Adonis, Vol. 14, August 1961

Item ID....M04249

Photo Gallery

By this period, the vintage physique magazines were pretty much catering to a closeted homosexual audience as overtly as possible. This issue reflects this trend: pictures of hot guys in the scantiest of posing straps, flaunting gloriously sculpted asses, many in risque poses for the period.

Physical and mental health concerns are still overtly stated in the magazine's mission statement, but the hyperbole describing the models verges on camp and mimics the "Grecian" ideals of American physique publications like Physique Pictorial: "god-like" men with god-like physiques depicted in the publication are the result of pride and energy and can inspire readers to imitate them (perhaps subliminally seductive language for physical arousal?).

There are a minimum of text features, and none have to do with bodybuilding contests or specific techniques for the serious weightlifters and physical culturists; instead, there are features on photography tips, fitness for the busy male, and emotional stress.

More overtly homoerotic photos in this issue include Troy Buoy posing with boots on, and blond Troy Donahue-like Mark Nixon posing nearly nude in sailor gear in and around nets; in one pose, what looks like a scarf is conveniently draped over his bulge. Harry Domek poses holding a whip! One can see beneath his brief that muscle hunk George Luikas is well-hung. Jack de Marco poses nude on a stool, while the hunk on the back cover is obviously nude, though in both cases, the angle covers up you know what. Robert Granpierre looks fresh and wholesome in his gallery of photos.

The cover boy is a full-lipped Italian stallion, Lon Coletti, who poses in a more conventional way (flexing, holding poles). Models from Milo Studio and Bruce of Los Angeles are represented generously in this issue, including a black guy posing rather conventionally. Kris Studio of Chicago is in the list of photography studios. Prominent ads for the homoerotic publication Male Classics, including one entitled "Sir Gay."

There's an odd cartoon in the middle of this issue, a back shot of a nude male body, surrounded by names of muscles and portions of a diagram naming those muscles. Perhaps this figure represents the transitional cultural clash occurring in these publications between the straight bodybuilding publications like Strength and Health and the homoerotic pictorials occurring in this period.

Contributors

Phil Shott, Robert Granpierre, Howard Heidtmann, Dick Fisher, Bob Switzer, Bob Ireland, Lon Coletti, Larry Scott, Monroe Huel, Mario Marino, Jerry Ross, Harry Domec, Mark Nixon, George Danzier, Ronald Wright, Gean Robertson, Troy Buoy, Max Vogl, David Allsop, Jim Henry, George Lukas, Jack de Marco

Key Words

Beefcake | Bodybuilders | Muscle | Thongs | Briefs | Boots | Vintage Physique Magazine

Customer Reviews: