VOLUME 5 Number 2

PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL

SUMMER 1955 .....SUBSCRIPTION DATA: Physique Pictorial is published quarterly. Send all subscriptions and correspondence to Physique Pictorial, 1834 W 11th Street, Los Angeles 6, Calif (mailing address only!) Subscription rates are $1,25 1 yr, 3rd class $2.50 for two years by third class mail anywhere in the world. First class sealed rates are $1.50 one yr U.S., or $1.75 foreign; $3 two yrs U.S., or $3.50 2 years foreign. Comments and suggestions always appreciated and permanently filed for reference. .....BACK ISSUES: MARCH 54, JUNE 54, FALL 54, WNTR 54, SPRING 55 at 41 cents each 1st class prepaid. Revue Issue 1 which contains the best photos of the 1952 editions of Pictorial may be had at 50 cents.

FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES: Readers in other countries can arrange to get Physique Pictorial and most of the items advertised therein from the following agents: GREAT BRITAIN: John Valentine, 23 Deanswood Drive Moortown, Leeds 17. Lon Agency 157 High Holborn, W.C. 1, London England. FRANCE: E. Silvien, 39 Rue Sainte Anne, Paris 1, FRANCE. DENMARK: Bladcentralen Fiolstrade 28, Copenhagen Denmark. BELGIUM: Muscles 17 rue Haute, Andrimont, Belgium. GERMANY: Gerhard Prescha Zeitschriften-Grossver trieb Bottgerstrasse 14, Hamburg 13, Deutschland. Send stamped addressed envelope or equivalent to any of these for information.

Crucifixion

of the Arts

Once admired throughout the world for its freedom of art and aesthetic expression, America is seemingly now willing to give up these precious freedoms because of the unceasing efforts of selfish pressure groups. In courts throughout the country this year we have heard of photographs of the human body posed in positions and under circumstances comparable to those in the Sistine Chaple of the Vatican referred to as obscene and indecent. Indeed, the U.S. government served a warrant on aman importing a book of Michael Angelo's paintings calling them obscene and indecent paintings. Only because of their fear of a high court test of the outmoded and unreasonable Comstock Act (which was slipped through on the last day of Congress in 1873) did the U.S. Post Office drop its case against the importer of "Lysistrata" a 2400 year old play which has delighted generations of intelligentsia, though the PO claimed it contained "many passages which are plainly lacivious". The book was defended by consul for the American Civil Liberties Union.

In Los Angeles a group of taxpayers have sued to have a magnificent statue removed from a public building because it is "...obscene and vulgar..." In San Francisco 3 juries intimidated by the published statements of a highly prejudicial judge were pressured into returning verdicts of guilty in cases of photographers sending nude (not lewd) photos by mail to persons they claimed were qualified to use them. Their trials were a travesty on American justice, with expert testimony, countless examples of classic art all being barred by a court who insisted on a purely emotional interpretation. Proof that the community does accept at least some forms of complete nudity-such as the unrestricted showing at all neighborhood theatres of naked savages in motion pictures such as Karamoja, Latuko etc, were refused consideration by this judge who admitted to the assemblage: "I'm an old fashioned man".

Throughout the country many officials and pressure groups have demonstrated that they believe moral censorship should be a function of the state rather than of the church--at least so long as their own personal lives are not particularly affected. They view with contempt the cultural minority whom they regard as "eggheads" and take childish delight in chopping away at their rights of free expression. To be sure, much opposition to nude art comes from well-meaning people who have been convinced by hysterical demagogues that nude representation will lead in some mysterious way to juvenile delinquency (the favorite whipping boy for all censorship projects.). How so? Has anyone heard of nude swimming and showering at YMCA's, High Schools, colleges etc making any juvenile delinquents? On the contrary, it is false and unrealistic social mores, the countless examples of holier-than-thou hypocricy, which cause unstable youth to rebel. Unwilling to become hypocrites themselves, they turn in blind anger against ALL of our standards, and so a social problem is born. Children reared on love and understanding could not be adversely affected by even the worst type of trashy literature or pictorializations. If their natural questions have been honestly and intelligently answered nudity holds no mystery to them. If they see it handled with taste, they take it for granted, while if they see it handled crudely they are disgusted and will have no part of it.

But we can never completely insulate our children from unfavorable influences any more than we can prevent their being exposed to a common cold. Censorships, purges, hysteria while destroying the American citizen's constitutional right to fully inform himself and to read and see what he pleases, have little effect on the really undesirable material young people always have and always will be able to obtain in any large city.

Perhaps part of their effort to make nudity seem to be obscene is a subconscious effort of would-be moralists to divert their own and other's attention from truly serious issues. By campaigning against such a helpless victim which has countless enemies built up by generations of taboo, they can be assured always of at least a partial victory and so they feel inner satisfaction they are making the world a better place. Not nearly so successful would be their efforts to ask their fellow man to give up selfishness, greed, deceit, hate, jealousy and other similar human failings which cause the bulk of all the REAL suffering in this world.

Can any intelligent person regard any art expression whatsoever criminal? Can anyone suffer demonstrable harm from art--even at its inconceivable worst? Yet the penalties in America for nude art are more severe than Bank robbery, manslaughter, assault, official mal-practice and many other forms of undebatable crime wherein a criminal threatens the life, property and welfare of another person. In Los Angeles we heard a judge state he would condone the shooting of a man who would take a nude photograph! In San Francisco and New York recently, judges very clearly stated they felt any form of nudity represented a public manace and must be dealt with severely. In California a teacher will lose the right to teach for wearing a too-brief bathing costume on a public beach!

Like the zealots of the inquisition who burned and tortured "heretics," like the wicked men in Jerusalem 30AD who nailed a man

to the cross because of his "dangerous" religious teachings, so will some men today see other men persecuted, humiliated and deprived of years of liberty because of a nebulous interpretation of what purely aesthetic choices shall be permitted their fellow man! Can the persecuted cultural minority look down from their cross today and say of those who crucify them, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do" "

NUDE PHOTOS NOT AVAILABLE FROM ANY OF THE FIRMS REPRESENTED IN THIS BOOK! Because so many art schools require their students to prepare completely nude figures, physique photographers receive countless requests for this type of work. But government censorship forbids its being furnished. All work offered is of models in brief posing straps or more, carefully edited with a view to preventing any embarrassment to the studio or it customers.

The editor of Physique Pictorial who is also the photographer for the Athletic Model Guild, does not do any nude work andhis personal views are that most figure studies have better harmony and beauty when the models wear brief garments, of neutral form and tone. However, he realizes many do not agree with this stand and he believes every photographer and artist should have the right to make his own decision on this matter. The American Civil Liberties Union has always actively opposed all forms of censorship, and through effective legal machinery have had many successes in this never-ending battle. You may want to join their program. Send them a dime. for the pamphlet "Conformity in the Arts" Address: ACLU 170 Fifth Avenue, New York 10, New York

PLEASE SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS:

In order to give you the best possible book, the editors of Physique Pictorial require the detailed reactions and opinions of as many readers who are willing to help us. To facillitate tabulation, please list the numbers of the following questions on any sheet of paper with your answer following: 1.: What other physique magazines do you now read? 2.: Which Is your favorite (Do not mention Physique Pictorial, but rather your preference of the other magazines.) 3. What are the most common faults in physique magazines (including Pictorial?) 4.: What is the youngest to oldest age groups you feel should be represented in a physique book primarily directed to artists? 5: What is the preferred age group? 6.: Should representation be divided among slender wellproportioned on thru massive muscular builds or should it be restricted to certain types ? 7.: What type of poses should be presented-outdoor natural, so-called classic statuary, muscle display, dance, casual, others? 8.: How important is facial expression--should smiles or pleasantness be frequent or would sober dead-pan expressions be generally prefferable? 9.: Do you feel the paintings and drawings included are suitable for this type of magazine--should there be more or less of such art work? 10. Who are your favorite models and why? 11: If you are willing to take the time would you tabulate your reactions to every model and photo in this issue. Editors carefully study these and are most grateful for your kindness in performing this service. Send tabulations to PP c/o AMG 1834 W 11 Street Los Angeles 6, California.

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Above: Forrester Millard in one of his earliest studies made when he was only 16. Beautiful abdominals such as Millard displays here

are rarely maintained by bodybuilders when they grow beyond their teens. To be sure, later years find bulk increasing, 18 inch arms et al, but the exquisite refinement of early youth is gone forever. Where has nature more beautifully expressed herself than in the human body? It's perfection is an inspiration to us all, that we may lead better, more wholesome, and fuller lives. ....Photo by Athletic Model Guild 1834 W 11 St Los Angeles 6, Calif who offer 4 different sets of 12 photos each (size 4x5) of Millard for $2.50 per set, 4 catalogs of miniatures at 40c, and a set of 6 35mm color slides at $3. AMG also offers 14 other Solo color sets including 4 new sets on models Richard Pursley, Bob Moore, Bob Reeves, and Franco Ceccarrelli. All color sets $3, or two sets for $5. (9 Variety color sets, each having 6 models). AMG stocks dozens of sets of photographs ready for immediate shipment, as well as hundreds of individual model catalogs. It is important that new customers have all 20 of AMG's Master Index Catalogs: $2 for the lot, as they review and give catalog numbers of 700 different models. Latest index catalogs are YL13-1, YM13-1, YN13-1. Latest bulletin is 49, which gives a comprehensive lisiting of all late AMG material including the famous Budget groups.

ABOUT THE MAN ON THE COVER: JOE SURVILAS, 16, 5'10", 180 pounds, blonde, blue eyes. Won the first contest he entered. He loves to swim, hunt, and dance especially tangos, rhumbas, mambo and in fact all South American dances. Follows the theatre and motion pictures carefully because he hopes eventually to be an actor. His idol is Steve Reeves, and he hopes that one day he may become a Mr. Americo. Some weeks find him training as heavily as 5 days. Has a ravenish appetite and it all seems to go to muscle. Biceps are 17", waist 29 Chest 46". Photo was made by Joe Corey, 51 Lopez Street, C t, Cambridge 39, Massachusetts.

....The trunks Joe is wearing are Coronado Sharkskin Briefs price $4.95 offered by AMG 1834 W 11 St LA 6, Calif. Offered in Black, White, Brick red, Aqua, and Royal blue; specify your waist size. Joe is wearing the color Aqua. We urge models not to wear either black or white trunks for photos since both present undesirable contrast-One of the best colors for photos is Brick red.

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