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Friday, November 20, 2020

Pugilists - Physique Models


Today is boxers day, and we start with this Bruce of LA duo of David Fitzen and James Schwertley.  There are secondary themes in almost all of these, btw.  I posted another photo of these two some time back that prompted some discussion.  See comments below for link.

 

12 comments:

  1. Wow, that is superb..with bonus low hangers too.

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  2. James Schwertley became a priest, and died this past summer at 91. Google him.

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    1. True! There was some discussion of this when I posted another photo of these two a while back. You can see it here if you cut and paste this: http://www.vintagemusclemen.com/2020/09/fitzen-and-james-schwertley-waded-into.html#comment-form

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  3. There's a lot of reading between the lines concerning this photo and the men in it. Schwertley was a bodybuilder and a closeted gay man experimenting with his sexuality; David Fitzen was gay/bi for the time that this was taken. I Also read that Bruce took a series of these photos while visiting (l think) Nebraska, not LA. Fitzen posed for a few more photographers, while Schwertley joined a seminary a year or two later. Then as now, becoming a catholic priest was a good way to avoid one's problems with sexuality. There was a gossipy story about Fitzen and schwertley having an affair that ended badly.

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    1. The best known photos from Bruce's return to Nebraska were indoor shots, some of which were made in an inexpensive motel room with interesting decor. Bobby Bales was the most prolific model in that series, but a guy named Frank Porkorny also appears. Other Nebraska shots include some outdoor riverside shots, so it's entirely possible that today's photo was part of that trip. Also, who's to say Bruce didn't make more than one return visit to his home state? Some of these Nebraska photos differ enough technically and stylistically from each other to have been from different times.

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  4. Fascinating back story about James. Difficult times, forbidden love. A stunning looking man. I assume his bodybuilding was partly inspired by his probable homosexuality. Good to hear he kept up the weight training. I do hope he got personal fulfilment from his life as a priest.

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    1. Yes, his obituary indicated that he had some worthy accomplishments.

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    2. Yup, well though of. And he acknowledged his bodybuilding life, if not perhaps all the modelling.

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  5. Fitzen is so handsome he makes me dizzy. Hairy chest (clipped?) abs to die for, cock and balls that just look fantastic. I'd gladly have an affair with him.

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    1. Too bad that both of these men had their lives circumscribed by their social setting and the attitude of the times.

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    2. That's for sure. But I'm afraid we are sliding back into that attitude again.

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  6. Does any one know or have any more information about David Fitzen?

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