Photo taken at the Mr USA contest of 1949 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Grimek won the title with Clarence Ross in 2nd and Steve Reeves in 3rd. -Rj
Have no idea who took the picture. May very well have been Mizer, Bellas or even Warner who took the picture as they were all known to photograph physique contests. This particular contest was controversial because the other competitors, Ross, Reeves and Tanny were in better shape than Grimek. Bob Hoffman and John Terpak, both of the AAU, were notorious for using their clout in bodybuilding contests to get their favorites chosen. Hoffman would threaten other judges with threats to end the AAU’s endorsement and recognition of a contest. The audience of 6,000 booed when the trophies were handed out at the 1949 Mr USA contest as they felt the bodybuilders in better shape had been cheated. -Rj
Photo taken at the Mr USA contest of 1949 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Grimek won the title with Clarence Ross in 2nd and Steve Reeves in 3rd.
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Thanks, Rj — this is a great help! Any idea who took the photograph?
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DeleteHave no idea who took the picture. May very well have been Mizer, Bellas or even Warner who took the picture as they were all known to photograph physique contests. This particular contest was controversial because the other competitors, Ross, Reeves and Tanny were in better shape than Grimek. Bob Hoffman and John Terpak, both of the AAU, were notorious for using their clout in bodybuilding contests to get their favorites chosen. Hoffman would threaten other judges with threats to end the AAU’s endorsement and recognition of a contest.
DeleteThe audience of 6,000 booed when the trophies were handed out at the 1949 Mr USA contest as they felt the bodybuilders in better shape had been cheated.
-Rj
Thanks — quite a story, as it turns out!
DeleteGrimek, der König der Muskeln.
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