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??