PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES

When first we practice to deceive!
Ah, what a tangled web we weave.

BY THE EDITORS

IN a diarrhetic outpouring of oily piety, outraged virtue and split infinitives, that self-appointed guardian of public morality, Carrie Nation (otherwise known as Bob Hoffman), makes a serious charge against four popular physique magazines two of which are Adonis and Body Beautiful.

Specifically he accuses them of pandering to homosexuals through publication of nude and semi-nude photographs of leading bodybuilders.

Moreover, he infers that any bodybuilder who poses in the buff bare is himself homosexual, either de facto, or is soon to make his debut.

In a fine fury Hoffman stamps his little Mary Jane shoe and threatens to force A.A.U. legislation that would bar any athlete from amateur competition whose photograph appears in any of these magazines.

Over the years Hoffman's disregard for the truth has been as notorious as his arrogant interference in physique competition, has been scandalous. But in this vicious attack he has finally reached the point of no return, for in murdering truth by libel he has also committed editorial suicide.

No publisher nor editor can long survive the scorn of irate readers who resent false allegations, distortions of truth and hypocrisy. On each of these counts Hoffman is clearly guilty.

Hoffman says that such magazines suborn homosexuality. We counter by saying that he's done it in spades! Here's why - it's all a matter of public record.

In the matter of nudity, what is done in Adonis and Body Beautiful has been done for years in Hoffman's magazine. Since that publication was founded in 1932, we have been beguiled by a veritable daisy-chain of gentlemen with bulging biceps, bare behinds and bugle-beaded jock straps.

Heading the list of our Knights of the Gorgeous Glutes ol' massa himself! In issue after issue of his magazine, you'll find his august derrire exposed enchantingly to all and sundry as he performs that ancient rite known as the Nindu Namaskur. Others share the opinion, however, that it is more reminiscent of Isadora Duncan in the Rites of Spring.

As you see it's turned invitingly upward like a giant sunflower unfolding to the sun. The photograph we have is in VistaVision and Technicolor - a stunning blush pink, but we think you'll get the point even though we can only show it to you here in black and white. Truly it's an ode to "strength through joy."

Now here is where Hoffman has gone Adonis one better. For many years he conducted a "Miss Lonelyhearts" club for men through the "Leaguers" (that's what ol' massa called them) column of his magazine.

This column was the meeting place of more homosexuals than Krafft-Ebing or Kinsey ever dreamed of! Ostensibly a "pen pals" club, it became notorious with the passing years and was finally discontinued by "request", rumor has it, of higher authorities.

As a result of this column, this, to our knowledge, is the first time in history the faggots have ever been organized.

Hoffman says that anyone who poses in the nude is homosexual or tends to homosexuality. What a colossal insult to such great athletes as Eugen Sandow, George Hackenschmidt, Boby Pandour and the Saxon Brothers, all of whom pioneered in the field of nude physique display, and who cannot now defend themselves.

What a grievous insult it is to all those men who have bought York barbells and equipment, who trained themselves in the image and emulation of those legendary athletes. What a slap in the face it is to those men who are even now on the staff of his magazine. Is Hoffman suggesting that he employing homosexuals on his staff? Does he mean that the star weightlifters whom he claims to have trained and sponsored through the years have now entered "gay life?"

Let's just name a few.

First on our list would be the great John Davis, world's and Olympic champoin heavyweight lifter and a favorite of Hoffman during his competition days. John has been featured on the cover of his magazine - full rear view - entirely unclothed!

Does this then make John homosexual? Don't ask John that question - look, Ma . . no head!

Hoffman's editor, Harry Paschall, who frequently blasts nudity, is also one of the bare-behind boys. The photos accompanying this article prove it.

Viewing his photographs it becomes painfully clear why he thinks G-string and back nude poses are in bad taste. In his case it is not only esthetically in bad taste but totally unnecessary. For believe us, Harry, you've absolutely NOTHING TO HIDE!

Does that make you queer, dear?

Another of Hoffman's official family is Ray Van Cleef, and thereby hangs a tale (if you'll forgive the expression).

Two years ago Ray blasted Adonis and Body Beautiful-type magazines exactly as Hoffman is doing today. Unfortunately he forgot that there are very complete files available on every bodybuilder and that there were photographs of him in the buff-bare way back to the time when he had hair on his head. But centuries!!

In an article called Posing Pioneer Ray was not only given credit by Adonis for being one of the first to popularize nude physique display, but readers were regaled by several well-chosen pictures of Mr. Van Cleef in the nude. And that's the last we've heard of Ray.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

- Isn't this absolutely ravishing! The very end, if you'll pardon the expression. Bob Hoffman makes like Isadora Duncan in the Rite of Spring

- This is Eugen Sandow who popularized muscular display way back in the nineteenth century. He was the inspiration of countless men.

- Siegmund Klein, who is as well muscled today as when this photograph was made more than two decades ago!

- In the twentieth century such men as Ray van Cleef have been in the forefront of the male muscular display movement. This was taken several years ago.

- No physique of modern times has so amazed the world as that of John Grimek, one of the greatest posers of all time.

- Harry Paschall was a physique star of a much earlier day. Artist and sketcher of the male body, he practiced what he doesn't preach.

- The most renowned bodybuilders are not averse to posing like this. Here, Jim Park, Mr. America of 1952 gives us a very beautiful study.