The evolution of men's physiques in movies...

[CanuckAmok]

I just started watching "Spartacus", and it made me realise just how much highter the bar is set for mens' fitness/musculature in film today. I mean, look at someone like Kirk Douglas, or Johnny Weismuller (sp?), or Sean Connery, or Steve McQueen...those guys are fairly trim and somewhat athletic, but they're not modern-day buff. And, another observation...many of the bit actors and extras in Spartacus, who are supposed to be slaves suffering lives of starvation and hard labour, are kind of 'well-fed' looking...the Romans must have brought Krispy Kreme with them to Lybia!

It's just an observation. I'm no matineee idol, and I have a body similar to ol' Spartacus. But look at any modern actor, even someone like Nick Cage or Christian Bale...those guys are CUT, and they're not even typecast as 'action heroes' (well, Cage is, sort of, but not really).

I'm going to dip back into "The Adonis Complex" tonight and see what the authors have to say about the evolution of 'leading men' bodies....

[Susang]

1. I agree

It's the same with women. It's actually quite interesting to look at films from the past and watch the evolution. It gets kind of creepy once you get past the late eighties. No longer do you see any sort of imperfection on any of the actors or actresses. It's really horrible and it makes one understand why eating disorders have skyrocketed for both sexes in recent years.

[CanuckAmok]

2. Yeah, it's weird...

I know there's alot of focus on womens' body issues (and with good cause), but I've only ever come across one serious book (The Adonis Complex) which touches on mens' body-image issues, although I'm sure there are more available.

One thing I've noticed is that even into the late seventies, you can still see evidence of women wearing 'foundation garments' under dresses and pants in movies. Men who go shirtless don't have that 'advantage' (for lack of a better word). It suggests to me that what we are seeing now is a result of extreme science which wasn't available back then. I mean, Weismuller was an Olympic athlete, and he's very average-looking, by today's standards...

[Susang]

7. Oh, I don't know...

Check out some old Star Trek episodes. Capt. Kirk was known for wearing a "tummy control" uniform in some of the episodes. Perhaps it's because women are more aware of the power of costume, but check out the uniform he wears that has the green top and tan bottom, it angles down at the waist to slim his very visible belly.

[CanuckAmok]

8. Oh, yeah, I acknowledge that...

...Sean Connery and Roger Moore did, too. So did Tony Curtis, Michael Caine, and probably many more men who don't admit it...

But I'm talking about 'topless' roles, like the gladiator and bible epics, Tarzan, etc... Nowhere to hide, there.

[ldf]

14. check out sean connery

in zardoz.

he is HOT!!!

[CanuckAmok]

15. Ooooo...Zardoz... I forgot about that one!

Fun pic.

[NJCher]

3. another interesting contrast

British television. These people look like real people, not the androids in American television.


Cher

[CanuckAmok]

4. That's what happens when...

...you have a country where every gym is licensed to sell spirits between 3pm and midnight, and has a deep-fried Mars Bar kiosk in the steamroom.

[CanuckAmok]

5. That's what happens when...

...you have a country where every gym is licensed to sell spirits between 3pm and midnight, and has a deep-fried Mars Bar kiosk in the steamroom.

[TeeYiYi]

6. Teeth have come a long way as well . . .

. . . I've really started to notice how bad teeth were in some older films.

Although, some people in entertainment are now overdoing it with the teeth whitener.

TYY

[SoCalDem]

9. Airbrushing and digital enhancement in print venues

have made "normal" unattainable by most people.. and the fact that the largest demographic group in the uS of A are starting to age, and most do not like it ONE BIT :)

[darkstar]

10. Great topic !

Was thinking about this last weekend watching Beneath the Planet of the Apes. My wife and I and another couple had a long chat afterwards about the evolution of H-wood and broader cultural standards. We seemed to be in relatively broad--if uninformed by other than our opinions--argreement that idealized women's body types had cycled more often in last hundred years (flappers, Monroe, Twiggy, Lateitia Casta) and that it was only with the advent of Gen Boomer/women's movement that there has ever been such a pressing need for men to "keep up."

Not to paint either of those influences as bad things, of course. It's just that seem to men have become objectified in the last 50 years or so in a way that women long have been. Imagine a topless James Franciscus or Heston of the 60's or Redford or Eastwood of the 70's trying to fly as H-wood "hunky" now.

[regnaD kciN]

11. One word...

STEROIDS.

;-)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

12. I agree and disagree.

Kirk Douglas was pretty buff in his Spartacus prime, not steroid/Arnold level but compares very favorably with many actors today.

Charles Bronson was SERIOUSLY chiseled in his prime:



But, yes, I think the science of weight training, with/without roids, is considerably different than 30-40 yrs. ago.

And the standards of what is considered attractive on women have completely changed in this country as reflected in both movie stars and centerfolds. Marilyn Monroe would probably be considered too chunky or soft bodied to get started as a cheesecake female lead in this day and age.

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Yeah, men are under pressure to look good at any cost now

just like the gals. :(

[joeybee12]

16. The ideal for Men's AND Women's bodies has changed...

...look at Marilyn Monroe--they'd laugh her off the studio lot if she tried to get a job--just a tad chubby, but that was the ideal back then. Today, the emaciated look is in.

Rent Muscle Beach with Frankie and Annette--there'sa line-up of professional bodybuilders in the movie--they really wouldn't get far today--would just look like soemone who is dedicated to going to the gym, not someone who is brain-dead and on steroids--like, take Ahnuld as an example!