Part 2 of 2

By David Gentle

Then in the early part of 1941, Steve Stanko astounded the lifting world by amassing the first 1000 pound total on the Olympic lifts, a real milestone in lifting history.  Yet less than two months later he was defeated for the national championship in Philadelphia by John Davis and Lou Abele.  This happened because in late 1939 Steve developed a serious deep phlebitis condition that was to plague him for the rest of his life, and which eventually "did him in."  No doubt the heavy training he did earlier to make that 1000 pound total did take its toll.  However, Stanko was forced to stay in bed for the remainder of '41.  During this time he lost over 60 pounds and looked emaciated.  By 1942 he had recovered enough to try some very light weight training.  He exercised mostly in a lying or sitting position to keep the strain off his legs.  During '42 and '43 he succeeded in redeveloping his body back to 210 pounds and looked impressively muscular.  Most of the lifters in the gym began urging him to enter physique competition.  He scoffed at the idea at first, but by 1944 he began giving it some thought.  Everyone continued to encourage him.  Then in early April of 1944 he entered and won the Mr. Mid-Atlantic contest.  A month or two later he annexed the Jr. Mr. America, and finally that June he took the Mr. America crown, thus he won three straight physique titles.  And for someone who doctors predicted would not live long enough to reach his mid-30s, he fooled them and made it into his 60s.

During the 1940 and '41 Mr. American competitions, the runner-up in those contests to John Grimek was the powerfully build policeman, Frank Leight, but in 1942 he hit the jackpot and won the Mr. America title in Cincinnati.  He was followed by Jules Bacon in 1943.  Jules was much lighter in bodyweight and size but had outstanding shape, plus unusual muscularity from that time.  The next winner was Stanko, and he was followed by Clancy Ross in 1943.  Clancy was then in the service but winning the Mr. America made him a well-known figure in bodybuilding circles.  A few years later he came to London and won his height class in the Universe contest.  Today Clancy is still involved in gym operations.

In 1946 a man with an unusual lat-spread took the title.  He was Al Stephens, and he was followed by the famous Steve Reeves.  Steve made a fortune in motion pictures and has become a legendary figure.  Now in his 50s he still maintains an impressive physique.

That same year, 1947, York Barbell Company sponsored the USA's first World Weightlifting Championships.  They were held in Philadelphia at Convention Hall, and with these championships was held the FIRST Mr. Universe contest... and Stanko won the title.  Grimek and Reeves were not entered.

The panel of judges at the 1948 Mr. Univese contest in Lond.  From left: Arax, Tromp Van Digglen, Hackenschmidt, George Walsh (Head Judge), George Greenwood, and Dr. Bankoff.

The 1948 Olympics were held in London, and Link House Publications, a large publishing firm, wanted to make 1948 a banner year.  They decided to feature a Mr. Universe contest to commemorate the Olympics.  They organized NABBA and presented one of he best muscle displays ever.  The crowed was overflowing.  Out of the numerous entries only three were selected for top honors.  They were, Grimek, Reeves and Andre Drappe.  After the winners were announced, Reeves, acknowledged Grimek as being "the greatest bodybuilder that ever lived, and the judging was unbiased and eminently fair."  However, Reeves went on to Cannes, France a week later and won the Mr. World title.  Grimek had other plans and could not make the trip.

That same year, 1948, England's greatest weightlifter, Ron Walker, passed away.  The lifting world was stunned.  Walker was a phenomenal lifter for his size and weight and competed with the best.  England has not yet produced another "Ron Walker" and things seem doubtful if we ever will.

By this time most European bodybuilders felt that American physique supremacy was due largely to the American diet, which was better.  The ravages of WW2 created a terrible food shortage throughout Europe.  But by 1950 life was becoming more affluent and a real attempt was being made to supplement the bodybuilder's diet.  Now, however, the craze for bulk and mass had arrived, and more emphasis was being put on doing bench presses, along with the drinking of more milk to gain weight. CONTINUED

cont'd... The uselessness of such cumbersome mass was recognized by some and, consequently, more sophisticated forms of protein, plus multi-vitamin and mineral supplements began to come out.  That resulted in better and more proportionate muscularity, although some had gone to other extremes, living on supplements, "glandular foods" and even drugs. This unhealthy practice has never been recommended, nor are the results worth the risk.  Our body chemistry is controlled by too many other things, including emotions, to be subjected to such devious methods, and to which a number of unexplained deaths. have already been linked.

In 1950 Reeves returned to London and won the Universe title, edging out our own physique champion, Reg Park.  From what had been written about Reeves before coming to London, he got himself in wonderful shape for this contest in just seven weeks of training with the York champions...and he did look in great shape.  Nevertheless, he and Park battled it out to the very end, but Steve was the ultimate winner.  After that victory Steven went on to make several Hercules films, as did Reg when Steve retired from films.  So they both are remembered not only for their outstanding physiques but for their role of Hercules.

Years before, other musclemen cashed in on their muscular physical development via motion pictures.  One of these was the old-timer, Joe Bonomo.  He was featured in a number of film series doing strongman feats.  And Tom Tyler, a international weightlifting champion, was another who made quite a hit in motion pictures, playing various roles.  Gordon Scott, a well-shaped bodybuilder, landed the role of Tarzan, and he become well-known to all movie-going fans.  There have been other musclemen with fine looking athletic bodies who broke into motion pictures and did well, and today there is a greater opportunity for any well-developed person to get into films, or find a spot on TV.  Today more than ever before, musclemen are in demand and are being seen on TV and in films everywhere.

When Bill Pearl won his Mr. America title in 1953, then later came to London and won the Mr. Universe crown, Sean Connery, the fabulous 007 Agent in the James Bond series, also competed.  Connery did not place in that contest but he went on to win greater fame and fortune in the spy series.  Today he still exercises and stays in fine physical shape, and plays golf for recreation. 

Around that time Norb Schemansky was setting World records, and mighty Paul Anderson was being hailed as the World's Strongest Man.  He was the first man to squat  with over 1000 pounds, doing it regularly in a Las Vegas night club.  Today, mighty Paul is down in bodyweight and recovering from a kidney transplant donated by a sister.  We hear that he is progressing nicely and we hope he continues to improve.

Around the mid-60s a massive Californian, Pat Case, broke the 600 pound bench press barrier.  Shortly after that it was reported that Jim Williams, from the Scranton area, made over 700 pounds while working out in the York gym, and later did it in a contest.  The record continues to "rise" as other men continue to push up more and more weight.

When Vern Weaver won the Mr. America title in 1963, the 1958 Mr. America, Tom Sansome (now decreased), won the Mr. Universe title in London.  Later that year discussions were underway to launch Muscular Development magazine.  The first edition, January 1964, came out in the latter part of November in 1963.  It won immediate approval among bodybuilders and athletes alike.

By this time bodybuilding had progressed in Europe beyond recognition, and British bodybuilders began to be noticed.  Reg Park, of course, was the first Britisher to win Mr. Universe in 1951 but shortly after that came such outstanding physique champions as Paul Wynter, Henry Downs, Len Sell, John Hewitt and several others.  In 1966, a youthful Schwarzeneggar, then not quite 20, competed for honors in the Universe contest but was beaten out for the title by Chet Yorton.  However, he came back in '67 and won, and returned three more times to win the professional title.  Since then Arnold has been reaping unusual success, and not only in bodybuilding but in motion pictures as well.  His exploits as Conan The Destroyer are being featured in this edition, which shows him still in fine physical shape.

The latest Mr. America winner, Jeff King, is a massive, well-developed specimen who is liked by everyone.  After he won the Mr. Universe title in London last year, he gave several exhibitions and seminars around England and was very well received.  His plans are to return to London this year and compete as a professional where some still competition is expected.  Last year he beat out John Brown for the amateur title.  An American, Brown introduced disco music to London during muscle posing.  Many favour this addition, but some prefer a more soothing approach.  But come what may, NABBA's Universe contest is well underway and, as always, promises to be London's biggest event. 

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A Century of Muscles
Part 2 of 2
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All Photos are from David Gentle's Classic Photo Collection. These photographs may not be used in any  manner without exclusive written permission.