Chains - Back

Turn the model around and chains start doing something different. Draped across the shoulders, pulled behind the body or hanging down the back, they emphasize its long lines while the hard metal creates a great contrast against skin.

1. John Murphy in chains by Bruce Bellas c 1950 in the Mojave desert. Murphy was also photographed alongside fellow model, Bert Elliot, during this shoot.

2. Lance Arlen pulling a chain overhead by Bruce Bellas c 1955 in his LA Studio.

3. Bob Mucci holding a large chain by Bruce Bellas for the Winter 1955 issue of Grecian Guild Studio magazine.

4. John Weidemann holding chains above his head in 1951 by Bruce Bellas in the Mojave desert. This same shoot included fellow model, Kim Fox. Weidemann posed for Bellas often in the early 1950s and was featured in the Gentlemen Prefer Blondes athletic number, "Ain't There Anyone Here for Love?" alongside Jane Russell. Fun fact--another iconic mid-century model, who also worked extensively with Bellas, Ed Fury, was in the same scene and accidentally clipped Jane Russell with his foot during a dive over her head at the very end of that number causing her to fall into the water. She, as a true professional, stayed in character as she came up out of the water and the director, Howard Hawks, kept the take despite the mishap.

5. Walter aka Wally Grimme pulling a chain across his back in front of a furry backdrop by John S. "Jack" Scott aka Scott of London in his studio c 1958.

They also have a knack for directing the eye. A chain can cross the shoulders, trace the spine, wrap around the waist or disappear between the buttocks, turning a simple industrial object into something much more erotic. Sometimes it's restraint, sometimes decoration, and sometimes it's just an excuse to put a beautiful man and a length of chain in the same photograph.

6. Von LaMon holding a chain in front of faux marble pillars and bench by Bruce Bellas c 1962. LaMon was an award winning AAU bodybuilder throughout the 1960s.

7. Richard aka Dick Conrey up on his toes holding a chain by Al Urban of Chicago for Tomorrow's Man magazine around 1955. Conrey had a beautiful furry bubble butt imho.

8. Roy Woodward with wrists in chains by Bruce Bellas in 1950. (I'd love a better quality file for this one. If you have one, please email to bushnstache@gmail.com)

9. Mike Williams pulling a chain from outside the frame. I cannot find clear photographer attribution for this shot. One source says Bruce Bellas during the mid-1950s. Another says this is a totally different Bruce Bellas model from the same period, Garo Nazarian, who I cannot find any info on or other images of.  If you have info, please let me know in the comments or at bushnstache@gmail.com.

10. Mark Wolf wrapped in a chain next to an outdoor pool by Jim French in 1980. Wolf was discovered at a Gold's gym in the late 70's by a talent scout for Colt Magazine.  He is one of my favorite models from that era.

By the 1980s, the idea was still going strong—and getting a little more playful. In this bonus Colt image of Neal Shaw, the chain has essentially become fringe, dangling from the pelvis like metallic decoration. We've come a long way from Townsend's heavy chain on the studio floor, but somehow it's still the same prop doing the job.

11. A bonus shot of Neal Shaw in a leg stretch pose in leather boots, a denim vest, and draped in a chain in front of a tan background.  Neal Shaw's poses remind me of Mad Dog Mains from AMG...they both give it all to the camera.

Please leave any thoughts, questions, additions or corrections in the comments. Thank you, bns