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Monday, May 5, 2025
Hillgardner Brothers
Brothers Frank and Bill Hillgardner were known to have separately posed for Lon of New York and Lou Melan, aka Louis Melancon, but I'm not sure who took this duo shot. I am sure that I like it a lot.
I have a confused photographer ID on this, probably from Twitter (aka X) which I never got around to cleaning up: Lou Melan-Moss, Photo-Spartan of Hollywood, aka Constantine. New York (or Los Angeles). 1939-40. So Lou Melan may be correct, probably in NY. Note: Bill is in the foreground. His younger brother Frank is standing behind Bill -- 2ndWave.
Wow. This is a wonderful image. Perfect, complementary poses. No sign of any awkwardness. I guess the brothers had great interpersonal chemistry. Interesting to see their similar physiques.
They do look comfortable together, but then they are brothers. The pose is indeed remarkable, managing to look natural when it isn't something one would ordinarily do.
Bill Hillgardner is considered to be the first “Mr. America “ by winning several bodybuilding awards in 1938. These contests Bill won Are the same contests that determine the the title of Mr America, or what it has morphed into today. Several bodybuilding governing bodies merged in the beginning years. This is the same contest that went through the 1940s and 1950s producing Steve Reves and others.
This is the first time I have seen these males, and I like them a lot.
ReplyDeleteI have a confused photographer ID on this, probably from Twitter (aka X) which I never got around to cleaning up:
ReplyDeleteLou Melan-Moss, Photo-Spartan of Hollywood, aka Constantine. New York (or Los Angeles). 1939-40. So Lou Melan may be correct, probably in NY.
Note: Bill is in the foreground. His younger brother Frank is standing behind Bill
-- 2ndWave.
Thanks! That all makes sense from what little I know about the brothers.
DeleteWow. This is a wonderful image. Perfect, complementary poses. No sign of any awkwardness. I guess the brothers had great interpersonal chemistry. Interesting to see their similar physiques.
ReplyDeleteThey do look comfortable together, but then they are brothers. The pose is indeed remarkable, managing to look natural when it isn't something one would ordinarily do.
DeleteMount up!
ReplyDeleteLOL.. I assume they trained together.
DeleteIt's a great shot, I'm comfortable with my brother but not that comfortable. Lol.
ReplyDeleteThey're both yoga poses....front man is doing 3-legged dog, and rear is a modified side-angle. Both cute! 🥰
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me they didn't know that.
DeleteLes beaux frères Hillgardner posaient comme ballet. An excellent work by this photographer in the style of the frères Ritter.
ReplyDeleteBill Hillgardner is considered to be the first “Mr. America “ by winning several bodybuilding awards in 1938. These contests Bill won Are the same contests that determine the the title of Mr America, or what it has morphed into today. Several bodybuilding governing bodies merged in the beginning years. This is the same contest that went through the 1940s and 1950s producing Steve Reves and others.
ReplyDeleteTrue. At various times there were competing entities crowning Mr. Americas.
DeleteSo Gutaussehender Brüder, sie machen das Posieren zu einer Kunstform. Der Fotograf nutzt ihre Schatten gut aus. (“)
ReplyDeleteLove the standing brother… Very cute!
ReplyDeleteJust noticed the double shadows. Excellent!
ReplyDelete