Review
Vintage gay physique magazine. Undated, probably early 1960s.
Little pretension to bodybuilding or physical culture.
The emphasis on the few text sections is on photography tips, sending in photos for a contest, and most significantly, a piece on art vs. censorship and its relationship to bodybuilding (specifically, the photographs of them that appear in this and related magazines).
A well-known physique photographer (who prefers to remain anonymous) proclaims a view used to commonly justify nude or nearly nude photos of the male body in a period when legal systems in both the United States (MANual vs. Day) and Britain were wrestling with this issue, a complex social and cultural one as well as a specifically legal one:
... I think that physique photos are obviously legitimate creations, that the situation is muddled by a completely unbalanced sense of values about the body, that the body itself is good, and that the censorship on the whole encourages a degraded view of it, that bodybuilders should not be confused or should be concerned in the least about outsiders who misinterpret such things ....
The body is good, and earlier in the article, the author also argues that to see the body as ONLY sexual is just as psychologically unhealthy, even "childish." Perhaps to "cover," the author seems to decry those who find the photos, or even nudity, as titillating (but the, of they were, to the homosexual audience!) Censorship "implies that the body really is wicked and sinful." Perhaps the puritanical attitude can lead to attitudes that seem to be on opposite sides of a spectrum.
Very few conventional bodybuilding poses. Most of the models pose in a more relaxed or suggestive way, or in poses that emphasize the bulges beneath the swimwear or posing straps.
The covermodel is Jim Stryker, a blond California beefcake type advertised significantly as "rugged." If one looks closely at the picture on page 9, the tight swimming trunks seem to be somewhat transparent, and one can definitely see the meaty cock underneath.
Bob Gentry shows off a fantastic chest in another photospread, including a stunning picture of him sporting tight, worn jeans. Milo, Bruce of Los Angeles, and Troy Saxon, famous physique photographers of the period, present near-nudes. Note Ben Montgomery's perfect tight ass on page 24, while the cocky Bob Foxx reclines for Troy Saxon. Posing straps look painted on the photographs of the models in these spreads.
Pete Congro reclines rather lasciviously, hand on his chest. Hmm ...
One photo of Dave Haviland is very, very risque; one can see a space UNDER the strap and what looks like the dick poking beneath the strap (see page 39).
The art gallery features homoerotic art by Michael, Steve Masters, and CAS. Steve Masters' picture "Polo" looks like an S/M pick up scene in a stable called "Stud Stall" (and studs here does not mean horses!).
A jock with big boots and tight jodhpurs looks like he is dominating a barefoot submissive stable boy who stands with his hands behind his back. The horse is barely in the picture.
Ads by various studios advertising slides and movies abound in the back, plus an extensive "male leisureware" ad with drawings (perhaps photos were too risque at this time?) of studs modeling the sexy, skimpy underwear. Note the address of the place is on Greek Street (intentional?).
Contributors
Jim Stryker; Bob Gentry; Steve Masters; Bob Bauman; Ben Montgomery; Bob Foxx; Pete Congro; Dave Haviland; John Hague; John Hadnagy; Gene Stanlee; David Clarke; Don Wiseman; Peter Spiteri
Key Words
Bodybuilders | Muscle | Thongs | Outdoor Scenes | Blonds | Younger Guys | Swimwear | Boots | Vintage Gay Physique Magazine
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