1947 "Mr. America" Contest

by Gord Venables

It was a beautiful day in Chicago...hot as the hinges of Hades. With the temperature at 95 degrees I headed my faded jalopy for the Lane Tech Auditorium, scene of the '47 Nationals and Mr. America contest. I just about made the Lane Tech from the Sherman Hotel on a tankful of gas. They said it wasn't far as the crow flies but I doubt any crow could fly that far.

I saw the Mr. America contest from a fine vantage point - if not the best it was certainly the most precarious. With photographer Douglas of Detroit I was perched on top of a chair that was perched on top of another chair in the percussion section of the orchestra pit. Next to me performing the same equilibristic feat (for which we drew no applause) was lifter Frank Spellman of York and photographer Ken Ryan of Chicago. It would have been much better on the raised platform in the center of the pit (it had been built for the lifting judges) but nothing short of a sardine could wedge his way into that pack of photographers and flash-bulbs.

Previous to the contest Ernie Buschta of Philly and I had scouted the neighborhood drug stores for some extra film and on returning found the choice places already taken. (Every chap in the audience with a camera found his way into that orchestra pit.)

Let me give you an idea of the setup. On the center of the stage was a posing dais and overhead a spotlight of about 2 1/2 candle power. (In the next contest they should use all lights for general illumination and a spot of a No. 2 Photoflood.) Throughout the meet at various times members in the audience would call out "More lights! ... Less lights...turn on the lights!...turn off the lights!...phooey on the lights...etc., etc." But if you had eyes like an owl you were okay.

Each contestant walked out from the wings, mounted the dais, and took a front, side and back pose each of approximately 10 seconds duration. Let me say this about the posing; every contestant went through his routine in fine and flawless style and not one overstayed their allotted posing time. (In the past some chaps failed or refused to hear the referee's time signal and continued extra poses in the hopes of gaining an advantage over their opponents.) Prior to the actual contest a rehearsal was held and the judges impressed on each man the number of poses permitted and how long he could hold each pose. This saved a lot of time and the chaps working behind the scenes knew exactly when and where to get a man out on the posing platform.

Each man came out when called by number and he remained on stage for some 30 seconds doing his three poses. The judges tallied their scores independently of each other then the ten leading men were called out in reverse order (from tenth to first) thus keeping the audience in suspense. (Further on I have listed all the contestants and their point rating.)

The judges were: Charles Postl, Al Urban, Larry Barnholth, Karo Whitfield, Bob Rea, D. K. Penny, Dr. Dudley Watson, Vern Hernlund, Herman Fischer and Roy Armstrong. This was a fair panel of experts. Armstong is Physical Director of Chicago Central Y; Rea is head of Chicago Press Photogs, Assoc.; Fischer is Pres. of Central A.A.U.; Postl is head of world famous health studios; Whitfield is lifting coach at Piedmont A.C. in Atlanta; Urban is a physique potographer; Barnholth is a lifting coach from Akron; and Hernlund has a health studio in Minneapolis. I am sorry I do not know Mr. Penny or Dr. Watson but they must be qualified or they wouldn't be there.

I certainly didn't envy the judges their jobs. There were so many wonderful physiques that, at first glance, it seemed an impossible task. When all the contenders marched across the stage prior to their individual posing it reminded me of a 35 ring circus with every ring a star attraction - you just didn't know where to look. There were so many deserving physiques it seemed a pity that only one "Mr. America" had to be chosen. I was one of the judges that selected Grimek in the first National contest back in 1940. It seemed easy then - but today, well, there are just too many supermen.

The choosing of the winner and runners-up elicited no unfavorable comment from the audience or jury of amateur experts in the orchestra pit. The general consensus of opinion was: "I couldn't have done better myself."

I was amazed at the speed at which the judges counted and averaged the points of each of the 35 competitors. Just how much the judges had pre-determined their selections I do not know but they had plenty of opportunity to do so. The day previous to the contest the Internation Universal Newsreel had corralled most of the "leaders-to-be" on the lawn of the Lane Tech to shoot movies. here the judges, and for that matter all of us, had a chance to size up the men; it wasn't too difficult to pick out those that were certain to place in the first ten.

As there were but six trophies I will start from the sixth place and work down to the winner (with comments later on other oustanding stars).

To select the fifth and six place man George Eifferman of Fritsche's Gym of Philadelphia and Kimon Voyages of Bal's Gym of the Bronx, New York, were called back to the posing dais as they were tie each with 68 points. Maximum score possible was 75 points.) Both men were powerfully muscled with Eifferman having the edge over Voyages in definition but the latter's superb leg development gave the judges a task in breaking the tie but Eifferman got the nod and Voyages took sixth place.

Voyages is a handsome and gentlemanly fellow, reserved and modest, who has taken part in more physique shows than I can remember and has always come out near the top. He probably has more trophies to show for his physique than any other man in the meet.

Eifferman is a comparative newcomer, having sprung into the perfect physique spotlight about six months ago. Besides having won the "Mr. Philadelphia" title he is also known as "Mr. Eastern Coast." His pectoral development is amazing but, like Voyages, he is not a tall man, and, in spite of his wonderful muscularity, found himself outscored by four taller men.

For fourth place the judges selected Johyn Farbotnik of Chicago. Last year John won the "Mr. Chicago" title but is a member of the same club as Eifferman as he originally hails from Philly. Farbotnik had a beautiful tan and skin texture and everyone knew that he would be right up there with the leaders. Earlier this year I considered him a possible winner but after seeing Reeves and Pedersen's photos I knew John would be hard pressed to take the title. (As you will see later there were only 3 points between him and the winner.)

Third place came as a bit of a surprise but judging from the acclaim the audience gave this surprise they were well pleased. The man was Joe Lauriano of the York Barbel Club. In 1945 Joe won the "Jr. Mr. America" title and was a runner-up at the Senior contest. He has classical proportions and his midsection is magnificently muscled.

By this timem excitement ran high. The frenzied whispers and conjectures from the audience sounded like a great symphony orchestra tuning up for the smashing prelude that was to come. The announcer on stage called for quite.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

The crowd hushed and you got that feeling that something big was going to happen.

"Ladies and gentlemen... there is a tie for first place!" . Eric Pedersen and Steve Reeves were each tie with 72 points !

Amid terrific applause Eric Pedersen of Goodrich's Gym of Hollywood, California mounted the dais and again went through his three poses. Never had I seen such a build - and those arms...Wow! Pedersen is blond (slightly on the reddish) and was not very tanned. The reflection from that one lousy spotlight overhead mad him look like a marble statue. I though the title was his...then out came Reeves.

A thunderous approbation of hand clapping that gave way to cheers and whistles from the audience let the judges know in no uncertain terms their acceptance of Reeves. Nor were they disappointed for Steve Reeves of Yarrick's Gym of Oakland, California was announced as the new "Mr. America."

You have to see this young man to really appreciate his build and good looks. Photos don't do him justice. He's twice as good as his pictures ! It would be utter futility for me to try to describe in mere words his physique - such breadth of shoulders and narrowness of waist. His thighs and calf muscles are "out of this world." "Breath-taking" might give you some idea of the audience reaction.

As readers of Strength and Health will recall I never did lean heavily to "Mr. America" contests (in fact, several times I deplored the appellation of "Mr. America.") When these physique contest were in their embryonic stages it was my contention that such show were not for the real iron man. I've changed my opinion!

I believe that "Mr. America" contests do more than anything to interest and initiate young men into body building with weights. Since no athlete can possibly have the physique of a weight-trained man non one other than a weight-trained man will ever win the "Mr. America" title.

A young man gazing at a photo of Grimek, Leight, Goodrich, Essmaker, Stanko, Bacon, Stephans, Ross or Reeves couldn't help but be inspired by such superb builds to take up weight training. He will not only improve his health and physique but will gain strength and may be a potential lifting champion. Yes, great latent strength may lie dormant and unnurtured in some young man's muscles only to blossom forth under the stimulus of seeing a "Mr. America" contest.

I believe a change has been wrought in the conception of the perfect male physique ! Reeves in no manner whatsoever resembles a statue such a Pheidias, Myron or Praxiteles visioned in stone. Pedersen and Lauriano do as did Sandow. I sincerely believe that if the immortal Sandow could have been called back from the Land of Shades to step upon the posing platform against Reeves... he would have lost! But 50 years ago - 500 years ago or 2,500 years ago Reeves couldn't hold a candle to Sandow. But, all that is past and today we seem to have a new streamlined conception of the perfect masculine physique and Steve Reeves epitomizes that conception.

His tremendous breadth of shoulders and extreme slimness of waist are symbolic of the New Physique. He exemplifies speed and grace rather than great strength. (I have no idea of how strong Reeves is or of his lifting ability.)

The trophies to the six winners were presented in an eye-appealing manner. On stage during the entire judging of the contest were six charming young models known as the Patricia Steven's Olympettes. As each man mounted the dais a model presented him with a trophy. Voyages and Eifferman took their prizes smilingly buy shyly. Farbotnik, however, was far from shy. Lauriano didn't want the trophy - he wanted the pretty blonde but the judges had other plans. Pedersen and Reeves accepted theirs with an air of worldly indifference.

Last year's Mr. America, Al Stephans, was introduced and after a short posing routine, congratulated the winner then, with his charming wife, posed on the dais with Reeves for the photographers.

To get back to the contest; as I mentioned, there were 35 contestants. Many of these chaps you've seen in the pages of Strength and Health so here follows a list of their place standings and number of points awarded.

Photo Captions

- Awarded sith place in the 1947 "Mr. America" contest held at the Lane Tech. Auditorium in Chicago was KIMON VOYAGES of Bal's gym of the Bronx, New York. Kimon has competed in several Previous "Mr. America" contests and has always placed and won prizes in the Special Awards Division. This year the judges awarded him a trophy for having the "Best Leg Development." Although this side pose does not show his massive thighs to best advantage if you will look closely at his left leg you will see a complete separation of his biceps. (Photo by Ken Ryne of Chicago.)

- Tieing with 68 points, with Voyages was GEORGE EIFFERMAN of Fritshe's Gym, Philadelphia. After both contestants were brought back to the posing dais Eifferman was given the nod over Voyages. In winning fifth place this husky Philadelphian, winner of two previous important physique contests, gies mute testimony to the calibre of the competition. His magnificently developed chest was much admired by the physique experts. (Photo by Mason Pawlak of Detroit.)

- Winner of the fourth place trophy was JOHN FARBOTNIK, formerly of Philadelphia, now of Chicago. In 1946 John won the "Mr. Chicago" title and was a heavy favorite to cop this year's "Mr. America" crown. In the Special Awards Division he was selected as having the "Best Developed Chest." Shown here he is receiving his trophy from one of the pretty Patricia Steven Olympette models. (This Farbotnik gets chummy right quick, doesn't he ?) Photo by Ken Ryan of Chicago.

- Third place went to JOE LAURIANO of the York Barbell Club, York, Pa. Joe's classical and statuesque physique brought much applause from the spectators. He was winner of the "Junior Mr. America" title in 1945 and has always been a serious contender for the senior crown. He is a native of Hawaii and was formerly their best heavyweight weightlifter. In the Special Awards he took the prize for having the "Best Abdominal Development." (Photo by Ken Ryan of Chicago.)

- The "Most Muscular Man in America" is the special award title that second place man ERIC PEDERSEN of Goodrich's Gym in Hollywood, Calif. won. Eric was tied with the winner, both having 72 points, but the judges, after a second posing routine, gave the coveted title of "Mr. America" to another West Coaster, Steve Reeves ! Later Eric was awarded another trophy for having the "Best Arm Development." He is 5 ft. 10 in. tall, weighs just over 200 pounds, has a 48 in. chest, 30 in. waist and 18 in. biceps. (Photo by Mason Pawlak of Detroit.)

- The winner and your new "Mr. America" STEVE REEVES of Yarick's Gym of Oakland, Calif. He is 20 years old, is 6 ft. 1 in. tall and weighs 220 pounds. We won't say much more here but on the following pages you can read his life story. (Photo by Ken Ryan of Chicago.)

- After winning the contest the pretty Patricia Steven's Olympettes gathered around Steve to feel if his muscles were real. (The lucky god.) Notice that he doesn't seem to find this type of work too unpleasant. The young ladies are, left to right, JACKIE HATTON, TONI KARAN and HELEN STRICKLAND, all of Chicago. (Photo by Ken Ryan of Chicago.)