Author Topic: Muscle Beach History - by Stuntmovie (Read 726322 times)

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1400 on:** November 17, 2015, 09:46:46 AM »

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.

funk51 · « **Reply #1401 on:** November 17, 2015, 12:40:07 PM »

Quote from: Thespritz0 on November 17, 2015, 08:51:08 AM

^^
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

funk51 · « **Reply #1402 on:** November 17, 2015, 12:42:49 PM »

ken waller and dupree both rode elephants

funk51 · « **Reply #1403 on:** November 17, 2015, 12:44:09 PM »

Quote from: funk51 on November 17, 2015, 12:42:49 PM

ken waller and dupree both rode elephants

not sure but that might have been rudy hermasillo on elephant with dupree.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1404 on:** November 17, 2015, 01:13:53 PM »

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).

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1405 on:** November 17, 2015, 01:34:15 PM »

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.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1406 on:** November 17, 2015, 06:10:31 PM »

Sushimi ....

6 Reps · « **Reply #1407 on:** November 20, 2015, 10:59:47 AM »

Quote from: funk51 on November 17, 2015, 12:40:07 PM

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."

6 Reps · « **Reply #1408 on:** November 20, 2015, 11:12:13 AM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on September 29, 2015, 06:42:41 PM

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?

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1409 on:** November 20, 2015, 02:35:54 PM »

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.

6 Reps · « **Reply #1410 on:** December 27, 2015, 12:10:29 PM »

I really get a kick out of seeing these old Weider advertisements. This one is for the "Muscle Up and Make Out Kit!"

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1411 on:** December 27, 2015, 04:10:26 PM »

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.

funk51 · « **Reply #1412 on:** December 28, 2015, 10:07:57 AM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on December 27, 2015, 04:10:26 PM

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..

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1413 on:** December 28, 2015, 11:36:11 AM »

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.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1414 on:** December 28, 2015, 11:38:40 AM »

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.

funk51 · « **Reply #1415 on:** December 28, 2015, 02:24:04 PM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on December 28, 2015, 11:36:11 AM

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...

funk51 · « **Reply #1416 on:** December 28, 2015, 02:53:52 PM »

vintage mb shot

6 Reps · « **Reply #1417 on:** December 29, 2015, 10:41:40 AM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on December 28, 2015, 11:36:11 AM

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!

6 Reps · « **Reply #1418 on:** December 29, 2015, 10:44:52 AM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on December 28, 2015, 11:38:40 AM

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:

Donny · « **Reply #1419 on:** December 29, 2015, 10:50:56 AM »

Quote from: 6 Reps on December 29, 2015, 10:44:52 AM

Certainly looks impressive for the era:

Definitely, still... Reeves will always have the Physique for me.

stuntmovie · « **Reply #1420 on:** December 29, 2015, 11:49:37 AM »

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.

Donny · « **Reply #1421 on:** December 29, 2015, 11:57:53 AM »

Quote from: stuntmovie on December 29, 2015, 11:49:37 AM

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.

funk51 · « **Reply #1422 on:** December 30, 2015, 06:36:03 AM »

Quote from: 6 Reps on December 29, 2015, 10:44:52 AM

Certainly looks impressive for the era:

this was always my favorite shot of george eiferman... incredible chest for any era.

Donny · « **Reply #1423 on:** December 31, 2015, 03:52:20 AM »

Quote from: funk51 on December 30, 2015, 06:36:03 AM

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.

Donny · « **Reply #1424 on:** December 31, 2015, 03:59:11 AM »

A great tribute to the Legends..