Tribute to Stan of Sweden - 2

One of the great fetish fads of the sixties was for putting muscle men in skimpy, tight, white, gym shorts. Scott of London was a memorably, sexy exponent of the genre whilst Royale Studio had a claim to be pioneers of the trend with storyettes like 'The Football Ballet' in 1957 and a number of stunning 'Sporting Hunks' 

Bo Johansson by Stan of Sweden

Stan was late joining this party but this contribution to the genre was typically stylish and restrained.

 Bo Johansson is seen here in a different, far from boyish light. In this rear view his shorts look satisfyingly snug, but not unnaturally tight. Their neat new appearance makes an attractive package. The subtly notched leg hem is a true connoisseur's touch.

Patrick Berglund by Stan of Sweden

Patrick Bergland's handsome, classical body-builder pose contrasts with well-worn gym shorts which hint at the hard work needed to produce such a stunning physique and the earthy qualities of the man within. The low waist, slung below the hips, halfway to his groin, trades in practicality for something sexier. The tucked-up legs accentuate the models thigh's and create radiating crease lines outlining his balls, lifted and divided by the centre seam. A surprisingly daring image for Stan.

Hartell Jukka by Stan of Sweden

 The turned-down waist and tucked in legs of this model's shorts create briefer proportions that leave no doubt about the erotic intent. Typically, Stan captures a nervous glance to one side, as if he is embarrassed to be seen making such a daring display of himself. His relatively ordinary, slightly boyish face somehow makes it seem out of character. He leans back against a reassuring pillar in contrived nonchalance, perhaps not realising quite how much his groin is pushed forwards.

Stan has shaped the model's tackle here more in the style of Scott, it's prominent but less explicit in shape (at first sight). The tight centre seam has been pulled right up into the model's groin pushing the dangling assembly to one side where the shadowed outline of his cock can be made out, curving down in front of his balls.

Sture by Stan of Sweden

Stan has also cajoled this model into a forward-thrusting pose, with hands clasped behind leaving no hiding place, not even a prop to hang on to. There's an endearing look of uncertainty in his face, a nervous smile struggling to overcome his embarrassment and the loneliness of standing naked and provocative before the camera. 

His shorts look as if they might be the same ones Bo Johansson was wearing in the first picture. The cut is already brief enough to discomfort any man accustomed to pants that hang from his waist (as was the norm back then). They are pulled high at the sides, defensively, but the waistline still dips low enough to expose a sizeable tuft of pubic hair. The bulk of the model's tackle is even more anonymous here, but the bulging shapes either side of the centre seam and straining crease lines indicate a substantial presence. A curious haze hints at even naughtier details higher up, deemed not fit for publication.  

Billy by Stan of Sweden

Stan has used the same formula here although Billy's incredible 'cut' musculature makes an extremely effective distraction from matters of sensuality. His facial expression can best be described as wary and challenging, confident of his own attractiveness, but less sure about what the photographer is doing with it. 

This image departs from the white, gym shorts formula, reflecting instead the emergence of bolder male fashions in the sixties which even reached into men's swimwear. Mmmm. These belted shorts emphasised the new, daring low waisted style, offering manly reassurance of protection from marauders and support in an emergency.

The forward thrust of the model here seems much more confident, so Stan's fiddling down below comes as something of a surprise. The tucked-up legs don't quite quite fit the glamourous, aloof aura and the massive frontal bulge seems at variance with the impression of boyish innocence. It invokes feelings of doubt and scepticism battling with optimistic desire in the viewer. A bit too perfect perhaps.

Lennart Svensson by Stan of Sweden

Stan picks up another theme of the 50's/60's, taking a leaf out of John Barrington's book with this image of Lennart Svensson wading in the sea in his jeans. It's probably chilly Baltic waters, hence the model's discomforted look, but the scenario is an admiring echo of Barrington's studies of the young men of the Cote d'Azure, like his images of Yves Grangeat, shot for Royale Studio. 

Tribute to Stan of Sweden - 1

The photographs of Stan of Sweden enjoyed a brief vogue during the flowering of beefcake mags in the 1960's. Like Basil Clavering of Royale Studio, he made much use of everyday clothing which gave his muscular models a sense of place in the everyday world instead of isolating them in some unreachable place reserved for the Gods of Physique. Today he seems largely forgotten, this article pays tribute to his stunning male art.

Bo Johansson by Stan of Sweden

Bo Johansson was one of Stan's most popular models.

Boyish looks, but a stunning bodybuilder's physique.

The cap may have gone out of fashion but not the muscles.

Bo Johansson by Stan of Sweden

Bo's quizzical expression here is priceless.

It makes him look like an innocent young man, up from the country,

uncomfortable at being asked to strike the artificial, body-builder pose.

Hans Brown by Stan of Sweden

 Hans Brown looks away, also as though embarrassed about his muscles being on display.

Perhaps not realising how his rebellious, thumbs-in-pockets pose and indrawn abs

 increases the erotic effect.

These pale jeans were a hallmark of Stan's work, they add a casual, improvised air. 

The loose fit on this model suggest they are not the his own attire.

Kent Strom by Stan of Sweden

In this image the dipping waistline and dramatic lighting became something of a classic.

The open pose (another body-builder standard) seems like an invitation from the darkness.

Stan did not shy away from a hairy torso but made a feature of it. 

The side-ties on the model's trunks are dated but still sexy, just one tug!

Hans Inge by Stan of Sweden

Stan didn't use posing pouches (as far as I know) but did get some of his models naked.

Here again the arty lighting deliberately accentuates the hairy regions,

including the lower abdomen, which was daring for it's time.

Kurt Peters by Stan of Sweden

Stan did not restrict himself to body-builders.

This model has a more 'natural' build, though not lacking a pleasing shape.

His older face, hairiness and seaman's tattoos suggest ruggedness and experience.

The clean look of his jeans, though drawn tight, seems reassuringly respectable*.

One of my personal favourites

(*But we should remember that in the 1960's, jeans were far from universal wear, their tight sexiness was solely the province of the rebellious young. The white or pale blue variants did not accentuate wear and sexy creases like the indigo ones did, but were regarded as daring and very showy in a way that was rather disreputable for a man)

Niels Anton by Stan of Sweden

This looks like a tough, working man too, although he's more muscularly built.

The ice hook adds an overt edge, which is unusual in Stan's work. 

The pale jeans have been swapped for a corduroy pair (alluringly tactile in their day). 

The tight fit suggests they might be the model's own clothes.

The waistline abruptly interrupts the line of the model's torso, bluntly obscuring his nakedness. 

But the cut-off across the line of his abs is teasing, with a hint of pubic hair escaping.

Lower down, the opening of his crotch is clearly visible below a modest bulge.

Niels Anton by Stan of Sweden

In this image the naked torso seems a more natural complement to the jeans.

They showcase his manly, broad-shouldered physique. 

His slightly youthful face with aspirational 'tache-let and knowingly coiffured hair

is a marvellous portrait of emerging manhood.

However, his open crotch, the shape of the hook and the way he is holding it 

creates a electric erotic undercurrent which is hard to define but unmistakeable.

Notice the hair showing under his arm-pit.

Sivert Olsen by Stan of Sweden

The frightened expression of this young bodybuilder performing a side pose under harsh lighting makes a thought-provoking complement to Niels Anton's scary hook above. Stan had a talent for capturing the uncertainty of young men.

Stan took many conventional images of body-builders posing in competitions, which is no doubt how he won their confidence and was able to persuade them to pose 'out of their trunks' for more interesting imagery. There's an impression here that Sivert is in the process of loosening his side-ties and about to take his trunks off, but Stan usually wanted these muscular models to put clothes on for his photos.

Bo Johansson by Stan of Sweden

In this image Stan catches Bo Johansson in a pose that is the epitome of awkward, uncertainty.

The model seems to be pouting in irritation and frustration,

but he's unwittingly showing his obedience to Stan's wishes.

This isn't a body-builder's pose, there's a hint of captivity about it.

Sven Eric by Stan of Sweden.

Stan seems to have a trick for drawing out the hairiness of a man's body, an oil or water spray perhaps. 

Maybe that is responsible for Sven Erick's expression of saintly patience and forbearance here.

Coupled with the oversize jeans, it creates an impression of him being manipulated and controlled.

That is the true reality, but the gay viewer can vicariously enjoy the illusion of submissivness.

Tord Eric by Sven of Sweden

Stan's male imagery is sexily unique in many ways, but he joins the beefcake mainstream 

with this image of Tord Eric in a US Navy cap, AMG-style.

However the sweeping dip of the model's trunks creates a stronger image than a pouch would.

The original image may have given a better idea of it's contents!

In Part 2, I look at his images which echo themes from other photographers.

Sensory Hazards

Image courtesy of Wrestler4Hire

Washed Up

Mitchell is on holiday but I have lined up intermittent posts until I return in late October.

If anyone finds my lost slave, please hand him in at the Rescue Centre.

I don't have an attribution, I got this from the Bdgmuscle Collective

Another idea for an unconventional holiday below.

An AI reinterpretation of the same image.

 

Modern Pirates aren't much different from their historical predecessors.

Desert islands probably are. I hope so for his sake!

The Captain has already lost his super tanker and his uniform.

He's taken precautions against losing his hi-vis trunks.

~

For more captions click the mitchmods label below

Royale's Football Ballet series

Royale Studio - The Football Ballet, FOBA1-19 Double Caning

Royale's Football Ballet series which contains some of Royale Studio's most memorable punishment scenes is now complete and can be viewed at the Gallery.

view The Football Ballet

Men in Tights addendum

 In my excitement while writing this post, I left out the sexiest picture of all!

It's now added to Part 2 and I have revised the text of both parts to create a more consistent and cohesive storyline.

Enjoy again the subjugation of Flex!

N.B. I have been unable to identify the Flex or find a picture of him unmasked,
Can anyone help?

Men in Tights - 2

Continued from Part 1

When Phoenix Flex comes to, feeling slightly fuzzy,  he discovers to his horror that The Silent Shadow has started to remove his hero suit while he was unconscious. 

His arms are trapped in the rolled down fabric so he can't stop him.

The Shadow believes he is impersonating his old adversary, 'The Flash' 

(The Hero who was the suit's original owner).  

Of course, being a Silent Shadow he can't say so to Flex. 

Lacking that info, Flex thinks he must want to steal the suit from him. 

Already he feels it's 'Hero Power Enablement' feature slipping away from him.

As if to emphasise Flex's vulnerability without his suit,

 the Shadow jerks his head back and squashes his right nipple.

 His 'Power-Grip' gloves apply extra-human pressure. 

Flex gasps in agony, but is still unable to defend himself.

Sneering (silently) at his opponent's weakness, The Shadow up-ends him

He transfers his crushing grip back to that other more interesting area.

Flex can't stop himself from letting out an agonised yell as his sore balls 

are subjected to another squeeze.

The Shadow pauses his devastating assault,

To investigate the fascinating shape he has found in Flex's tights.

It's unlike anything he's ever seen before, 

All Heroes have smooth crotches, not this strange little peg*. 

He nudges it tenderly with his hands feeling a strange sensation swirl within him, 

That makes him realise - it must be some evil trick!

*Of course, The Shadow has a human sub-ego with a dick himself, but when he assumes his Hero Villain persona, all inconvenient human traits - physical and psychological are suppressed and hidden.

 

Regaining his self control, he recoils in horror and stamps on the offending object, 

Meanwhile Flex has succeeded in freeing his hands, but it's too late,

His crotch is wide open and his balls (and more) are well and truly busted.

Flex howls, nursing a throbbing (and terribly painful) swelling,

He's unnerved by the silent, unprovoked attack 

and it's vicious success has severely dented his Heroic aspirations.

It's a bitter pill, but escape seems his only option,

He rolls over and begins to crawl away.

But The Shadow is not about to let his new enemy escape that easily

Especially not after experiencing that strange moment of thrall from him.

Be he genuine Hero or clumsy imposter, this character must be neutralised 

For the good of all of Super-Villaindom!

He just succeeds in stopping him from escaping by grabbing his tights.

As Flex continues to wriggle away, his tights peel off in The Shadow's grip.

The Shadow experiences that strange feeling again as he sees what is revealed.

It makes him confused about why he is trying to prevent Flex from escaping.

Dimly The Shadow realises he's being enchanted by those mesmerising globes.

Summoning his reserves of  villainy he looks away and makes a grab for Flex's neck.

A tight choke hold soon subdues his opponent's struggles.

But The Shadow can't stop himself checking out his peg again.

He is convinced that some secret power must lie within it.

Angrily, he hauls the unresisting Flex to his feet,

 how can this pathetic excuse for a Hero mesmerise him so much?

And yet with so little?

Standing behind, the peg is invisible and unable to exert it's distracting influence.

To neutralise it, he delivers a second vicious upper cut between Flex's legs.

It's more effective than he dared hope, Flex screams and doubles up.

But as he bends The Shadow is exposed to the full glare of his hairy ass.

He reels back, his body swimming with more, confused feelings.

Flex sinks to his knees, cradling his crotch and pleading to be spared

To his astonishment, The Shadow finds himself thinking, why not?

Are there not other things he might do with this strangely alluring creature? 

But then realises it's another of his tricks.

To shut Flex up, he pulls back his head and drops down onto it,

locking his neck under his armpit and levering him into a back-breaking arch.

Pit odours assail Flex's senses through the sweaty dampness of The Shadow's suit.

He feels The Shadow's glove tracing lightly across his torso, heading downwards.

It seems to trigger a nerve signal down through the pain in his spine to his ass.

The Shadow, is distracted for some time by the novelty of a helpless Hero's naked body

shuddering with fear and pain at close quarters under his hands.

But he is shocked when he notices that the strange little peg has changed.

It has morphed into something much bigger, firmer and more menacing.

Instinctively he goes for it with his glove, aiming to crush it before it can erupt.

The hot air of Flex's howl suffuses his armpit disturbingly.

Angrily he yanks Flex back by the hair, 

sending him sprawling on the floor.

Once again The Shadow attacks the source of his confusion.

Grinding it under his foot as one might an insect.

To his horror, Flex grabs at his boot as if he likes it there.

The Shadow hastily withdraws his foot.

But instead of scampering away, Flex just lies there, 

Protecting himself but leaving his legs wide open.

He seems to be challenging The Shadow to do it again.

Despite his inner fear, The Shadow obliges, 

He feels a grim satisfaction, crushing Flex's hand as well as his peg.

Looking down on Flex's naked body, his hair- flecked pecs and stubbly chin

The Shadow realises he doesn't want to let Flex go,

But to struggle with all the strange tricks his body seems to offer.

His mind made up, he picks up shreds of the ex-hero's suit 

and begins to bind him with it, hand and foot.

It's the first time he's restrained a defeated opponent in this way.

And he finds Flex's feeble resistance strangely satisfying.

It's almost as if he's collaborating, willing The Shadow on.

Lying naked at The Shadow's feet feet in a V-tied, hog restraint,

Flex squirms, grunting as he half-heartedly tests the bindings. 

But the Hero qualities of the suit have turned against him

The power in it seals his entrapment.

Flex's shoulders are broad and muscled, his buttocks plump and round

And The Shadow finds that sight more mesmerising than ever.

His hands are drawn towards the dark place between the thighs.

Just in time he checks himself.

 If Flex's globes can still enthrall him, what of the deceptive peg?

He kneels to roll Flex over to inspect his unprotected groin.

Flex moans as if he dreads his conquerer's touch. 

The Shadow likes him responding in this way.

As he heaves the heavy body up, he is distracted again by Flex's buttocks

They are now just inches away and bunched up tightly by the rolling action.

Helpless wriggling fingers stretch out protectively across them.

The Shadow senses the mysterious power that lurks down there 

and resolves to look into it later - in a more suitable place. 

As he rolls the defeated Flex onto his side, 

His nakedness spells out the totality of The Shadow's victory.

"You are mine now, Flash" he crows, silently,

"All my life I have wanted you and now you are mine. All mine".

 Flex somehow understands these thoughts

 realising that he has inherited a truly heroic mantle, that of The Flash.

It's a position that exceeds his wildest ambitions.

"Yes master", he murmurs, "I'm yours".

~

And at that moment, in a room, not far away, a weary-looking, strongly built man looks away from his TV screen which is showing a biff-bash movie. He sits wonderingly for a moment, then he takes off his yellow mask, goes to the kitchen and drops it into the rubbish bin. The Silent Shadow has been neutralised at last.

 Now he can give up his job in the Heroes shop and retire in peace.

 Smiling he returns to his armchair, picks up the remote and changes channel.

~

Read the whole saga from Part 1

See stills and video trailer of Phoenix Flex v Silent Shadow

in Hero Hunks at Wrestler 4 Hire