
it's a good article in it harry johnson who won the 1959 mr america aau title himself said arthur harris should have won the title that year. johnson should have won the klisanin year i guess klisanin won because he was the first college graduate to win the title. once again you decide should johnson have placed 5 th this year.
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Steven, thanks, just went and read Fairs Mr. America PDF from IGH again.
A well done and interesting story...
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I believe the book should be released this year. But who knows, the second planned volume of Jan Delinger's files has been delayed even though he sent it to the printer years ago.
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(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-ktIsAnPEo/TyiM_DNvzRI/AAAAAAAADYk/KT7W1qbpT-Y/s640/steveherc.jpg)
Hercules drives a jeep!
(http://distilleryimage0.s3.amazonaws.com/3763e16a742e11e39c23126c29766154_6.jpg)
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Some great reading and photographs here: http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/IGH/IGH0604/IGH0604a.pdf (http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/IGH/IGH0604/IGH0604a.pdf)
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Some great reading and photographs here: http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/IGH/IGH0604/IGH0604a.pdf (http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/IGH/IGH0604/IGH0604a.pdf)
A great journal / magazine... Been a subscriber for many years... (IGH)
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George's gym on Sahara was my hangout in Vegas, part of my selling territory. He was always in the gym, most of the time doing one set every half hour. Shall we say recovery time? He and my father in law had a mutual best friend so I was able to confuse George with some little jabs on his youth and WWll days....he never could figure out where I got my info. Funs times with a great guy.
Scott, not all Bodybuilders who dabble in AAS are scum. Some of the finest men in my travels incl. Doctors, business men, scientists, ministers, entrepanuers, and one Congressman (the good kind) dabbled a bit. And yes there are lots of scums in our gyms and on stage. There are scums in all walks of life. Now do I prefer the Old School physiques myself over the gorilla belly idiots parading out there now ('most' of the 212s excepted).....YES.
wutever happened to George's gym. I worked out there a few times. Wish I had a t shirt or something from there
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SLIK, I don't know the exact year nor the exact reason why George sold his gym that was located within that Sahara Ave shopping complex ... but we became good friends shortly after.
I think that he simply wanted to retire and spend some time with his wife in Hawaii for a short while.
Plus there was starting to be a hell of a lot of competition in LV back then.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/loucynt1/Steve_Reeves_vs_Eric_Pederson.jpg)
Reeves and Pederson, standing relaxed. No stupid arms stuck out to the sides like you're some sort of human albatross here, just class.
I think the numbering of contestants was done via height with the taller having the greater number.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v359/loucynt1/Steve_Reeves_vs_Eric_Pederson.jpg)
Reeves and Pederson, standing relaxed. No stupid arms stuck out to the sides like you're some sort of human albatross here, just class.
I think the numbering of contestants was done via height with the taller having the greater number.
NICE PIC ...CLASSIC..
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NICE PIC ...CLASSIC..
I Agree...
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SCOTT, Your comments regarding the 'relaxed' stance of Reeves and Pedersen reminds me that not too long ago the first prejudging line-up was called the "RELAXED ROUND" and the contestants were definitely reminded that it was a "relaxed round' so that each contestant could be judged accordingly perfectly relaxed while looking and standing straight ahead with both feet planed firmly on the ground.
But over the years this relaxed 'rule' was apparently not enforced, so the so called relaxed-round evolved into what is so apparent today.
And in my personal opinion .... most contestants 'appear' to be in better shape while standing relaxed instead of flexing their lats and holding their arms out like they are awaiting the proper wind conditions in order to take off and fly back to the gym
Is that initial line-up even referred to as the RELAXED ROUND any longer?
And YES! You are correct that the contestants were lined up according to height back then. As far as I can recall I don't believe that the original rule book mandated how it should be done though.
Anyone out there have a copy of that original AAU Bodybuilding rule-book??
Back in them olden days there were not enough contestants to divide them into weight classes so it was somewhat
common to have the short guys lead the rest according to height.
Other than that... all is well!
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I never met ERIC but I met and worked with STEVE a good number of times.
To the best of my knowledge, ERIC lived in Las Vegas for a good number of years as a collector of gamblers' bad debts ... a pretty 'heavy ' job back then.
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Stunt, if you were impressed by Reeves's "relaxed," you really need to see Branch Warren's. It's something Michelangelo would have sculpted.
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Stunt, if you were impressed by Reeves's "relaxed," you really need to see Branch Warren's. It's something Michelangelo would have sculpted.
How about you posting an example of Branch in a relaxed pose in the mode of days gone by. It seems like no one knows what "relaxed" actually means these days.
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How about you posting an example of Branch in a relaxed pose in the mode of days gone by. It seems like no one knows what "relaxed" actually means these days.
:)
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You knew I was f'n around, Prime. Why not just "Lol" and move on?
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:)
Thanks. I am not disappointed, but if you honestly think this is a "relaxed" pose, you missed understanding some of the previous posts regarding what relaxed actually means.
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Thanks. I am not disappointed, but if you honestly think this is a "relaxed" pose, you missed understanding some of the previous posts regarding what relaxed actually means.
Need to grasp sarcasm, my friend.
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Need to grasp sarcasm, my friend.
Sorry....I obviously missed it....my bad.
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I'm not as dumb as I think I am, but I never understood what the word "sarcasm" really meant.
I must have missed that day in school, but thanks to UGLY and PRIME, I looked up the definition .... and now I'm completely confused.
That is until I read some sarcastic comments that were stated by some pretty damn important people ..... Such as ...
No one is a virgin, the world screws us all"
Be careful whose toes you step on today because they might be connected to the foot that kicks your ass tomorrow"
!~!~I tried sniffing coke, but the Ice Cubes got stuck in my nose !~!~!~
If you do the job badly enough, sometimes you don't get asked to do it again."
"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
"I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally."-
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education
My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I'm right.
Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others.
I'm not anti-social, I just don't like you"
"Don't talk to me, when I'm talking to myself"
"Home isn't where the heart is, home is a place you go where they have to let you in"
"We are all going to hell, and I am driving the bus"
Still a bit confused, but now I got to look up IRONY .... another day I missed in school.
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I not as dumb as I think I am, but I never understood what the word "sarcasm" really meant.
I must have missed at day in school, but thnks to UGLY and PRIME, I looked up the definition .... and now I'm completely confused.
That is until I read some sarcastic comments that were stated by some pretty damn important people ..... Such as ...
No one is a virgin, the world screws us all"
Be careful whose toes you step on today because they might be connected to the foot that kicks your ass tomorrow"
!~!~I tried sniffing coke, but the Ice Cubes got stuck in my nose !~!~!~
If you do the job badly enough, sometimes you don't get asked to do it again."
"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
"I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally."-
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education
My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I'm right.
Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others.
I'm not anti-social, I just don't like you"
"Don't talk to me, when I'm talking to myself"
"Home isn't where the heart is, home is a place you go where they have to let you in"
"We are all going to hell, and I am driving the bus"
Still a bit confused, butnow I got to look up IRONY .... another day I missed in school.
:)
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I'm not as dumb as I think I am, but I never understood what the word "sarcasm" really meant.
I must have missed that day in school, but thanks to UGLY and PRIME, I looked up the definition .... and now I'm completely confused.
That is until I read some sarcastic comments that were stated by some pretty damn important people ..... Such as ...
No one is a virgin, the world screws us all"
Be careful whose toes you step on today because they might be connected to the foot that kicks your ass tomorrow"
!~!~I tried sniffing coke, but the Ice Cubes got stuck in my nose !~!~!~
If you do the job badly enough, sometimes you don't get asked to do it again."
"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
"I am free of all prejudices. I hate everyone equally."-
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education
My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I'm right.
Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others.
I'm not anti-social, I just don't like you"
"Don't talk to me, when I'm talking to myself"
"Home isn't where the heart is, home is a place you go where they have to let you in"
"We are all going to hell, and I am driving the bus"
Still a bit confused, but now I got to look up IRONY .... another day I missed in school.
Apparently, you are not as dumb as you think you are. :D
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Getting back to when and where and how it started, but "WHY" raises many questions?
I'll give it a try though with some help from some of those GERBIGGERS who lived in them there early days when gas was 18 cents a gallon, coffee a nickle, ice cream - two scoops - a dime, an afternoon of cartoons and serials - ten cents, hot popcorn warmed up in a lightbulb from a big machine - a nickel, 19 cent burgers adn a full steak dinner from a $1.09 in a fancy place with linen napkins, etc,. etc.
Actually the original and prevalent characters on Santa Monica's Muscle Beach were the gymnists, but the "usual suspects" soon showed up and built a reputation that would resound throughout the world,
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Those three old shots shown above were definitely taken at the Santa Monica location ..... but even me who knows a lot of just about everything .... has to take a guess regarding the location of the old photo shown below.
It was definitrly taken at either the old Santa Monica Beach location or at the Venice Beach location.
Here is why I am confused ....
The low wooden walls and the wooded storage area definitely look like the old Santa Monica facility, but the fence in the background simply resembles the fence that is in the background of the current day lifting pit at Venice Beach.
My best bet would be that this photo was taken when the old structure and the equipment was moved from Santa Monica and then set up in the current day Venice Beach location and it could have been taken within a day or so after that move was made.
Help needed here, Oldtimers.....
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Gotta be Venice. I've been in that shed a few times. Check out the palm trees, their location and spread from each other. Now somewhat taller as expected.
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Getting back to when and where and how it started, but "WHY" raises many questions?
I'll give it a try though with some help from some of those GERBIGGERS who lived in them there early days when gas was 18 cents a gallon, coffee a nickle, ice cream - two scoops - a dime, an afternoon of cartoons and serials - ten cents, hot popcorn warmed up in a lightbulb from a big machine - a nickel, 19 cent burgers adn a full steak dinner from a $1.09 in a fancy place with linen napkins, etc,. etc.
Actually the original and prevalent characters on Santa Monica's Muscle Beach were the gymnists, but the "usual suspects" soon showed up and built a reputation that would resound throughout the world,
It really should have never gone beyond this, stunt. Ok, maybe Arnold, but no further.
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8)
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The picture is from Venice.
The current pit built in the early 90's is not in exactly the same spot as the old one.
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Chris Dickerson gets awarded on the 4th of July.
Video was shot by Getbig's MrYorkielover
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Been off ... robbing casinos! Time to get back to this GertBig Board.
Plates .... Thanks for posting the Chris Dickerson video. It brought back some old memories.
The second to l last time I saw Chris was a week or two AFTER or a week or two BEFORE he won his major national IFBB bodybuilding title .... one hell of a long time ago.
The function was actually a major pool party at a luxurious home in the vicinity of Beverly Hills which was supposed to be a 'send off'' celebration on the behalf of Bob Birdsong's short trip to Tiajuana to win the IFBB International Contest ... and Gene and many of his friends (gym members) were on hand to wish Bob the best of luck.
As previously mentioned a short while back, Bob won that contest easily but the most interesting event at that contest was the continuous challenge made by SERGIO to ARNOLD for an immediate pose-down to see who really was the best during those somewhat early years.
And shortly after that function, we stopped by to see Chris at his new gym which I sort of recall was located on Santa Monica Blvd a bit west of the Hollywood theater district.
Thanks for posting that clip, Plates!
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Chris is one of the nicest dudes I ever met in our sport. He was a good friend of the Pearl brothers. I went to that gym on Santa Monica with Harry Pearl. We saw Dave Johns in there...don't know why but I.thought it was Dave's gym. I recall it was mostly gay men. Harry had told me that Chris had an amazing body part never seen on stage and was a favorite subject in the gay underground mags of the 70s/80s. Harry said he only did it for the money. The last time I spoke to Chris was about 5 years ago...I recall he was living in Tampa Bay and doing local opera. The cane in the video indicates a stroke? I pray not.
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MB, Thanks once again! We come from the same generation ... so I gotta say that it's always great to to converse with someone who lived back then, was involved, and knows what the hell he is talking about .... and says it with a great amount of compassion and courtesy.
I only met Chris a couple of times but on each occasion I left feeling that I had met a great individual within the world of weights and ..... 'measures' .... to put it as politely as I can.
If I recall correctly, Chris's gym was located on that part of Santa Monica Blvd which is a predominantly gay neighborhood today, but I'm not sure it it was so 'inclined' back then.
I never did have the opportunity to meet Harry but I have known Bill for a great number of years now and am always amazed that he can pick me out of a crowd and start the same conversation we ended up with so many years earlier.
Way back then I was stationed someplace over seas and used to lift heavy stuff at Bill's in Pasadena during some short jaunts to the mainland and made many great friends in the process whom you may have also had the pleasure of meeting during your earlier heavy-lifting-stuff career.
I've never met Harry ... but I've heard a lot of interesting stories.
As for DAVe JOHNS .. One of the finest individuals I've had the honor to meet during my somewhat exceptional lifetime.
A lot of great memories have been brought about by you last post, MB.
THANKS!!!!
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In July of 1986 I was invited by Dan Mackey to judge his West Coast Bodybuilding Championships in Ventura, Ca. By chance I sat next to Dave Johns, Mr. America. There was a 2 hour break after pre judging and Dan treated us to a great judges luncheon. I just sat there and soaked in the conversation that went from Pearl to Draper to Arnold. I had a ball. The next day Dave was rushed to the hospital where he died from Valley Fever complications (a lung fungal infection common in both the San Joaquin and Phoenix valleys). Dave kept his suffering very quiet since there was no indication of any illness at our lunch or the afternoon contest finals. I also remember that Dave wore a beautiful light brown business suit, spotless leather shoes and an open tie less white dress shirt. The rest of us looked rather sloppy in our sweat shirts, polo shirts, jeans and sneakers. Dave saw himself as an Ambassador to Bodybuilding. That he was.
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;D
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Thank you as well for sharing your stories, Stunt :)
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Thank you as well for sharing your stories, Stunt :)
Indeed. Stunt has had an amazing life.
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Dave Johns with Mae West in Las Vegas.....
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I hate to say "You're wrong, MB!" ...... but ..... "You're wrong, MB!".
And here is why you're wrong, MB!
I know for an absolute fact that that photo of Dave and Mae West was shot in Santa Monica, California. (See below for possible exclusion.)
I know that undisputed 'fact' for a couple of reasons.... (Disputes are welcome though!)
#1 reason is that I was standing on that stage (in the wings - "stage left") about 20 feet away when Mae presented that 1977 overall Mr A. trophy to
Dave. Bert Goodrich who escorted Mae onto that stage is standing out of frame a few feet on Mae's left side.
Bert and Mae actually talked to me before that photo was taken! If I recall correctly, he said, "May we pass by please?"
#2 reason is the fact (to the best of my knowledge) that Dave never appeared on stage during Mae's "Muscle Man " act within Vegas nor anyplace else.
#3 reason is that Mae performed that act only during the 1950's and possibly into the early 1960's. (More minor details on Mae and her performances if you are interested ... such as ... She and W.C. Fields owned some of the south end Las Vegas Strip desert while it was still an over-baked wasteland. (Difficult to prove that though.)
#4 minor reason is ... Dave is still wearing his contestant number on his trunks which trunks were considered to be inappropriate men's stage-ware way back then even in LV.. (I think Mae's act had somewhat of a Roman theme ... Never saw it.... but friends were in it.)
MB, where were you the day that Dave won that 1977 Mr America title?
To the best off my recollection that contest was promoted by Ken Sprague while he owned the Santa Monica Gold's Gym at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium with a real live high school symphony orchestra instead of the contestant's recorded music.
And a big parade with an elephant if I recall correctly. (Photos of that event can be found someplace here on this GetBig Board.)
Thanks, MB ... and "THANKS" to all you other GetBiggers who enjoy reading this ancient history stuff. (One of my very young nephews asked me if I knew or had ever met "DEMETRIUS".)
For you newbies ... Demetrius was a gladiator in ancient Rome. (IMDB 'DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS".)
And "NOPE!" .... I never did meet Demetrius! (But I did meet the vast majority of Keith's acquaintances ... including A.S., S.S., C.N. etc., etc. ... but never Jonsey!
SHIT!!!
(MB ...What is the name of that large auditorium situated by the USC campus? Numerous contests were also held there at one time or another and it could be remotely possible that that was the site where Mae presented Dave his trophy ... and possibly not the Santa Monica Civic.)
Joe! Where are ya when we need ya??
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Mae West in Las Vegas and singing in Sextette
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Yipes...now you have me. I went to the Shrine Auditorium near USC campus around 1977 to see a show. I must admit those were my fuzzy days. 3 years later I crashed and have been clean and sober since. Quite frankly all I remember is giant posters of Bodybuilders as we entered the hall. If my life depended on it I could not name the show or a single contestant. It makes sense however because I went to all the Bert Goodrich appearances and promotions. My training was hit and miss, mostly miss in those days.
Thanx for the clarity.
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...
Thanks, MB ... and "THANKS" to all you other GetBiggers who enjoy reading this ancient history stuff. (One of my very young nephews asked me if I knew or had ever met "DEMETRIUS".
For you newbies ... Demetrius was a gladiator in ancient Rome. (IMDB 'DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS".)
And "NOPE!" .... I never did meet Demetrius! (But I did mer the vast majority of Keith's acquaintances ... including A.S., S.S., C.N. etc., etc. ... but never Jonsey!
SHIT!!!
(MB ...What is the name of that large auditorium situated by the USC campus? Numerous contests were also held there at one time or another and it could be remotely possible that that was the site where Mae presented Dave his trophy ... and possibly not the Santa Monica Civic.)
Joe! Where are ya when we need ya??
Stunt, "Demetrius and the Gladiators" was the sequel to "The Robe". It starred Victor Mature in the title role with William Marshall, Debra Paget, Susan Hayward and Michael Rennie to name but a few of the cast members. Have it on Laser Disc.
I pretty much know you knew this stuff but figured most of the others here probably did not. Had a friend/co-worker that did some work for Mature in his later years. Said he was a real gentleman.
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:'(
Stunt, "Demetrius and the Gladiators" was the sequel to "The Robe". It starred Victor Mature in the title role with William Marshall, Debra Paget, Susan Hayward and Michael Rennie to name but a few of the cast members. Have it on Laser Disc.
I pretty much know you knew this stuff but figured most of the others here probably did not. Had a friend/co-worker that did some work for Mature in his later years. Said he was a real gentleman.
8) 8) 8) 8)
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;D
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:o
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SCOTT.... Yea, Mature was considered to be one of the better guys in the movie business but he never considered himself to be much of an actor.
He once attempted to become a member in a very exclusive Los Angeles Golf Club only to be told that they did not accept actors.
And his retort was .... "I'm not an actor .... and I have 64 films to prove that!"
He made a movie called "ONE MILLION BC" in 1940 and it was one of the first full length Hollywood films I saw on the family Philco TV set.
I watched it whenever it came on because of the exploding volcano scene only to end up living on the side of one many years later.
Ed Holvochick had numerous roles in those sold Hollywood Cinemascope features. He eventually became Ed Fury and almost no one ever heard of him again.
One of my family members made it big time in Hollywood but hated it and quit after a couple of major films.
Closer family members work consistentlly and seldom get time to spend with their family as a lot of the major productions are now filmed outside of Los Angeles.
Off topic ... Sorry bout that.
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Ed Fury had a varied career. Physique model and actor are just some of the things he's known for.
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Ed Fury was the top male athletic model of his generation, starred in a number of Hercules-type 'Sword and Sandal' and other adventure movies, and had the singing lead of Marius in Josh Logan's Broadway production of "Fanny". UCLA did a retrospective of his movies and RAI Italian television recently did a documentary on his life and career. Ed Fury has kept his good health and good looks through healthy living, including lots of fresh organic fruit and vegetables, plenty of exercise, no tobacco and no alcohol, and having a wide range of intellectual and artistic interests.
Filmography:
The Wild Women of Wongo (1958) as Gahbo
La regina delle Amazzoni (1960) aka Colossus and the Amazons as Glauco
Ursus (1961) as Ursus
Ursus nella valle dei leoni (1961) aka Ursus in the Valley of the Lions as Ursus
Maciste contro lo sceicco (1962) aka Maciste against the Sheik and Samson against the Sheik as Maciste
Ursus nella terra di fuoco (1963) aka Ursus in the Land of Fire as Ursus
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Why the fuck has stuntmovie become stuntmovie 1 all of a sudden?
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The Athletic Model Guild, or AMG, was founded by Bob Mizer in December 1945.
Mizer did appear in court to face several charges over the years, including obscenity, drug use, and prostitution. Allegedly, Mizer's AMG models would sometimes earn extra money “renting” themselves out as "gay for pay' hustlers, but Mizer argued vigorously that it was not his business what they did on their own time.
Several bodybuilders and actors of the day got their start posing for Mizer and his friends at AMG. It is estimated that he shot over 10,000 men throughout the course of his career. Others included Ed Fury and Glenn Corbett of 77 Sunset Strip, and Susan Hayward and Alan Ladd. Bodybuilder and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger posed for AMG under Mizer in 1975.
When I was a teenager, I found my way to AMG studios to see about modeling. I was in a photo shoot in the hills above Ventura Blvd. out in Thousand Oaks. I am not sure if any of the photos of me on horseback in a G-string were ever published. My modeling career was very brief. I am not sure why I didn't pursue this when I was a little older and a bit beefier.
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:)
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The Athletic Model Guild, or AMG, was founded by Bob Mizer in December 1945.
Mizer did appear in court to face several charges over the years, including obscenity, drug use, and prostitution. Allegedly, Mizer's AMG models would sometimes earn extra money “renting” themselves out as "gay for pay' hustlers, but Mizer argued vigorously that it was not his business what they did on their own time.
Several bodybuilders and actors of the day got their start posing for Mizer and his friends at AMG. It is estimated that he shot over 10,000 men throughout the course of his career. Others included Ed Fury and Glenn Corbett of 77 Sunset Strip, and Susan Hayward and Alan Ladd. Bodybuilder and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger posed for AMG under Mizer in 1975.
When I was a teenager, I found my way to AMG studios to see about modeling. I was in a photo shoot in the hills above Ventura Blvd. out in Thousand Oaks. I am not sure if any of the photos of me on horseback in a G-string were ever published. My modeling career was very brief. I am not sure why I didn't pursue this when I was a little older and a bit beefier.
Oh Lawdy.
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Oh Lawdy.
Yeah well, I was young and dumb.
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Around 1983-84 I was approached by a BB photographer after a local show which I competed in earlier that evening. This fellow was at all the local Natural. AAU and NPC shows. I had seen his work in a lot of the magazines. He told me added publicity would help in my future shows. He promised to get me in the mags. I met him in the Malibu hills at a horse ranch to which he had access. We walked over to some rocks which I had seen before in a lot of his pics. He asked if he could watch me change into a thong which he brought along. BINGO!! Adios MFer. I was back in my car and outta there in a flash. I wondered how many men he had messed with in the past and what compromises they did.
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Around 1983-84 I was approached by a BB photographer after a local show which I competed in earlier that evening. This fellow was at all the local Natural. AAU and NPC shows. I had seen his work in a lot of the magazines. He told me added publicity would help in my future shows. He promised to get me in the mags. I met him in the Malibu hills at a horse ranch to which he had access. We walked over to some rocks which I had seen before in a lot of his pics. He asked if he could watch me change into a thong which he brought along. BINGO!! Adios MFer. I was back in my car and outta there in a flash. I wondered how many men he had messed with in the past and what compromises they did.
Fortunately, was not asked to "compromise" anything of significance when I wore the G-string in that photo shoot. Getting naked has never seemed like a big deal to me. Clothes are man's invention. Throughout the history of clothing, as much has been done with fashion to enhance human sexuality as has been to cover it up. Think about the codpieces men wore in the middle ages. Think about the Victoria secret push up bras of today. Anyone who has ever gone to a nude beach realizes that once the novelty of seeing naked people has wore off, there is very little about most folks' naked bodies that is sexy.
Obviously you were older than me. I am not sure I was even driving yet, which would have made me 15 years old.
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I have no problem being naked. It was the "can I watch you". That sent me on my way. My last flash was at the 2010 Masters Nationals where I changed into my suit in the back room with the other men and about 20 over 40 Bikini contestants who came on after our class. The Bikini gals changed right there too. All were shaved down like 12 year olds.
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I have no problem being naked. It was the "can I watch you". That sent me on my way. My last flash was at the 2010 Masters Nationals where I changed into my suit in the back room with the other men and about 20 over 40 Bikini contestants who came on after our class. The Bikini gals changed right there too. All were shaved down like 12 year olds.
Yeah, some dude asking if he can watch you change clothes is creepy, I'll give you that. He could have simply engaged you in conversation while you were changing thereby having an excuse to look at you. In asking if he could watch, he was blatantly admitting his interest were not on the up and up.
Not having ever been in a bodybuilding competition, I wouldn't know what the prep area is like. I suspect many bodybuilders don't suffer from false modesty though. Posing suits being what they are or aren't these days, there is practically nothing left to expose anyway.
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Fortunately, was not asked to "compromise" anything of significance when I wore the G-string in that photo shoot. Getting naked has never seemed like a big deal to me. Clothes are man's invention. Throughout the history of clothing, as much has been done with fashion to enhance human sexuality as has been to cover it up. Think about the codpieces men wore in the middle ages. Think about the Victoria secret push up bras of today. Anyone who has ever gone to a nude beach realizes that once the novelty of seeing naked people has wore off, there is very little about most folks' naked bodies that is sexy.
Obviously you were older than me. I am not sure I was even driving yet, which would have made me 15 years old.
So very wrong. Not you, Prime, this "studio."
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So very wrong. Not you, Prime, this "studio."
Just going by age, I would agree. It is possible I never mentioned my age, To be fair, I think I looked older. I had no trouble getting served when I was 15 years old. No one ever asked me for ID.
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BIG AL... Stuntmovie - 1?!!! I have no idea how that came about but I managed to win a brand new computer and during the sign in and password procedures, I apparently messed it up a bit.
Thanks for asking but I still see the original name on these here posts.
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BIG AL... Stuntmovie - 1?!!! I have no idea how that came about but I managed to win a brand new computer and during the sign in and password procedures, I apparently messed it up a bit.
Thanks for asking but I still see the original name on these here posts.
But you lost all your old posts. What happened?
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But you lost all your old posts. What happened?
No he didn't. His old posts, which go back to 2005, are still under the Stuntmovie handle. The most recent post on that account is June 21, 2014 a few weeks before his posts using the Stuntmovie1 account commenced.
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No he didn't. His old posts, which go back to 2005, are still under the Stuntmovie handle. The most recent post on that account is June 21, 2014 a few weeks before his posts using the Stuntmovie1 account commenced.
Why the change, though?
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Why the change, though?
Does this explain it?
BIG AL... Stuntmovie - 1?!!! I have no idea how that came about but I managed to win a brand new computer and during the sign in and password procedures, I apparently messed it up a bit.
Thanks for asking but I still see the original name on these here posts.
[/quote]
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PRIME, I'm a bit confused on why and how this name "change" came about but I think that while setting up this new computer, I forgot the password for STUNTMOVIE and decided to start anew with the new Stuntmovie-1 account.
Or something like that!
I may be stupid but I ain't dumb .... but I am notorious at forgetting passwords and combination lock digits ... but I can still remember every number I ever had since I learned how to dial a phone ... But back then there was no dialing and I sort of recall that I had to turn a crank and give the operator the number I wanted to call if the party line was not too busy.
Or something like that!
PRIME ... Is there any way to change me back to the Stuntmovie account without knowing the original password of that account?
Sorry for being off topic once again
BUT .... I had a good talk with the original BILL GRANT this afternoon and plan to bring anyone interested up-to-date regarding BILL some of the semi-original 'muscle beach dudes' of way back then.
And while I'm art it, I'll do my best to contact Gene Mozee who somehow manages to keep track of most of those long forgotten within the muscle game since the 1950's .... and possibly even beyond.
Thanks, PRIME!
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PRIME, I'm a bit confused on why and how this name "change" came about but I think that while setting up this new computer, I forgot the password for STUNTMOVIE and decided to start anew with the new Stuntmovie-1 account.
Or something like that!
I are stupid but I ain't dumb but I am notorious for forgetting passwords and combination lock digest but I can still remember every phone number I ever had since I learned how to dial a phone ... But back then there was no dialing and I sort of remember that I had to turn a crank and give the operator the number I wanted to call if the party line was not too busy.
Or something like that!
PRIME ... Is there any way to change me back to the Stuntmovie account without knowing the original password of that account?
Sorry for being off topic once again
BUT .... I had a good talk with the original BILL GRANT this afternoon and plan to bring anyone interested up-to-date regarding BILL some of the semi-original 'muscle beach dudes' of way back then.
And while I'm art it, I'll do my best to contact Gene Mozee who somehow manages to keep track of most of those long forgotten within the muscle game since the 1950's .... and possibly even beyond.
Thanks, PRIME!
What you suggest is probably what happened with your account. Interesting that you can remember numbers but not passwords. I have the same issue. I can remember phone numbers and addresses, but I might forget my best friend's name. There are some Primemuscle1 accounts floating about the internet simple because I couldn't remember my password for the site. I am considering using one of the identity safes that various programs and services offer like, Norton and Xfinity.
If it really matters to you to get your Stuntmovie without the 1 back, you should contact Ron. He might be able to do something for you. It is pretty obvious you both Stuntmovie and Stuntmovie1 when you look at the post history. There is never a time both Stuntmovies were posting simultaneously.
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Thanks, PRIME! I'll be seeing RON soon and ask for a fix if one is really needed.
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;D another early day MB pic.
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;D another early day MB pic.
Oh lord! Women were so classy back then.
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Oh lord! Women were so classy back then.
Thank you for recognizing and posting this. I wanted to, but feared that some would just think I was out of touch because I am a senior citizen.
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Scott / Prime .... I don't think bikinis became popular until many years after that photo was taken, but once the two-piece suit became popular, the ladies never went back.
One elderly family member of mine used to sit on Waikiki Beach behind the Royal Hawaiian Hotel every day with her old circle of friends while knitting two piece suits for the locals at $6 each.
She was instrumental in popularizing the bikini in Hawaii.
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Scott / Prime .... I don't think bikinis became popular until many years after that photo was taken, but once the two-piece suit became popular, the ladies never went back.
One elderly family member of mine used to sit on Waikiki Beach behind the Royal Hawaiian Hotel every day with her old circle of friends while knitting two piece suits for the locals at $6 each.
She was instrumental in popularizing the bikini in Hawaii.
My mom wore two-piece swimsuits from the mid 1940's on. She had a nice slim body (no boobs to speak of), but otherwise she had an athletic build. Two piece suits in those days were very modest by comparison to what came later. The suit bottoms had modesty panels and went clear to the waist. All that was bare, was the midriff. One of the benefits of a two-piece suit over a one piece, according to my mom, was it gave her more freedom of movement when swimming. She loved the beach. When I was a kid, as soon as the weather was starting to warm, we'd be at State Beach in Santa Monica, CA from mid-morning until sundown. She'd even keep me home from school sometimes so we could go to the beach. Those were the days. Life was carefree.
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Thank you for recognizing and posting this. I wanted to, but feared that some would just think I was out of touch because I am a senior citizen.
Trust me my dear friend, you are neither out of touch nor out of your mind.
Looking at the past and staring at the present this much is readily apparent. Where once there was class, there is now naught but ass. I much prefer the playground of my own mind versus having everything a woman has thrown at me all at once.
In all ways and for always, be well.
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Time to take a break from the normal.... before getting back to the abs-normal ....
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Mid-western friends (muscleheadz) are coming to California for their first coastal visit - eastt or west.
I told them I'd take them to Muscle Beach.
Their response was,,,, "Nah! .... We just want to see the ocean!"
I've never lived further than a couple of blocks from the sea. Even fought a few battles within the sight of some perfect surfing sites.
How many GetBiggers have never seen the ocean??
Until now, I've never though of that being remotely possible.
But I've never seen a cow give birth ... so what the hell do I know.
On numerous occasions they leap in a give a hand. (literally)
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Mid-western friends (muscleheadz) are coming to California for their first coastal visit - eastt or west.
I told them I'd take them to Muscle Beach.
Their response was,,,, "Nah! .... We just want to see the ocean!"
I've never lived further than a couple of blocks from the sea. Even fought a few battles within the sight of some perfect surfing sites.
How many GetBiggers have never seen the ocean??
Until now, I've never though of that being remotely possible.
But I've never seen a cow give birth ... so what the hell do I know.
On numerous occasions they leap in a give a hand. (literally)
I've seen the Pacific ocean at various locations from Ensenada all the way north to Victoria B.C. I crossed the Atlantic twice on the Ile de France, stayed in Brittany France, lived on Nantucket Island, on the coast of Maine, walked on the boardwalk at Coney Island and in Atlantic City. Walked the sands of the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama and Louisiana. I've never been to the far east or as best as I know seen the Mediterranean. -Never been to the North or South poles or South American. Would like to visit Australia and New Zeeland some day before I die.
Just so you know, I've also seen a cow give birth when I lived with cousins on a their dairy farm in Michigan.
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Prime I know State Beach well. My college beach. I played volleyball 'till I dropped. We built our own mini surf boards and called them Belly Boards. Life Magazine took pics of us belly boarding some State Beach storm breakers one December. No wet suits just white T shirts. The term Belly Board went world wide. My high school summers were spent at Sorrento Beach just south of State. Grammar school years were spent at Muscle Beach. I remember filling water melons with Myers 151 Rum and bringing them to State.
I also had amazing beach time around the world and sailed both the Mediterranean amd Caribbean. I may never see the sea again and thats OK with me. I now enjoy the lakes and streams of Arizona's White Mountains. I saw a giraffe give birth.
Life has been amazing.......
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Prime I know State Beach well. My college beach. I played volleyball 'till I dropped. We built our own mini surf boards and called them Belly Boards. Life Magazine took pics of us belly boarding some State Beach storm breakers one December. No wet suits just white T shirts. The term Belly Board went world wide. My high school summers were spent at Sorrento Beach just south of State. Grammar school years were spent at Muscle Beach. I remember filling water melons with Myers 151 Rum and bringing them to State.
I also had amazing beach time around the world and sailed both the Mediterranean amd Caribbean. I may never see the sea again and thats OK with me. I now enjoy the lakes and streams of Arizona's White Mountains. I saw a giraffe give birth.
Life has been amazing.......
My parents had a place in Beverly Hills and later in West Los Angeles, State Beach was a short trip from our home. My mom would have the house in order by 9:00 a.m. then we'd be packing the Caddy up with our beach stuff and off we went. We were both so tan, we looked Indian accept with blond hair and light colored eyes.
When I was in my teens, my parents bought a small weekend horse/hobby farm (an acre) in Encino. There was an Olympic size pool with diving board in the yard. The beach trips were much less frequent when we lived there. When I was in High School, most of the kids I hung with went to Zuma Beach. I missed going to State Beach. As soon as I was old enough to drive and my parents bought me a car, I was headed back to State Beach every chance I got.
When my mom and I went to State Beach, I'd sometimes hike all the way down to muscle beach, because even as a kid, I wanted to be built like those fella's. Muscle Beach being at on end of Santa Monica and State Beach at the other, I am surprised my mom let be go this far....hmm, maybe she was trying to get rid of me. LOL!
I live in Oregon now. The beach here is nice but the water is freezing even in the summer. The weather at the beach is generally sunny in late August and September. Any earlier than that, you never know what you will get weather wise after driving 80 miles to Cannon Beach or Seaside. I don't get down to the beach very often these days.
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What a great thread and a true pleasure and honour to be able to read it.
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
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Honest BOB, If you're honestly being honest, I gotta say, " I honestly thank ya."
But ... We've honestly gotta say that we've been getting a bit off topic lately.
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Can I stay off topic for one more minute?
Hey Prime remember Curries Ice Cream Parlor at Yarmoth and Ventura Blvd. Encino? They had an amazing juke box selector at each table and a Swami napkin holder that would answer yes/no questions. Also Suzie Black worked there. I had an amazing crush on her. We dated only once....sadly. Later she went to USC and married one of the McKeever brothers. (football fame twins).
OK Stunt I promise...thats it. Back to MB.
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Shit, Yea! That's OK, MB.
Many old farts believe that Lana Turner was discovered there.
I met her once .... or maybe it was her daughter.
By the way ..... Arnold ate good Jewish food at Zucky's. (Muscle Beach related)
And just about every wanna-be who ever lifted heavy things or only drempt about lifitng heavy things had many an early meal at The German's. (Muscle Beach related)
ANd the bigger muscle guys who lifted heavy things (often placeing cars on sidewalks for lafffs) put the Swedish Smorgasboard Buffet out of business after a couple of months of operation. (Muscle Beach related).
Sorry ... off topic a little bit.
And many bodybuilders often "fine dine" at The Original Pantry in downtown LA a block or two from Staple's Center.
Opps ... Sorry to be off topic,
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Can I stay off topic for one more minute?
Hey Prime remember Curries Ice Cream Parlor at Yarmoth and Ventura Blvd. Encino? They had an amazing juke box selector at each table and a Swami napkin holder that would answer yes/no questions. Also Suzie Black worked there. I had an amazing crush on her. We dated only once....sadly. Later she went to USC and married one of the McKeever brothers. (football fame twins).
OK Stunt I promise...thats it. Back to MB.
Sorry I don't remember the place you speak of. At the end of Densmore Street, which is the street I lived on, was a Love's Barbecue. I think we ate there at least once a week. Also on that corner of Ventura was a chilidog stand. My daily snack getting off the bus from school was a chilidog and shoestring potatoes. It is amazing that I didn't get fat in those days.
Do you remember Du-Par's in North Hollywood? They had the best coleslaw. My dad and I used to eat at the Hotdog Show on the corner of Ventura and Coldwater.
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Shit, Yea! That's OK, MB.
Many old farts believe that Lana Turner was discovered there.
I met her once .... or maybe it was her daughter.
By the way ..... Arnold ate good Jewish food at Zucky's. (Muscle Beach related)
And just about every wanna-be who ever lifted heavy things or only drempt about lifitng heavy things had many an early meal at The German's. (Muscle Beach related)
ANd the bigger muscle guys who lifted heavy things (often placeing cars on sidewalks for lafffs) put the Swedish Smorgasboard Buffet out of business after a couple of months of operation. (Muscle Beach related).
Sorry ... off topic a little bit.
And many bodybuilders often "fine dine" at The Original Pantry in downtown LA a block or two from Staple's Center.
Opps ... Sorry to be off topic,
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Wasn't Lana discover on Sunset at Schwabs? Her daughter Cheryl Crane was "discovered" after she supposedly killed Johnny Stompanado, her mother's lover.
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Honest BOB, If you're honestly being honest, I gotta say, " I honestly thank ya."
But ... We've honestly gotta say that we've been getting a bit off topic lately.
100% being honestly honest, honest.
Stay off topic as well, it all makes for interesting reading.
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Sorry I don't remember the place you speak of. At the end of Densmore Street, which is the street I lived on, was a Love's Barbecue. I think we ate there at least once a week. Also on that corner of Ventura was a chilidog stand. My daily snack getting off the bus from school was a chilidog and shoestring potatoes. It is amazing that I didn't get fat in those days.
Do you remember Du-Par's in North Hollywood? They had the best coleslaw. My dad and I used to eat at the Hotdog Show on the corner of Ventura and Coldwater.
I do remember the Hotdog Show. From 1971-1974 I went to Harvard Military School one block north from there on Coldwater Canyon. Vince Gironda opened his gym about a mile east from there on Ventura Blvd. I was a downtown L.A. kid (L.A. High after I escaped F'ing military school). The valley was a school bus ride and later an adventure in my '51 yellow Plymouth vert. I figure you are 2-3 years younger than I. I remember that Du Pars for the best lemon meringue pie. Place is still there today.
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I do remember the Hotdog Show. From 1971-1974 I went to Harvard Military School one block north from there on Coldwater Canyon. Vince Gironda opened his gym about a mile east from there on Ventura Blvd. I was a downtown L.A. kid (L.A. High after I escaped F'ing military school). The valley was a school bus ride and later an adventure in my '51 yellow Plymouth vert. I figure you are 2-3 years younger than I. I remember that Du Pars for the best lemon meringue pie. Place is still there today.
I have lots of fond memories of growing up in various parts of L.A. County. My parents had a sideline business flipping houses. We moved a lot. Between the ages of 8 and 18 we lived in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, West Los Angeles, Encino, Woodland Hills and Northridge. When I was 18 I moved to Santa Monica and eventually back to West Hollywood before my wife and I moved to Oregon to raise our family.
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I never did understand this pic with shirts off....Bert Goodrich would have never allowed this during real time. Shirts did come off for magazine shots.
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When Steve Reeves was off filming it was William Smith who was my trainer at Bert Goodrich Gym. I had the honor to nominate him for the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame. Bill was not only a versatile actor he was an American war hero/spy, spoke 5 languages, taught Russian, friend of Bruce Lee (see attached movie) holds world records in feats of strength incl. inverted dips done at Muscle Beach long ago, on cover of many musclemags, "worlds greatest bull whip aficionado", and all around good guy. He and Steve were my teen muscleman heroes.
Bill is still with us at age 81. I have asked Ric Drasin to interview him...fingers crossed.
My fav fight scene,,,
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Drasin just informed me that Bill has a voice problem and no longer does interviews. I heard an unconfirmed report last year that he may have had a stroke. I trust not. My heroes are made of steel.
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Drasin just informed me that Bill has a voice problem and no longer does interviews. I heard an unconfirmed report last year that he may have had a stroke. I trust not. My heroes are made of steel.
A friend of mine goes to old movie festivals where a lot of old stars usually show up. A few years back he went to one, and Smith was there. My friend said Smith's mind wasn't very good.
On a personal note, I would just about give my right arm to see the movie, C.C. and Company. This movie seems to have disappeared.
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A friend of mine goes to old movie festivals where a lot of old stars usually show up. A few years back he went to one, and Smith was there. My friend said Smith's mind wasn't very good.
On a personal note, I would just about give my right arm to see the movie, C.C. and Company. This movie seems to have disappeared.
[/quote :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o]dude it cost 5 dollars and 84 cents on amazon.com. don't cut off your arm yet.
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Drasin just informed me that Bill has a voice problem and no longer does interviews. I heard an unconfirmed report last year that he may have had a stroke. I trust not. My heroes are made of steel.
i.m not out in california but i do know that ric drasin wants to interview the guy who saved and set up vince's gym equipment. would really like to see this happen. do know david gironda sr.
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;D
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DAMN!! If yu guys are gonna talk "old day, muscle stuff", I'll join in and do the same. But first I gotta take a break and find myb "old time, muscle stuff" baseball cap and dig out some old time "muscle stuff" memories.
Some of this stuff inside that hat I cannot tell ya, because some of those of time geezers whom have become public figures or just plain daddies or mommies (Bless 'em all!) have warned me that it could be certain death before the publicatin date if I wrote about some old time muscle stuff.
But that old time muscle stuff was not as career nor life threatening as some of the muscle "shit" that has been previously mentioned on this board.
So ....Stand by to stand by! (And when you read it, do you best not to fall alseep!"
It's the kind of shit your weight trained gran-daddy might have told you over the breakfast table while downing his first of many daily protein shakes.
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William Smith
Mini Biography
Biker, bare-knuckle brawler, cowboy, Bee-Girl fighter, vampire hunter . . . William Smith has done it all. He was born on March 24, 1934, in Columbia, Missouri, on Rolling Acres, a Hereford cattle ranch. After losing everything to the dust bowl, the family moved to California. From 1942, when he was eight, through young adulthood, Bill appeared in many movies as an extra (uncredited). After high school, he joined the Air Force and served during the Korean War and flew secret ferret missions over Russia while in the NSA. He studied at the University of Munich, and Syracuse University. He graduated cum laude at UCLA. Bill would go on to become one of Hollywood's best-known character actors, with over 300 TV and movie credits. On TV he played in many westerns (did his own horseback riding), cop and sci-fi shows. He's best remembered for appearing in "Batman" (1966) as, appropriately, Adonis in the last episode. He was a series regular in "Hawaii Five-O" (1968), where he played Det. James "Kimo" Carew (the episode with Cathy Lee Crosby, "The Kahuna," drew particularly high ratings). On the big screen, Bill is legendary for biker flicks (he does his own motorcycle riding). His first biker flick, Run, Angel, Run! (1969), was shot in 13 days for under $100,000--and made $13 million! This was followed by Angels Die Hard (1970). These early, ground-breaking features defined the genre, and would be imitated endlessly (but never duplicated). In the early 1970s, Bill got into horror films--playing a vampire slayer in Grave of the Vampire (1974)--and science fiction, in the camp classic Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973), where he fought killer insect-women wearing sunglasses. Just about everybody's favorite William Smith movie, though, is Any Which Way You Can (1980), where as a bare-knuckle brawler he had a knock-down, drag-out fight with Clint Eastwood that wrecked about half the town. Tougher than Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill played his dad in Conan the Barbarian (1982), and was one of the few actors in the wildly popular, but critically lambasted, youth-oriented Red Dawn (1984) to receive any recognition from critics. He was in what could be called a textbook example of low-budget, campy sci-fi, Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988). Just about everybody who has ever worked with Bill speaks highly of him. He's educated, intelligent and energetic. A true legend in the business, Bill's acting career is still going strong in 2006, well into the 64th year of his career.
William Smith is probably best known for his portrayal as "Falconetti" in "Rich Man, Poor Man" (1976). He first came to the screen as a child actor in films such as Going My Way (1944) and The Song of Bernadette (1943), before entering the service during the Korean War. There, his fluency in five languages landed him in the N.S.A. Security Squadron 6907. While working towards his doctorate, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back. Over the next thirty years, Smith became one of the kings of B-movie villainy. With a prolific number of roles in westerns, biker, horror, sci-fi, and action pictures, his face-and muscular physique-are familiar to generations of movie fans.
Appeared in the final episode of "Batman" (1966).
Lifetime Achievement Award from Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness
Record-holder for reverse-curling his own body weight.
2 Time Arm Wrestling World Champion-200lb class-Petaluma, CA
Served in the Airforce, National Security Agency, during the Korean War.
Graduated UCLA Cum Laude.
He was the Marlboro Man in the final televised Marlboro commercial.
Fluent in English, Russian, German, French, Serbo-Croatian.
Competed as a downhill skier in AAU events at Mammoth Mountain
Competed in motocross events with Steve McQueen and doubled as one of the track riders in C.C. and Company (1970).
Had a 31-1 record as an amateur boxer
Held the Air Force Light-Heavyweight Weightlifting Championship
Performed over 5,100 continuous sit-ups over a five hour period
Played semi-pro football for the Wiesbaden Flyers in Germany
Has a Masters Degree in Russian and taught Russian Language Studies at UCLA in the late 1950s.
Won a Muscle Beach contest by performing 35 inverted handstand dips.
Honorary member of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures.
Direct descendant of Western figures Kit Carson and Daniel Boone.
Bruce Lee personally offered Smith the co-lead in Enter the Dragon (1973), but another film went over schedule and John Saxon stepped into the role.
Filmed an eight-minute test pilot portraying Caine for the TV series "Kung Fu" (1972), wearing prosthetic eyepieces to make him appear chinese. The network wanted Smith for the role, but producer Jerry Thorpe ultimately deemed him too muscular and menacing.
Studied kung fu for eight years with Jimmy Woo and kenpo karate master Ed Parker.
Stunt doubled for former Tarzan Lex Barker while living in France.
Turned down the role of Tarzan at MGM.
Training partner of first Mr. Olympia, Larry Scott.
Fought California wildfires in the early 1950s
Worked as a lifeguard on the French Riviera
Worked as a trainer at Bert Goodrich's Hollywood Gym
Child actor in both "A" and "B" movies of the 1940s. He stated in a horror magazine that during breaks on the set of The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), star Lon Chaney Jr., treated all of the children on the set to ice cream.
Threw the discus 151 feet at a time when the top AAU distance was 150.6 feet.
Won the Light-Heavyweight German-Austrian Boxing Championship while in the service.
Considered the worlds best bull whip handler.
In 1942's The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), he plays the boy who throws the little girl's ball to the top of the roof. This role marks the first of his many appearances as a villain.
His favorite writer is Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
Recipient of the 2008 Silver Spur Award.
Recipient of the 2005 Southern California Motion Picture Council Award.
Muscle Beach Hall of Fame Award.
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WOW! I met Bill Smith once on one of the Universal sets a few years before he because famous in RICH MAN, POOR MAN ... if I am correctly remembering this old time 'stuff'.
Just before thqt TV program he had a major role in some movie tn which he played a real bad guy tring to do something bad to the real good guy on some delapidated waterfront.
Again ... my memory is sliiping here but within the last year or so I had some forgotten reason to make some phone calls to inquire about Bill's physical condition as I had heard that he was then in a hopital somewhere within the Thousand Oaks area.
Word came back that he was indeed receiving medical treatment and that all seemed to be going well at that time.
I hope that he is doing well. I guess it's time for me to make another phone call unless someone else can verify his physical condition.
Since we have gotten this far distant from Muscle Beach, I guess I can start telling stories about my days in Hollywood.
But "NO AUTOGRAPHS, please!"
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Bill was a regular at Muscle Beach when he did all those pics for muscle mags, ads for muscle mags and front covers. He did a record inverted parallel bar dip record set at Muscle Beach. I had dinner with Bill and Steve Reeves at Rand's Roundup in the mid 50s and we all met up at Muscle Beach the next day where both did some posing on the platform. When he was awarded the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame a few years ago there were other MB landmark connections I cant remember. He deserved the award that day.
When I think of Muscle Beach I think of Steve, Bill and then my days on the stage.
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But first I gotta tell you all this story before I forget. (It only happened at the USA yesterday so it's gonna be pretty damn accurate!).
Every once in a while I personally witness something happen within the bodybuilding world that makes me proud that I've played a very small part within it.
If I look back in time, this 'bodybuilding pride" initially started when I saw a contender win a trophy even though he was missing one leg from hip to toe.
It was the kind of 'proudness' that makes you cry a bit and do your best to hide from the others who are also trying to hide their semi-guarded emotions.
And then it was the day when a few of us volunteered to help some kids participate in the Special Olympics.
One physically hampered kid of 12 or there-abouts cried because he could not complete his 100 pound benchpress (maybe less).
So Keith (Only Me) got up (he was a judge) and sat beside this kid and started crying too and told the kid that he himself was crying because he was happy because he TRIED while many other never did.
That was a long remembered emotional moment among all who witnessed Keith's understanding and remedy that helped that kid overcome his humiliation.
And then it was the bald-headed girl who was a Cancer survivor who entered and did damn well in some NPC event many years ago.
Her contest photo was posted and some adverse remarks followed submitted by some unknowing individuals. (UNKNOWNING meaning that it was possible that THEY did not know or realize that this contestant had overcome a deadly illness and proved it could be done by being on that stage.) Another emotional episode within the world of competitive muscle.
And a picture is worth a thousand words (and in this case a hell of a lot more), so I'll just post this photo and leave those words up to you GetBiggers.
And before I forget …. I gotta remember to tell you all what made me feel pretty damn proud just yesterday
It happened at the USA.
(Coming up)
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OPPPS! I think I jumped in before thanking you guys for your latest contributions .
Or maybe I just forgot!
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I first encountered Bill Smith on the popular western TV series LAREDO, playing the character Joe. One of my favorite shows as a kid and someone who definitely inspired me to start lifting. Was supposed to also be a really good person, and I heard thet he took care of his former Laredo costar Neville Brand, when the later was suffering alcohol problems. Was always glad that he had continued success. A real stand up guy!
your brother in Christ,
Lucky
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I wouldn't be surprised if Bill was reading this or if someone was telling him about these great comments. Comments definitely well deserved.
I plan ot make a call today in the hopes of getting an update.
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I have to finish something I mentioned earlier regarding this past weekend's USA CHampionship activities.
The term 'PROUD" may not be an accurate description of this encounter but here's the best I can describe what I saw/experienced.
In the past I've always considered IFBB Pros to be older competitors who spend a good number of very difficult years doing whatever it takes to win that Pro Card ... most of whom I've either met or worked with within the past 60 years or so.
(YEA! ..... That's 60!!)
I've always had a lot of respect for endurance athletes ,,,, and 'strength' athletes came in a very close second.[
Chesty Pulller once told me, "You have to run five miles with a 80 pound pack on your back and once uyou arrive .... you have to kill the enermy".
Those wern't his exact words, but they are pretty damn close.
At that time those words were important to me and they stuck like glue over my lifetime.
Endurance came first. ANd strength was secondary. Eventually uhe killing part became unimportant .
And muscle was only important if it complimented either of the above ,,, endurance and strength.
So with the above hopefully understood ..... Last Saturday morning just prior to the USA prejudging, we were gathered together waiting to file into the auditorium when 4 young 'kids' came walking through who appeared to be great endurance athletes.
They walked through the crowd ... young, neat, polite, and confident (and maybe a little bit cocky ... but rightfully so) ..... each wearing a tank top with some advertising on the front.
As they passed you could see the back of those tank tops which said in big, bold, letters ....IFBB PRO.
I guess you'd have to be my age to understand and appreciate the significance of what I was seeing ..... In my mind it was the transition of the "old IFBB' into the "new IFBB".
The start of the "NEW BREED"' of IFBB contenders who would more than likely be instrumental in forming the future growth of bodybuilding, physique and fitness competitions.
It's possible that I witnessed another historical moment within the NPC/IFBB while many others around me simply continued to talk about what they had for breakfast or who was favored to win this year's USA.
That 's when I stopped discussing blueberry pancakes and stopped these brand new IfBB Pros and asked them to line up for these photos. (Possibly a Joe Rosenthal mopment! Look hum uo).
CHANGE is inewvitable ... and here it comes ... like it or not!
No need to fight it. It just happens.
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Miles away from Muscle Beach, but anyone recognize this shot?
Mentioned earlier, I think.
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Another interesting USA shot. Anyone know how they placed?
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I had a Curries on my walk home from grammar school. Aaaah Pistachio. Six years later I had a jones for a Curries waitress at their Encino, Ca. shop. 10cents for a single scoop. Went to a quarter by 1957.
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YEA, MB! You mentioned that earlier, That's why I posted that photo.
10 cents!!!???
You got robbed! I only paid a nickel.
But my choices were limited ... Chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla.
And when coffee went from a nickel to a dime, I raised hell and gave up drinking but eventually I ended up in Starbucks.
They hate me there when I ask for the ten cent kind.
Do you recall gas at 18 cents a gallon?
Everything was so damn cheap ... you couldn't afford to be a bum.
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YEA, MB! You mentioned that earlier, That's why I posted that photo.
10 cents!!!???
You got robbed! I only paid a nickel.
But my choices were limited ... Chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla.
And when coffee went from a nickel to a dime, I raised hell and gave up drinking but eventually I ended up in Starbucks.
They hate me there when I ask for the ten cent kind.
Do you recall gas at 18 cents a gallon?
Everything was so damn cheap ... you couldn't afford to be a bum.
I remember gas being .25 a gallon and I remember minimum wage being $1.00 an hour in 1959-1960. Gas today is $3.89 a gallon in Portland, OR and minimum wage here is $9.10 an hour. Looks like gas prices have outpaced wages. A 12 oz. cup of coffee at Starbucks is $1.85 to $1.95 depending on where you are.
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Yea, Prime! And the price of a movie ticket was a quarter.
And that included three different serials with nerve wracking endings, 12 cartoons, a couple of Our Gang shorts, and if we were lucky ... one or two Three Stooges episodes.
Popcorn was a nickel a bag and was dispensed from a glass enclosed storage area where the popcorn was kept warm by a 50 watt light bulb.
The bags were small, but so were we .... so there were nio complaints.
Those old time theaters had a ticket seller in glassed in gage out front, a ticket taker in his ticket taker uniform, 2 or 5 kids behind the concession booth dispensing five cent Coca-Colas, and depending on the numb er of aisles inside ...... one or two Aisle Attendents dressed like those Herdy Gerdy monkeys you might have seen sometime during your lifetime.
And we'd scream and shout at the action on the screen and boo when the hero kissed the heroine, and throw popcorn three rows back and three rows forward just because no one gave a damn and no one in that dark auditorium where the 'flicker' flicked was over the age of 9 or 10.
And all this ... for only 25 cents!
Plus another 15 for the popcorn and the soda..
And before I forget to mention this ..... If the film caught on fire or if the screen went dark for an unknown reason .... an usher would got on stage and keep us busy in our. attempt to catch the tossed 10 cent toys that became available for such occasions.
ANd meanwhile ... there was a big war going on someplace far away so we had to keep the house lights dim once the sun went down. I figured that some of the bad guys had landed on the beach a couple of blocks away and we didn't want them to know where we lived .... so we turned off all the lights to make them think that no one was home.
And while Joe Demaggio played ball with his brothers at the park next door to the highly restricted military campground , we would dig holes under the fence just to prove that we could sneak inside no matter how many guards tried to stop us.
Even in war-time, kids can find ways to have fun.
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5 cents a scoop? Jeeez Stunt you ARE old.
We would lean our bikes up against the theater (no locks) and also paid 25 cents for a Saturday matinee kids fest. When we came out our bikes were always untouched. Times were sweet in the late 40s early 50s. Moms did not worry when their 10 year olds were gone all day.
I could buy 5 gallons of gas, a 5 pack of Hava Tampa cigars and a quart of Olympia beer from an old Chinese couple for one dollar and 25 cents (a pre KMART store) at age 17 on the way to the beach.
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[/quote :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o]dude it cost 5 dollars and 84 cents on amazon.com. don't cut off your arm yet.
[/quote]
But they only have 1 left in stock! What if somebody buys it?? What will I do then???
Lol, thanks Funk. But seriously, this movie is never on TV or at any revival theatre or film society.
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REPS, I went looking for that movie and happened to find one that I was looking for this past year which I really enjopyed the first time I saw it.
A Bollywood film (first one I've ever seen) called DHOOM 3. I recommend it to all GetBiggers.
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Since we seem to have a Muscle Beach - old geezer SO Cal memory lull, I decided to run a commercial.
A commercial of unknown photographers who just so happened to be in the right place at the right time with a photographic instrument. And some who just showed up at any time at all.
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I've seen a couple of water spouts but I never had a camera handy.
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Had a chance top buy one of these once upon a time. Somewhat larger and included an outrigger and running water with a 5X5 glass floor and a chute to feed the tropical fish.
Price was approximately $34,000 if I remember correctly.
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I hate it when this happens! Step out for a smoke and get drentch.
In this second shot .... Isn't water made to seek its own level. Marty Champion ... Clue us in on this here shot.
How can one 'river' be higher than another?
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One of my full blooded Indian friends was planning to get out of the Corps and build an underwater hotel in Florida.
Not sure if this is it though.
Anyone lose a boat?
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I hate it when this happens! Step out for a smoke and get drentch.
In this second shot .... Isn't water made to seek its own level. Marty Champion ... Clue us in on this here shot.
How can one 'river' be higher than another?
Amazing white man technological achievements, ;D.
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Had a chance top buy one of these once upon a time. Somewhat larger and included an outrigger and running water with a 5X5 glass floor and a chute to feed the tropical fish.
Price was approximately $34,000 if I remember correctly.
The land, too, or just the dwelling?
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UGLY, Actually that's one hell of a good question!
I'm sure it was addressed in the documentation which I can't recall due to the fact that it was so many years ago.
I gotta do some research on how the ownership of the 'space' in which such a residence resides is determined.
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Had a chance top buy one of these once upon a time. Somewhat larger and included an outrigger and running water with a 5X5 glass floor and a chute to feed the tropical fish.
Price was approximately $34,000 if I remember correctly.
It looks great at first sight, but I would feel locked after a few hours.
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??? ??? ??? did your pathes cross with this hombre??????
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Oh my God in Heaven...How I will never forget this. I didn't get there until '75 but like Ric I remember it as if it were yesterday.
And wish it still was. :'(
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Oh my. Where has the time gone? Thanks Ric. I loved that pic with Bill Howard, RIP. I will always remember the day Ric and I spent with Bill at a Mr. Muscle Beach show about 4 years ago.
I have nominated Ric several times for the MB Walk of Fame. Can someone else put up his name on the MB web site? Let's get it done. Bill passed away before he was called up. Bill kept that show alive in the dark days when he would go into the audience and pull men onto the stage.
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;D
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Ric and Arnie in early 70's...
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September 1, 2014
Me with Samir
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10603782_10204476648026343_2590885205902897622_n.jpg?oh=b06156a1a8ef22386b821f2f1516e3bb&oe=54CF6A75)
(http://www.ironaffinity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/VeniceFDB.png)
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William Smith, bodybuilder,actor, war hero, and Mr. Muscle Beach Walk of Fame.
My fellow old timers who loved Bill's movies with Clint Eastwood (and lots more), Conan, the biker flicks and Faconetti on Rich Man Poor Man, and respect his making bodybuilding a respectable enterprise....please see attached. And vote!!
https://www.facebook.com/joanne.cervellismith?fref=pb&hc_location=friends_tab
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;D great character actor
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I saw that video of Chris Dickerson a few pages back. It was sad to see how disabled he is. I heard he had knee, hip and shoulder replacement. Also has back problems. I know he is old but he seems a mess. Ric Drasin also has horrible joint problems it seems by the way he walks. Sometimes I speculate that it's the drugs contributing. Taking a 6 to 8 week cycle increases strength at such a quick pace and the bones/tendons and ligaments don't increase at the same pace to keep up.
Judging by the incredible amount of just shoulder problems I wonder if lifting weights for decades is healthy? I know I will be slammed on a bodybuilding board but wouldn't body weight exercises be better than having ruined joints in your 50's?
I'm off to train chest and arms. Personally I wish I never heard of the bench press. I would have had a fine chest with just push ups.
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Did not know there was a shoulder joint you can replace? I agree on the bench press...I tore my pec right off the humorous bone doing incline bench. Should have stuck to flys, pec deck and dips. I know many people who have had joint replacements who never lifted. I see no connection. Maybe Ronnie Coleman's hips due to 800# squats. Ric Drasin F'ed up his knees from pro wrestling...back flips off the ropes at 250 pounds body weight. My shoulders click/pop and get real sore just like my Dad. I lifted since I was 11...he was a golfer. I used AAS for a period....he used vodka.
Drasin has advocated HRT in the past. I agree. He continues to weight train. I have spent the day with him at the Mecca. I just had a physical with a new doc since I moved some 200 miles away from the old one. He looked at my blood test and upped my HRT. He is the 3rd Internist to do that since I was 50 (23 years ago.) He said I look amazing for a man my age. I have not touched a weight in 2 years only doing 25 strict push ups every morning and hiking in the forest 4-6 miles a day at 7,000' elevation.
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Did not know there was a shoulder joint you can replace? I agree on the bench press...I tore my pec right off the humorous bone doing incline bench. Should have stuck to flys, pec deck and dips. I know many people who have had joint replacements who never lifted. I see no connection. Maybe Ronnie Coleman's hips due to 800# squats. Ric Drasin F'ed up his knees from pro wrestling...back flips off the ropes at 250 pounds body weight. My shoulders click/pop and get real sore just like my Dad. I lifted since I was 11...he was a golfer. I used AAS for a period....he used vodka.
Drasin has advocated HRT in the past. I agree. He continues to weight train. I have spent the day with him at the Mecca. I just had a physical with a new doc since I moved some 200 miles away from the old one. He looked at my blood test and upped my HRT. He is the 3rd Internist to do that since I was 50 (23 years ago.) He said I look amazing for a man my age. I have not touched a weight in 2 years only doing 25 strict push ups every morning and hiking in the forest 4-6 miles a day at 7,000' elevation.
Yes there is shoulder replacement. It's mainly a cap on the humerus. Are you concerned with all the law suits flying about HRT? They say it increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes statistically. I heard a doctor speculate that it increases the thickness or viscosity of blood. Here's a link for shoulder replacement. Hiking 6 miles a day will keep anyone in shape. http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/shoulder-replacement-surgery
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I saw that video of Chris Dickerson a few pages back. It was sad to see how disabled he is. I heard he had knee, hip and shoulder replacement. Also has back problems. I know he is old but he seems a mess. Ric Drasin also has horrible joint problems it seems by the way he walks. Sometimes I speculate that it's the drugs contributing. Taking a 6 to 8 week cycle increases strength at such a quick pace and the bones/tendons and ligaments don't increase at the same pace to keep up.
Judging by the incredible amount of just shoulder problems I wonder if lifting weights for decades is healthy? I know I will be slammed on a bodybuilding board but wouldn't body weight exercises be better than having ruined joints in your 50's?
I'm off to train chest and arms. Personally I wish I never heard of the bench press. I would have had a fine chest with just push ups.
^^
I think the KEY to keeping the shoulders "young" is NOT GOING HEAVY (TOO heavy).
LOTS of sets, reps, but not crazy weights.
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Yes there is shoulder replacement. It's mainly a cap on the humerus. Are you concerned with all the law suits flying about HRT? They say it increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes statistically. I heard a doctor speculate that it increases the thickness or viscosity of blood. Here's a link for shoulder replacement. Hiking 6 miles a day will keep anyone in shape. http://www.webmd.com/arthritis/shoulder-replacement-surgery
Thicker blood is a side effect for some....me. Take a daily baby aspirin and donate blood. My Doc says those law suits are for the most part BS. 5.3 million American men take HRT. Heart attacks and strokes are down. Take HRT? Just be smart. I can judge my T level by my morning erections. 14 year old steel...i'm fine. I start to get a red flush(too high RBC) donate blood.
Thanks for the shoulder info.
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;D
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this book covers a lot about the ifbb and aau battles, ken spraque, bob hoffman, weiders, dan lurie, oscar state, oscar heidestein, bob christ, et al
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FUNK, I waS a minor part (some say "a major part") within that AAU/IFBB battle that you just mentioned but to be more precise ... it was initially more of an AAU/NPC battle with no initial IFBB involvement..
I'll post those details as I recall them if there is any interest on this Board.
If I do post the 'facts' as I personally witnessed those facts .... I have no doubt that there will be arguments from many of those individuals who were nowhere near those 'facts' as they occurred ... in fact!
90% of those involved have passed on to greener pastorates so it's remotely possible that I could be the Lone Survivor.
(Calling the 101st for a repeat prerfommance.)
Any Airborne from the 101 in this group?
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FUNK, I waS a minor part (some say "a major part") within that AAU/IFBB battle that you just mentioned but to be more precise ... it was initially more of an AAU/NPC battle with no initial IFBB involvement..
I'll post those details as I recall them if there is any interest on this Board.
If I do post the 'facts' as I personally witnessed those facts .... I have no doubt that there will be arguments from many of those individuals who were nowhere near those 'facts' as they occurred ... in fact!
90% of those involved have passed on to greener pastorates so it's remotely possible that I could be the Lone Survivor.
(Calling the 101st for a repeat prerfommance.)
Any Airborne from the 101 in this group?
Happy New Year, stunt. You're a legend here, whether you know it or not. Nothing but respect, sir.
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FUNK, I waS a minor part (some say "a major part") within that AAU/IFBB battle that you just mentioned but to be more precise ... it was initially more of an AAU/NPC battle with no initial IFBB involvement..
I'll post those details as I recall them if there is any interest on this Board.
If I do post the 'facts' as I personally witnessed those facts .... I have no doubt that there will be arguments from many of those individuals who were nowhere near those 'facts' as they occurred ... in fact!
90% of those involved have passed on to greener pastorates so it's remotely possible that I could be the Lone Survivor.
(Calling the 101st for a repeat prerfommance.)
Any Airborne from the 101 in this group?
^^
I'm Airborne from Canadian Army I fought in Croatia and Bosnia...
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;D
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:o
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8)
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;D
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=593806)
Trained here many, many years ago. Leo was great! The place is still there but I have not been there in a very long time. They had the coolest pictures of the greats of the game on the walls and there were also caricatures of gym members (I can't recall the name of the guy that drew them) on the wall too. My cousin was one of them.
I recently spoke with a friend from back then and Ty Youngs name came up. Per my friend, his younger brother Michael is doing well but Ty? Not so much. He said Ty is quite frail now. I left it at that and put Ty in my prayers.
That photo of Reeves outside Yarick's is superb! Physical Culture is the way to go!
Thanks!
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SPRITZ, Thanks.... Airborne ... Regardless of who,l I owe all you guys much respect, bout I gotta 'fess up' and let you know that we USMC grunts used to sneak on the Army base and steal as many cases of beer that we could get away with. ... or possibly "were allowed" might be a more accurate term.
I think the 101st knew all about our thievery because the guards on the gates use to laugh as we passed through yelling. "Enjoy our beer, Jar-heads!".
We got so confident of our ability to 'steal' from the Army that we somehow managed to steal a small but pretty complete weight lifting gym (the pit), which was actually a pit built with the help of incoming rounds from a previous battle years before we arrived.
Crazy days full of good memories.
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SPRITZ, Thanks.... Airborne ... Regardless of who,l I owe all you guys much respect, bout I gotta 'fess up' and let you know that we USMC grunts used to sneak on the Army base and steal as many cases of beer that we could get away with. ... or possibly "were allowed" might be a more accurate term.
I think the 101st knew all about our thievery because the guards on the gates use to laugh as we passed through yelling. "Enjoy our beer, Jar-heads!".
We got so confident of our ability to 'steal' from the Army that we somehow managed to steal a small but pretty complete weight lifting gym (the pit), which was actually a pit built with the help of incoming rounds from a previous battle years before we arrived.
Crazy days full of good memories.
^^
I forget what brand we had as the beer on-base but it was pretty good (this was in Ottawa, Canada), in Europe the supplier changed it was German I believe- still good!!
I have not drank in over 17 years now, I'm saving it for when I reach 75!! :D
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another mb pic.
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:o :o :o :o ::) ::) ::) ::) :P :P :P :P :'( :'( :'( :'( :-* :-* :-* :-*
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:o :o :o :o ::) ::) ::) ::) :P :P :P :P :'( :'( :'( :'( :-* :-* :-* :-*
she looks sexy ;D A real woman
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Thanks, FUNK! Interesting shots!
Here's a TEST for some of you younger weight related fans of yore!
Give the full name of the heavywt guy on the right of Funk's second photo submission. And the following if at all possible ......
What he was best known for?
His training partner?
Did he ever enter a BB contest?
The year he passed away.?
This gentleman was interesting enough to encourage some author to write a book about him and his lifestyle and it is remotely possible that someone has done so already.
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Irvin "Zabo" Koszewski and his impressive set of abs.
Zabo died last year. He was 84 years old.
What an impressive physique he had!
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Thanks, FUNK! Interesting shots!
Here's a TEST for some of you younger weight related fans of yore!
Give the full name of the heavywt guy on the right of Funk's second photo submission. And the following if at all possible ......
What he was best known for?
His training partner?
Did he ever enter a BB contest?
The year he passed away.?
This gentleman was interesting enough to encourage some author to write a book about him and his lifestyle and it is remotely possible that someone has done so already.
Izzat Bill "Peanuts" West? If so, I believe he competed at one time or another in bodybuilding. His training partner was (I think) Steve Merjanian.
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SCOTT, YEP, that is Bill "Peanuts" West. An outstanding character back in the day.
Enough of a character within the world of weights that I'm surprised that no one has ever written a book about him. I'd do it but I never knew him that well.
And if I recall correctly, his training partner was George Frenn.
Too darn busy today to GOOGLE both of them but I plan to do so this evening when this day calms down a bitr.
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In the meantime, here's some info regarding Bill which may be of interest to you GetBig weight world historians.
http://thegaragegorilla.blogspot.com/20
But I have yet to have a chance to read it thoroughly yet. (Too many "YETS"?)
TEST ... Name each person in this photo.
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In the meantime, here's some info regarding Bill which may be of interest to you GetBig weight world historians.
http://thegaragegorilla.blogspot.com/20
But I have yet to have a chance to read it thoroughly yet. (Too many "YETS"?)
TEST ... Name each person in this photo.
Peanuts, Weider, McArdle, Scott.
I think... ;D
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SCOTT, You are absolutely correct. I didn't think anyone on this board would ID Bill McArdle correctly.
And good call on Weider who was way too young for most GetBiggers to ID correctly.
They are each deceased now but each played a big part within the world of bodybuilding, especially within the So Cal area.
McArdle was first and passed away way too early.Then Peanuts followed by Scott and then Weider, but Scott and Weider's deaths may be out of order.
The following is 'stuff' that happened many miles from Muscle Beach so it has nothing to do with Muscle Beach, so I'll post this and more that will eventually follow as "Story-Time".
With the proper amount of respect, I'll do my best to mention each of the above individuals.
And I'll start off with McArdle whom I did not really know too well.
Bill was protege of Larry Scott's and Larry was training Bill for one the mid-960's Mr. California Contest. (One of you will recall the year!)
You experts will recognize that this was an AAU sanction event deus to the fact that the used the term "Mr." for its major contests. (A way too long story there!).
So Larry was training Bill for this major California bodybuilding title and Bill was favored and expected to win among the relatively few who knew that such an event even existed back then.
But a few hundred miles north of Los Anglees there was a small gym that event by the name of Moonlight Health Club (or something like that) and one of its members was an unknown bodybuilder by the name of John Corvello.
So John shows up one sunny and smoggy weekend in the Los Angeles downtown area's Embassy Auditorium (a part of the Embassy Hotel which is most likely now demolished) ready, willing, and able to compete in this mid 1960's AAU Bodybuilding Contest with a strong desire to take that AAU Mr California title back home up north a few miles south of the city of San Francisco.
These were the days when bodybuilding contests and bodybuilders and bodybuilding itself were relatively unknown to the vast majority of everyone on this planet .... so this event was only of interest to gym members from Gold's, Pearls, and only a few from Vince's. plus a handful of others from other lesser known joints of sweat and iron in the So Cal area.
And maybe even a couple of guys from Stern's in San Diego.
So most of these muscleheadz knew that Bill was gonna win it but these musleheadz would prove themselves to be mistaken that day because this kid from up north hit that stage and muscleheadz forsaw a battle in the making.
A battle between Bill and John while the other combatants remained silently in the background.
It took a while but the judges finally stood and the whole audience did the same arguing about the final outcome while heading out into the smoggy sunshine which is so popular in the downtown LA area.
And to cut to the chase .... that night John Corvello won the right to take that title back to Northern California a few miles south of Dan Francisco.
And Bill?
Bill appeared to be a gentleman and accepted that second place award.
And Larry shook the hands of both ....
And bodybuulding history continued to grow beyond anyone's expectations.
But Bill never had the opportunity to see how popular it became ....
He passed away shortly after.
Way too young to pass away.
(One down ... three to go.)
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there are some stories about bill mcardle on kellie everts website where she claimed bill raped her at a photo shoot... who knows????
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;D
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;D
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FUNK, Thanks for those old shots. I can actually recall some of those old shops/buildings int he background and a couple of them are still standing.
There was an old two story, three bedroom, beachfront home that looked like a cottage out of one of the Grimes tales that was being offered for sale.
Asking price was $34,000 if I recall correctly. We were thinking about buying it but got called out to some turmoil overseas and it's no longer standing there today.
That small parcel of land is most likely worth many millions today.
And the old alcoholic/drug recovery apartments have long gone and are now very expensive, beachfront condos.
Before then, most of that Santa Monica beachfront property was the property of private beach clubs wit h expensive monthly dues.
Some of those expensive beach clubs are still situated on very nice property a mile or so north of what was once Muscle Beach.
Almost nothing is the same no move!
And that's too bad, because most everything was better then.
But you'll have to take my word for that.
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;D
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FUNK, Thanks for those old shots. I can actually recall some of those old shops/buildings int he background and a couple of them are still standing.
There was an old two story, three bedroom, beachfront home that looked like a cottage out of one of the Grimes tales that was being offered for sale.
Asking price was $34,000 if I recall correctly. We were thinking about buying it but got called out to some turmoil overseas and it's no longer standing there today.
That small parcel of land is most likely worth many millions today.
And the old alcoholic/drug recovery apartments have long gone and are now very expensive, beachfront condos.
Before then, most of that Santa Monica beachfront property was the property of private beach clubs wit h expensive monthly dues.
Some of those expensive beach clubs are still situated on very nice property a mile or so north of what was once Muscle Beach.
Almost nothing is the same no move!
And that's too bad, because most everything was better then.
But you'll have to take my word for that.
Stuntmovie, you reference the drug/alcohol rehab apartments in the background of one of those old shots. In High School one of our teachers organized a trip to speak with residents of what I believe is the place you are referencing. I went there in 1978, and the large Brownstone (?) building was named the 'Synanon" center. I remember speaking with one of the residents who had his head shaved, and spoke very softly and quietly. Very odd to a 17 year old High School kid on a 'field trip" from a Parochial High School in the burbs.
You are right about the stretch of beach front real estate. Shutters, Casa Del Mar, Loews have replaced the more egalitarian and stark beach apartment "crashpads" of old.
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FUNK, Thanks for those old shots. I can actually recall some of those old shops/buildings int he background and a couple of them are still standing.
There was an old two story, three bedroom, beachfront home that looked like a cottage out of one of the Grimes tales that was being offered for sale.
Asking price was $34,000 if I recall correctly. We were thinking about buying it but got called out to some turmoil overseas and it's no longer standing there today.
That small parcel of land is most likely worth many millions today.
And the old alcoholic/drug recovery apartments have long gone and are now very expensive, beachfront condos.
Before then, most of that Santa Monica beachfront property was the property of private beach clubs wit h expensive monthly dues.
Some of those expensive beach clubs are still situated on very nice property a mile or so north of what was once Muscle Beach.
Almost nothing is the same no move!
And that's too bad, because most everything was better then.
But you'll have to take my word for that.
Stunt, you are correct. Everything was better back then. I don't mind change for the better but what has happened in this world is anything but. People are assholes. Men, women and children wear t-shirts in public with filth written all over them. Women dress like whores. Men like ghetto crap. I've seen adult males, black, white brown, red and yellow wearing those stupid baggy "shorts" pulled down around their butt crack. They're in their 40 through 60s for Buddha's sake!
People with more tattoos than a drunken sailor and enough piercings to look like a Down's Syndrome kid on a fishing trip after trying to bait a hook.
And "bodybuilders"? To hell with them! Drugs. All fooking drugs.
Doubtless there are some that will bring up the "race card" and whine about how racist America was (and is). Screw 'em. I treated everyone equally when I was growing up. What others do isn't my problem. I've had the crap kicked out of me by black guys calling me "white boy" or "cracker" or "whitey". Fook those racist buttwipes. Growing up I never once heard any black kids speak that ghetto gibberish ebonics. Never. The kids I knew wanted to be better. Then the sixties mentality started to take over late in the decade and the Great Society was formed so as to bring back indentured servitude for votes.
I need a Way-Back Machine. Now.
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Well said.
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;D had a chance to make it out in the early 70's wish i had gone :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
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I made this photo larger and cleaned it up a bit.
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;D scan from an old ironman
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FUNK, Thanks again. The above is too small to read the fine print and I have yet to enlarge it but I'm sure that article is all about The DUNGEON.
I'm most likely the sole GetBigger who ever stumbled into the DUNGEON while it existed and here's what I can recall of that adventurous mishap which was probably and definitely not a "mishap" basck in them good old days and may most definitely be an inaccurate discription.
I forget the year (late 50's or early 60's??) but it was a bright sunny afternoon in Santa Monica and what's important to realize here ...is that things were so much different then.
("Different" being something you can never understand until your life-span gains a few moire years that allows you to see and say that "Things were so much different then!") But you'll be saying it soon enough.
Gyms as we know then now were relatively non-existent back then and if you wanted to really lift heavy things you either had to have a home gym of your own such as the home gym in garage (or was it simply a car-port) frequented by the likes of Bill Peanuts West and George Frenn and a very smaller handful of other relatively crazy individuals .... or you could go and lift heavy stuff at Joe's home made, heavy equipment stuff down by the beach a mile or so south of the more civilized beach town known as Santa Monica by the Sea.
But I gotta be honest and admit that the DUNGEON was one of the least civilized of any uncivilized place of business imaginable ...... and needless to say it 'stooped' somewhat proudly within the very center of the very civil City by the Sea most commonly referred to as Santa Monica.
SO it was a sunny day and I wanted to do some heavy bench-pressing and I happened to stubble into this den of inequity.
"Stumble" is a pretty accurate description of my first visit because my eyes were accustomed to the bright sunlight and the entrance to the Dungeon was similar to the entrance of an ancient cave with pretty ancient and worn out steps leading to a darkened recess beneath a now long forgotten and demolished building.
At the bottom of these stairs it was dark enough to hit your nose on the wall if there was a wall .... but it was way too dark to see if one existed unless tour nose first made contact.
So I called out ... "Is anyone here? Is this place open?"
Pure silence, so since I was a lot smarter back in them good old days, I figured that the DUNFEON was closed today and climbed back up those stairs and into the sunlight and turned right and walked the mile or two down to Gold's ... a much more civilized undertaking where I seem to recall that the yearly membership was maybe just around $36. And possibly even less.
That is what I can recall of my first visit to the Dungeon and that walk south to Gold's where Joe was in the back welding stuff together and told me to use his equipment for free and tell him how I liked it before departing.
Now I plan to do some research and see if there is any historical info regarding the DUNGEON.
Dave Draper used to train there frequently and he just might be the last remaining individual on this planet who could provide some accurate info but I'd be surprised if he is a GetBig fan and I've lost contact wit n him many years ago.
And no one alive today has any recollection of one of the very original but very small Santa Monica gyms that was situated much closer to Muscle Beach in the only high rise building on the beach at that time which name I have presently forgotten.
I'm nsot certain but I think it was Joe Gold's original location.
Sorry for the length of this one but I guess it's too dan late to warn those who don't want to read text that is too damn lengthy
Thanks agaoin, Funk. Maybe it's time for me to recontact Dave.
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FUNK, Thanks again. The above is too small to read the fine print and I have yet to enlarge it but I'm sure that article is all about The DUNGEON.
I'm most likely the sole GetBigger who ever stumbled into the DUNGEON while it existed and here's what I can recall of that adventurous mishap which was probably and definitely not a "mishap" basck in them good old days and may most definitely be an inaccurate discription.
I forget the year (late 50's or early 60's??) but it was a bright sunny afternoon in Santa Monica and what's important to realize here ...is that things were so much different then.
("Different" being something you can never understand until your life-span gains a few moire years that allows you to see and say that "Things were so much different then!") But you'll be saying it soon enough.
Gyms as we know then now were relatively non-existent back then and if you wanted to really lift heavy things you either had to have a home gym of your own such as the home gym in garage (or was it simply a car-port) frequented by the likes of Bill Peanuts West and George Frenn and a very smaller handful of other relatively crazy individuals .... or you could go and lift heavy stuff at Joe's home made, heavy equipment stuff down by the beach a mile or so south of the more civilized beach town known as Santa Monica by the Sea.
But I gotta be honest and admit that the DUNGEON was one of the least civilized of any uncivilized place of business imaginable ...... and needless to say it 'stooped' somewhat proudly within the very center of the very civil City by the Sea most commonly referred to as Santa Monica.
SO it was a sunny day and I wanted to do some heavy bench-pressing and I happened to stubble into this den of inequity.
"Stumble" is a pretty accurate description of my first visit because my eyes were accustomed to the bright sunlight and the entrance to the Dungeon was similar to the entrance of an ancient cave with pretty ancient and worn out steps leading to a darkened recess beneath a now long forgotten and demolished building.
At the bottom of these stairs it was dark enough to hit your nose on the wall if there was a wall .... but it way too dark to see if one existed.
So called out ... "Is anyone here? Is this place open?"
Pure silence, so since I was a lot smarter back in them good old days, I figured that the DUNFEON was closed today and climbed back up those stairs and into the sunlight and turned right and walked the mile or two down to Gold's ... a much more civilized undertaking where I seem to recall that the yearly membership was maybe just around $36. And possibly even less.
That is what I can recall of my first visit to the Dungeon and walk south to Gold's where Joe was in the back welding stuff together and told me to use his equipment for free and tell him how I liked it before departing.
Now I plan to do some research and see if there is any historical info regarding the DUNGEON.
Dave Draper used to train there frequently and he just might be the last remaining individual on this planet who could provide some accurate info but I'd be surprised if he is a GetBig fan and I've lost contact wit n him many years ago.
And no one alive today has any recollection of one of the very original but very small Santa Monica gyms that was situated much closer to Muscle Beach in the only high rise building on the beach at that time which name I have presently forgotten.
I'm nsot certain but I think it was Joe Gold's original location.
Sorry for the length of this one but I guess it's too dan late to warn those who don't want to read text that is too damn lengthy
Thanks agaoin, Funk. Maybe it's time for me to recontact Dave.
thanks for the input...
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FUNK, Can you ID the guy in that photo with Dave.
He looks familiar but that's the best I can do.
It appears to have been definitely taken at the Dungeon.
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Here! I refer you all to Dave Draper's great BB history site... http://www.davedraper.com/joe-gold-dungeon.html
I think that Dave says it best regarding the DUNGEON......
"Once upon a time there was a big hole in the ground on top of which sat a five story hotel, 50 tired years old housing grumpy pensioners and a smelly tavern with warped floors. All of this existed just two blocks from the grand palisades of Santa Monica and her majestic blue Pacific.
The hole, or "Dungeon" as it was affectionately called by its then-all male attendees, was the beach-removed site of the Muscle Beach Gym. Two long, steep staircases penetrated the eternal dimness of the gym, illumination coming from 3 strategically located 60 watt bulbs. Too much light and you might see where you were and leave - in a hurry. The concrete floor was cracked and bulging, the walls crumbling and the ceiling 12 feet overhead was sagging, especially where the ground floor bar leaked beerlike brownish ooze. An ankle deep puddle formed near the squat rack each winter and nobody used the shower or toilet except in emergencies. I hated emergencies!
Milk crates, old 2X4's and splintered plywood nailed together by nearsighted musclebound carpenters made up most of the benches and racks. Pulleys and twisted cable from a nearby Venice boatyard, a dozen Olympic bars, bent and rusty, tons of plates scattered throughout the 2500 square foot floor, dumbbells up to 160's that rattled at broken welds added final touches to complete unquestionably the greatest gym in the world.
Here bodybuilding began, embryonic. The original, not the imitation. Here exercises were invented, equipment improvised, muscle shape and size imagined and built, and an authentic atmosphere existed like a primal ooze. You were awash in basics and honesty. I loved it then, the memory more now."
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Interesting to note that Dave mentions that the equipment in the DUNGEON was actually the same gear that was originally used at SM Muscle Beach.
It would be interesting to know where that equipment is today.
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;D firewood with the wooden benches...
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;D mr muscle beach circa 1953...
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I was there. Most likely me...the kid without the shirt bottom left. I broke my clavicle earlier that year flying off of my Schwinn when the chain snapped and lodged in the rear spokes. The separation is still evident as in this pic some 61+ years later.
As long as I could find trolly change, pack a Pnutt butter sand and a Coke I was off to MB.
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;D mr muscle beach circa 1953...
Oh lord! Those women are simply beautiful!
To the Wayback Machine! Now!
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Thanks for those there photos!
MB, SCOTT ..... I'm pretty darn sure that the lady receiving the trophy was the mother/grandmother of a prominent Hawaii wrestler way back then.
Maybe the Rock's grandmother?????
The guy who appears to be presenting the trophy is Ed Holvochek who appeared in the background in a handful of 20th Century Fox films (mostly WWII flicks and early day gladiator shenanigans) eventually became Ed Fury who was also one hell of a fine singer if my memory serves me correctly.
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MB, How far from the beach did you live?
We used to live in a SM community which was a series of early 1930's (?) two/tree bedroom 'shacks' that was situated in a park like setting with a lot of tropical trees scattered throughout the area.
But I forget its exact location. Not too far from the beach though.
And in what year was the above photo taken. I'm gonna guess mid to late 1960's.
CORRECTION.... Imeant to type "mid to late 1950's) I think!
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MB, How far from the beach did you live?
We used to live in a SM community which was a series of early 1930's (?) two/tree bedroom 'shacks' that was situated in a park like setting with a lot of tropical trees scattered throughout the area.
But I forget its exact location. Not too far from the beach though.
And in what year was the above photo taken. I'm gonna guess mid to late 1960's.
When I was 18 years old and moved out on my own, I moved to Santa Monica. I rented an apartment about two blocks from the beach. I don't remember what the rent was but it had to be cheap since I didn't have a pot to piss in back then. The apartment was at the south end of Santa Monica, not far from Venice Beach. Those were the days!
After a winter at the beach, I moved to West Hollywood right off Sunset strip. In retrospect, this seems funny since winter at the beach seemed depressing weather wise and now I live in Oregon, 80 + miles from the ocean. I do miss those hot sunny days laying out on the beach in Santa Monica.
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PRIME, I don't know the years in which you lived in the Santa Monica area but from your description it sounds like you lived in or near the location in which the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium is now situated.
Rent and utilities were so damn much cheaper then.
I didn't have to pay any rent in SoCal while I was stationed at Pendleton but we'd have to pay about $12 a nite for a weekend Saturday nite when we got a room right up the hill from the Santa Monica Pier.
And back then I was paying about $70 a month for an apartment in Waikiki less than two blocks from the beach with a full on utility payment
of less than $20 each month.
I saw the handwriting on the wall when they raised the rent to $75/month and ended up buying one of the apartments for $12,000
I usually always end up this stuff by saying, "THINGS WERE SO MUCH DIFFERENT THEN!", but there's no need to end up saying it here.
For about 98% of my present lifetime, I've never lived further than 200 yards from some of the best of the finest beaches in this universe.
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FUNK, Can you ID the guy in that photo with Dave.
He looks familiar but that's the best I can do.
It appears to have been definitely taken at the Dungeon.
i asked laree draper on fb , today....
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i asked laree draper on fb , today....
merle carlson was the other guys name...
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Thanks, FUNK. Merle looks familiar but I don't recall ever meeting him.
Below is a photo of Ed Holvocheck and one of the Muscle Beach babes with an old high-rise in the background.
That old high-rise is now a very expensive apartment hotel consisting of studio and one bedroom units priced at $3,000 to $5,000 a month+.
That building has an interesting history which I wish I knew more about.
Fifty-plus years ago it was somewhat similar to the standard YMCA with hotel rooms on the upper floors.
And there was a large indoor swimming pool right where the main entrance to the building is today on the Beachwalk.
Years later it became a drug rehabilitation center.
And today it is an expensive beachfront complex for long and short term tenants and is called The Sand Castle.
You can see the beachfront wall which separates the beach-sand from the Sand Castle.... That wall used to be what most beach regulars back then referred to as the "wind protector" where some of the guys who finished a workout would sit in front of and get a tan while those who chose tanning locations away from that wall would get a blast of sand every time a small gust of wind came up.
On most sunny days during any given month ... the sun would not appear until a bit after 11 AM each morning, but even if it was early and foggy, there was usually someone lifting heavy things in the weight lifting enclosure.
I first met Doug Strohl on a very early, cold, winter day when it was difficult to see twenty yards through the fog.
I don't recall if it was called 'The Pit' back then. I think that term came later when Venice took over.
Just another piece of long forgotten and unimportant Muscle Beach history!
OH, yea! I think that the sun still comes out around 11 or a little after if it intends to show up at all.
I guess old habits are hard to break.
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PRIME, I don't know the years in which you lived in the Santa Monica area but from your description it sounds like you lived in or near the location in which the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium is now situated.
Rent and utilities were so damn much cheaper then.
I didn't have to pay any rent in SoCal while I was stationed at Pendleton but we'd have to pay about $12 a nite for a weekend Saturday nite when we got a room right up the hill from the Santa Monica Pier.
And back then I was paying about $70 a month for an apartment in Waikiki less than two blocks from the beach with a full on utility payment
of less than $20 each month.
I saw the handwriting on the wall when they raised the rent to $75/month and ended up buying one of the apartments for $12,000
I usually always end up this stuff by saying, "THINGS WERE SO MUCH DIFFERENT THEN!", but there's no need to end up saying it here.
For about 98% of my present lifetime, I've never lived further than 200 yards from some of the best of the finest beaches in this universe.
The apartment was just a few blocks south of the Santa Monica Pier. It was three blocks back from the boardwalk. If I remember correctly, the rent was $125 a month. It was a new building. The apartment had one bedroom. Later when I moved to West Hollywood, the court apartment I rented which was a block off Sunset Strip on Larabee was only $75 a month....such a bargain. Minimum wage back in those days was $1.50 an hour, I think. That was in the early 60's.
When my wife and I decided to move in together (before we were married, no less) we rented a 3 bedroom 2 bath house in Laurel Canyon for $275 a month. It was so expensive we shared the house with two of our friends. We had some fun parties there.
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MB, How far from the beach did you live?
We used to live in a SM community which was a series of early 1930's (?) two/tree bedroom 'shacks' that was situated in a park like setting with a lot of tropical trees scattered throughout the area.
But I forget its exact location. Not too far from the beach though.
And in what year was the above photo taken. I'm gonna guess mid to late 1960's.
CORRECTION.... Imeant to type "mid to late 1950's) I think!
That photo is dated 1953 which would be correct. I lived a hundred steps from Pico near downtown L.A. I recall 10 cents would get me all the way to where it was a short walk to MB. So 20 cents a Pnutt butter sand and a Coke in a paper bag would be a cool day for young Mr.MB. In those days kids were safe and parents did not worry so much. Gentler times.
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PRIME / MB , Thanks for confirming that times were so much different back then.
Sometimes I feel that those good old days are merely a figment of my imagination ..... but I think that these younger GetBiggers will be feeling likewise about thetr "good old days'" as time progresses.
The first month I got my California Driver's License, I took my dad's car (a prime and spacious '41 Ford, 4-door sedan .... and myself and four of my friends drove down to LA to see if we could crash into one of the major movie studios.
My mom's cousin was big and upcoming movie star back then so we figured we'd just go to work with him one morning.
But he was off on a location shot in Arizona so that 'studio pass' went out the window, so are did our best to sneak into the both Century Fox lot on
PICO(?) ... only to get escorted out with a warding from the gate guard crew..
It was only a few years later when I was a personal guest of the major movie studios with permission to visit any stage I wanted to see.... providing that the red light went off before I entered..
But to get back on track, we could almost drive all the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles with the small change we could always find behind the back seat which was easy to move.
We were young and ran around Hollywood but never had a problem of any sort. And that's when the Hollywood area was booming with bars and nightclubs and theaters and hookers and old guys in suits selling watches that were lined up neatly inside full length overcoats regardless of the summer heat.
I guess that alcohol was a problem back then but there never was a sign of drugs of any type until a a few years later ... and I was smart enough to know the difference and see the changes in many of my associates.
But those few 'peaceful' years turned out to the "lull before the storm", followed soon thereafter by a huge upturn in the cost of living, the importance of drugs (ever smoke a baked banana peel??), and unlimited sexual activity
And the cost of dieting would soon follow.
So it's good to see that someone recalls those good old days.
I carry those remembrances with me and bring them to mind when good friends and associates pass away due to some bad 'stuff' we never even knew existed back then.
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;D
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PRIME / MB , Thanks for confirming that times were so much different back then.
Sometimes I feel that those good old days are merely a figment of my imagination ..... but I think that these younger GetBiggers will be feeling likewise about thetr "good old days'" as time progresses.
The first month I got my California Driver's License, I took my dad's car (a prime and spacious '41 Ford, 4-door sedan .... and myself and four of my friends drove down to LA to see if we could crash into one of the major movie studios.
My mom's cousin was big and upcoming movie star back then so we figured we'd just go to work with him one morning.
But he was off on a location shot in Arizona so that 'studio pass' went out the window, so are did our best to sneak into the both Century Fox lot on
PICO(?) ... only to get escorted out with a warding from the gate guard crew..
It was only a few years later when I was a personal guest of the major movie studios with permission to visit any stage I wanted to see.... providing that the red light went off before I entered..
But to get back on track, we could almost drive all the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles with the small change we could always find behind the back seat which was easy to move.
We were young and ran around Hollywood but never had a problem of any sort. And that's when the Hollywood area was booming with bars and nightclubs and theaters and hookers and old guys in suits selling watches that were lined up neatly inside full length overcoats regardless of the summer heat.
I guess that alcohol was a problem back then but there never was a sign of drugs of any type until a a few years later ... and I was smart enough to know the difference and see the changes in many of my associates.
But those few 'peaceful' years turned out to the "lull before the storm", followed soon thereafter by a huge upturn in the cost of living, the importance of drugs (ever smoke a baked banana peel??), and unlimited sexual activity
And the cost of dieting would soon follow.
So it's good to see that someone recalls those good old days.
I carry those remembrances with me and bring them to mind when good friends and associates pass away due to some bad 'stuff' we never even knew existed back then.
When my parents had a little Spanish bungalow on Ilona in West L.A. very near Rancho Golf Course, which was just down the street on Pico from Century Studios, my mom and I would hit State Beach via San Vincente Blvd. There was always that moment when she'd round the last bend and down the hill to the beach that we'd know if the weather was cloudy or had "burned off" yet.
Did you know that the police and I suppose the lifeguards patrolled the beach sometimes measuring the sides of men's swimsuits which had to be either 5" or 7" (can't remember which)? Back then my mom wore a two-piece bathing suit which just barely showed her navel and had a "modesty panel" in the front. She was very daring! There's a lot of chatter about the "thongs" muscle folks wear these days, but bodybuilders were just as brazen in the 1950's, all things considered.
In my dad's business, some of his customers were movie stars. I have a photo of him and Cary Grant standing out by Mr. Grant's pool. My dad was so proud of that photo. He also did work for Judy Garland when she was married to Sid Luft and lived in a big English Tutor style mansion in Holmby Hills. Some of my parent's friends were in the entertainment business too, but as writers, set decorators, editors and such. I think it is accurate to say we were all a little star struck back then.
My wife and I met when we both worked for Robinson's department store in Beverly Hills. It too was located pretty near Century Studios.
I remember cheap gas. Those were the days. My first car was a 55 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible with a straight 6 engine. That car got me back and forth to the beach many times. By then my parents were living in Encino so the trip was over Sepulveda Canyon or sometimes down to Topanga Canyon. Too bad they didn't keep the home in West L.A. it was a lot handier getting to the beach, although it didn't have a pool like the Encino house did. Pools are okay but the beach rules!
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PRIME, I don't recall anyone mesuring bathing suits back then but I did meet Dianne Cannon who I think was Married to Cary Grant once upon a time and I bet I can drive from Woodland Hills over Topanga Canyon to the breach with my eyes wide shut as I did it just about every day for a good long couple of years.
On that route I'd usually pull over and shake the gates that protected Jeff Everson from the common folk ..... and if you ever got familiar with that route to the beach I'm sure you will remember Jeff's house (mansion) with all the collector automobiles parked out in front and the very expensive landscaping in all the vacant lots he paid for. It is probably one of the finest looking cactus gardens in Southern Californiaand the pool in his backyard was constructed by the same guys who built the similar pool at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Hawaii except that Jeff could not ge a permit to add the penguins.
By the way, Jeff just sold that home and is retiring in Hawai and Arizona.
(Jeff Everson .... and if I have to say more ..... You're too young to recollect. But that does not refer to you,Prime!).
Anyway .... my direct-us route to Santa Monica and the beach towns beyond was up and down and over Topanga Canyon.
Back to Muscle Beach in th next post with regards one of the photos posted by FUNK.
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PRIME, I don't recall anyone mesuring bathing suits back then but I did meet Dianne Cannon who I think was Married to Cary Grant once upon a time and I bet I can drive from Woodland Hills over Topanga Canyon to the breach with my eyes wide shut as I did it just about every day for a good long couple of years.
On that route I'd usually pull over and shake the gates that protected Jeff Everson from the common folk ..... and if you ever got familiar with that route to the beach I'm sure you will remember Jeff's house (mansion) with all the collector automobiles parked out in front and the very expensive landscaping in all the vacant lots he paid for. It is probably one of the finest looking cactus gardens in Southern Californiaand the pool in his backyard was constructed by the same guys who built the similar pool at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Hawaii except that Jeff could not ge a permit to add the penguins.
By the way, Jeff just sold that home and is retiring in Hawai and Arizona.
(Jeff Everson .... and if I have to say more ..... You're too young to recollect. But that does not refer to you,Prime!).
Anyway .... my direct-us route to Santa Monica and the beach towns beyond was up and down and over Topanga Canyon.
Back to Muscle Beach in th next post with regards one of the photos posted by FUNK.
The photo I have of my dad with Cary Grant was taken long before he was married to Dyan Cannon. I believe it was taken in the early 1950's.
My wife and I fled L.A. in 1965, just before our son was born. We were living in West Hollywood. We were looking for a more family friendly environment in which to raise our soon to be born son. We only go back now for an occasional visit with friends and family.
My cousin lives in Hancock Park and my best friend lives in Encino, not far from where I lived as a kid. The 5 acre estate my wife's grandparents had on San Vincente has long ago been subdivided. She also has family living in Newport Beach. Her childhood home was on North Roxbury in Beverly Hills just north of Sunset and next door to Oscar Levant's house.
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THANKS, PRIME! I find your most recent post to be very interesting because I used to run around those neighborhoods when I was in my teens and knew the San Fernando Valley when it was mostly small individual ranches where I helped train the horses to fall down for wild west movie scenes.
I'm gonna try to 'one-up' regarding family/friends moving to Newport (one of my favorite SO Cal residential areas in addition to Laguna) but let me get back to Muscle Beach as I promised above.
Regarding the photo that FUNK posted above ..... The shot with Zabo and Collras.
Most GetBiggers have heard of ZABO but I don't think that there is any GetBigger alive today who has heard about Chuck Collras.
Back in the day, Chuck was the one individual who could always be counted on to enter every contest held in the So Cal region. There wasn't many, but he always showed up.
BB Contests were small back then so you had to count on various individuals to show up to make the contest worthwhile. Most had 6 to 13 entrants if I recall correctly .... and the audience mainly consisted of fellow gym members or immediate members of the contestant's family.
And these contests were held at the old Muscle Beach in Santa Monica (it ain't there no more), or in the Embassy Auditorium in downtown LA, or at the outdoor theater in Venice Beach which also ain't there no more either.
And most likely other locations which I ain't familiar with within the LA basin.
Nothing like the present when they are promoted and he'd all over the place with hundreds of contestants and thousands of asses filling the seats.
And it always impressed me that most off the individuals I knew back then had decent paying jobs at one of the major film studio such as 20th Century Fox or Universal ... either in front of or behind the camera.
Ed Holvochik (spelling?) who would eventually appear as Ed Fury in some sword and sandel features had a few great extra roles in a number of great Fox films and I tinnk Reg Lewis (of Reg and Sheri Lewis fame) worked full time in one of the studios.
And I'd says that most of the Muscle Beach regulars were gymnists of some sorrt or members of foreign dance groups or circus performers ... which even included a great number of jugglers, hand balancers, and muscle control "freaks' (which you never see no more).
Just about everyone I knew or met was gainfully employed in them good old days.
But just around the mid-60's the beach crowd seemed to change a bit.
And 'a bit' is a total understatement!
I think that the main cause of this drastic change was the 'appreciation' of marijuana and other so called drugs and h'ell'u-cen-o-gen-ics.
The beach between Santa Monica and Venice became the main pot smoking arena ... and then became the City of Los Angeles's only unofficial nude beach with enough 'smoke' in the air to leave passer-bys with a different attitude.
That lifestyle eventually spread further south down the beach before reaching the main section of Venice and hundreds of "hippies" and ordinary other types would gather together at the water's edge like a massive herd and pay homage to the sun as it descended beneath the horizon.
A few hundred bongo players and drummers and kids and grown-ups pounding on heavy metal objects ....all pounding in unison .... created a damn impressive but very primative sound ... so the drumming and the dancing and the yelling and the hopping around with the setting sun in the background soon created an impressive frenzy of something close to Woodstock.
But in my opinion it was much better!
I'm never too impressed when it comes to music ..... but these nightly weekend sunset rituals impressed the shit out of me.
It was something similar to one massive, but non-X-rated orgy.
And I have no idea why it no longer ceases to exist.
They got rid of Muscle Beach so why not shut down this homage to the sunset just a short beach-front walk from the City of Santa Monica, the City by the Sea?
I don't think the older folks who make these decisions realize what beaches were built for.
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The individual doing the handstand with ZABO in the photo posted by FUNK above is Chuck Collras .... Here's he is in another groups shot which others... some of whom you might be able to ID. It appears that this photo was somehow associated with The Dungeon.
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Thanks Stunt...I forgot about the sunset bongo fests. Sometimes a marimba would be dragged onto the beach along with a steel drum and a few guitars. Became almost calypso. Fun stuff.
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MB. Do you know if that sunset fest is still going on during the weekends? it was too good to hear that it had ceased to function.
I can ID four of the guys in that Photo above that FUNK posted.
Marle ---- Thanks to FUNK.
Draper --- whom I had met when he ran welder's first supp shop in Santa Monica across from the BB famous ZUCKIE's.
Eiffermann ---- Who became a great friend of mine many years after that photo was taken.
Collras ----- Who has been mentioned previously.
Prime and MB might be helpful in naming some of the others.
Prime/MB.... Do you recall Reg and Sherri Lewis? The were also major names within the bodybuilding world back then.
I have a friend who still stays in contact with some of the remaining old timers from the 40's/50's/and 60's (and beyond).
Name some of them or refresh my memory and I'll do my best to find out what they are all doing today.
Anyone recall JUDY MILLER from back in them good old days?
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Stunt....I was walking the wet sand at Venice Beach about 4 years ago July 4th and there was a sunset jam behind the weight pen, beach side. It was like morphing into the past.
About names with faces...I am the worst you could ask. Its as if I walked thru life with my dick in my hand. Alcohol (from 12 to 40) could have been a big part of the memory loss. I did meet Draper at Disneyland. He might have been the golden hair man I recall training at Goodrich gym from time to time.
Now George Eiferman...what a guy. The man who had the slip next to my in laws at Marina Del Rey noticed my brawn and asked if I knew George, a pal of his from Philly. They went into the navy and were stationed together in the South Seas during WWll. He had a handful of amazing shots of George training with old airplane parts for weights. Huge rib cage even when he was young. Las Vegas was within my sales territory and Eiferman's Gym became my home away from home. I told George about his Philly buddy and the pics. He begged for copies. Unfortunately that man died when I saw him next and his wife was a royal C#$%.
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Stunt....I was walking the wet sand at Venice Beach about 4 years ago July 4th and there was a sunset jam behind the weight pen, beach side. It was like morphing into the past.
About names with faces...I am the worst you could ask. Its as if I walked thru life with my dick in my hand. Alcohol (from 12 to 40) could have been a big part of the memory loss. I did meet Draper at Disneyland. He might have been the golden hair man I recall training at Goodrich gym from time to time.
Now George Eiferman...what a guy. The man who had the slip next to my in laws at Marina Del Rey noticed my brawn and asked if I knew George, a pal of his from Philly. They went into the navy and were stationed together in the South Seas during WWll. He had a handful of amazing shots of George training with old airplane parts for weights. Huge rib cage even when he was young. Las Vegas was within my sales territory and Eiferman's Gym became my home away from home. I told George about his Philly buddy and the pics. He begged for copies. Unfortunately that man died when I saw him next and his wife was a royal C#$%.
:D
;D
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mb 1950
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i heard when the original muscle beach closed , they moved some of the equipment to san francisco and called it china beach?????????????????
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FUNK, I'm not positive about this but I think that you are 'definitely' wrong about theMuscle Beach gear bring moved to China Beach on the northern tip of the San Francisco Bay Area.
It is my understanding that the Muscle Beach great was moved to The Dungeon (see above someplace) which was only a couple of blocks up the hill from the beach in Santa Monica.
China Beach was one of the few beach spots that provided wind breaks during most of the typical breezy 'beach days' in the SF Bay AREA and that is where I spent most of my time catching up on one college subject or another.
The only thing "weight related' back then was a pull up bar, but some unknown individual soon contributed ea couple of dumbbells and various useless stuff which he apparently had no need of any more.
But that 'gear' was only there for a month of so before it suddenly disappeared into the unknown.
And I am almost 99.9% sure that it never saw the light of day within the Santa Monica Area.
I may be stupid, but I'm not smart ...... so its original location cold have been from points further south ..... but I think not!
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:D i'll see if i can find the article where i got it from, in the meantime another golden oldie mb shot...
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FUNK, I may have to apologize about doubting your post regarding the transporting of some of the original Muscle Beach gear too San Francisco's China Beach.
If that did occur, it may have happened before I was a China Beach regular for something like 6 to 8 years.
But once I started going to China Beach there was no sign of any bodybuilding gear except for a few pounds of rusted equipment that lasted for a couple of months at most.
But there always was that old and reliable chin up bar that was pretty much in constant use if the weather was warm enough.
Here are some China Beach photos that were taken a while back but the area is still pretty much the same.
This particular beach is located in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city of San Francisco and we'd often see Robin Williams come and go(many years later) as he lived in a spectacular house overlooking the beach.
So ... thinking back .... I think that it may be possible and that you could be correct about some of that Muscle Beach gear ending up in San Francisco's China Beach.
But I've heard that most of it ended up in the Dungeon and I think that Dave Draper would be the only one available who could shed some light on that topic.
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Are you in any of these pics, Stunt? If you don't mind.
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I spent a wasted day at China Beach fishing for Strippers with a 16' pole and a popper plug. I was the only one there....cold and windy. Wife had retreated to our car where she napped.
I have the unfortunate feeling that Draper holds a lot of history that will go with his passing.
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MB, What year was it when you went fishing off China Beach? And who recommended fishing there?
UGLY, I'm not in those photos cause I was stationed at Pendleton lifting heavy things between 'off-shore excursions of me type of another and although I had a decent bench press, I was more interested in endurance typee training or simply coaching individuals who requested help in various events that were held up and down the coastal beach towns.
We had an "obstacle course' back in Quantico which was supposedly pretty tough to run through in a decent time, but I did it easily and had to run it for members of congress as part of our annual dog and pony show once upon a time ...... and seldom had a problem running those notorious hill trails while many others fell by the way-side puking up theiir liven and onion noontime mea of their shit-on-a-shingle breakfast.
And we did pretty damn well in a good number of those summer events often winning more trophies than we could pack up and return to base with.
As I've often stated, "Things were so much different then!" ,in this case mainly due tp the fact that everything was on a much smaller scale and bodybuilding comps were relatively unknown, but it was the endurance type events that drew most of the attention and competitors inmost of those little (back then) beach-side towns.
Bodybuilding contests were very small (6 to 8 competitors) and of little interest compared to how it stands today.
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MB, What year was it when you went fishing off China Beach? And who recommended fishing there?
UGLY, I'm not in those photos cause I was stationed at Pendleton lifting heavy things between 'off-shore excursions of me type of another and although I had a decent bench press, I was more interested in endurance typee training or simply coaching individuals who requested help in various events that were held up and down the coastal beach towns.
We had an "obstacle course' back in Quantico which was supposedly pretty tough to run through in a decent time, but I did it easily and had to run it for members of congress as part of our annual dog and pony show once upon a time ...... and seldom had a problem running those notorious hill trails while many others fell by the way-side puking up theiir liven and onion noontime mea of their shit-on-a-shingle breakfast.
And we did pretty damn well in a good number of those summer events often winning more trophies than we could pack up and return to base with.
As I've often stated, "Things were so much different then!" ,in this case mainly due tp the fact that everything was on a much smaller scale and bodybuilding comps were relatively unknown, but it was the endurance type events that drew most of the attention and competitors inmost of those little (back then) beach-side towns.
Bodybuilding contests were very small (6 to 8 competitors) and of little interest compared to how it stands today.
Marine, correct? Much respect, sir. When did you serve?
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Stunt...
I was on a 3 day surf fishing quest for Strippers. From Santa Cruz to the Golden Gate. I was told that this particular weekend they would be heading under the bridge towards their breeding grounds in the Sac River delta. Year....hmmm...1985ish?
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Stunt...
I was on a 3 day surf fishing quest for Strippers. From Santa Cruz to the Golden Gate. I was told that this particular weekend they would be heading under the bridge towards their breeding grounds in the Sac River delta. Year....hmmm...1985ish?
Just got back from San Clemente Island; my pal caught this cod, the biggest of our 26.
Hijacked, sorry.
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UGLY, YES! Semper Fi if appropriate.
Active duty years before Nam and years thereafter.
Never a hero but served with First Force Reconn and was "adopted" by the 101st Airborne after some life saving episode which led to a war time and hell of a drinking party followed by a damn exciting experience worthy of inclusion in CARCH 22 or Apocalyspe Now.
Great times and I'd do it all over again and try to relive it better.
MB.... We used to scale those cliffs to the left of the photo in the above shot.
We'd start on the Cliff House end and climb along the shoreline past old Sutro's and keep on going until the tide came in and stopped out progress.
Pretty stupid thing to do back then and .... many years later my brother (a San Francisco fireman) did some sort of search and rescue for hikers who got caught between those fog bound craigs and the deep blue sea.
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Just got back from San Clemente Island; my pal caught this cod, the biggest of our 26.
Hijacked, sorry.
Mmmm I use to catch them off Catalina. Bake the filets in milk, butter, dill with salt and pepper. Mmmmm.
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Never enjoyed fishing but all this fishing stuff reminds me of something I haven't thought of in a hundred years or so......
What is the story concerning a GRUNYON RUN???
On my first such 'run' I never found a thing and was later told that there was no such thing but it was simply a way of getting me off my ass and on to the beach before sunrise in search of something that never really existed.
Then many years later.... I was on the beach a bit south of San Clemente (Camp Pendleton) for some late nite/early morning training exercise and found thousands of civilians on the shoreline going a bit crazy on the shoreline.
I thought that they were there to greet us after a long ship to shore swim ... but they paid is no attention and said that they were excitedly waiting for the Grunions.
But I was too damn smart to fall for it a second time.
So we took off over the dunes in pursuit of the 'bad guys' and I never did find out what the hell a Grunion was .... or even if one actually existed.
And all my life I lived no further than a mile from the sea and spent endless hours within it and under it..... and still have yet to meet one.
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Mmmm I use to catch them off Catalina. Bake the filets in milk, butter, dill with salt and pepper. Mmmmm.
Indeed.
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UGLY, YES! Semper Fi if appropriate.
Active duty years before Nam and years thereafter.
Never a hero but served with First Force Reconn and was "adopted" by the 101st Airborne after some life saving episode which led to a war time and hell of a drinking party followed by a damn exciting experience worthy of inclusion in CARCH 22 or Apocalyspe Now.
Great times and I'd do it all over again and try to relive it better.
MB.... We used to scale those cliffs to the left of the photo in the above shot.
We'd start on the Cliff House end and climb along the shoreline past old Sutro's and keep on going until the tide came in and stopped out progress.
Pretty stupid thing to do back then and .... many years later my brother (a San Francisco fireman) did some sort of search and rescue for hikers who got caught between those fog bound craigs and the deep blue sea.
Not me, but many Marines in the family. Thank you for your service.
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Semper Fidelis Stunt.
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here's the china beach pics. ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ???
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mr mb 1950.
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KNNY! Smper Fi. Good to know other "Jarheads" are on this board.
FUNK! I am AMAZED! I was an avid city hiker during my high school and college years while living in the Sunset District of San Francisco and knew just about every square inch of that city with the exception of the Mission District which was claimed to dislike outsiders from the Sunset.
And I was a regular 'regular' at Sunset Beach and would sit on the wind protected rooftop deck even when the fog rolled in which was about ever single day of the year except when school started after a fog bound summer.
That's where I sat and studied while going through high school and college except for the exceptionally fine and sunny days when I would spend daylight hours on the seawall directly beneath the Cliff House which was up the hill from Playland at the Beach.
Sorry for getting off track here but these are long forgotten memories....
And THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I've ever heard about any sort of physical event being held at China Beach.
And it's great to learn new stuff about stuff and places you thought you were completely knowledgeable about .. but weren't.
I have yet to rad the text that accompanies those photos but I Have a strong feeling that that event was promoted by a Police officer by the name of Bill Stathis who was very active within the world of "PHYSICAL CULTURE" back in them good old days.
Thanks, FUNK!
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FUNK, do you have a date when those China Beach photos were taken?
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FUNK, do you have a date when those China Beach photos were taken?
i scanned them out of the aug-sept-oct 1959 issue of ironman magazine.. so it could be in april may 1959 or so...
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I need a Wayback Machine NOW!
I would visit the mid 40s through the late 50s first. I despise what the world has become of late and bodybuilding more so.
A Physical Culturist is more of what I have become. I cannot identify with what trundles on and off the dais these days. A bunch of little boys masquerading as men. It is most likely a given that we will never see the like again of men such as Reeves, Park and Eiferman.
The manlets of today want it now, sans any effort.
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I need a Wayback Machine NOW!
I would visit the mid 40s through the late 50s first. I despise what the world has become of late and bodybuilding more so.
A Physical Culturist is more of what I have become. I cannot identify with what trundles on and off the dais these days. A bunch of little boys masquerading as men. It is most likely a given that we will never see the like again of men such as Reeves, Park and Eiferman.
The manlets of today want it now, sans any effort.
Thanks. It's nice to know, I'm not alone in my thinking.
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It looks like it might be a good idea to update this topic and move a couple pf miles south to the new Muscle Beach in Venice, Ca.
This location also has a very interesting history which may be of interest to some of you GetBiggers, but I'll be needing a lot of help to fill in the historical blanks between the 1950's through the present.
So let me start this off by doing my best to recall how the beach scene from Santa Monica to Venice was back in them good old days and how it gradually evolved into the circus as we know it today.
Here goes ....
Back before I arrived on the scene, Venice wads a small beach town with CANALS, some of which are still there today. It was the part of Los Angeles where many old time movie stars resided and even Charlie Chaplain had a home right on the beach where he hosted many elaborate parties. And it's still there but it's now used to sell tourist crap, hot dogs, hamburgers, and lemonade.
When I arrived in the 1950's Muscle Beach was still in Santa Monica. My first visit was during an overcast midweek morning and a sole bodybuilder by the name of Doug STROHL was in the pit lifting heavy rusted dumbbells and complaining about the weather.
A few years later I realized that the sun rarely shone on Muscle Beach before 11:30 AM and I think it's still the same today, but back then there was no such thing as smog, nor traffic, nor parking meters, nor lots of other stuff that causes us to complain so avidly today.
But even early in the morning you could hear the Merry Go Round music coming from the Santa Monica Pier less than a 100 yards north of this "pit" with the rusty dumbbells and barbells and rickety wooden benches.
So you always had the Merry Go Round music playing in the background while you did three or four sets of eight to twelve reps for every body-part while inhaling the salt air coming from the lapping waves less than 40 yards away.
During these early week-day mornings, it was a quiet and relaxing workout environment that has been seldom seen since them good old days.
But on the weekends, all hell broke loose and Muscle Beach became one of the major hectic area within the Los Angeles basin.
It turned into a 'circus' with circus-type individuals doing circus type stuff and decent built guys and gals stood on shoulders as high as they could go while thousands of city-folk crowded around to get a better look at all the crazy stuff that was happening here on Muscle Beach.
On most weekends it got so crowded that it felt good to get away and head on south down the beach by way of the electric tram that started a the Santa Monica Pier and ended at a somewhat deserted spot called Venice Beach roughly two miles down the coast.
More to follow ....
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By 1953 my parents thought it was proper that the family had a regular summer beach club. They joined the Johnathan Club (building below the cliff) next to Sorrento Beach Santa Monica. There was a fence of sorts that ran down to the water as far as legal to keep out the "riff raff". Gone were my trolley car rides to Muscle Beach Santa Monica. My Dad made sure that if he was paying club dues I stayed with them. Aaaaarg!! When I turned 16 and bought my own car I became a regular at Sorrento when not in town at Goodrich Gym. I got as high as 5th in 2 man team on the big VB tourney in 1957. The girl who lived next door (she became my first wife and mother of my children) belonged to the much snootier Beach Club (color pic) thru the 50s and 60s.
I miss *sniif* those innocent days.
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misc pics. of mb.
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8)
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8)
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I moved to Beverly Hills, CA when I was 8 years old. This was in 1952. I remember the beach clubs. I didn't venture far enough down the beach to discover Muscle Beach until at least 5 years later, when it was okay with my mom if I walked down the beach. It must have been quite a walk. My mom and I would spend the entire day at the beach, arriving at 10:00 a.m. and heading home around 5:00 p.m. Muscle Beach was a fascination. I knew I wanted to be as muscular as those guys when I got older. Not sure I ever got there though.
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MB, PRIME, FUNK, Thanks for your latest input.
Here are a couple of Santa Monica Muscle Beach remarks before I continue with my early days tour from the Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach.
PRIME, MB, I do recall those private Beach Clubs that stretched along Santa Monica Beach beneath that Santa Monica cliff and all the way down to a bit south of the building now known as the Sand Castle which in itself is only a few yards south of what was the original Muscle Beach weight enclosure.
I think that most of those private clubs have been long gone except for a couple that still remain standing.
My family is in the movie business so they are frequent guests of the most exclusive one on the north side of Santa Monica Beach ... the name of which I have forgotten, but I do believe that it is a private Jewish club.
The exclusive club on the southern end of Santa Monica Beach is now an apartment complex but it used to have tennis and volley ball courts on the beach itself until some law was passed making that part of the beach accessible for all and not just for club members.
The Purser apartments that can be seen in the background of a couple of Funk's photos is still standing if my memory serves me well.
Some of those beach houses along PCH just north of the SM Pier were the homes of some of the original founders of the major Hollywood film studios and I understand that Marilyn Monroe spent some time with JFK
when one of those larger beach front residences belonged to Peter Lawford.
There's a lot of Hollywood history along that stretch of beach.
Next up: The Electric Trolly-Car Ride from Muscle Beach to Venice and Return.
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MB, PRIME, FUNK, Thanks for your latest input.
Here are a couple of Santa Monica Muscle Beach remarks before I continue with my early days tour from the Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach.
PRIME, MB, I do recall those private Beach Clubs that stretched along Santa Monica Beach beneath that Santa Monica cliff and all the way down to a bit south of the building now known as the Sand Castle which in itself is only a few yards south of what was the original Muscle Beach weight enclosure.
I think that most of those private clubs have been long gone except for a couple that still remain standing.
My family is in the movie business so they are frequent guests of the most exclusive one on the north side of Santa Monica Beach ... the name of which I have forgotten, but I do believe that it is a private Jewish club.
The exclusive club on the southern end of Santa Monica Beach is now an apartment complex but it used to have tennis and volley ball courts on the beach itself until some law was passed making that part of the beach accessible for all and not just for club members.
The Purser apartments that can be seen in the background of a couple of Funk's photos is still standing if my memory serves me well.
Some of those beach houses along PCH just north of the SM Pier were the homes of some of the original founders of the major Hollywood film studios and I understand that Marilyn Monroe spent some time with JFK
when one of those larger beach front residences belonged to Peter Lawford.
There's a lot of Hollywood history along that stretch of beach.
Next up: The Electric Trolly-Car Ride from Muscle Beach to Venice and Return.
Those were some happy days. It's fun to recall them.
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Stunt, I have several contests filed for China Beach, but only from 1958 thru 1961.
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JOE, That is really surprising because those were the exact years I was a semi-regular at China Beach and never realized that they were going on, but if they occurred during the summer months I was spending a lot of time 72 miles north of China Beach on the Russian River which was the epi-center of every teen age kid who lived anywhere near the San Francisco Bay Area.
That's where we first met Reeves and numerous other pioneers within the heavy lifting world.
I have a strong feeling the the name of Bill Stathis is prominent in those files .... and possibly Doc Northrup also.
But bodybuilding events in the SF Bay Area were very uncommon at that time and nothing compared tot he bodybuilding activity within the Los Angeles area.
Thanks, Joe!
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Stunt,
I should acknowledge that although several contests were labeled as happening at China Beach, they may not have actually taken place on the beach. For example:
July 4, 1958 The China Beach Deadlift Contest took place in Westlake, CA. (is that near China Beach?)
Several contests wearing the name China Beach (May 17, 1959 Miss China Beach, and the 1959 Mr. China Beach for which I have seen two dates attributed July 12, and Sept 19, were listed as happening in San Francisco).
The May 28, 1961 Powerlift Chps were said to have happened at China Beach, CA. Exactly where, do not know. You may be correct if you doubt that the events happened on the actual beach.
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JOE, the Westlake area of San Francisco is on the southern end of the city limits ... at least it was back them but the city may have stretched south a bit since those early days.
As I recall it ... the Westlake area was sort of like cowboy country with a lot of horse stables and a couple of wild ass red-neck wild west type bars.
And I don't recall anyplace on that part of the city that held any sort of lifting event, but those 'China Beach' titles were most likely held at China Beach when I waS raising hell as a teenager up on the Russian River in a small summer place called RIO NIDO.
Was powerlifting even called "powerlifing" back then? I seem to recall it was referred to as "ODD LIFTING". But that could have been 10 years earlier.
No mention of BILL STATHIS???. He was the pioneer of all things LIFTING back then as far as I recall.
Reeves was lifting across the Bay so he was only seen on rare occasions unless we ran into him in Rio Nido (see above),
One busy weekend night he got in a bit of trouble there... but I think I've told that story earlier.
Thanks, Joe!
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Stunt, I assume you mean Bill Stathes?
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Stunt....The Beach Club was located on both sides of the highway. (view from upper club attached) I can assure you that it was not a Jewish club. My WASP inlaws were members along with their WASPish friends.
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JOE, Yes! Bill Stathes. He was a prominant BB in the city of San Francisco and opened a very small gym in the Sunset neighborhood which I recall was called SUNSET GYM.
Those were the days when gyms were small and not too popular in Northern Caifornia and most people who were interesting in lifting were YMCA members.
I think it was VIC TANNY who opened the first large scale, chrome plated gym in the San Fran Bay Area. Then came American Health Studios which closed after a very short season.
MB, thanks for the LA Beach Club info. What is the name of the very large beach club beneath the cliff at the very north end of the beach?
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SCOTT, HOWARD, MB. PRIME, FUNK, etc ....
I had written this earlier but it was way too long and complicated so this is the condensed version in my attempt to describe how that two+ mile stretch of beach and beachfront properties from the Santa Monica Poer and down south to Venice Beach has changed since the 1950's.
Times were so much different then which I have difficulty describing so you'll have to use your imagination a bit more than usual to get some simblence of an accurate picture.
Maybe PRIME and MB can add some stuff themselves and correct me where I am mistaken.
Starting off in the mid 1950's.
Gas was cheap but I forget how much. But sometimes I could fill her up with the small change that I found beneath the back seat of my 1941 Ford Sedan That Ford was good enough to get some small part in some major motion pictures.
Parking meters were rare if they even existed at all and there was always space for your car within a hundred yards or so from SM Beach.... but some warm weekends were an excerption.
The drive from Santa Monica to Disneyland was through orange orchards and strawberry fields. The freeway either did not exist at all or else we just didn't find it.
And once you got to Disneyland you'd have to pay the $12 admission fee which included a bunch of tickets that might last you the rest of the day.
A motel room across the street from Santa Monica Beach was about $12 per night.
The sun rarely came out before noon but one, two, or three die-hards would be doing basic exercises in the small enclosed weight area while gymnasts would be doing gymnast stuff
on a small grassy area a few yards away while the morning sun hid behind the clouds.
One lone fisherman would be fishing off the shore and many more would be fishing from the pier.
Surfing was too new to be too popular and the small Santa Monica surf seldom helped anyway.
Ocean Front Walk (it might have been called something different back then) ran from the Santa Monica Pier south to Venice Beach and beyond .... but I never got beyond Venice because there wasn't too much to see down hat way back then.
I knew Ocean Front Walk as well as anyone back then. I took that 2+ mile walk and back very often and ran it more than I walked it and met a lot of good people in the processs.
But there was another option for anyone who did not wish to walk or run from Santa Monica Beach to Venice Beach and back.
It was an electric trolly. A very old electric trolly but it went the distance and got its passengers to their beachside destinations safely at probably 8 miles per hour .... or less.
You could hop on this electric trolly on Ocean Front Walk right beside the Merry-GO-ROund.
It would cost a quarter for a round trip ticket, but the sights you'd see and the people you'd meet along the way were worth a million more.
That Merry-Go-ROund music played constantly and sometimes I can still hear it in my head.
Throw the driver a quarter, hop on this slow moving electric trolly .... and you were soon to see sights that were even more strange than the every day circus type occurrences of Muscle Beach.
More to follow.
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Stunt same club. Quite the set up. Upper club was more social, weddings, fancier bar, bridge and gin rummy tournaments and general hob nobbing for the BH/BelAire crowd.
I was the asst. mgr. of the Glendale Vic Tanny Gym (American Health Studios) for about 3 days at the old age of 18. I could not stand the deception I was told to use to get people to sign up.
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-Cool car. A 1955 or 1956 Ford Fairlane, right?
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:D
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;D
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vic had quite a few health clubs back in the day.... both his brother armand and son were involved in bodybuilding, armand competeing and writing extensively for mr. weider and his son vic jr competeing... if i'm not mistaken i think vic jr recently came out describing the horrors of his steroid use...
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junior
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Vic would do live Los Angeles Pro Wrestling commercials in the 1950s. The era of Gorgeous George and Mr. Moto. Great fun. His padded shoulder suits would sure make him stand out.
Could he be the Father of High School Hair? a la Brian Seacrest.
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-Cool car. A 1955 or 1956 Ford Fairlane, right?
Ford yes, but earlier; either a 1953 or 1954.
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Ford yes, but earlier; either a 1953 or 1954.
You nailed it! I believe it is a 1953 Ford Fairlane. There are no fins, they arrived in 1954 and grew after that. Shoot, that was long before I was old enough to drive. Don't think they let 9 year olds behind the wheel.
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WOW! You guys have opened up a lot of old time memories here.
The Tanny's and some of the old time wrestlers used to spend daylight hours on Waikiki Beach directly behind the Outrrigger Hotel, so I would pass by and say "Aloha" to them whenever I ran the beach which was just about every day because I lived about 100 yeard from the famous spot.
I have some stories to pass on about those good old Waikiki beach days but not enough time right now.
And... MB ,,,, I was also a member of AHS when it first opened up in the SF Bay Area but that business didn't last too long. If I recall correctly it was originally owned by a group of old time bodybuilders who ran it into the ground financially and it had to close up.
At that same time, Vic Tanny had the fancy chrome plated place on Market Street in San Francisco and to true best of my knowledge Jack Lalanne had yet to open anything except of his small place in an old building down by the Ferry Building.
I believe that it was Wyn Paris who got his operation open starting with Lalanne's first major operation in the Los Angeles area. That's another interesting story that should be told someplace on this internet.
Do you have more info regarding any of that stuff mentioned above? I bet you knew Wyn.
As I mentioned earlier, I was a good friend of George Eifferman's and that photo taken at the Sahara Hotel in LV brought back some other old time memories.
George's gym was in a small shopping center about half a mile from the Sahara so I think he spent a lot of time there when it was a popular place to be.
Now the SAHARA HOTEL CASINO is the newly upgraded and remodeled SLS Hotel Casino and like all the other Strip Casinos it is having its financial difficulties but should be turing around soon if the economy continues to improve. And something called Rock'n Rio will be going on across the street and that it supposed to be of interest to thousands of Rock Fans.
I'd go see what that's all about but the daily tickets are over $300 and I now have little interest in Rock Groups but some kid by the name of BRUNO MARS will be appearing on opening day along with seven other major rock stars over a multi hour period.
That will help the SLS fill their rooms immensely.
Speaking of LV hotel rooms. I've heard that the cheapest room you can get now is $500 due to the big fine this weekend and if you want a good seat at that fight it will cost you $26,000
and up.
I have been to lots of fights and have always sat within he first three rows ringside (compt) so I'm not willing to spring $26,000 for any fight nowadays and it's hard to believe that anyone is actually shelling out that much money.
What would happen if the fight only lasted one round???!!!!
FUNK, once again, Thanks for the photos. I've known or have met at least 80% of the peeps on those photos. Maybe 90%!!!!
Gotta head out. Thanks you all for all this new input of historical interest for someone .
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really great thread
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stern's gym san diego 1947
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stern's gym san diego 1947
Both my cousin and I used to train there. Great gym. Its still there but I no longer go there. Now owned by one of the Brown brothers, I believe.
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Both my cousin and I used to train there. Great gym. Its still there but I no longer go there. Now owned by one of the Brown brothers, I believe.
wow was leo still training people then????
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:o
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I have competed in the Mr. Muscle Beach Open, Over 40, Over 50 multiple times all the way into my 70s. I have also competed AAU and NPC in a dozen states around this country. The Muscle Beach tops them all with adequate competition, amazing outdoor scenery, smell of the Pacific instead of sweat, armpits, Pro Tan, and baby oil..... and the most receptive crowds on the planet. They have 3 shows...Memorial Day, the biggie July 4th and Labor Day.
I miss my competitive days and physique. I will miss Venice Beach for the 3rd year in a row. My summer place to be since I was 11. This Monday will be another great event. The Bikini part of the show is becoming the big draw at the beach. I am there in spirit....
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wow was leo still training people then????
He was there but I don't know if he "trained" anyone at that time. Leo was pretty cool.
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another famous area gym owner ed yarick's...
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;D ed yarick 6 ft 4...
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FUNK, SCOTT, MB, WOW! Those old shots bring back some ancient memories
I never did have the pleasure of meeting Yarick, but I did meet Reeves, and Eifferman and a good old friend of a few years back .... Tommy Kono who is standing on the far right in that group shot with Yarick in the middle .
One of the finest individuals within the game. I've had the pleasure of working with Tommy for a good number of years.
Have been trying to ID some of the other guys in that group shot but Tommy appears to be the only individual I can recognize.
As I've mentioned before, I was a friend of George's a few years before he passed away. He was in the hospital when Reeves passed and we were requested to say nothing about Reeves' death due to the fact that he was in pretty serious condition himself.
A few years back we were touring around Oakland and we did pass by Ed's old gym but I don't recall what is located there now.
Thanks, FUNK!
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I have competed in the Mr. Muscle Beach Open, Over 40, Over 50 multiple times all the way into my 70s. I have also competed AAU and NPC in a dozen states around this country. The Muscle Beach tops them all with adequate competition, amazing outdoor scenery, smell of the Pacific instead of sweat, armpits, Pro Tan, and baby oil..... and the most receptive crowds on the planet. They have 3 shows...Memorial Day, the biggie July 4th and Labor Day.
I miss my competitive days and physique. I will miss Venice Beach for the 3rd year in a row. My summer place to be since I was 11. This Monday will be another great event. The Bikini part of the show is becoming the big draw at the beach. I am there in spirit....
Best thread on the board! You're great, Mr MB, and I wish you could go July 4th.
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This might be a good point in time to leave Santa Monica's Muscle Beach and head on down the beach a couple of miles south to the present day "Muscle Beach" located in Venice, California.
That two mile stretch of ocean front property from Santa Monica Pier to the Venice Beach weight "pit" has one hell of a lot of interesting history in it's own right which I think may be of interest to any GetBigger who has walked or ran that 'route' within the past few years.
Santa Monica's Muscle Beach may be world famous even though it ain't there no more but Venice Beach back in its 'heyday' came in a close second and just might be even more popular today.
And that Venice 'heyday' started with a guy by the name of Abbot Kenny more than a 100 years ago.
Could be that Abbot and Mr MB and Wes were olden day neighbors and can contribute more than I can recall to this part of this Muscle Beach History.
I can only go back in time to when there was an electric trolly that ran along Ocean Front Walk from the Santa Monica Beach Pier to the Main St "turn-a-round" at Venice Beach.
And that was somewhere within the 1950's.
That two mile stretch of beachfront property always seemed relatively deserted except for the few Jewish elderly ladies with shopping bags at their feet who would fill the benches along Ocean Front walk and communicate in a language that was not understandable by 99
.9% of this beachfront population and 100% of the LA Basin.
Back then (1950's) it seemed that there was some sort of Jewish synagog along every hundred yards of that Venice Beach Ocean Front Walk ... so it wads nowhere as commercialized as it is today.
No tattoo shops, no skateboarders, no aroma of marijuana, no bums, no juggling acrobats, no cops on horses. Just about no nothing at all, except for old Jewish ladies on beachfront benches speaking an unspeakable language with shopping bags around their ankles.
So if you are a beach-nut fan from the 'get-go' .... you might be interested to find out how that two mile stretch of oceanfront sand came to be and how it was way back then ... way before the 1950's when ocean front roller coasters and ocean pier dance halls were the 'rage' in Southern California until the invention of the television set destroyed it all .. followed by the interesting history of Venice Beach, its canals, and the eventual founding of the modernized Muscle Beach itself.
History does indeed repeat itself.
If this story continues there will be a lot of bickering and shenanigans and backstabbing here so forget "Game of Thrones" and see how life really was back then along that two mile coast of Southern California and a couple of blocks east where the 'canes' used be.
They didn't call it "VENICE" for nutten!
This really would be a damn good TV series if we got a writer out there!
But before heading south to VB, let's take one last look at the original Muscle Beach in them good old days when gas was 23 cents a gallon and a hamburger would set you back a total of 19 cents.
Things were so much different then.
More to follow ...
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If you have been looking at these olden day beach photos, you might have noticed that the bikini bathing suit was non existant.
The first two piece bathing suit was 'developed' by a fashion designer in Paris in July 1946 and was dubbed the "Bikini" simply due to the fact that the US was testing A-bombs at the Bikini atoll a week earlier.
During WWII many of the world's beach coastlines were 'closed' in an effort to protect against foreign invasion.
SO once the war wads over, civilians began to attack the beaches in large numbers the bikini grew in popularity.
At first in a modest and then into an "almost nothing at all" format.
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As far as men's swimwear went ... board shorts were popular and anything similar to a Speedo was considered somewhat 'risqué', but eventually grew in popularity within the US Southern California beach areas.
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It's not just the use of PEDs, but also the modern day posing trunks that makes bodybuilding a controversial sport (yes, I call it a 'sport'!).
Some good LOLs today on my work when they asked questions about the clothing on stage. As always, people assume we're just wearing Speedos or even tangas on stage ;D
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If you have been looking at these olden day beach photos, you might have noticed that the bikini bathing suit was non existant.
The first two piece bathing suit was 'developed' by a fashion designer in Paris in July 1946 and was dubbed the "Bikini" simply due to the fact that the US was testing A-bombs at the Bikini atoll a week earlier.
During WWII many of the world's beach coastlines were 'closed' in an effort to protect against foreign invasion.
SO once the war wads over, civilians began to attack the beaches in large numbers the bikini grew in popularity.
At first in a modest and then into an "almost nothing at all" format.
I thought the movie star/swimmer Esther Williams had something to do with the creation of the bikini.
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Anyone ever see the documentary Muscle Beach Then and Now? It doesn't look like it ever made it to DVD. If you know if it being on DVD, please let me know.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189899/?ref_=tt_rec_tt (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1189899/?ref_=tt_rec_tt)
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;D millard williamson mr shoulders and mr muscle beach 1950...also a volleyball player.
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;D
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Hey, FUNK!
I'm 90% sure that that beach house behind Steve's left shoulder was the home we were thinking of buying back into he early 60's.
If I recall right, the asking price was $34,000.
Mr. MB might be able to shed more accurate light on the prices of those beach front places back in them good old days.
But I can remember that there were no beach front homes built along the oceanfront all the way from the northern edge of Santa Monica (Pat's?) clear on up to Malibu, but some of there ocean view homes built high above the 101 were gradually sliding down he hill,
If that's hard to believe, see DON"T MAKE WAVes ... Draper's first movie.
Now it's almost impossible to see the ocean while driving along the ocean front all the way up to Pepperdine.
Times sure do change.
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Hey, FUNK!
I'm 90% sure that that beach house behind Steve's left shoulder was the home we were thinking of buying back into he early 60's.
If I recall right, the asking price was $34,000.
Mr. MB might be able to shed more accurate light on the prices of those beach front places back in them good old days.
But I can remember that there were no beach front homes built along the oceanfront all the way from the northern edge of Santa Monica (Pat's?) clear on up to Malibu, but some of there ocean view homes built high above the 101 were gradually sliding down he hill,
If that's hard to believe, see DON"T MAKE WAVes ... Draper's first movie.
Now it's almost impossible to see the ocean while driving along the ocean front all the way up to Pepperdine.
Times sure do change.
that was a good movie i have the dvd of it...
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;D
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;D millard williamson mr shoulders and mr muscle beach 1950...also a volleyball player.
Pepper Gomez won Mr. Muscle Beach 1950; Millard won in 1956.
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Gold's Gym turns 50
http://www.flexonline.com/general-news/golds-gym-turns-50?fb
IN 1965, GOLD’S GYM OPENED ITS DOORS AND LAUNCHED THE MODERN FITNESS MOVEMENT THAT BROUGHT EXERCISE AND HEALTHY LIVING INTO THE GLOBAL CONSCIENCE
Fifty years ago, in a single concrete room, 30 feet by 100 feet just of the Venice Beach shoreline, modern fitness was born. It was an unassuming spot, but packed inside were massive men pumping iron and curling, benching, and deadlifting thousands of pounds. This was the frst Gold’s Gym, and it would create a revolution that continues today.
THE DARK AGES
Prior to 1965, American health was in decline. Less than a decade prior, President John F. Kennedy published an article titled “The Soft American” in Sports Illustrated, in which he argued that “such softness on the part of individual citizens can help to strip and destroy the vitality of a nation...the stamina and strength which the defense of liberty requires are not the product of a few weeks’ basic training or a month’s conditioning.” More than one-third of children in the U.S. had failed one of five strength tests administered in school, compared with a 1% failure rate for European students. The government was so concerned that it encouraged comic strips to address fitness. Peanuts creator Charles Schulz produced Snoopy’s Daily Dozen, a booklet featuring Snoopy, Charlie, Linus, and the gang going through a series of exercises. The small percentage of American adults who did exercise favored quick and easy workouts like 5BX, which stood for Five Basic Exercises and didn’t require additional equipment or do much to build strength. Real strength training was all but unknown.
A GYM IS BORN
Enter Joe Gold. The merchant marine with an impressive physique who scored roles as an extra in films including The Ten Commandments and Around the World in 80 Days had an idea. He worked out at Muscle Beach just south of the Santa Monica Pier—where young men like the original “fitness superhero” Jack LaLanne and Steve Reeves, who played Hercules, lifted crude weights, performed feats of strength like handstands and other gymnastic moves, and showed off their hulking physiques to tourists moseying down the boardwalk. But Gold knew they needed an indoor spot so they could work out at all hours and train with better equipment. He purchased an abandoned lot on Pacific Avenue and erected a simple building out of cinder blocks, and thus Gold’s Gym was born.
“Joe was a hardcore trainer, a competitive bodybuilder back in the day,” FLEX Chief Content Director Shawn Perine says. “He was about building hardcore muscle, about giving guys the chance to create the ultimate physique.”
Gold saw an opportunity—at the time there were just three gyms for the 7 million people in the Los Angeles area—but he also understood how much he could improve the bodybuilding community. The weights and benches of the day were poorly made, uneven with faulty cables and uncomfortable grips. Gold knew what the lifters liked because, after all, he was one of them, and so he set about creating equipment to suit their needs. He turned his two-car garage into a machine shop of sorts, developing benches, pulley systems, unique handles, and other homemade
devices that were superior to anything on the market. “When you felt his dumbbells, there was a magic there,” remembers Eddie Giuliani, a bodybuilder from New York who moved to California to train at Gold’s Gym and would win his height class in Mr. America and Mr. World.
Bodybuilders flocked to Gold’s Gym. While other gyms tried to mimic the cutting-edge technology, none had the brilliance of Joe Gold. Dave Draper, who was known as the Blond Bomber, and who was literally and figuratively the biggest muscle star of the early 1960s, joined Gold’s along with the other top stars of the day. Tourists stood outside the gym, peering in with hopes of catching a glimpse of the men inside. People who couldn’t get to the beachside spot could still see Draper and others on the cover of bodybuilding magazines that were slowly taking off. “That was the ‘me’ generation, and all of a sudden people were discovering themselves, and what better way to discover yourself than to see how ripped you can make your muscles?” Perine says. Magazines like Muscle Builder featured interviews and tips from the big names at Gold’s, turning them into household names.
The rapid explosion of fitness and bodybuilding spurred the growth of scientific breakthroughs and interest from the medical field. The fledgling International Society of Sport Psychology held its first World Congress in 1965, and the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity came into being in 1967. In 1971, State University of New York at Stony Brook chemistry professor Paul C. Lauterbur developed the concept that he would use to create the first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and the first issue of the Journal of Sports Medicine came off the presses a year later.
Then, of course, came Arnold. Joe Weider, creator of the Mr. Olympia competition and publisher of magazines like Muscle & Fitness and FLEX, brought Arnold Schwarzenegger to train at Gold’s Gym in 1968, and the Austrian almost immediately became an icon. He would work out with Draper, Giuliani, and his good friend and roommate, Franco Columbu, harder, faster, and longer than anyone else, smiling throughout the effort, impressing the young men who wanted to be him. “Arnold was everywhere,” his frequent training partner Ric Drasin says. “He made it the Mecca.”
Throughout the 1970s, the bodybuilding movement continued to gain traction, and Arnold’s gang led the way. Yellow Gold’s Gym T-shirts featuring the ubiquitous Gold’s Gym logo—designed by Drasin spontaneously on a cocktail napkin—were everywhere on the boardwalk, the beach, the bars around town, and beyond. To wear one was to signal that you were a part of something larger. Gold’s Gym hosted the 1977 Mr. America contest. That same year the movie Pumping Iron, featuring Schwarzenegger competing in the 1975 Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia competitions, vaulted the bodybuilders to another level of celebrity. Soon Hollywood stars like Clint Eastwood were dropping in for sessions as well as sports stars like Muhammad Ali. Bodybuilding had solidified itself in mainstream culture. “I remember watching TV in the ’80s, and every other commercial had a bodybuilder,” Perine says. “More likely than not, that bodybuilder was recruited by somebody calling the front desk of Gold’s Gym Venice.”
By 1980, Gold’s Gym had been sold off by Gold and passed through a few owners, landing in the hands of Pete Grymkowski, Tim Kimber, and Ed Connors. The trio, nicknamed the Three Horseman, set about spreading the core message of the brand to the nation. They saw that bodybuilding and physical fitness had staying power, less of a trend and more of a basic fact of the aging baby boomer lifestyle. Consider that in 1982 movie star Jane Fonda would take a break from her busy schedule to shoot Jane Fonda’s Workout, launching her successful second career. Soon after in 1985 the American Council on Exercise was formed to create a standard national certification process for aerobic instructors. Fitness was no longer a tourist attraction on Venice Beach, it was a part of everyday American life. And Gold’s Gym became a cornerstone of pop culture. Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in Rocky, wore a Gold’s Gym T-shirt on a Saturday Night Live promo spot; Wesley Snipes donned a Gold’s Gym tank top in White Men Can’t Jump; and Will Smith flashed a Gold’s Gym VIP pass in Men in Black. All types of celebrities from rock stars like Janet Jackson to Olympic gold medalists like Greg Louganis and—the most famous of all— basketball legend Michael Jordan were showing up at Gold’s Gym.
Connors opened the first licensed Gold’s Gym in San Francisco in 1980 and dedicated himself to launching new outposts. Jerry McCall, a nationally competitive bodybuilder who bought into the San Jose franchise in 1982, remembers the old days. “Ed really spawned the licensing program,” the former president of the Gold’s Gym Franchisee Association says. “He had a knack for meeting people, like somebody in Rochester or Madison, a hardcore kind of guy who had a small club and wanted to expand.” By 1981, there were 5,000 singular health clubs nationwide, and many entrepreneurs saw the great value in aligning their little gyms with Gold’s Gym, which was rapidly becoming the dominant force in American fitness.
The number of Gold’s Gyms across the country skyrocketed. The group took the brand international in 1985 when a branch opened in Canada. The iconic T-shirts started selling in retail outlets worldwide in 1987, the perfect complement to an increasing global focus on fitness, born at that unassuming gym in Venice. By 1993, Gold’s Gym had 1 million members, and that’s when it became clear that it wasn’t just bringing a fitness revolution, it was creating a legacy by helping hundreds of thousands of people realize their potential through fitness. In 1996 it expanded to Europe and Asia, changing perceptions across the globe. “When we first opened, the word fitness didn’t exist in the Russian language,” says Paul J. Kuebler, one of the three principal people to open the first Gold’s Gym in Moscow’s Leningrad Prospekt in 1996. “We had to explain to Russians what fitness was for. In the past, they only worked out to improve at the sports they played.”
While Gold’s Gym became known as the Mecca of Bodybuilding, the brand also pioneered the latest fitness innovations, making sure their members, who came first just as they had when Joe Gold set about creating a gym for his peers, stayed at the forefront. Connors built a group exercise room in the San Jose gym in 1981, well before the trend took off nationally. The Gold’s Gym trainers got ideas from everywhere, increasing the use of kettlebells and periodization after seeing the success these exercises and philosophies had in Russia. The cardio age came into being in 1984 with the StairMaster StepMill, and Gold’s Gym locations nationwide featured the machines. Lori Lowell, the national group fitness director for Gold’s Gym International between 1999 and 2009, talked about how classes created the right atmosphere. “There’s a power in group fitness,” she says. “It wasn’t just about coming in and lifting weights. We were delivering a great social environment as well as a great workout.” The success is obvious, with gyms offering everything from yoga, Pilates, and core training to cardio kickboxing. Other classes like TRX and Zumba gained popularity in the coming decades and were quickly adopted by Gold’s Gym locations around the world. This past year, Gold’s Gym partnered with Microsoft to bring fitness into the next era by featuring its branded workouts on the Microsoft Band, the most cutting-edge smartband available.
THE LEGACY CONTINUES
The Gold’s Gym legacy has left its mark on America’s attitude toward fitness, even though at the beginning, it was never a guarantee. “More than 45 years ago we all together went on a crusade to fight for health and fitness for resistance training, bodybuilding, and weightlifting,” Schwarzenegger said at a recent celebration. “At that time, everyone laughed. Now 45 years later, there isn’t one hotel in the world that doesn’t have a fitness room. Our crusade has been extremely successful.” In the next 50 years, Gold’s Gym is poised to remain a leading force in the world of fitness. Joe Gold, his group of ambitious bodybuilders, and the stewards of the Gold’s Gym legacy who came in the half century after truly did create a modern revolution. - FLEX
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GREGZ, Thanks for the above info on Gold's.
I just got back on line and am doing my best to catch up and respond to a lot of these GetBig postings and I think I can add some basic info to the above article which I think may be partially incorrect.
I'll need some time to digest it all so 'stand by to stand by'.
WIGGS, It was great meeting you at the USA Champs.
For any Getbigger who may dislike WIGGS for any reason, give yourself a chance to meet him and you'll discover that you'll most likely have a friend for life.
It was a real pleasure meeting ya, WIGGS.
And thanks to RON for the introduction.
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...WIGGS, It was great meeting you at the USA Champs.
For any Getbigger who may dislike WIGGS for any reason, give yourself a chance to meet him and you'll discover that you'll most likely have a friend for life.
It was a real pleasure meeting ya, WIGGS.
Really? So he's not an insufferable racist buttwipe in person? He doesn't go on and on with his DEF2YT dross and his Afronomical predickshuns about the Dark World of Nibiru destroyifiying whitey (except for de womenz, a'course) and the original whatever was really black theories?
Really? So he's just a regular guy in real life, i.e., hard working and intelligent with no trace of stupid on his person?
Really? Was he high or is that yet another load of BS like the afromentioned drivel of his?
Really? He really is normal?
Good.
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SCOTT, Yes, in my humble opinion .... WIGGS really is a great person and it was actually great meeting him.
I will admit though that the first thing I said to him once Ron introduced us was, "Wiggs, I hate you!"
I said that with as much 'humor' as I could muster but there was a minor bit of truth in it due to the fact that I tend to disagree with some of the stuff he posts on this GetBig Board.
But I immediately learned that you cannot judge a "book by it's coverage on the internet" and within a minute or so ... we were the best of buds.
And I hope we'l stay in contact if he ever reads this stuff and starts to communicate.
We did communicate well during the hour or so that we communicated.
SCOTT, I can almost guarantee that you'd feel the same way if you ever had the opportunity to meet WIGGS. And it appeared that RON felt likewise.
Other than that, how you been?
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few more oddball mb pics.
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:o
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This is how it all began. Adverstisements like these, and smaller, in the back of comic books and cheap magazines:
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Some more:
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And some more:
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REPS, Thanks! Interesting ads.
The one and only time that I ordered a product from one of Weider's magazines was for a bottle of "Super Gain Weight" or some similar name.
It was a thick liquid and tasted like Geritol .... which I'm pretty sure it was back then.
When I was real young I ordered the Charles Atlas programs and received enough mail over the next few months than I could possibly read over the next few months.
Is Charlie still offering his programs in any of the comic books?
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REPS, Thanks! Interesting ads.
The one and only time that I ordered a product from one of Weider's magazines was for a bottle of "Super Gain Weight" or some similar name.
It was a thick liquid and tasted like Geritol .... which I'm pretty sure it was back then.
When I was real young I ordered the Charles Atlas programs and received enough mail over the next few months than I could possibly read over the next few months.
Is Charlie still offering his programs in any of the comic books?
I did too! I ordered the Atlas course and I got all kinds of mail, actually over about the next couple of years. Especially from Weider. Once he sent me a complimentary copy of one of his magazines. That was the first time I ever saw a muscle magazine.
I actually have a funny story about ordering the Charles Atlas course. I mailed in the couple requesting the info, and when I got the response, here to find out the course cost $36. Well, I didn't have $36, it mights as well have been $36,000,000. So I thought forget that.
About a month later, I got another mailer from Atlas. This time the course was like $32. Again, I didn't have $32 so forget it. A few weeks later, I got another mailer. This time it was like $26. Forget that. Another few weeks go by, another mailer, now it was like $22. By this time I caught on and thought I'll just wait and see what I get next time.
Finally, after I don't know how many mailers, the price dropped to $6. At $6, which I had, I bought.
When I look back on this, I think, what a stupid shit I was! I should have held out! I might have gotten the damn course for $3 or $4. Maybe $2.
I eventually threw the course away and am sorry I did. I remember some of it, but would just like to see all that was in it.
I have no idea if the Charles Atlas course is still advertised.
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REPS, What was the approximate year of that complimentary copy from Weider ... and what year did you order the Charles Atlas stuff?
I think that $36 was really equivalent to $36,000,000 back then. Coffee was only a dime and you could add on a doughnut for a nickel and gas was less than 22 cents a gallon which included two gas station attendants cleeaning your windows, checking your oil, checking your tires, filling your radiator, and vacuuming the interior.
And they were all dressed in white uniforms and wore bow ties.
I was one of those guys through half my college years.
I might be able top respond with some interesting stuff if you could let me know the approximate years as requested above.
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I'm not precisely certain of the years, but I would guess the Atlas course was about 1966, and the Weider magazine about 1967 or 68.
Unfortunately I don't have the magazine either. I don't remember the cover, but I do remember photos in it of Dave Draper working out (and using equipment that I never seen or dreamt of) and a photo or photos of Harold Poole whom I belived they captioned as America's best built teen.
It was a whole different world back then. A world you could never explain to young people today.
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I'm not precisely certain of the years, but I would guess the Atlas course was about 1966, and the Weider magazine about 1967 or 68.
Unfortunately I don't have the magazine either. I don't remember the cover, but I do remember photos in it of Dave Draper working out (and using equipment that I never seen or dreamt of) and a photo or photos of Harold Poole whom I belived they captioned as America's best built teen.
It was a whole different world back then. A world you could never explain to young people today.
That's because it was a world built on the bubble of belief. Until that is, that bubble was burst by the reality of a pin at the end of a syringe.
I blame the film, "Pumping Iron". It showed the difference between us and them was nothing more than a needle away. Or a bottle. The sixties was the beginning of the end of innocence in many ways. The seventies opened the door to the truth and the eighties was the onramp to reality. After which bodybuilding has been "on the road" in so many redundant and retarded videos but always ends with the one to dialysis.
Give me the 40s through the mid 80s. Once we got past the point of no return it was obvious that the lies grew with the competitor's guts.
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SCOTT, WELL STATED!
I lived through all those years with a close tie to all things weight related .... general fitness, odd lifting, powerlifting, olympic lifting, bodybuilding, etc., etc.
And have actually met most of the people involved in the above plus the major gym owners, magazine owners, and photographers.
I can almost entirely agree with you but I've seen a lot of good shit as a result of being involved and very little bad.
Way back then, the only bullshit and possibly the original was the stuff that was sold in the magazines and the claims that everyone wanted to believe.
I was once given a million dollars (exaggeration) worth of early 20th century physical culture magazines which made fitness claims that would boggle the mind of anyone within the lifting world today.
I gave them to a good friend who was in the bodybuilding magazine business and will contact him to see if they are still in his possession and possibly post some of those ads / articles / claims on this GetBig Board
I can guarantee that 98% of today's bodybuilding fans have never even heard of them.
And each issue was respectable which was a common trait back then .... but never the less claims were made that were damn near impossible.
I think I got off track here!
I can go on and on about all those years, but GetBiggers hate reading too many words and tend to get irate which is contrary to my nature since I got retired ..... and a bit retarded which I guess comes with age.
Which leads me to expect that many GetBiggers are actually in their 90's or even beyond it.
With the exception of you, of course!
And a handful of others who know what the hell they are talking about.
But apparently 'good people' none the less.
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REPS, I had a pretty lengthy response to your last post but somehow lost it when trying to send it. Will get back to it ASAP.
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REPS, Yes, I would guess that that Weider magazine with Draper was a 1967 or 1968 issue.
Dave's big movie back then (Don't Make Waves) was released in 1967 and if I recall correctly Weider had sent him to the west coast to manage a very small supplement shop where Dave spent most of his time responding to mail orders.
Dave might be reading this and make corrections but I stopped by a couple of times and talked with him while he was working (Zucky's Jewish Delicatessen was just across the street and anyone involved in lifting heavy things fine dined then more that three times a week).
Dave (one heck of a good guy) was in the process or had just finished his work on that movie and ...... I forget the rest of that conversation ... but he knew Sharon Tate and was very sad when she was murdered.
To the best of my knowledge, that was Weider's first west coast office.
More later ...
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REPS, Yes, I would guess that that Weider magazine with Draper was a 1967 or 1968 issue.
Dave's big movie back then (Don't Make Waves) was released in 1967 and if I recall correctly Weider had sent him to the west coast to manage a very small supplement shop where Dave spent most of his time responding to mail orders.
Dave might be reading this and make corrections but I stopped by a couple of times and talked with him while he was working (Zucky's Jewish Delicatessen was just across the street and anyone involved in lifting heavy things fine dined then more that three times a week).
Dave (one heck of a good guy) was in the process or had just finished his work on that movie and ...... I forget the rest of that conversation ... but he knew Sharon Tate and was very sad when she was murdered.
To the best of my knowledge, that was Weider's first west coast office.
More later ...
stunt,
I've seen Don't Make Waves several times. The TCM channel sometimes shows it. Not a great movie, but enjoyable and interesting in several ways. First, it makes fun of people who live in Southern California (which I do, so that's really neat). Second, it has the gorgeous Sharon Tate in it, and I'm not sure if it was her last movie. Third, the movie was directed surprisingly by Alexander Mackendrick who directed Curtis and Burt Lancaster in their 50's classic Sweet Smell of Success. Lastly, I think Draper's acting is pretty good in it, better than I would have ever guessed.
I have never read Draper's book, Brother Iron. If you have, let me know if it's worth reading.
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stunt,
I've seen Don't Make Waves several times. The TCM channel sometimes shows it. Not a great movie, but enjoyable and interesting in several ways. First, it makes fun of people who live in Southern California (which I do, so that's really neat). Second, it has the gorgeous Sharon Tate in it, and I'm not sure if it was her last movie. Third, the movie was directed surprisingly by Alexander Mackendrick who directed Curtis and Burt Lancaster in their 50's classic Sweet Smell of Success. Lastly, I think Draper's acting is pretty good in it, better than I would have ever guessed.
I have never read Draper's book, Brother Iron. If you have, let me know if it's worth reading.
brother iron and sister steel is as close as a biography you will probably get on draper, also of note is west coast bodybuilding scene...
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FUNK, REPS, Thanks again for contributing.
I was under the impression that Sharon Tate passed away shortly after DON'T MAKE WAVES was released in 1967 but actually she was in four more films up to her death in late 1969.....
1989 Twelve Plus One
1968 The Wrecking Crew
1967 Valley of the Dolls
1967 The Fearless Vampire Killers
1967 Don't Make Waves
TONY CURTIS ... I had lunch with him on a couple of occasions and we talked about SOME LIKE IT HOT and another film that he made during which he met his first wife ..... Something like Teris Bulba if I recall correctly.
His fondest memory of SOME LIKE IT HOT was how funny Joe E. Brown actually was on and off screen.
He was a great actor and also a great painter,,,,,,
Sorry to say that I have never read Dave's book nor the one by Tyler.
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brother iron and sister steel is as close as a biography you will probably get on draper, also of note is west coast bodybuilding scene...
I have and have enjoyed, both of them. Draper was kind enough to autograph them for me.
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brother iron and sister steel is as close as a biography you will probably get on draper, also of note is west coast bodybuilding scene...
I've seen this book, but never read it. If it's good, I'd like to. Wasn't Tyler something of an actor?
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FUNK, REPS, Thanks again for contributing.
I was under the impression that Sharon Tate passed away shortly after DON'T MAKE WAVES was released in 1967 but actually she was in four more films up to her death in late 1969.....
1989 Twelve Plus One
1968 The Wrecking Crew
1967 Valley of the Dolls
1967 The Fearless Vampire Killers
1967 Don't Make Waves
TONY CURTIS ... I had lunch with him on a couple of occasions and we talked about SOME LIKE IT HOT and another film that he made during which he met his first wife ..... Something like Teris Bulba if I recall correctly.
His fondest memory of SOME LIKE IT HOT was how funny Joe E. Brown actually was on and off screen.
He was a great actor and also a great painter,,,,,,
Sorry to say that I have never read Dave's book nor the one by Tyler.
Although it's been many years since I saw it, I remember Fearless Vampire Killers as a very good movie. I think it was directed by Roman Polanski. I don't know if he and Tate were married at the time, or this was where they met, or whatever.
I SURELY would like to hear more about your lunch with Tony Curtis. He and wife Janet Leigh made a movie with Dean Martin that I kind of like, Who Was That Lady.
Back to the subject of movies with bodybuilders in them, if you've never seen Athena from the mid-50's, which starred Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds, I highly recommend it. It has Steve Reeves in a really small part. It is one STRANGE movie.
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REPS, A bit pressed for time here so I'll do my best to respond to one of your comments and tackle the others later.
Regarding ATHENA ..... That movie was an MGM musical released in 1954 and eventually made it to tape and then to DVD.
I must have been 4 , 5, or 6 when I first met Reeves who was a friend of my dad's at Lake Tamescal on the Oakland side of the SF Bay.
Steve was most likely around 20 at that time.
Many years later we invited Steve to be a special guest at one of the events we were promoting and .... after picking him and his GF up at the airport we attended a party in his honor at which one of his Hercules movies was being shown on a huge screen.
Steve asked if he could watch it for a few minutes before taking his place in the reception line and offered various comments regarding the production of that Hercules while we were all watching it.
Later that week I managed to find a VHS copy of ATHENA which he personally autographed for me.
And after he passed away, I found a DVD copy of Athena which I purchased for old times sake.
And a few years later, Tony Curtis signed a VHS copy of SOME LIKE IT HOT.
Funny thing about this story is that each of those two tapes (VHS?) was autographed many years apart but within 10 feet of each other inside a 24 Hour Fitness location.
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REPS, A bit pressed for time here so I'll do my best to respond to one of your comments and tackle the others later.
Regarding ATHENA ..... That movie was an MGM musical released in 1954 and eventually made it to tape and then to DVD.
I must have been 4 , 5, or 6 when I first met Reeves who was a friend of my dad's at Lake Tamescal on the Oakland side of the SF Bay.
Steve was most likely around 20 at that time.
Many years later we invited Steve to be a special guest at one of the events we were promoting and .... after picking him and his GF up at the airport we attended a party in his honor at which one of his Hercules movies was being shown on a huge screen.
Steve asked if he could watch it for a few minutes before taking his place in the reception line and offered various comments regarding the production of that Hercules while we were all watching it.
Later that week I managed to find a VHS copy of ATHENA which he personally autographed for me.
And after he passed away, I found a DVD copy of Athena which I purchased for old times sake.
And a few years later, Tony Curtis signed a VHS copy of SOME LIKE IT HOT.
Funny thing about this story is that each of those two tapes (VHS?) was autographed many years apart but within 10 feet of each other inside a 24 Hour Fitness location.
Great story.
I have an unfortunate one about Reeves, which I heard:
In the mid-60's when Italian movie director Sergio Leone was about to make A Fistful of Dollars, he wanted the biggest star he could find to play the lead. And in Italy at that time, the biggest movie star was Steve Reeves. So Leone offered him the part. Reeves turned it down, he thought it was ridiculous that an Italian would make an American western.
So, Leone then got Clint Eastwood for the role, as Eastwood had just finished the western TV show Rawhide. A Fistful of Dollars became a big hit, and it made Eastwood into a big movie star. So probably if Steve Reeves had taken the part... he would have likely become an even bigger star.
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Back to mail order muscles:
Decades ago, there was a catalog company named Johnson Smith. They sold really neat novelty items, but once in a while would offer some type of muscle building course or exercise device. In the page below, they offered a "Hercules Wrist Band."
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gold's gym parade boys reunited...
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One of the titans of bodybuilding that helped make it what it is today:
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Hey guys I found this posted on the internet, anyone know some of these guys??
As a teemager going to AAU sponsored events, the first at the old now defunct San Jose Civic Arts Center around 1963 I was utterly shocked to see Bill Stathes, a Mr America runner up and damned good Olympic lifter come on stage for lifts with a cloud of freshly exhaled cigarette smoke enveloping him. Stathes owned notoriety then for having been stabbed in the back several times by a perp, his back so thick the knife did little good. Smoking was pretty common at events in those days, in part no doubt due to the commercials featuring the Marborol Man as icon of masculinity - that he died of emphasema was not well known!
Drinking? Hell it was real common. One of the Bay Area's best powerlifters, Johnny Yamamoto died due to a head on collision on the Mountain View- Alviso Road in the late 60s, drunk at the wheel, taking his life and those of several others in his car. I also remember taking second place in the middleweight event of the California State Power lifting championships in Fresno, summer of 64 - hotter than hell - Peanuts West doing an incredible 460 bench press, cheating like hell, with Big Stever Marjanian both spotting and intimidating the judges into three green lights - after which Bill was hunting for some wine to do the night - he later died of a heroin overdose on the beaches of Santa Barbara - there's a fund still collecting money for a grave marker.
Worse still, thanks to Dr Craig Whitehead, was the energizing move from dianobol to meth to compensate from over training. Craig and his wife were convinced their home in Fairfield was bugged, so they shot it up with gunfire - he was a eye doctor at Travis Airforce Base then - his sentence in the mid sixties was public service so he jumped from the frying pan into the fire becoming the road physician for the Grateful Dead (as they say, what would Jerry do? likely cocaine and heroin).
My best friend and training partner after high school was Bob Kemper. In the 71 Pan Am games he set the last press record in the 242 class with 418. powerful boy. roids, meth, then lsd did not bode well with him- hell, he couldn't handle alcohol without a Jekyll/Hyde reaction - at 8 or so he'd come home with his little brother and sister to the Kemper Ranch in sunnyvale to discover mom dead from suicide. in those days there was no post- traumatic therapy, so he just stuffed it. roids by themselves feed substance addiction disorders and a host of psychological diseases, amplified by other therapeutic and recreational drugs.
flyod page. incredible bodybuilder of the golden age from palo alto, ca. back in training and boozing in the mid 60s a fatal heart attack claimed him
the list goes on. just because the old timers filled in culturally defined machismo roles and abuses never makes those abuses right or attractive. it's just worse today with 20-30 polypharmaceuticals.
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Hey guys I found this posted on the internet, anyone know some of these guys??
As a teemager going to AAU sponsored events, the first at the old now defunct San Jose Civic Arts Center around 1963 I was utterly shocked to see Bill Stathes, a Mr America runner up and damned good Olympic lifter come on stage for lifts with a cloud of freshly exhaled cigarette smoke enveloping him. Stathes owned notoriety then for having been stabbed in the back several times by a perp, his back so thick the knife did little good. Smoking was pretty common at events in those days, in part no doubt due to the commercials featuring the Marborol Man as icon of masculinity - that he died of emphasema was not well known!
Drinking? Hell it was real common. One of the Bay Area's best powerlifters, Johnny Yamamoto died due to a head on collision on the Mountain View- Alviso Road in the late 60s, drunk at the wheel, taking his life and those of several others in his car. I also remember taking second place in the middleweight event of the California State Power lifting championships in Fresno, summer of 64 - hotter than hell - Peanuts West doing an incredible 460 bench press, cheating like hell, with Big Stever Marjanian both spotting and intimidating the judges into three green lights - after which Bill was hunting for some wine to do the night - he later died of a heroin overdose on the beaches of Santa Barbara - there's a fund still collecting money for a grave marker.
Worse still, thanks to Dr Craig Whitehead, was the energizing move from dianobol to meth to compensate from over training. Craig and his wife were convinced their home in Fairfield was bugged, so they shot it up with gunfire - he was a eye doctor at Travis Airforce Base then - his sentence in the mid sixties was public service so he jumped from the frying pan into the fire becoming the road physician for the Grateful Dead (as they say, what would Jerry do? likely cocaine and heroin).
My best friend and training partner after high school was Bob Kemper. In the 71 Pan Am games he set the last press record in the 242 class with 418. powerful boy. roids, meth, then lsd did not bode well with him- hell, he couldn't handle alcohol without a Jekyll/Hyde reaction - at 8 or so he'd come home with his little brother and sister to the Kemper Ranch in sunnyvale to discover mom dead from suicide. in those days there was no post- traumatic therapy, so he just stuffed it. roids by themselves feed substance addiction disorders and a host of psychological diseases, amplified by other therapeutic and recreational drugs.
flyod page. incredible bodybuilder of the golden age from palo alto, ca. back in training and boozing in the mid 60s a fatal heart attack claimed him
the list goes on. just because the old timers filled in culturally defined machismo roles and abuses never makes those abuses right or attractive. it's just worse today with 20-30 polypharmaceuticals.
heard of most of them , there is a detailed story of dr whitehead in the history section of getbig...also the york gangs were noted for there marijuana brownies at their picnics...
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There was at one time a DVD that had footage form the '65 and '66 Olympia. In addition to that the gentleman that filmed those contest with (I believe) 8mm or 16mm also showed footage of some York stuff and spoke a bit on it.
He said how when they stopped at a Denny's or some such restaurant, he was worried about what to eat in front of Bob Hoffman. His fears were allayed when Mr. Hoffman ate something along the lines of chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with gravy. ;D
He also spoke about the use of Dianabol amongst the lifters, including a friend of his that experienced excellent gains with it. Lifters and bodybuilders were more open back then, even though no one but them really knew about this stuff. That was my experience as well at the original Gold's in the mid 70s. The guys didn't hide it and they also took time away from it as they had no real idea what else it might do to them.
None that I met pretended to be anything other than what they were. If there were any secrets kept from me then I had no business knowing them to begin with. Privacy.
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There was at one time a DVD that had footage form the '65 and '66 Olympia. In addition to that the gentleman that filmed those contest with (I believe) 8mm or 16mm also showed footage of some York stuff and spoke a bit on it.
He said how when they stopped at a Denny's or some such restaurant, he was worried about what to eat in front of Bob Hoffman. His fears were allayed when Mr. Hoffman ate something along the lines of chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with gravy. ;D
He also spoke about the use of Dianabol amongst the lifters, including a friend of his that experienced excellent gains with it. Lifters and bodybuilders were more open back then, even though no one but them really knew about this stuff. That was my experience as well at the original Gold's in the mid 70s. The guys didn't hide it and they also took time away from it as they had no real idea what else it might do to them.
None that I met pretended to be anything other than what they were. If there were any secrets kept from me then I had no business knowing them to begin with. Privacy.
i have a dvd with the 65 and 66 olympias on it made by norm komich rip... he also has a segment with his meeting with chuck sipes on it and other contests.
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WOW! First of all I gotta respond to SPRITZ and the stuff he mentioned up above.
Spritz, You brought back a shit-load of memories because I either knew, or worked with, or saw at one time or another, most of the individuals you have mentioned above.
But it was so long ago that most of those memories have been long forgotten.
But here's my attempt at remembering some of this long forgotten stuff....
BILL STATHES was a police officer in the city of San Francisco where I grew up. I didn't know Bill well but I was an initial member of the Sunset Gym which I believe he owned personally.
It was the smallest gym I've ever seen (about 500 square feet if I recall correctly) and most of the weights were spread out all over the floor (if I recall correctly).
I trained there a very short time before heading down to Camp Pendleton for an extended stint of active duty.
I do recall meeting Bill at the Sunset Gym and at some weight event on the second deck of the Golden Gate Avenue YMCA in San Francisco (this was way before gyms became popular as social gathering areas.)
And the ladies were yet to gather up the courage to enter these somewhat dens of inequity.
I sort of recall that Bill was a good friend of an old, retired stevedore who had a damn impressive bench press. (I think I mentioned this gentleman years ago in an earlier post regarding the lighting of heavy things when Odd Lifting was initiated and the initial gym odd liftig champions would tape tennis ball behind their knees to get that extra bounce back to the top. (Honest Injun!)
I regret to say that I forgot this old timer's name but someone on this board will refresh my memory in that respect.
SO that was the extent of my involvement with Bill Stathes because I went south to get a short haircut and a rifle and from that time on I found myself anyplace where there was an international skirmish and a rifle was required.
But when skirmishes ended for a brief duration, I had the opportunity to meet many others who lifted heavy things.
John Kemper lifted heavy things and now I gotta try to remember before heading on to Bill "Peanuts" West and a fe w others you younger GetBiggers are sure to mention.
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OPPS! I made an error.
I never met Bob Kemper as far as I can recall but I did meet John Kemper.
I think that John competed in national BB contests the same years that my good friend and fellow Marine,Ernie Santiago.
I'll have to ask Ernie to bring me up to dare on John.
But BILL 'PEANUTS" WEST I can remember.
And also his good friend George Frenn (if I am remembering correctly).
Bill was a very colorful figure when it came to lifting heavy things, which to the best of my recollection is all he ever did; but that's simply due to the fact that I never met him out of the lifting environment.
Years ago, I think it was Jeff Everson who told me that Bill was interested in competing in or had been competing in bodybuilding contests.
Which is pretty damn hard to believe because he had a somewhat similar shaped to SWOLE.
They were also somewhat similar in their love for the sport of lifting heavy things and the somewhat colorful way in which they presented themselves within the iron game.
George Frenn .... WOW! I have forgotten ... but he was also a colorful individual who was a good friend of Peanuts' and lifted heavy stuff much more better than 99% of the worldwide human population.
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WOW! First of all I gotta respond to SPRITZ and the stuff he mentioned up above.
Spritz, You brought back a shit-load of memories because I either knew, or worked with, or saw at one time or another, most of the individuals you have mentioned above.
But it was so long ago that most of those memories have been long forgotten.
But here's my attempt at remembering some of this long forgotten stuff....
BILL STATHES was a police officer in the city of San Francisco where I grew up. I didn't know Bill well but I was an initial member of the Sunset Gym which I believe he owned personally.
It was the smallest gym I've ever seen (about 500 square feet if I recall correctly) and most of the weights were spread out all over the floor (if I recall correctly).
I trained there a very short time before heading down to Camp Pendleton for an extended stint of active duty.
I do recall meeting Bill at the Sunset Gym and at some weight event on the second deck of the Golden Gate Avenue YMCA in San Francisco (this was way before gyms became popular as social gathering areas.)
And the ladies were yet to gather up the courage to enter these somewhat dens of inequity.
I sort of recall that Bill was a good friend of an old, retired stevedore who had a damn impressive bench press. (I think I mentioned this gentleman years ago in an earlier post regarding the lighting of heavy things when Odd Lifting was initiated and the initial gym odd liftig champions would tape tennis ball behind their knees to get that extra bounce back to the top. (Honest Injun!)
I regret to say that I forgot this old timer's name but someone on this board will refresh my memory in that respect.
SO that was the extent of my involvement with Bill Stathes because I went south to get a short haircut and a rifle and from that time on I found myself anyplace where there was an international skirmish and a rifle was required.
But when skirmishes ended for a brief duration, I had the opportunity to meet many others who lifted heavy things.
John Kemper lifted heavy things and now I gotta try to remember before heading on to Bill "Peanuts" West and a fe w others you younger GetBiggers are sure to mention.
^^
Was this you STUNT looking for some Rice Paddy Daddies??
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SCOTT, Someplace up above you said ....."the use of Dianabol amongst the lifters, including a friend of his that experienced excellent gains with it. Lifters and bodybuilders were more open back then, even though no one but them really knew about this stuff. That was my experience as well at the original Gold's in the mid 70s. The guys didn't hide it and they also took time away from it as they had no real idea what else it might do to them.
None that I met pretended to be anything other than what they were. If there were any secrets kept from me then I had no business knowing them to begin with."
SCOTT, What you said above is a perfect description of how things were back then when it came to the use of roids within the 'living game'.
No one hid anything about roids except HOW TO USE THEM FOR BEST RESULTS simply because the users did not want the other users to get that jump ahead and win the title which they were also training for.
And the types of roids that were available were few in number with D-Bol being among the favorite.
If I recall correctly there was also Anavar and primobolin and nothing was illegal and the general public had no idea what the deal was all about and could care less if they had a basic roid ed-u-ma-ca-tion.
And the doctors would ask us how they worked and what worked best and then ask, "How much ya need?"
It wasn't until the IOC got involved .... and then it became a felony when a lot of 'innocents' spent time in jail or spent more than they had to protect themselves from he law.
Back then no one hid the fact that they were the individual who scored the highest point with an expended needle in the dressing room dart-board.
Things were so much different then.
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john kemper of diamond gym in new jersey died a few years back...
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FUNK ….. That magazine cover photo of Bill Grant and Kathy was shot the weekend of the AAU Mr America Contest in Santa Monica.
That was the year that Ken Sprague owned Gold’s on 3rd Street in Santa Monica and promoted one of the best bodybuilding weekend events in the history of the lifting world.
I think it was either Waller of Dupree who rode the elephant.
In that photo Bil and Kathy are standing on one of the floats that was a part of the Mr America Parade and the following day the contest was held at the Santa Monica Civic Audirorium with a high school symphony orchestra supplying all the posing music.
SCOTT ….. I think we had that ’65 Olympia footage (or was it the UNIVERSE CONTEST back then).
I sort of recall it due tot he fact that it included Larry Scott whom we knew back then.
ANd did’n it also include a competitor named ‘STONEWALL’ whom we met many years later in LV the year after Gary Leonard won the title.?
SCOTT ….. i never had a meal with Hoffman but I did meet him a couple of times …. including Terpak, and other members of he York Crew.
Bu tthe most interesting individual of all who was part of that group years ago was Bill Starr who is able to write a very interesting book concerning those good old days …. and some episodes of the “bad old days” also.
Bill has a good number of very interesting stories that need to be published for the weight lifting fanatics as well as most of your GerBiggers.
SPRITZ … Thanks for the photo. Close but no cigar. My “job’ required ‘warpaint’ so the bad guys would overlook me beneath the canopy.
Wartime Hide and Seek is the best way to explain it to the civilian populace and those GetBiggers who have never had the opportunity to play war-games with real live ammo in a jungle environment.
Big kids playing real live games with destructive stuff.
Them were the good old days!
Most days ,... anyway.
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FUNK ….. That magazine cover photo of Bill Grant and Kathy was shot the weekend of the AAU Mr America Contest in Santa Monica.
That was the year that Ken Sprague owned Gold’s on 3rd Street in Santa Monica and promoted one of the best bodybuilding weekend events in the history of the lifting world.
I think it was either Waller of Dupree who rode the elephant.
In that photo Bil and Kathy are standing on one of the floats that was a part of the Mr America Parade and the following day the contest was held at the Santa Monica Civic Audirorium with a high school symphony orchestra supplying all the posing music.
SCOTT ….. I think we had that ’65 Olympia footage (or was it the UNIVERSE CONTEST back then).
I sort of recall it due tot he fact that it included Larry Scott whom we knew back then.
ANd did’n it also include a competitor named ‘STONEWALL’ whom we met many years later in LV the year after Gary Leonard won the title.?
SCOTT ….. i never had a meal with Hoffman but I did meet him a couple of times …. including Terpak, and other members of he York Crew.
Bu tthe most interesting individual of all who was part of that group years ago was Bill Starr who is able to write a very interesting book concerning those good old days …. and some episodes of the “bad old days” also.
Bill has a good number of very interesting stories that need to be published for the weight lifting fanatics as well as most of your GerBiggers.
SPRITZ … Thanks for the photo. Close but no cigar. My “job’ required ‘warpaint’ so the bad guys would overlook me beneath the canopy.
Wartime Hide and Seek is the best way to explain it to the civilian populace and those GetBiggers who have never had the opportunity to play war-games with real live ammo in a jungle environment.
Big kids playing real live games with destructive stuff.
Them were the good old days!
Most days ,... anyway.
STUNT: Was that the year Mae West handed out the trophy to the overall winner?
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STUNT: Was that the year Mae West handed out the trophy to the overall winner?
^^
If I can answer before STUNT, I actually have pics from that event (1977), plus a non-winner Ric Drasin!!!
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Thanks, SPRITZ! I'm bad at recalling dates and you saved me the time of looking it up.
I told this story before but ..... I was back-stage during that contest and when Dave was announced as the winner I felt a tap on my shoulder politely asking if I'd move a bit to let someone through.
That tap was Bert Goodrich who was escorting Mae West out onto the stage to present the trophy to Dave Johns .... the deserving winner by the way and a great individual within the bodybuilding community.
As Mae passed me she just appeared to be a little old lady dressed to draw attention who had a vision problem .
But was soon as she passed that wing-side curtain and within the sight of
one and all in the audience .... she became MAE WEST and did it spectacularly just like in her 'good old days'.
Sprague did one hell of a great job promoting that contest back then.
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^^
If I can answer before STUNT, I actually have pics from that event (1977), plus a non-winner Ric Drasin!!!
first pic is from mr a contest second pic with drasin was from the movie sexet also covered in lurie's mti
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ken waller and dupree both rode elephants
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ken waller and dupree both rode elephants
not sure but that might have been rudy hermasillo on elephant with dupree.
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FUNK.... Thanks for posting those photos with Waller and Dave on the pachyderms. . I believe that Rudy was there that weekend but I never did see him on the elephant during the parade.
I failed to mention that Ken Sprague even had a Mr America newspaper printed for that AAU weekend.
And the warm up area backstage had the latest gym equipment known to man at that time. And it was all chrome plated.
And that high school symphony orchestra was icing on the cake.
Oh yea.... I forgot to mention that the pancake house down the street was overloaded with the competitors keepng the pancake chefs extremely busy.
That was the favored pre-contest meal back then (in them good old days).
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Since we are back in this old-time period of bodybuilding history, let me introduce you to my good friend Ernie Santiago who won the AAU Jr. Mr. America and one other national title within the same year which I believe was 1980 (but one or more of you more qualified bodybuilding historians may correct me if I am wrong).
I believe that it was Tony Pierson who also won two national titles within the same year back then, but there is a possibility that I could be wrong in that regards also.
Ernie's contest-prep program was 6 weeks of raw fish (sushimi) and although this photo does not portray how ripped he actually was at contest time, you can believe me that no one on that stage came close back then.
BUT ... Way before Ernie came on the scene there was a bodybuilder in the LA area who 'supposedly' ate nothing but tuna fish for months at a time.
And before he fine dined on that tuna meal, he'd squeeze it moistness through a nylon stocking (do they even make those anymore?) until it resembled moistless saw-dust.
And he'd drink it down with regular old city faucet water drawn from the tap because water was only served that way in them good old days.
Due to this tuna/water diet he was beyond ripped and it appeared that someone had turned him inside-out.
No one would ever believe that we'd be paying for water served in glass and plastic bottles with fancy labels and fancy names.
And some of those water containers claimed to make you smarter , but you'd have to be pretty damn dumb to believe that.
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Sushimi ....
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first pic is from mr a contest second pic with drasin was from the movie sexet also covered in lurie's mti
I saw Sextette years ago. As I vaguely remember it wasn't very good, but I surely would like to see it again. If I remember correctly, Tom Selleck had a small part. When he meets Mae West he tells her he is 6'7" tall. Mae says to him: "Never mind about the six feet, tell me about the seven inches." ;D ;D ;D ;D
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FUNK, REPS, Thanks again for contributing.
I was under the impression that Sharon Tate passed away shortly after DON'T MAKE WAVES was released in 1967 but actually she was in four more films up to her death in late 1969.....
1989 Twelve Plus One
1968 The Wrecking Crew
1967 Valley of the Dolls
1967 The Fearless Vampire Killers
1967 Don't Make Waves
TONY CURTIS ... I had lunch with him on a couple of occasions and we talked about SOME LIKE IT HOT and another film that he made during which he met his first wife ..... Something like Teris Bulba if I recall correctly.
His fondest memory of SOME LIKE IT HOT was how funny Joe E. Brown actually was on and off screen.
He was a great actor and also a great painter,,,,,,
Sorry to say that I have never read Dave's book nor the one by Tyler.
STUNT:
After one of your lunches with Tony Curtis, did you show him and wife Janet Leigh an arm routine?
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REPS, I think he and Janet Leigh were separated for a good number of years before I met him and .... his Personal Trainer was Guy Cameleri who was also one hell of a great person.
(GUY, let me know if you are reading this.)
In fact there were a lot of great people in the game back then (gym owners, magazine owners, bodybuilding and weight lifting competitors, promoters, sup company founders and future owners, doctors, lawyers and YES! .... even an Indian Chief ! ...... who was wealthy enough thanks to the US government to plan the construction of an under water hotel someplace in the Florida region)..... as I am sure there are today ... but I'm no longer involved as I used to be and most of those mentioned above have gone to their own individual Happy Hunting Ground ... and are most likely talking about Sopme Like It Hot with Tony Curtis and Miss Monroe.
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I really get a kick out of seeing these old Weider advertisements. This one is for the "Muscle Up and Make Out Kit!" ;D ;D ;D ;D
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REPS. I've said this before but I'll say it again for those GETBIGGERS who may be new to this board or those of us with limited short-term, long-term memory (the medical term of which I have long forgotten a short time ago).
Back in them good old days, most of the individuals who partook in all forms of Weider ads were not paid a penny, nor a nickel, nor a dime.
Most simply got a thank-you and a photo or two in the magazine.
Sometimes!
BUT .... To the best of my memory (short term memory) I sort of recall that Mike Menzer was the first or second or third to make a personal complaint to Uncle Joe about not getting some sort of gratuity for the photos that Joe used in the magazines.
So, Joe...realizing the value of Mike's appearance in the magazines, made Mike an offer that he could not refuse .... but actually he really wanted to refuse that offer because he needed cold, hard cash at that precise moment of time and Joe would not be offering cold, hard cash.
SO Joe said that he could not pay Mike any cold, hard cash but instead of that non-payment of cold, hard cash .... he would give Mike a full page ad for anything Mike wanted to offer on that page to the bodybuilding pubic that were willing to and capable of reading bodybuilding ads way back then.
And since there weren't too many of those such individuals back in the good old days, Mike was sort of reluctant to accept Joe's offer until Uncle Joe explaind that that full page ad was worth about $5,000 if he wanted to pay for it on his own.
So Mike reluctantly took the offer figuring it was the best he was gonna get from Uncle Joe .... and went to work thinking of what to do with that full page,full color, $5,000 ad that Joe was going to give him without charge because Mike's photos in his magazine were somewhat of a necessity.
And the rest is history.
And if anyone has any interest in this small part of bodybuilding history and has never heard it .... feel free to go back on tis GetBig Board and look it up.
It weren't too long ago.
NOTE: Dave could have been an exception though because he was a Weider employee if my memory is still in working order.
If Dave reads this GetBig stuff, he may be willing to elaborate and correct me if I may be incorrect.
Which I possibly AIN'T!
But 'stupidity' seems pretty common on this Board ... and I may NOT be an exception.
It could be possible that 'History' is only what we THINK it is.
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REPS. I've said this before but I'll say it again for those GETBIGGERS who may be new to this board or those of us with limited short-term, long-term memory (the medical term of which I have long forgotten a short time ago).
Back in them good old days, most of the individuals who partook in all forms of Weider ads were not paid a penny, nor a nickel, nor a dime.
Most simply got a thank-you and a photo or two in the magazine.
Sometimes!
BUT .... To the best of my memory (short term memory) I sort of recall that Mike Menzer was the first or second or third to make a personal complaint to Uncle Joe about not getting some sort of gratuity for the photos that Joe used in the magazines.
So, Joe...realizing the value of Mike's appearance in the magazines, made Mike an offer that he could not refuse .... but actually he really wanted to refuse that offer because he needed cold, hard cash at that precise moment of time and Joe would not be offering cold, hard cash.
SO Joe said that he could not pay Mike any cold, hard cash but instead of that non-payment of cold, hard cash .... he would give Mike a full page ad for anything Mike wanted to offer on that page to the bodybuilding pubic that were willing to and capable of reading bodybuilding ads way back then.
And since there weren't too many of those such individuals back in the good old days, Mike was sort of reluctant to accept Joe's offer until Uncle Joe explaind that that full page ad was worth about $5,000 if he wanted to pay for it on his own.
So Mike reluctantly took the offer figuring it was the best he was gonna get from Uncle Joe .... and went to work thinking of what to do with that full page,full color, $5,000 ad that Joe was going to give him without charge because Mike's photos in his magazine were somewhat of a necessity.
And the rest is history.
And if anyone has any interest in this small part of bodybuilding history and has never heard it .... feel free to go back on tis GetBig Board and look it up.
It weren't too long ago.
NOTE: Dave could have been an exception though because he was a Weider employee if my memory is still in working order.
If Dave reads this GetBig stuff, he may be willing to elaborate and correct me if I may be incorrect.
Which I possibly AIN'T!
But 'stupidity' seems pretty common on this Board ... and I may NOT be an exception.
It could be possible that 'History' is only what we THINK it is.
dave sued weider and was in line to get a ton of money,,, but weider offered dave 17 k and he took it at the last minute...it's on dave draper true hollywood story...on ae if i remember correctly..
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FUNK, thanks! I was not aware or maybe I have just forgotten that Dave sued Joe Weider.
DO you know the year and the reasons for that lawsuit?
I'm not positive about this but I am almost sure that it wasn't for the use of Dave's photos in the magazines at that time because I don't recall anyone getting paid of significant value back then... but I could definitely be wrong about this.
But I'm pretty damn sure that almost anyone who was serious about weightlifting and bodybuilding would have given their back teeth to get their photo published in a wider publication once the magazine became acceptable to the general public.
Someone with a better ed-u-ma-ca-tion regarding the start of the Weider publishing empire which eventually sold for approximately $300,000,000+ .... might be able to elaborate more accurately.
I'm sure that it is a very interesting story in its own right and I am a bit surprised that one of those more ed-u-ma-ca-ted individuals has yet to write a tell-all book about it .... followed by a major Hollywood film with some major leading actors in the lead roles.
I know bits and pieces that would make some interesting reading and possibly a major Hollywood blockbuster .... but I've never been an actual eye-witness to those bits and pieces .... so if I wrote it ... it would have to be FICTION.
Anyone want to suggest he actors who should be cast in the major roles if Hollywood ever became interested in the start of a $300,000,000 publishing empire.
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FUNK, I forgot to mention that the individuals with Dave in the photo you posted above are HUGO LABRA and my good friend towards the later part of his life ... GEORGE EIFFERMAN.
And it appears that that photo was definitely shot in THE DUNGEON.
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FUNK, thanks! I was not aware or maybe I have just forgotten that Dave sued Joe Weider.
DO you know the year and the reasons for that lawsuit?
I'm not positive about this but I am almost sure that it wasn't for the use of Dave's photos in the magazines at that time because I don't recall anyone getting paid of significant value back then... but I could definitely be wrong about this.
But I'm pretty damn sure that almost anyone who was serious about weightlifting and bodybuilding would have given their back teeth to get their photo published in a wider publication once the magazine became acceptable to the general public.
Someone with a better ed-u-ma-ca-tion regarding the start of the Weider publishing empire which eventually sold for approximately $300,000,000+ .... might be able to elaborate more accurately.
I'm sure that it is a very interesting story in its own right and I am a bit surprised that one of those more ed-u-ma-ca-ted individuals has yet to write a tell-all book about it .... followed by a major Hollywood film with some major leading actors in the lead roles.
I know bits and pieces that would make some interesting reading and possibly a major Hollywood blockbuster .... but I've never been an actual eye-witness to those bits and pieces .... so if I wrote it ... it would have to be FICTION.
Anyone want to suggest he actors who should be cast in the major roles if Hollywood ever became interested in the start of a $300,000,000 publishing empire.
time for some fresh faces in these movies, for example anthony mackie in pain and gain as a competitive bodybuilder.... r u kidding me...i could see the rock and even wahlbertger but mackie...
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vintage mb shot
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FUNK, thanks! I was not aware or maybe I have just forgotten that Dave sued Joe Weider.
DO you know the year and the reasons for that lawsuit?
I'm not positive about this but I am almost sure that it wasn't for the use of Dave's photos in the magazines at that time because I don't recall anyone getting paid of significant value back then... but I could definitely be wrong about this.
But I'm pretty damn sure that almost anyone who was serious about weightlifting and bodybuilding would have given their back teeth to get their photo published in a wider publication once the magazine became acceptable to the general public.
Someone with a better ed-u-ma-ca-tion regarding the start of the Weider publishing empire which eventually sold for approximately $300,000,000+ .... might be able to elaborate more accurately.
I'm sure that it is a very interesting story in its own right and I am a bit surprised that one of those more ed-u-ma-ca-ted individuals has yet to write a tell-all book about it .... followed by a major Hollywood film with some major leading actors in the lead roles.
I know bits and pieces that would make some interesting reading and possibly a major Hollywood blockbuster .... but I've never been an actual eye-witness to those bits and pieces .... so if I wrote it ... it would have to be FICTION.
Anyone want to suggest he actors who should be cast in the major roles if Hollywood ever became interested in the start of a $300,000,000 publishing empire.
STUNT,
I have never read the Weider's autobiography. My vague general understanding is that in the early 1950's Weider was one of several "male physique" magazine publishers. At the time, these magazines were soft core gay male porn. I bet this is not told in his autobiography!
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FUNK, I forgot to mention that the individuals with Dave in the photo you posted above are HUGO LABRA and my good friend towards the later part of his life ... GEORGE EIFFERMAN.
And it appears that that photo was definitely shot in THE DUNGEON.
Certainly looks impressive for the era:
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Certainly looks impressive for the era:
Definitely, still... Reeves will always have the Physique for me.
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DONNY/REPS,Steve R. and George E. were good friends since the mid 40's and when Steve passed away, we were asked to not tell George about his demise when we were planning a visit with George in the hospital.
I forget the exact details but I don't thing that George ever did know about Steve's death before he himself passed away.
Maybe another GetBigger may be able to clarify that.
Side Note: Steve and some of the Yarick's Gym guys used to spend a couple of days each summer on the Russian River (72 miles northwest from the San Fran/Oakland Bay Area) and I believe I mentioned the fight he got involved in a long while back.
Steve got sucker punched by someone who was apparently jealous of his physical condition.
Yep! Even back in them good old days ..... Jealousy was a problem.
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DONNY/REPS,Steve R. and George E. were good friends since the mid 40's and when Steve passed away, we were asked to not tell George about his demise when we were planning a visit with George in the hospital.
I forget the exact details but I don't thing that George ever did know about Steve's death before he himself passed away.
Maybe another GetBigger may be able to clarify that.
Side Note: Steve and some of the Yarick's Gym guys used to spend a couple of days each summer on the Russian River (72 miles northwest from the San Fran/Oakland Bay Area) and I believe I mentioned the fight he got involved in a long while back.
Steve got sucker punched by someone who was apparently jealous of his physical condition.
Yep! Even back in them good old days ..... Jealousy was a problem.
yes i spoke to George Helmer and Bob Kennedy about S Reeves. Bob Kennedy i liked but said Reeves was not relationship wise Happy in his last years. Can´t really write what he said.
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Certainly looks impressive for the era:
this was always my favorite shot of george eiferman... incredible chest for any era.
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this was always my favorite shot of george eiferman... incredible chest for any era.
looked very powerful. I am still amazed even now of how thick and dense John Grimek was.
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A great tribute to the Legends..
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looked very powerful. I am still amazed even now of how thick and dense John Grimek was.
grimek was ridiculous as a teenager back in new jersey...he had to stop training legs so they won't grow out of proportion to the rest of him.
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grimek was ridiculous as a teenager back in new jersey...he had to stop training legs so they won't grow out of proportion to the rest of him.
I also read he was a great fan of Dancing too.
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grimek was ridiculous as a teenager back in new jersey...he had to stop training legs so they won't grow out of proportion to the rest of him.
I DO A TEN AND 5 ON THESES AND I'M SMOKED HE'S DOING A 25 PLATE
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I DO A TEN AND 5 ON THESES AND I'M SMOKED HE'S DOING A 25 PLATE
john grimek also held the record for most weight using the weaver stick 11 and three quarter lbs.... a weaver stick is 36 inches long...
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the weaver stick
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if you build it they will come... :D :D :D :D
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i don't think this pic appeared in the 58 odd pages.
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Thanks, FUNK! I'm mainly interested in that photo simply due to the fact that it and many others was taken by my good friend ARTY ZELLER.
Arty had many an interesting story to tell regarding all the years he was involved within the world of bodybuilding and shooting bodybuilders (with a camera) but I might someday tell you the story that has never been told when Arty was threatened to be shot with something other than a Brownie, a Polaroid, or any camera of any type.
But in an effort to protect the guilty, I must refrain.
Arty had a lot to do with the initial success of Steve Reeves whom never had a cold nor a cavity (according to his mom). (Something else that most likely has never been 'revealed'.)
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Thanks, FUNK! I'm mainly interested in that photo simply due to the fact that it and many others was taken by my good friend ARTY ZELLER.
Arty had many an interesting story to tell regarding all the years he was involved within the world of bodybuilding and shooting bodybuilders (with a camera) but I might someday tell you the story that has never been told when Arty was threatened to be shot with something other than a Brownie, a Polaroid, or any camera of any type.
But in an effort to protect the guilty, I must refrain.
Arty had a lot to do with the initial success of Steve Reeves whom never had a cold nor a cavity (according to his mom). (Something else that most likely has never been 'revealed'.)
or a pimple according to legend.... would like to hear those stories... :D
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FUNK, I can't recall Steve's mom ever mentioning a pimple, but she did say he never had a cold nor a cavity which was verified by a couple of his classmates whom I met as a young kid in Rio Nido .. a summer resort area on the Russian River 72 miles north of the San Fran Bay Area .... the summer hotspot for every kid who was raised within the northern parts of California which included Reeves and many of his classmates.
Some of you GetBig 'Aristocrats" may be familiar with the Bohemian Club/Grove within the Redwoods of the Russian River, the likes of which Steve never had the opportunity to be a member of .... which included 'me neither'.
Check it out if you dare!
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;D
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Here is a fun video from the late 1940's. According to another site it has John Grimek, Steve Reeves, and George Eiferman, among others, in it:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=_eTxgCnGnMs&ebc=ANyPxKpjNeRC_jfnTadr9jtU-VQrqjUoNurRFJS0zlAgxeIQPYK_-oNvycat5DZs9bgLAiDIRj7lTgVqNpfWZCteOoLurg8H9Q (https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=_eTxgCnGnMs&ebc=ANyPxKpjNeRC_jfnTadr9jtU-VQrqjUoNurRFJS0zlAgxeIQPYK_-oNvycat5DZs9bgLAiDIRj7lTgVqNpfWZCteOoLurg8H9Q)
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a new website covering muscle beach=musclebeach.net
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Funk, thanks! I'll take a look at it.
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grimek was ridiculous as a teenager back in new jersey...he had to stop training legs so they won't grow out of proportion to the rest of him.
Funny stuff. Grimek was known for not training his legs.
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here's a new old pic=honest john's hamburger stand..
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Beach history is very nice stunt movie, i really appreciating..thanks for sharing the nice information...!!!!
http://www.nutri-verse.com/brands/Blackstone-Labs.html
(http://www.nutri-verse.com/brands/Blackstone-Labs.html)
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Thanks for the "thanks', Nicole!
And thanks to all uou other GetBiggers who have been contributing to this topic.
FUNK, your most recent ..... I think that the bulky bicep-flexer just might be Mac Bachelor, but that is a far out guess.
I dont recognize any of the others in that photo but the guy sitting in the beach chair looks like he could have been Arty Zeller's father.
And it looks like that commercial space behind them was converted into a fast chicken food window service operation back in the mid 1970's.
But with regards to each of the above ... it's possible that I could be wrong.
Can you ID anyone in that photo? And where did you find it?
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FUNK.... Thanks for posting those photos with Waller and Dave on the pachyderms. . I believe that Rudy was there that weekend but I never did see him on the elephant during the parade.
I failed to mention that Ken Sprague even had a Mr America newspaper printed for that AAU weekend.
And the warm up area backstage had the latest gym equipment known to man at that time. And it was all chrome plated.
And that high school symphony orchestra was icing on the cake.
Oh yea.... I forgot to mention that the pancake house down the street was overloaded with the competitors keepng the pancake chefs extremely busy.
That was the favored pre-contest meal back then (in them good old days).
Stunt, here is a better angle showing Rudy behind Dave. I interviewed them all, plus Bill Lomas, who organized the parade and had the floats built for Ken Sprague.
I am slowly making progress on the documentary covering the history of that parade, Golds, and my time there as a young teen.
Marc
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Sorry, you all. Been involved and too busy till mid month.
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An early Weider ad; my guess is from early-to-mid 1950's:
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Not sure who this guy is, maybe Jack LaLanne?
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Not sure who this guy is, maybe Jack LaLanne?
looks like him
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REPS/FLEX, Yes ... that is a very young Jack LaLanne.
Back around that time Jack had a gym in a very old building on Market Street in San Francisco ... but his claim for fame was his ability to pull boat loads of people across the San Francisco Bay .... one of which I believe was a succesful swim across the Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge while pulling an occupied boat and another which was a successful swim from Alcatraz to some part of the city of San Francisco.
All of which received enough attention to star in his own Bay Area personal trainer TV show which proved be a major success back in the 1950's when Wynn Paris got involved somehow which lead to the success of a number of 'gyms/spas' up and down the California coastline.
All of the above is based on long term memory so some of it may be debatable, but should not be considered to be classified as 'bullshit.
.... which brings up a story which is based on even longer term memory but is the truth as far as I can recall .
And YES, I witnessed this personally .... but only from a distance away.
That story follows .....
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The following may only be of interest to a very few GetBiggers, but if someday anyone were to write the complete encyclopedia regarding the World of Bodybuilding it should be included within that encyclopedia under the heqding, “YEA! THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN!”
But first … a little bit of background to set the mood and attempt to take you 21st Century Centurions back to a time when bodybuilders were seldom seen, gyms as we know them today never existed, and the somewhat dreaded personal trainers showed no signs of their eventual arrival, self importance, and popularity.
So ...... There is a city within the northern section of California called San Francisco where a young kid by the name of Steve used to walk to the top of that city’s seven hills on his tip-toes in an attempt to have bigger calves. (Or so that story goes.)
But no one gave a damn about this kid named Steve ….. simply because no one gave a damn about muscle growth back then except for Steve and a handful of other young guns who wanted bigger calves, or bigger arms, or bigger chest, etc., etc.
This is sort of the condensed version of how it all began up north in that City by the Bay … .... Walk or run those hils or through those parks or along that dirty beach .... and do it in in some unique manner…. until you were either bigger, faster, or stronger than the kid next door who most likely lacked the 'secret' of how to get it done.
So back in them god old days, a kid had to do it with whatever nature provided simply due to the fact there were no gyms in this city of the Seven Hils that a decent kid would ever consider entering.
Sure …. there was LaLanne’s down on Market Street which seemed to cater to a much older gfoup of overweight citizens who picked up heavy things and put them back down (but never in the correct location).
And there was the downtown YMCA for those who preferred being bulked up odd-lifters of one sort or another. These characters would soon be known as powerlifters and garner world wide reputations and most likely still do to this very day.
And then there was a mid-town Yoga ‘Gym” owned by Walt Baptiste above a well known auto showcase on Lombard ...... but anything resembling heavy objects that one could lift over one’s head were somewhat scare and hard to find.
And NoCal had its very own Muscle Beach called China Beach which 99% of the NoCal population had never heard of.
So China Beach was seldom visited by any individual who lifted heavy things and it eventually became a long forgotten memory as far as being somewhat muscle related.
But before the 1950's ended something long forgotten happened which resulted in the opening of something new within the muscle related world.
To the best of my knowledge it was the grand opening of Vic Tanny's gym on Market Street in San Francisco which was unique in that it was clean and bright.
And everything was chrome plated!!
Wow!!
But no one in there at first knew what a "rep" or a "set" was!
And soon thereafter a US President by the name of Kennedy spoke a few forgotten words on national TV that somehow got part of the US citizenship to do some exercises on a semi-regular basis.
And that’s when shit began to happen within the northern regions of California.
Bodybuilding ‘shit’ that is!
A gym of some sort sprang up in every neighborhood.
American Health Studios was my preference and is the place where I firstmet Steve (the tip-toe kid I mentioned earlier).
But way down south in the Los Angels region ….. they were years ahead of us up north.
Years earlier on a small strip of beach in Santa Monica …. Muscle Beach had grabbed a foot-hold and had already become a major tourist attraction and somewhat of a headache for the ‘City Fathers’ who seemed to want something different for the ‘endearment’ of their ‘fair city’.
More to follow ...the "Yea! This really did happen part!"
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The following may only be of interest to a very few GetBiggers, but if someday anyone were to write the complete encyclopedia regarding the World of Bodybuilding it should be included within that encyclopedia under the heqding, “YEA! THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN!”
But first … a little bit of background to set the mood and attempt to take you 21st Century Centurions back to a time when bodybuilders were seldom seen, gyms as we know them today never existed, and the somewhat dreaded personal trainers showed no signs of their eventual arrival, self importance, and popularity.
So ...... There is a city within the northern section of California called San Francisco where a young kid by the name of Steve used to walk to the top of that city’s seven hills on his tip-toes in an attempt to have bigger calves.
But no one knew this ….. simply because no one gave a damn about muscle growth back then except for Steve and a handful of other young guns who wanted bigger calves, or bigger arms, or bigger chest, etc., etc.
This is sort of the condensed version of how it all began up north … walk or run those hils or through those parks in some unique manner…. until you were either bigger, faster, or stronger than the kid next door who most likely lacked the 'secret' of how to get it done.
So back in them god old days, a kid had to do it with whatever nature gave him simply due to the fact there were no gyms in this city of the Seven Hils that a decent kid would ever consider entering.
Sure …. there was LaLanne’s down on Market Street which seemed to cater to a much older gfoup of overweight citizens who picked up heavy things and put them back down (but never in the correct location).
And there was the downtown YMCA for those who preferred being bulked up odd-lifters of one sort or another. These characters would soon be known as powerlifters and garner world wide reputations and most likely still do to this very day.
And then there was a mid-town Yoga ‘Gym” above a well known auto showcase on Lombard ...... but anyting resembling heavy objects that one could lift over one’s head were somewhat scare and hard to find.
And NoCal had China Beach which 99% of the NoCal population had never heard of.
So China Beach was seldom visited by any individual who lifted heavy things and eventually became a long forgotten memory except for college student who enjoyed their studies under heavy blanket of fog.
And then a US President by the name of Kennedy spoke a few forgotten words on national TV that somehow got part of the US citizenship to do some exercises on a semi-regular basis.
And that’s when shit began to happen within the northern regions of California.
Bodybuilding ‘shit’ that is!
A gym of some sort sprang up in every neighborhood.
But way down south in the Los Angels region ….. they were years ahead of the game.
Years earlier on a small strip of beach in Santa Monica …. Muscle Beach had grabbed a foot-hold and had already become a major tourist attraction and somewhat of a headache for the ‘City Fathers’ who seemed to want something different for the ‘endearment’ of their ‘city’.
More to follow ...the "Yea! This really did happen part!"
john f kennedy the first president to appear on the cover of a muscle magazine to the best of my knowledge.
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john f kennedy the first president to appear on the cover of a muscle magazine to the best of my knowledge.
STUNT: Great stories as always; I really enjoy reading them. You should write a book.
FUNK: Aside from this magazine cover, has ANY other President been on a muscle magazine cover?????
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REPS, Thanks for reading this stuff as we as well as reading 'this stuff' from many others who have been contributing
I've been digging down really deep to recall this stuff ..... so don''t send out the GetBig Suicide Squad if you discover that my dates are out of sequence or if I forget to place the apostrophes where the apostrophies are supposed to go.
Many years back we were planning to write a historical bodybuildng book
based on fact but were seriously advised not to do so until many years had passed.
But now that those 'many years' have all gone by, it's damn near impossible to make REALITY more interesting than the unsubstantiated rumors, outright lies, and sexual fantasies surrounding the world of bodybuilding as so often found on internet boards such as this.
But life as described on o=boards such as this is far more interesting than the life in which I have participated.
And tons more 'morally corrupt' which makes life much more interesting.
BREAK TIME
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Other than Arnold, Franco, and Zane, I don't recognize any of these guys here. Maybe is that Dennis Tinerino next to Zane?
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Other than Arnold, Franco, and Zane, I don't recognize any of these guys here. Maybe is that Dennis Tinerino next to Zane?
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=680829;image)
Al Brown next to Zane. Chuck Collras next to Franco. Bottom row starting from the right are Chet Yorton and Zabo. The rest I cannot yet recall.
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REPS / SCOTT: Good call but let me add one more!
That definitely looks like SPRAGUE to Arnold's immediate left.
That leaves two who are unaccounted for ... the two guys to Arnold's immediate right.
But as somewhat of the imminent know-it-all regarding all things bodybuilding related and a quazi-intellectual when it comes to Quantum Mechanics, I have to add a few very short comments about the one individual in that photo who seemed to enter every contest ever held within the LA Basin back in them good old days.
And believe me ....... there were very few BB Contests within that basin with the main contest venue being the Embassy Auditorium in Downtown Los Angeles plus the small events held on Venice Beach on an outdoor theater stage that is no longer there.
Chuck Collras. The contest promoters could always count on Chuck showing up to compete which was quite important if you wanted to promote an event with more than five contenders.
And Chuck always appeared on stage in tip-top condition.
And Chuck was very short.
And for some unknown reason the name "REG LEWIS" pops into my head while I'm typing this. He and his beautiful wife also conpeted back then. Maybe one of you wise GetBiggers can help in this regards. (Sheri Lewis?????)
That photo above seems to have been taken at Joe Gold's second location but where the hell was Draper and a few others who appear to be missing?
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Stunt, Reg Lewis was a great natural physique man and I believe he competed once in the Olympia getting 3rd out of three competitors. Few wanted to go against Arnold back then. From what I know of Draper, he trained early so he may have been out of there by the time this photo was taken. I don't think that is Sprague as I believe he was a bit taller than the gentleman in the photo but he could be slumping down for this photograph. Facially he does look like Ken. Who knows?
I miss those days. Even if some consider today a "golden age" that time period was and remains mine. From Steve Reeves through Bob Paris, that is the time I most identify with bodybuilding.
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Reg Lewis
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SCOTT, Thanks again. Yea that could have been the time when Dave was employed by Weider to run the small supplement shop across from ZUCKY's Deli where every bodybuilder (as few as there were back then) seemed to have at least one meal during the day or evening
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Al Brown next to Zane. Chuck Collras next to Franco. Bottom row starting from the right are Chet Yorton and Zabo. The rest I cannot yet recall.
guy on arnold's left is arthur peacock.
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Stunt, Reg Lewis was a great natural physique man and I believe he competed once in the Olympia getting 3rd out of three competitors. Few wanted to go against Arnold back then. From what I know of Draper, he trained early so he may have been out of there by the time this photo was taken. I don't think that is Sprague as I believe he was a bit taller than the gentleman in the photo but he could be slumping down for this photograph. Facially he does look like Ken. Who knows?
I miss those days. Even if some consider today a "golden age" that time period was and remains mine. From Steve Reeves through Bob Paris, that is the time I most identify with bodybuilding.
pic of reg lewis in the mr. olympia. just to show what a natural bber could do.
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STUNT: Great stories as always; I really enjoy reading them. You should write a book.
FUNK: Aside from this magazine cover, has ANY other President been on a muscle magazine cover?????
there might have been a pic of ronald reagen on the cover of mti, when he "beat" dan lurie in arm wrestling but not 100 percent sure of it.
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Al Brown next to Zane. Chuck Collras next to Franco. Bottom row starting from the right are Chet Yorton and Zabo. The rest I cannot yet recall.
peacock
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Good call, FUNK! I don't recall ever meeting him but the name is now familiar.
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peacock
Recent photo of Mr. Peacock:
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Great still photo from the movie Muscle Beach Party; Larry Scott in the middle.
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Thanks, REPS!
I first met Larry around the time that movie was being shot and worked with him a very few times thereafter.
I've listened to a good number of bodybuilding seminars and the vast majority of them were snooze festivals but two seminars will never be forgotten.
Those two seminars were Larry's and Mike Mentzer's.
Both of those seminars were not memorable due to what was said ..... but they were great due to the fact they were very well-presented.
Larry's seminar in particular was noteworthhy ... and I have mentioned this in another post a few years back.
But since some of today's Getbiggers were not even born a few years back ... I'll make a short attempt at repeating myself..
The first thing Larry said as he took the podium to the side of a blackboard was....
"Ok, Do I have any questions?
And almost immediately every hand in the room was in the air!
Larry would point to one of the hands and the hand's mouth would ask a question about dieting for a contest.
And that single question would cause about 20% of the other hands to assume a lower position.
So Larry would turn to the blackboard and scribble "DIET" in big bold letters.
The he'd point to another hand and that hand's owner would ask a question about training.
And Larry would scribble TRAINING under DIET on that blackboard.
And another 20% or so of those hands would assume a normal position
This would continue for the next 20 minutes or so and the blackboard would be filled with big, scribbled words, until eventually there were no more hands in the air.
Then Larry would say, "OK, no more questions. I'm going to respond to each of these topics in detail and I don't want to be interrupted with any questions until this seminar is over.
If you have any questions at that time, you can stay and ask them while the others are are their way home.
And that's the way he did it. It solved the problem of having one or two individuals at that seminar asking personal training questions that others did not want to listen to.
Mike's seminar was interesting because it was so damn interesting and he presented it like we were all sittinaround a bon-fire roasting marshmellos!
Many years later I joined Mike in a seminar and I'll tell you about that one at another time. That one started after a contest one evening around 1:00 AM and lasted till around 4:00 AM ...
and no one left the room except for the fat lady who refused to sing!
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chins on muscle beach hugo labra chinning, dave draper, and mike bonoire
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Hey, FUNK! Thanks for your latest input.
I can’t add much but I’l say the following because saying nothing is beyond my capabilities.
I do recall Hugo and knew Dave pretty well back then when Dave worked in Joe Weider’s first California office in Santa Monica across the street from Zucky’s restaurant where every bodybuilder used to ‘dine’. (Sorry but it;s closed down now!).
But I’ve never heard of Mike Bonoire and I can't find him on the net.
Zucky’s (A Jewish coffee shop) served some of the best Kosher meals in the LA basin and Arnold and his crew seemed to have their very own table in the rear whenever I entered the place.
Zucky’s Chicken Soup cured the most persistent colds.
That photo was most likely taken in the early to mid 1960’s and the big building in the background was some kind of beach club or YMCA at that time and eventually became some sort of drug rehabilitation facility soon thereafter.
Now a days it’s a very expensive condominium project called The Sand Castle.
Immediately in front of The Sand Castle on the beachfront side there is a 6 foot wall where just about every Santa Monica beach bum and bodybuilder chose to sit in order to get some protection from the blowing sand which occurred frequently.
Venice was not as popular back then as it is today.
Back in those good old days private LA beach clubs were somewhat popular and the building in the extreme background was an exceptional one.
I believe it is now a fancy hotel.
That photo was most likely taken around the time that Dave appeared in DON’T MAKE WAVES and before his friend Sharon Tate was slain by the Manson group,
Dave also played the part of Hercules on TV introducing sword and sandle movies.
To the best of my knowledge Dave always trained in the DUNGEON and eventually moved to the Santa Cruz area of northern California,
I don’t think any GetBigger knows about the DUNGEON but I cold be mistaken.
That’s another important part about bodybuilding history that could be completely forgotten
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;D
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;D
By comparison to current professional bodybuilders, these fellows look more like your average Joes who are in good physical condition.
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REPS / SCOTT: Good call but let me add one more!
That definitely looks like SPRAGUE to Arnold's immediate left.
That leaves two who are unaccounted for ... the two guys to Arnold's immediate right.
But as somewhat of the imminent know-it-all regarding all things bodybuilding related and a quazi-intellectual when it comes to Quantum Mechanics, I have to add a few very short comments about the one individual in that photo who seemed to enter every contest ever held within the LA Basin back in them good old days.
And believe me ....... there were very few BB Contests within that basin with the main contest venue being the Embassy Auditorium in Downtown Los Angeles plus the small events held on Venice Beach on an outdoor theater stage that is no longer there.
Chuck Collras. The contest promoters could always count on Chuck showing up to compete which was quite important if you wanted to promote an event with more than five contenders.
And Chuck always appeared on stage in tip-top condition.
And Chuck was very short.
And for some unknown reason the name "REG LEWIS" pops into my head while I'm typing this. He and his beautiful wife also conpeted back then. Maybe one of you wise GetBiggers can help in this regards. (Sheri Lewis?????)
That photo above seems to have been taken at Joe Gold's second location but where the hell was Draper and a few others who appear to be missing?
^^
STEVE NEECE with the Sunglasses...
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^^
STEVE NEECE with the Sunglasses...
aka moby of the iron game novel.. :o :o :o :o
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someone on the main board must have been reading my mind about moving this thread to the proper section... ;) ;)
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;D
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Funk, Yea, it was time to mov i
I would like to see Mens physique and Classic physique moved up higher.
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aka moby of the iron game novel.. :o :o :o :o
^^
Yes, Ric Drasin calls him MOBY DICK...
P.S. I WISH someone could print out a copy of that novel, DAMN that would be a good read!!!!
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I like this photo a lot (I'm an old car lover). Both cars are 1957 Cadillac Eldorado's; note the difference in the rear ends between the four door in the back and the two door in the front. These were very expensive cars: they sold for around $13,000. The bodybuilder is Reg Lewis.
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Here are a couple of the 57' Biarritz and Seville. The Seville looks like the designers amputated the fins. The Eldorado in the background of your photo is a Biarritz.
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This is MY Cadillac, bought it in the spring!
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;D
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;D
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;D
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paula dean muscle beach denizen and hollywood stunt woman has died at the age of 90..she first saw muscle beach at age 7.
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he was an arm wrestling champ= lloyd lampton or something like that was his name guy is tall.
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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10211054734518612&set=a.1462215169696.59219.1662967980&type=3&theater
Lloyd Lampton
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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10211054734518612&set=a.1462215169696.59219.1662967980&type=3&theater
Lloyd Lampton
[/ so that is him????? ??? ??? ??? ??? the giant guy on the left.
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An Arnold ad I've never seen before; he was a "fat boy"?????????
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An Arnold ad I've never seen before; he was a "fat boy"?????????
that goes back to when zane beat him for mr. universe.also gironda told him he was fat when he first went to vince's gym.
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What do you know about Denny Gable? I know he passed away...but he seems like a mystery of sorts. Great build. Great looking guy. Trained with Robby and Arnold. Did some TV shows with Mae West, Cher. Then fell off the map around 1977,78. Seems to have never competed after 75,76. Any info would be appreciated.
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What do you know about Denny Gable? I know he passed away...but he seems like a mystery of sorts. Great build. Great looking guy. Trained with Robby and Arnold. Did some TV shows with Mae West, Cher. Then fell off the map around 1977,78. Seems to have never competed after 75,76. Any info would be appreciated.
gable born 1950 died 2000 competed in the ifbb for one year 1975...great training pics of him and robby robinson in the weider mags of that time.
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;D
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;D
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The classic ad that started it all:
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Great photo:
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;D
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Great photo:
;D
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;D another variation.
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Richard Baldwin and Jerry Brainum share their memories about Bill Pearl. There's even a short clip included at the end where Bill is posing.
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;D
;)
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:D
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Although it's been many years since I saw it, I remember Fearless Vampire Killers as a very good movie. I think it was directed by Roman Polanski. I don't know if he and Tate were married at the time, or this was where they met, or whatever.
I SURELY would like to hear more about your lunch with Tony Curtis. He and wife Janet Leigh made a movie with Dean Martin that I kind of like, Who Was That Lady.
Back to the subject of movies with bodybuilders in them, if you've never seen Athena from the mid-50's, which starred Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds, I highly recommend it. It has Steve Reeves in a really small part. It is one STRANGE movie.
I recently came across these publicity photos from the movie Athena. Obviously you can see Debbie Reynolds but on the right in both photos is Steve Reeves.
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I recently came across these publicity photos from the movie Athena. Obviously you can see Debbie Reynolds but on the right in both photos is Steve Reeves.
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=767183)
I have the film. In the above photo from the left:
"Richard Sabre" (real name Dick Dubois), Debbie Reynolds, Edmund Purdom and Steve Reeves.
Fun factoids: Dick Dubois became a minister late in life and only recently passed away. The film takes it's inspiration (somewhat) from Bernarr ""Body Love" Macfadden. The grandfather in the film is vaguely based upon Macfadden and Bernarr Macfadden was quite the character in real life.
Yes. I am old. ;D
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(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=481115.0;attach=767183)
I have the film. In the above photo from the left:
"Richard Sabre" (real name Dick Dubois), Debbie Reynolds, Edmund Purdom and Steve Reeves.
Fun factoids: Dick Dubois became a minister late in life and only recently passed away. The film takes it's inspiration (somewhat) from Bernarr ""Body Love" Macfadden. The grandfather in the film is vaguely based upon Macfadden and Bernarr Macfadden was quite the character in real life.
Yes. I am old. ;D
Lol! So am I. Appreciate your reply, very few people have seen this oddball movie.