v-m-p vintage male physique

Eros Ramazzotti - Un'Altra Te

2012-01-27T22:39:00.000-08:00

Just a couple of favorites from Eros...

Eros Ramazzotti - Piu Bella Cosa

2012-01-27T22:12:00.000-08:00

Johnny Sheffield as "Bomba"

2012-01-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

I was very young when I became a "Tarzan" fan -- the character from both the films and the books. The Tarzan of the movies had no relation to that of the written word, but I loved them both.

When I first read "The Son of Tarzan" -- the 4th novel -- I immediately wanted to strip my clothes off and run through the vast wooded areas behind my house -- just like Jack Clayton.

In the movies, the (adopted) son of Tarzan and Jane was played by Johnny Sheffield -- a child actor picked personally by Johnny Weismuller. He portrayed "Boy" in the Tarzan series from 1939 through 1947.

When the producers felt that "Boy" was becoming too old to appear alongside Tarzan, he was let go from the series after appearing in "Tarzan and the Huntress." But jungle fever was still running strong in Hollywood -- Johnny was recruited to embody the character of "Bomba" (a child's version of Tarzan that was first published from 1926 - 1938) starting in 1949 and running twelve films through 1955.

While I certainly remember "Boy" from the Tarzan films, I only became aware of "Bomba" in the last dozen years -- those films never appeared on the independent Boston television stations when I was a youngster. Through the miracle of the internet, in the past couple of years I have been able to view these films and totally love their innocent adventurousness.

After the Bomba series ended, Johnny Sheffield gave up his Hollywood career and became a business man, but he never turned his back on his jungle career and happily signed many a picture from his past for his ever-growing circle of fans.

Johnny Sheffield died in 2010, aged 79, from complications after a fall while pruning a tree in his yard. Active to the very end!

I recently purchased some wonderful original 8x10 photos of Johnny as Bomba -- I'll scan the best as soon as they arrive in the post. But I'm wondering -- was "Bomba" a source of fascination for budding gay boys in the 50s? Do any of my readers remember watching Johnny in the cinema, or on syndicated TV of the 60s? I would love to hear from anyone, whether from "back in the day" or who disovered him last week, who loved the films of Mr. Johnny Sheffield.

Jim Stevens by Paul Hawker

2012-01-08T23:56:00.000-08:00

Dale Gilbert

2012-01-07T22:28:00.001-08:00

While Dale was photographed several times by Don Whitman's WPG, this photo doesn't really resemble a WPG shot.

Forrester Millard by AMG

2012-01-07T22:15:00.000-08:00

One of the first AMG models (if not THE first), Forrester passed away last year at age 81.

Roger Conte by Tyc

2012-01-07T22:10:00.000-08:00

real hunky sailors!

2012-01-07T21:58:00.000-08:00

Keith Maynard by Douglas of Detroit

2012-01-06T21:11:00.000-08:00

A neat example of double-exposure that Douglas Juleff and Bob Mizer (AMG) liked to work with...

Bob Freeman by Bruce of LA

2012-01-06T21:01:00.000-08:00

Bob Estelita

2012-01-05T23:30:00.001-08:00

Zaro Rossi

2012-01-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

I bought this one a few months back. It's an oddity, and not just because Zaro is in an honest-to-gosh pouch -- it's dimensions are a bizarre 3 1/2 x 5 1/2, and it's not trimmed in any way. It may have been meant for publication use, as "Tomorrow's Man" is typewritten on the back. Luckily it is printed on such heavy paper that the typing doesn't penetrate.

As for the image -- what a hunky guy! I don't want to guess the photographer yet, but when I get a chance I'll try to find if I have any other bow shots in the files...

Another really cool Zaro to share with you as soon as it arrives in the mail...!!!

Ed Gloegler

2012-01-03T23:59:00.000-08:00

1937 Strength and Health magazine!

Eugene Dubuque - Mr. New York City of 1947

2012-01-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

...by Lon and by Quaintance

Bud Counts, being his perfect sunny self...

2012-01-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

...by AMG.

50s wrestler Antonino Rocca

2012-01-02T21:52:00.001-08:00

unknown blond by WPG

2012-01-01T23:42:00.001-08:00

50s muscleman and gal-pal

2012-01-01T23:16:00.001-08:00

Richard Alan and Glenn Bishop

2012-01-01T23:08:00.001-08:00

...attributed to Cliff Oettinger, but figuring out who took Bishop's pictures is a real guessing game...

Tom Cowans by Kris

2011-11-22T22:20:00.000-08:00

These photos are courtesy of Timarxus and his blog "Black Muscle: 1940-1980" -- a really fantastic collection of black musclemen. Check him out -- unlike myself, he posts very regularly!! ;-)

beach buddies

2011-11-18T00:45:00.000-08:00

Pictures featuring tall and short men together are a favorite of mine -- don't ask me why!

Don Fuller and Kip Behar

2011-11-18T00:28:00.000-08:00

Following on from a post this past June -- two more shots in the series...

30s wrestler Joe Savoldi

2011-11-18T00:24:00.000-08:00

The Ballad of Little Jo

2011-11-17T23:40:00.000-08:00

While trawling through the thousands of "vintage" photos on eBay tonight, trying to track down something interesting to share with you all, I was listening to a k.d. lang album to help ground me and keep me sane.

Something in her mood made me think of one of my favorite films, "The Ballad of Little Jo." Starring Suzy Amis and Ian McKellan, the film tells the story of a woman cast out of her upper-class family for having a child out of wedlock and how she ended up living her life as a man in the Old West.

The haunting soundtrack is by David Mansfield -- really, it is simply beautiful. Here is a wonderful sampling --

The heartbreaking End Title song, "Ballad for Little Jo," sung by Kate and Anna McGarrigle, can be heard by clicking here. It is one of my all-time favorite songs, and chokes me up every time I hear it.

two college sports gods from way, way back....

2011-11-14T22:43:00.001-08:00

Steve Wengryn by AMG

2011-11-13T23:04:00.001-08:00

David Allen and Parrish Ames by Rod Crowther

2011-11-13T23:02:00.000-08:00

hairy-chested hunk by Spartan

2011-11-13T00:12:00.000-08:00

Dig the tight sock mark just under his calf! ;-)

1950s bodybuilding competitors by Robert L. Jones

2011-11-13T00:08:00.001-08:00

Gary Seegar

2011-11-12T23:52:00.001-08:00

This is almost definitely by Mel Roberts, but at first I thought it was by Champion. Whoever took it, good work!

A happening from July, 1927

2011-11-12T23:39:00.001-08:00

John Derek in "The Leather Saint" [1956]

2011-11-12T23:34:00.000-08:00

Woof!

William MacLane catalog Q

2011-11-12T22:42:00.000-08:00

One of the long-stated reasons for producing physique photographs was to provide an aid for artists wishing to have model resources for their art. The then-famous (and now nearly-forgotten) William MacLane took this source to heart as witnessed by three of his paintings offered in Catalog Q. The figure on the left in #99-Leisure is a classic pose by Glenn Bishop, the prone figure in #100-Sun Worship is Ed Fury by Bruce of LA and the inspiration for #102-The Studio is a photo of Matt Carroll by John Palatinus.

Enlisted Men's Swimming Pool, Fort McClellan, Anniston Alabama

2011-11-12T22:06:00.000-08:00

circa 1945

Peter Seultz by Jock of South Africa

2011-11-12T21:47:00.001-08:00

Meet John Palatinus this Saturday, November 5!

2011-11-03T23:53:00.000-07:00

This Saturday night, November 5, from 6 to 9 PM, please join me at the opening night party for John Palatinus' exhibition of his historic 1950's physique work in his home town of Palm Springs!

This exhibit has toured Paris, Antwerp and Berlin this year, and I'm very glad to see it end the year back in the States. We had a special preview night this past Tuesday that was a great success -- the official opening, coming in the midst of Palm Springs Pride, should be even better.

John is receiving a Spirit of Stonewall Lifetime Achievement Award from the organizers of Palm Springs Pride and will be in this year's parade -- along with Gilbert Harris, the creator of the Rainbow Flag!

John has become a dear friend in the last few years and I am very proud of the exhibit he and I have created of his "lost work." Believe me, you haven't experienced the wonder of physique photography until you've seen it in a gallery setting -- full of people, both gay and straight, gazing in wonder at what was once considered "obscene art" -- no one has left a "Palatinus Opening Night" not feeling a huge sense of euphoria!!!

A wonderful article by Will Dean about John and his art appeared in last Sunday's "Desert Sun."

Please come and meet the irrepressible John Palatinus this Saturday night!

Savage Gallery & Boutique
870 Research Drive, Suite 1
Palm Springs, California 93362

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAe2ltjwV8A
http://youtu.be/P-8VHRv3RtE

and a flashback to our amazing Paris Opening this past January --
http://youtu.be/K9vL6Pdjgbc

John Palatinus in Palm Springs!

2011-11-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

John Palatinus in Berlin -- 2 days left!!!

2011-10-13T22:42:00.001-07:00

Hello there, visitors in Europe!

Here's your last chance to check out the John Palatinus Exhibit -- only two days left to view it at the Cafe des Artistes in Berlin!

There will be a "Finissage" on Friday night, the 14th, hosted by Project Manager Bernd, at which he will be premiering "Palatinus Project - der Film" at 9:00 PM. I'll be seeing Bernd in a few weeks, and I sure hope he'll have a copy of this film for me (hint, hint if you're reading this, buddy!) but it should be a great look at the fun and excitement John tends to create wherever he goes. If it gets an online home, I'll be sure to get it here pronto!

The final day to see the show will be on Saturday, the 15th. Do try to stop by, have some lunch on the sidewalk or a drink in the bar -- the place has wonderful food, healthy-sized drinks and a great staff. Bruno runs a wonderful establishment and made us all feel like we'd been friends for years.

The "European Tour" will be on hiatus for a bit -- but don't fear, I'm sure we'll be back sometime in 2012 -- is London calling? The next stop is going to be in John's home base -- Palm Springs, California -- opening November 5 and running through November 15th at the Savage Gallery. But more on that later...!

Thank you for a wonderful time, Berlin! I hope to come back again soon!

Tore Lind by Champion

2011-10-13T22:26:00.001-07:00

Yowza!

2011-10-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

Jac Jackson

2011-10-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

This is most likely by the 60s Swedish studio FotoGrafo, but I can't be 100% sure.

John Tristram by AMG

2011-10-13T21:28:00.001-07:00

Johnny is always superb!

Pat Burnham by WPG

2011-10-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

very serious

2011-10-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

George Roth and Keith by David of Cleveland

2011-10-12T20:41:00.001-07:00

"Secretly" - A Vintage Montage Of Guys Together

2011-09-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

"Secretly" - A Vintage Montage Of Guys Together from MJS on Vimeo.

Video by MJS, with thanks to Will Clark, on whose site I found this.

Don't miss John Palatinus in Berlin!

2011-08-31T22:38:00.000-07:00

John Palatinus is coming to Berlin on September 7!

2011-08-31T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, long time no see...

It's been a long summer -- very hot, lots of weird hours at work, and when I've not been feeling too beat, I've been working on restoring more of John's photos. And faster than I would have expected, the next exhibit is upon us!

If you are anywhere near Berlin the evening of September 7, I hope you will stop by the Cafe Des Artistes at Fuggerstr. 35, 10777 Berlin and meet John and view the 42 prints we have brought back to life. Only a year and a half ago we premiered John's work at Rick Castro's Antebellum with 18 prints... we've come so far!

One of the neat things about the timing of this event is that we are part of the lead-up to Folsom Europe weekend! Leather and fetish abound -- sure to be quite a sight and experience! I've never experienced the original San Francisco Folsom, so I am looking forward to this very much. Who knew I'd have to travel halfway 'round the world to be surrounded by my gorgeous leather and rubber brothers--?

On the afternoon of the 8th John and I are going to the Schwules [Gay] Museum to donate one of his original 8x10's and a suite of 8 of his new prints for their permanent collection. That evening will be a "Dinner With John" at Restaurant Antiqua,
Eisenacher Str. 59 – 10823 Berlin.

A couple more parties will be held on Saturday, the 10th --
• INSTIGATOR MAGAZINE, USA presents:
Fetish-Reception on FOLSOM-EUROPE
4pm at CAFÉ DES ARTISTES – free entry
Special:
www.noodles.de features John Palatinus-Shooting by www.geyrimages.com
Art director LIVE – JOHN PALATINUS

• SATURDAY 10th Sept. 2011 GOYA: PROPAGANDA PARTY - start: 11.59pm
BEEFCAKE PARTY – VIP-LOUNGE with John & friends

All thanks must go to Bernd, John's friend and European Projekt Manager, for putting all these (and probably more!) events together. He and his posse have made this a truly exciting and memorable year for John. He is tireless -- after all these events, he's still going to be out all night! LOL!

It's 10:30PM now and I have to get up at 3:00AM to get to the airport for my trip to Europe. Willem and I are flying out to Amsterdam for a few days before we take the train to Berlin and meet up with John and Bernd. My second time to Europe in a year -- who'da thunk it?

I will say good night now -- I hope I get to meet some of my readers at the opening night reception -- just ask around, I'll be there all night!

Don't forget to check out Bernd's website for John at john-palatinus.com

I'll be back in a couple of weeks with some event pics to share! Meanwhile, let me say goodnight with the lastest print in the exhibit...

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

To all my visitors from the United States -- I hope you had as wonderful a 4th as I did. Yes, I had to work my awful job from 9 to 6, but the party my friends held afterward was stellar - a great way to end any day, no matter what the occasion!

Happy Days to all my visitors -- Thank you! -- you make it all wonderful!

unknown by Les Demi-Dieux

2011-06-19T01:01:00.000-07:00

Bob Spahn by Quaintance

2011-06-19T00:50:00.000-07:00

George Quaintance was a very popular artist of the 50s, whose life ended too soon. The photographs published under his name (and often used as reference for his paintings) have been attributed to Victor Garcia.

Don Fuller and Kip Behar

2011-06-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

photographer unknown....

Ed Fury by Apollo

2011-06-15T20:56:00.000-07:00

Glenn Bishop by Michigan Models

2011-06-15T20:43:00.000-07:00

Jun Shigemura by Tamotsu Yato

2011-06-04T00:41:00.000-07:00

Tom DeCarlo and Art Ullrich in motion!

2011-06-03T23:24:00.000-07:00

The joys of the internet -- while searching for one thing, I found another...

This YouTube video (uploaded by KOK Magazine) is actually a compilation of two Zenith (aka Apollo) productions -- the solo DeCarlo pose flick "Cocktails" and the every-boy's-fantasy team-up of DeCarlo and Ullrich in "Day Dreams." A real rarity -- Art in a posing strap!

The sound is great -- physique films were silent back then -- but maybe there was a special case made and this is the actual soundtrack?

Tom was paid the astronomical sum of twenty dollars to pose in the sand dunes for Dick Fontaine's camera. I hope he upped the amount for the duo posing with Art.

Circa 1954, as the model release attests...

Steve Wengryn by WPG

2011-06-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

Scott Manley's manly butt...

2011-06-03T22:57:00.001-07:00

by Champion.

Big bro, little bro...

2011-06-03T22:27:00.001-07:00

an anonymous photo I found on Tumblr tonight....

John Palatinus in Antwerp!

2011-05-10T20:19:00.000-07:00

The adventures of John Palatinus in Europe continue!

Following on from his great success in Paris, I'm proud to announce the Vernissage (Opening Night Reception) for my friend John Palatinus at the Winkelhaak Design Center in Antwerp on Thursday, May 12.

While the official tentoonstelling (exhibition) runs from June 2 to 26, a special preview reception will be held on May 12 at which John will be attending to meet fans of the vintage male physique -- all of whom are destined to fall under the spell of the infamous Palatinus Mystique! Once you meet John, you will never forget him! John had long-planned this current European trip, so I send out great kudos to the folks at the Winkelhaak for arranging this early reception to take advantage of his being in the neighborhood.

I wish I could be there with John and Bernd, but I know Bernd will have lots of photos taken and John will let me know all about it when he comes home in a few weeks.

By all means, if you live anywhere near Antwerp, take that drive or ride that train into town and meet the man and discover his art! You will not be disappointed!

My thanks to "De Magneet" for featuring a two-page article on John in their Spring issue (pages 34 and 35)
-- available to read for free here and also on their Facebook page

More thanks to my friends at Pinkwave Radio,
Antwerp's weekly gay affairs program, for featuring a discussion of John's work on their April 7th show, which has been archived at their website here. It is, of course, in Flemish Dutch!

For a taste of Pinkwave in beautifully-accented English, you can catch their interview with me (yeah, really!) from last September on the occasion of John's one-day "dry-run" exhibit in Liege by clicking here. Please forgive all the "umms" and "uhhs" -- I'm a terrible public speaker, even over the phone. Kurt and Paul were quite gracious and enthusiastic interviewers and I'm very grateful for their interest in promoting John's work to their listeners. At one point in the interview, I was asked if the exhibition might make its way to Antwerp and I replied that we would love to bring it there -- I'm so glad that Bernd was able to fulfill that dream!

If my European friends are not able to attend the vernissage with John (which I just realized was timed to hit just before Belgian Pride in Brussels),

I certainly encourage you to visit the show during it's run in June (ending the week of Gay Pride in Antwerp).I may be a bit biased (you think?) but it is a great exhibit of physique artwork, and I guarantee you'll find a model you'll fall in love with! ;-)

I can't finish without a shot of the man himself, enjoying the attentions of "Eddie and Patsy" -- "Absolutely Fabulous" certainly describes this exciting artist!

Official website --

His arrest was criminal --

physique art by William MacLane

2011-05-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

Mid-late 50's artist from Seattle, Washington.

Update 11-12-11 -- I discovered today that this piece is titled "Game's Over" and was print #17 as offered on MacLane's catalog C.

Sig Ulmanis by Kris

2011-05-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

physique art by Dean

2011-05-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

I found three examples of Dean's art a while back and here's the first one, circa 1963. Sadly, I have no further info to share about the artist, other than that the work was printed and sold through the mail just like other physique photos.

the benefits of working out --

2011-05-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

Eddie Padilla by Bruce of LA

2011-05-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

Goodbye, Sarah Jane -- and thank you, Lis

2011-04-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

Elisabeth Sladen
1946 - 2011

The world has lost someone truly special today.

Tom Baker's tribute.

There is a great tribute to Lis at the Doctor Who News Page and also at io9.

Erasure - "Breathe" & "Don't Say You Love Me"

2011-03-26T23:27:00.000-07:00

Erasure are Vince Clarke and Andy Bell -- Andy has one of the purest voices in pop music. I was listening to their album "Nightbird" as I was making this evening's posts, and I thought I'd share a couple of my favorite songs from that album with you...

beach beauty

2011-03-26T23:17:00.000-07:00

Capping off my "Night of the Unknowns" -- isn't he a treasure?

Sailors!

2011-03-26T22:59:00.001-07:00

!!!

amateur physical culturist

2011-03-26T22:54:00.000-07:00

June, 1961 -- in all its faded-color glory! Good for you, pal!

unknown leather stud

2011-03-26T22:41:00.000-07:00

I won this 4x5 photo on eBay a couple of weeks ago. No idea who the model is, or the photographer (maybe Avery Willard?) but the image spoke to me and I jumped on it.

rooftop workout

2011-03-23T23:17:00.000-07:00

...or something like that...

Bob Ireland by Mark-One

2011-03-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

Jean Ferrero's cover to International Nudist Sun 13

2011-03-18T22:36:00.001-07:00

This magazine arrived in the mail today. Asian men in physique photography are so rare that my eyes nearly fell out of my skull when I saw this on eBay a couple of weeks ago. What a hot stud! If only I knew his name (and had more shots of him in my collection) -- alas, he only appears on the cover of this 1965 magazine.

Updated 3/23!

Thanks to Robin for sending along two more images of my new boyfriend, as well as a name -- "Domine." I love to have a name to go along with a face!

Belinda Carlisle - "I Get Weak" (featuring Tony Ward)

2011-03-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

I was talking with a colleague at work today about the sad state of radio -- the 80s are now considered "oldies" or, in the new radio jargon -- "timeless."

In honor of Rick Castro's symposium in LA this weekend, enjoy this absolutely timeless 1988 video by Miss Belinda Carlisle, singing to Rick's muse: Mr. Tony Ward.

Mile by Jan van Eyck

2011-03-18T21:20:00.001-07:00

Classic scans by DAN.

Good night, and sweet dreams...

2011-03-17T23:58:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'll get lucky and have some dreams with Bruce's Scotty Cunningham... *sigh!* ....

Rick Castro - "The Perfect Gentleman"

2011-03-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

And speaking of current events not to miss -- vintage fan, photographer extraordinaire and all-around swell guy Rick Castro will be speaking at the One National Gay and Lesbian Archives in downtown Los Angeles this Sunday. Here's the official announcement --

ONE Culture Series: Rick Castro "The Perfect Gentleman"

Rick Castro has been in the forefront of counterculture art, fetish photography and independent film for over 25 years, all-the-while working and creating in his hometown of Los Angeles. Join Rick for a trip down memory lane, (1986 thru 2010) indulge in his images, vision and ideas about fetish, subculture and how they are defining 21st century culture. A perfect way to kick off LA leather week 2011. Rick is an independent filmmaker, photographer and curator. His work has been published in artist editions, exhibitions and institutions worldwide. Castro's works are in the permanent collections of The Alfred Kinsey Institute and The Tom Of Finland Foundation. His photography has been featured in Art in America, Flaunt, Attitude UK, DNA and Tetu magazines. He was the west coast editor for Studio Magazines, (Blue, Black & White) Australia from 2001 till 2007. Castro co-wrote and co-directed the iconic film Hustler White with Bruce La Bruce in 1996. Rick also directed the infamous doco called PLUSHIES & FURRIES, for MTV in 2001. He has created two books of his photography. Castro, (1991) and 13 Years of Bondage, (2004). Castro has lectured about his work at NYU, UCLA, UCSB, Track 16 Gallery, Bergamont Station, and 18th Street Arts Complex. On November 11th, 2005, Rick founded ANTEBELLUM gallery in Hollywood. Rick considers Antebellum the only fetish art gallery in America, and perhaps the world.

Rick Castro lives and works in Los Angeles, California.

Date: March 20, 2011
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Where: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives (Downtown LA)
909 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, 90007

Cross Streets: West Adams Blvd. / Figueroa Street
Admission: There is a suggested $5.00 donation, but no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Sorry I can't be there, Rick -- but I hope to see you soon!

Bob Mizer in Berlin - 2 days left!

2011-03-17T22:20:00.000-07:00

Speaking of Bob Mizer -- the exhibit of color work by the man who was AMG is entering its final two days, closing this Saturday, March 19 at Exile Gallery in Berlin!

Here is the description of the show from the gallery brochure (sure wouldn't mind having a real one to go along with the .pdf, Den... wink wink!!)

After two years in our previous location, Exile Gallery had the
pleasure to announce its inaugural exhibition in our new space
at Köpenicker Str 39 HH, 10179 Berlin-Mitte with:

Bob Mizer: Selected Private Works 1942-1992
Feb 19 - Mar 19, 2011
Opening: Saturday, Feb 19, 7-10pm

Exile is excited to present Bob Mizer: Select Private Works
1942-1992, featuring a special selection of private photos by
American photographer and visual mastermind Bob Mizer,
exhibited now for the very first time. This show launches not
only Exile’s new location but also an ongoing collaboration
with the newly formed Bob Mizer Foundation. Consisting of 26
modern custom Cibachrome prints carefully produced in strictly
limited editions from never before seen vintage Kodachrome
film positives, the exhibition gives an initial insight into this
artist’s extensive personal work and creative process.

Bob Mizer (1922-1992) founded Athletic Model Guild in 1945
as well as the ground-breaking magazine Physique Pictorial in
1951. Vintage and modern prints from Mizer’s AMG studio are
cherished, collected, shared, traded, exhibited and published on
endless occasions. But this exhibition introduces a Bob Mizer
that has hardly been known and never before exhibited until
today.

Over the course of his career he continuously pushed social,
political and aesthetic boundaries, and his life and art have
had a lasting influence on countless artists and filmmakers as
well as on visual culture as a whole. Based in Los Angeles, his
photography and filmmaking features a vast social spectrum
ranging from Hollywood actors and celebrities to homeless
hustlers and porn stars. His models included television and film
star Glenn Corbett, actor, Warhol-protégé and Calvin Kleinmodel
Joe Dallessandro, as well as bodybuilder, movie star and
recent Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger… among
many others.

Although he worked in both black & white and color, we
focus here exclusively on selected color examples. The work
is presented in three distinct groups that loosely follow a
biographical timeline to give an insight into the depth and
breadth of the artist’s research and artistic vision.

Bob Mizer: Select Private Works 1942-1992 begins with
documentary-based photographs from Venice Beach, CA from
the mid 1940s and a selection of outdoor portraits taken during
his first trip to Europe in 1951. During these years, Mizer created
his photographic identity as well as his entrepreneurial voice for
AMG and Physique Pictorial.

The exhibition continues by examining the artist’s particular use
of color. Mizer began experimenting with color photography as
early as the mid 1940s and continued to experiment throughout
his career. This took several forms, ranging from fashion-based
imagery to formal portraiture. Many of these photographs show
a subtle understanding and manipulation of color and lighting
effects - all imbued with a characteristic style and underlying
symbolism.

The exhibit culminates in a selection of works that illustrate
the ways in which Mizer constantly challenged his own
visual language. These works show how he developed and
appropriated many of today‘s known stereotypes of masculine
visual representation - and then further shows his incessant
obsession to push further and further into and beyond his own
stereotypes. These particular images are multi-layered fables of
embedded visual coding: an angry-looking Marine who has lost
his pants, a Jesus on a fabric-clad cross in a state of excitement,
and a fake Native-American standing proudly against airplane
jet trails in the LAX flight path.

Exile is excited to show a side of this unique artist’s work
and of our collective cultural history that has hitherto been
underrated and unexplored. His vast estate consists of about
one million negatives and transparencies, countless reels of
8 and 16 mm films, thousands of BetaMax videotapes, as well
as large amounts of personal paraphernalia. This exhibition
has been curated by Billy Miller and Christian Siekmeier, in
conjunction with Christopher Trout and Dennis Bell from the
Mizer Foundation.

For further information please contact the gallery.
Exile Gallery
Köpenicker Str 39, HH
D-10179 Berlin

+49.30.76233061
info@thisisexile.com
thisisexile.com

The photos you see were taken from the opening night, courtesy of Den Bell, the modern-day owner of AMG. I've also pulled one of the photos from the gallery brochure that I rather liked -- Tony Rome & Ron Nichols from 1971.

Too bad about the timing -- I'm going to be in Berlin this September. Ah, well. If any readers of this blog have seen the exhibit, don't be shy -- write a comment and tell us what you thought of it!

Dale Curry by Lyle

2011-03-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

Lyle Frisby was a friend of AMG's Bob Mizer and shared many of his models.

Jerry Valente by Onni Saari

2011-03-09T16:33:00.000-08:00

While this might be the same Jerry Valente who has a couple of entries over at Muscle Memory, pinning down "Onni Saari" could be a bit trickier. There are listings for a professional graphic artist who lived in New York during the late 50s/early 60s; he also drew and painted many male nudes, some of which can be seen here. I can't seem to find any reference to him taking photographs, however. Very nice studies, in any case!

Paul Buchanan and Elisabeth Fraser - "Downside Up"

2011-03-06T23:51:00.000-08:00

This song is from Peter Gabriel's year 2000 concept album "Ovo" - with the voices of The Blue Nile's Paul Buchanan and The Cocteau Twins' Elisabeth Fraser. This is a fan-made video which is a truly wonderful complement to the lyrics and emotions of the song. I listen to this song often and am always transported to a better place while listening to it.

Thank you for your indulgence....

Joe Koytilo by Mazzaro Art Studio

2011-03-06T14:51:00.001-08:00

A handsome young man I've never seen before, from a studio I've never heard of before. Dated February 12, 1950.

Updated March 9, 2011 -- Thanks to DC, who wrote in the Comments section Ralph Mazzaro of White Plains, NY was an amateur bodybuilder and also a physique photographer whose photographs appeared in Physique World and Strength & Health magazines in the 1950s.

Mario Guaita-Ausonia and The Trio Ausonia

2011-03-05T00:38:00.000-08:00

(These two postcards are circa 1908.)

Mario Guaita (stage name Ausonia) was a model (with two other strongmen, billed as the "Trio Ausonia") and silent movie actor in several films between 1912 and 1926 -- most notably the 1913 version of "Spartacus."

Some extra reading (if you're multi-lingual or can stand the gobbledygook that results from most on-line translators --

An article on the film history of Spartacus in the pdf file of "Antike im Kino" -- 'Spartacus – Männermuskeln, Heldenbilder oder: die Befreiung der Moral' starting on page 178 (but check out the other cool stuff as well!) (in German)

Silent Passion blog - Spartacus 1913 (in Spanish)

Bob Morris by Russ Warner

2011-03-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

Here we have a fairly rare Russ Warner catalog sheet (along with a few blow-ups) for his model Bob Morris. Note the inked-in pouches -- the model posed nude for all of the shots (the majority of Warner's mail-order physique work was with nude models).

early 1900s nude beauty

2011-02-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

studio nude by Arax

2011-02-26T09:03:00.000-08:00

I like this one, even though the position of the legs seems a bit awkward.

Dana Sumers by Champion

2011-02-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

Nice mesh Jockeys...

Cherokee by Milo

2011-02-23T22:56:00.001-08:00

Frank Veitenheimer by Larry Caster

2011-02-23T22:45:00.001-08:00

Steve Reeves IS Hercules!

2011-02-23T21:31:00.001-08:00

Nicholas Courtney -- 1929 - 2011

2011-02-22T21:39:00.000-08:00

An important piece of my childhood passed away today; maybe he was special to you as well...

Doctor Who 'Brigadier' Nicholas Courtney dies aged 81

"Jenkins! Chap with wings there, five rounds rapid!"

Farewell, Brig!

Bobby Brophy by Pat Rocco

2011-02-21T23:16:00.000-08:00

Venturing close to the retro years here, but I find Pat Rocco's work intriguing (and very hard to find) so please indulge me...

just good buddies

2011-02-21T22:03:00.000-08:00

Clarence Ross by Russ Warner

2011-02-20T00:59:00.000-08:00

courtesy of The Temple of Apollo

Palatinus in Paris - Extended!

2011-02-18T20:52:00.000-08:00

I just learned that John Palatinus' exhibit at the gallery Au Bonheur du Jour has been extended through February 23.

I hope my friends in Paris (or friends about to go to Paris!) will take this chance to discover John's art up close and personal!

Modern Male #7 covermen

2011-02-17T22:32:00.000-08:00

c. 1969

a perfect hunk o' man!

2011-02-16T22:25:00.000-08:00

Bob Mizer in Berlin! Feb. 19 -- March 19

2011-02-16T17:42:00.000-08:00

I received a press release from Den Bell over at AMG about an interesting exhibit opening this week -- "Bob Mizer: Select Private Works 1942 - 1992" -- 26 Cibachrome prints made from original Kodachrome slides.

From the Exile Gallery website -- Exile understands art as a collaborative, inter-generational and overarching discourse embedded in socio-political, gender, and personal history as much as in aesthetic theory and conceptual practice.

Exile was founded in October 2008 in Alexandrinenstr 4, Berlin-Kreuzberg. On Feb 19, 2011 Exile re-opens in Köpenicker Str 39, Berlin-Mitte.

Bob Mizer: Select Private Works 1942-1992 begins with documentary-based photographs from Venice Beach, CA from the mid 1940s and a selection of outdoor portraits taken during his first trip to Europe in 1951. During these years, Mizer created his photographic identity as well as his entrepreneurial voice for AMG and Physique Pictorial.

The exhibition continues by examining the artist’s particular use of color. Mizer began experimenting with color photography as early as the mid 1940s and continued to experiment throughout his career. This took several forms, ranging from fashion-based imagery to formal portraiture. Many of these photographs show a subtle understanding and manipulation of color and lighting effects - all imbued with a characteristic style and underlying symbolism.

The exhibit culminates in a selection of works that illustrate the ways in which Mizer constantly challenged his own visual language. These works show how he developed and appropriated many of today's known stereotypes of masculine visual representation - and then further shows his incessant obsession to push further and further into and beyond his own stereotypes. These particular images are multi-layered fables of embedded visual coding: an angry-looking Marine who has lost his pants, a Jesus on a fabric-clad cross in a state of excitement, and a fake Native-American standing proudly against airplane jet trails in the LAX flight path.

Exile is excited to show a side of this unique artist’s work and of our collective cultural history that has hitherto been underrated and unexplored. His vast estate consists of about one million negatives and transparencies, countless reels of 8 and 16 mm films, thousands of BetaMax videotapes, as well as large amounts of personal paraphernalia. This exhibition has been curated by Christian Siekmeier and Billy Miller, in conjunction with Dennis Bell and Christopher Trout from the Mizer Foundation..

The images you see here will be part of the exhibit.

I certainly wish Den and the folks at Exile Gallery all the best and great success!

Read more about it: Exile Gallery and Bob Mizer Foundation

Tore Lind aroused

2011-02-16T16:51:00.001-08:00

Something rather special, discovered today...

Tore had no qualms about posing nude for Champion and FotoGrafo (as I've posted before), but Tore with an actual erection was unheard of -- until now!

I really can't place an attribution on this one. I don't get a Champion feel for this, though if I find this bed in another one of Walter's shots I'll come back and make a correction.

Regular visitors might have noticed the recent addition of Google's "content warning" page when navigating to v-m-p. There haven't been a whole lot of "naughty" pictures posted at this blog, but some piece of scum didn't like something I put up and complained about the content to Google, who placed a warning on the site while I was away last month. So, to make sure there are no misrepresentations of intent, I have gone in and changed my settings and made this an "adult content" blog. Will I be posting more "naughty" pics than normal? Probably not. But at least now, everyone who comes to this site can't [reasonably] complain if they find some.