Russ Warner did a series of Lalane and Jack Thompson. I understand that, when Lalane became "famous," he tried to buy all photos of him naked, but Warner refused. I did not know Dave Martin did not sell his back to Lalane.
Jack Lalanne (1914-2011) got his first TV contract and famously went around to the handful of photographers who had taken nude shots of him and insisted that they hand over their negatives to be destroyed. Russ Warner refused to give them up. It is obvious other Photographers also did not give LaLanne all of their Nude photos. Nudes of Lalanne keep showing up for sale from several different Photographers. I read that Lalane falsely claimed that he had never posed for Nude Photos. This apparently didn't hurt Mr. Lalanne's career because he stayed on TV for 34 years.
I'm fairly certain this one is by Russ Warner. The giveaway is the little (probably fake) rock wall. I have authenticated Warner photos of Frank Stagg, Louis Vinegas, plus at least one more of Mr. Lalanne that feature it.
I was skeptical of the attribution from the start. It just didn't look like a Martin photo. And that wall just threw me. I'm much more inclined to go with Russ Warner. Thanks, Jerry!
Why was Jack Lalanne so worried about people finding out that he posed for Nude Photos? Was it considered to be wrong for Body Builders to pose Nude in the 1950s.? I thought Jack was Married and had children.? Was it not legal to pose Nude for Art in the 1950s.?
Posing was generally not illegal per se. The only legal legal action against models of which I am aware was some of Doug Juleff's in Detroit, and it isn't clear that the charges stuck. It seems that by merely leaving town, they (literally) walked. There were also instances of police harrassment of models in LA, but this was often in relation to their lifestyle as opposed to the fact that they posed nude.
To answer your most salient question about it being considered "wrong" to pose nude in the 1950s, it most certainly was. It easily could have been a TV career killer if it had become widely known the Mr. Lalanne had posed frontally nude. I think he dodged the proverbial bullet when nobody made anything of it.
The 1950s would have been a terrible time period for Nude Male Models and Photographers. For those of us born after 1995 they really do not teach you anything about this in school. The Doug Juleff case in Detroit was horrible.
Russ Warner did a series of Lalane and Jack Thompson. I understand that, when Lalane became "famous," he tried to buy all photos of him naked, but Warner refused. I did not know Dave Martin did not sell his back to Lalane.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember reading something about this. Thanks!
DeleteProblem solved when Warner became La Lannes 'silent partner' for a time.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteWe know what became of LaLanne and Warner, but whatever became of the incredible Jack Thomas ?
DeleteJack Lalanne (1914-2011) got his first TV contract and famously went around to the handful of photographers who had taken nude shots of him and insisted that they hand over their negatives to be destroyed. Russ Warner refused to give them up. It is obvious other Photographers also did not give LaLanne all of their Nude photos. Nudes of Lalanne keep showing up for sale from several different Photographers. I read that Lalane falsely claimed that he had never posed for Nude Photos. This apparently didn't hurt
ReplyDeleteMr. Lalanne's career because he stayed on TV for 34 years.
I'm fairly certain this one is by Russ Warner. The giveaway is the little (probably fake) rock wall. I have authenticated Warner photos of Frank Stagg, Louis Vinegas, plus at least one more of Mr. Lalanne that feature it.
ReplyDeleteI was skeptical of the attribution from the start. It just didn't look like a Martin photo. And that wall just threw me. I'm much more inclined to go with Russ Warner. Thanks, Jerry!
DeleteNo problem, James. It's rare that I can help you out this way.
DeleteWhy was Jack Lalanne so worried about people finding out that he posed for Nude Photos? Was it considered to be wrong for Body Builders to pose Nude in the 1950s.? I thought Jack was Married and had children.? Was it not legal to pose Nude for Art in the 1950s.?
ReplyDeletePosing was generally not illegal per se. The only legal legal action against models of which I am aware was some of Doug Juleff's in Detroit, and it isn't clear that the charges stuck. It seems that by merely leaving town, they (literally) walked. There were also instances of police harrassment of models in LA, but this was often in relation to their lifestyle as opposed to the fact that they posed nude.
DeleteTo answer your most salient question about it being considered "wrong" to pose nude in the 1950s, it most certainly was. It easily could have been a TV career killer if it had become widely known the Mr. Lalanne had posed frontally nude. I think he dodged the proverbial bullet when nobody made anything of it.
The 1950s would have been a terrible time period for Nude Male Models and Photographers. For those of us born after 1995 they really do not teach you anything about this in school. The Doug Juleff case in Detroit was horrible.
DeleteI remember him from back in the day... Never thought I'd see him naked...thanks!
ReplyDelete