Hairy Dudes from the Classic Physique Era

Models from what I call the Classic Era of physique photography (1936-1965) tended to be competitive bodybuilders, especially in the first two decades of the period.  As such, many of them got rid of their chest and body hair because removing it was thought to display muscle definition better.  There were, however, exceptions, with some returning veterans, active servicemen, and others bucking the trend.  Today we will look at ten of those exceptions.  Two photographers, Bob Mizer of AMG and Ralph Kelly account for six of the ten.  We start with Bob Cutlass by Mr. Kelly.

 

Ken Cunningham

I have two sources to thank for this one.  Brian E. send me a copy of it, plus I saw is on Bob's Naked Guys.  It's Ken Cunningham by AMG from 1961, and it shows that Bob Mizer had no problem photography hairy models.  I really ought to give Mr. Cunningham his own series.

Thanks, Brian!  See Bob at https://bobsnakedguys.blogspot.com/

 

Helmsley Wright

Although the fur isn't thick, it's quite evident in this stunning photo 

of Helmsley Wright by Lon of New York, aka Alonzo Hanagan.

 

Russ Warner

A vintage resale website listed this as Armand Tanny and an unknown by Russ Warner.  The Warner reference is believable, but other photos of Mr. Tanny (if one of these is him) show a much more developed and hairless bodybuilder.  Whether it's him or not, the bush is the main item here.

 

Two Bobs

Here we have two Bobs, Wilson (aka Charlie Day) and Allendar, in the second of three AMG 

photos in today's set.  It's dated at 1963, and the wto Bobs look like they are having fun.

 

Ralph Kelly?

I have this one labeled as by Ralph Kelly, but with no model name.  Google Images search 

came up with nothing, not even the Ralph Kelly reference.  Anybody know?

 

Unknown

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Bob Gibe

I included what has to be the least hairy guy in today's series because it is such a good photo.  

The model is Bob Gibe and the photographer the great Doug Juleff, aka Douglas of Detroit.

 

Roland Steiner

Brian E sent me this photo of Roland Steiner by AMG.  The Bob Mizer Foundation 

has dated most of Mr. Steiner's work to around 1950.

 

Joe Tiffenbach

Today's series ends with the third Ralph Kelly photo of the set.  This time it's Joe Tiffenbach, a post-war model who went on to be a photographer and film producer himself.  Click on his label on this post or in th column at right to learn more about his long and eventful career.

 

Smiling nudist day

Our theme today is smiling nudist men, starting with 

a happy blond at an old fashioned water pump.

 

Nerdy type

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Duo I

When I got ready to post this one, a little bell rang in my head, and I thought the chemistry 

between these two might be indicative of a Wyngate & Bevins fake nudist photo.  

Well, a Google Images search produced no fewer than three established nudist 

websites that said it was the real deal.  I still have my doubts, however.

 

Big smile

This guy looks really happy.

 

Background

The left background on this one is interesting.

Meanwhile, our subject is grinning away.

 

Sauna

This one has to be European.

 

Middle aged

I think this middle aged gentleman is chatting up a female who is out of view.

 

Duo II

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

A big grainy

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Reaching

Our last smiling nudist seems to be reaching for something off camera.

 

Coming Attractions

Here's a list of some posting themes over the next three weeks for those who might be interested:

Tomatsu Yato Japanese Male Nudes

The Year, 1951

Professor Desbonnet's Gym and Studio

Hairy Behinds

 

Tony Sansone, Part 1 - Nudes

I'm posting a two parter today featuring Tony Sansone.  Part one will be nudes, and part two will be some photo illustrations of one of his exercise manuals.  We start with this photo from the biography American Adonis.  No photographer was listed, but it was probably Edwin Townsend.

 

New Find

In 1932 Tony Sansone published a book of mostly nude photos called Modern Classics.  

Some copies of this book have recently come onto the vintage resale market where they 

are fetching upwards of $500.  I'm actually surprised they don't bring more, but I think 

about 20,000 were originally sold, so that may hold the resale value down.  The photo 

above is new to me, from the book, and widely attributed to Edwin Townsend.

 

Mirror

Although we might hope for a sharper photo,  

this mirror shot by Edwin Townsend is quite good.

 

George Platt Lynes

It's always wonderful when two forms of genius come together, and this photo of Tony Sansone in front of a fireplace by George Platt Lynes is an example.  I have previously posted another derriere shot from this session, but I have been unable to find and frontals of Mr. Sansone by Mr. Lynes.

 

Man of Steel

Although this last R-rated picture does not have a photographer attribution,

it certainsly looks very much like Edwin Townsend's work.

I like the Superman "man of steel" pose.

 

Tony Sansone, Part 2 - 1938 Exercise Manual

In 1938 Tony Sansone published a home exercise manual called Progressinve Home Physical Training.  We don't know who did the photography, but they did a pretty good job of presenting this amazing man at age 33.  The photos I'm posting are actually from posters that were included in the purchase of the book.  As such they could be placed in view to guide the exercises.  Nice touch, that.

We start with two pictures that immediately caught my eye.

 

Motion

Although this one isn't as graphically effective as another photo in this set,

the mirror image is meant to indicate the motion needed for the exercise.

 

Two approaches

Here we see two of Tony Sansone's approaches to developing upper body strength.  The top photo shows him using two chairs to do a vertical pushup, while a more standard type is shown below.

 

Motion II

Here's another example of negative flipping to strongly imply motion.

The device Mr. Sansone is holding was also used in rolling floor exercises.

 

Grace and Art

Our last image from Tony Sansone's 1938 exercise manual show how he managed to include photos that were both artistic and graceful.  This was a hallmark of his long career as a model and physical culture advocate.  He knew what he was doing and did it beautifully.