Body Beautiful, Vol. 15, October 1961

Item ID....M04250

Photo Gallery

This British vintage gay physique magazine from 1961 is very homoerotic, making very little attempt to code itself as physical culture/bodybuilding magazine.

There's only two brief how-to fitness article about eating the right foods and another one called "Come Train With Me" (emphasizing the homosocial element (though these exercises can be done at home, perhaps a more safe environment for what may happen later after the exercises!) and one of the exercises involves "lifting a partner off ground ..." (!?)

The pics by Ronald Wright that illustrate the exercises show obviously nude figures (though no genitalia) looking like lovers holding hands in one case. In line with the emphasis on pics, there is an article on taking better pics (to do what with?)

The rest is pics and artwork (the latter increased at the request of the gay readership) of hot hunks, save one gossipy column with tidbits on beefcake stars like Steve Reeves and Reg Park.

The concern, practically obsession with juvenile delinquency during this period shows up in one of the small articles in this section, but the take on the issue is tongue-in-cheek: The Ford Foundation (U.SA.) has appropriated $1,120,000 for combating the rise in juvenile delinquency! A donation of $75,.000 went to the University of California to attempt experiments with the 'Highfields' approach to the problem. The plan has groups of young people exerting pressure on their own members toward constructive behavior. Like, maybe Alcoholics Anonymous???"

 Some of the models in this issue are really gorgeous. Dave Tomkins is quite dark and handsome, his body hair most beautifully proportioned and sexy. The cover man, Wayne Hunt, poses more conventionally, completely nude, his position deftly covering up you-know-what.

Barney Hunk of the massive chest poses in cowboy gear, while Harry Miller (a Bruce of Los Angeles model) shows off a luscious rounded ass as he reclines before a net. Bert Jensen, or "Young Sweden" poses adorably in tight underwear that barely conceals a bulge.

The Art Gallery features homoerotic art by Scott Photography and Fred Sparnell. The one on page 17 by Sparnell could be easily interpreted as either a gay pre-sex or post-sex scene. A musclestud is in bed, cowboy boots on the floor beside him, and he is pulling the covers bac while looking at the the other musclestud standing next to the bed, but we only see the latter's naked backside.

Ads for Sir Gay (published by Male Classics Ltd.), Mark One, Milo, Bruce of Los Angeles appear in the back pages, all gay outfits during this period.

Contributors

Bert Jensen, Stan of Sweden, Wayne Hunt, Dave Tomkins, Fred Sparnell, Scott Photography, Don Farr, Harry Miller, Ronald Wright, Barney Sherman, Pete George, Frank Hollfelder, Ted Warren, Dick Sylvester, Ed Casey, Hans-Olof Petersson, and others uncredited

Key Words

Bodybuilders |  Muscles |  Thongs | Cowboy |  Sailor |  Younger Guys | Underwear | Vintage Gay Physique Magazine

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