The Muscle Beach scene was in full swing by 1948, and something approaching
"muscle mania" became an almost worldwide phenomenon. Above we have (l-r)
Steve Reeves, John Grimek, and Andre Drapp at a London competition.
The 1948 Olympic heavyweight lifters are shown above. John Davis (USA) took gold, Norb Schemansky (USA) won silver, and Dutchman Abraham Charite" took silver.
And what a lovely lineup of bulges showing through the singlets!
Here's another group with a bunch of big trophies and John Grimek on a throne.
Flanking him are Steve Reeves and George Eiferman.
Andre Drapp looks fantastic in the first shot, and I have always liked George Eiferman.
ReplyDeleteI have collections of both those guys' photos.
DeleteDrapp was wearing VERY brief posers for 1948 - naughty !
DeleteBrief posers were de riguer en France :)
DeleteLast photo Mr USA 1949 held at the Shrine Auditorium Los Angeles.
ReplyDeleteMany felt that Steve Reeves deserved the title as he had a better physique than Grimek….:)
Thanks for the location.
DeleteMr. Charite, the weightlifter on the right, seems to be wearing his uniform backwards.
ReplyDeleteWell, he was French, so there's that.
DeleteQuatre beaux bodybuilders, Reeves, Drapp, Grimek et Eiferman.
ReplyDeleteReeves created quite a sensation in France when he visited in 1948 to compete in Mr World, un cadeau de dieux. You can see the contest as featured on the films le plus belle homme du monde and Riviera Dream on YouTube.