After he got out of the Navy in 1946, Bob McCune moved to the West Coast, first to the Bay Area where he studied a few semesters at Stanford U. on the GI Bill. He was "discovered" in a San Francisco gym by some unknown advisor and told he should move to LA where the Muscle Beach scene was developing. That let to competitive bodybuilding and his winning national titles in '47, '48, and '49, the latter being Mr. America. This photo was made at Muscle Beach by an unknown.
This photo from an unknown competition shows Bob McCune at right
and a guy named Steve Reeves at left. I don't know who won.
Great shot of glorious males. Love it. Thanks, Jerry.
ReplyDeleteCant be sure, but that looks like George Eiferman next to Reeves
ReplyDeleteAs usual, you have a sharp eye! I just checked my Eiferman photos, and I think you're right.
DeleteI just googled eiferman and he also had an interesting life - a sidetrack on Steve Reeves revealed that his first wife was actress Sandra Smith who is noted for being a villain in the last original Star Trek who switches mentalities with Kirk - interesting where some of these searches lead you lpl
DeleteI never cease to be amazed by the interesting things that turn up in these guys' lives.
DeleteMy records also say that that's Eiferman next to Reeves. Between Eiferman and McCune is Armand Tanny. This is from the late 1940s.
ReplyDeleteWhat I always loved about this photo is that Reeves and Eiferman are holding hands. Maybe it was just the excitement of anticipation about who's gonna win the competition. But I always wondered if something else was going on. Aahh, my imagination.
Thanks for the info. I have pictures of Armand Tanny and somehow missed him.
DeleteJerry, the contest photo is from the 1949 Mr. USA held in Los Angeles, CA.
ReplyDeleteIt was controversial because the winner John Grimek, was not in the best of shape compared to the other contestants. Many felt Steve Reeves should have won it and he placed third!
It was obvious that bodybuilding "politics" had a lot to do with it.
John Grimek was the "old lion" of bodybuilding, and many suspected that was why he was "made" the winner.
-RJ in the IE.
Any time judging is involved, there is a good chance of favoritism or outright corruption. Bodybuilding, figure skating, boxing, and even dog shows have all had their scandals. Thanks for the provenance on the photo, RJ!
DeleteWhat really put the nail in coffin for Muscle Beach was the opening of
ReplyDeletePacific Ocean Park in 1958. The owners of PoP did not want any competition,
primarily from the concessions at Muscle Beach.
-Rj in the IE.