VINTAGE ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER | PUMPING IRON ON THE SILVER SCREEN
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Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime with a wig-wearin' female friend, circa 1970s.
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Say what you will about Arnold– he’s always spoken his mind, whether people can handle it or not. Remember the 1977 interview with Oui magazine? I can’t print it here, man. Crazy, crazy stuff. The guy’s an animal. Schwarzenegger learned early on that if you’re beautiful, charismatic and powerful– you can say or do just about anything, with a big cheesy smile on your face. All that aside, he’s an icon who put bodybuilding on mainstream America’s map. Yes, there were definitely others before him– but Arnold took it beyond just sport & physical fitness. He made it sexy and entertaining like no one else.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1977 --by Andy Warhol
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Pumping Iron is an absolute pop culture classic (video after the jump). You get to witness the world of bodybuilding arguably at it’s peak– with all the twisted and intense– competitiveness, silliness and drama that sums up our human nature. At times these brutes are fierce, and other times they’re like primping girls at a beauty pageant vainly craving recognition– only much bigger. And don’t forget, this is a sport that comes with a lot of pain & sacrifice. You have to credit them for the years of dedication and intense training– whether it’s your thing or not.
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Bodybuilding legends-- Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbo
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Arnold is such a friggin’ peacock in this film– it’s pure hedonist pleasure to watch. He was the man, and no one questioned it. There were guys with better physiques, more muscular, had better arms, chest, whatever– but Schwarzenegger was the total package, and a charismatic and commanding on at that. This movie put him on the map, and definitely launched his celebrity success and film career.
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Franco Columbo and Arnold Schwarzenegger before facing off-- can you feel the tension?
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There are other legends featured as well who’ve had varying levels of stardom. There’s poor little Franco Columbo who wanted out from under Arnold’s shadow so badly. They were friends, but even still– the tension between them was enough to make you queasy. I have fond memories of Franco in the old “strong man” comptetitions. As a kid, there’s nothing better than watching humungous guys with funny names tow buses and and carry small cars across the finish line with veins the size of rope bulging from every part of their bodies. Big Lou Ferrigno, of Incredible Hulk fame, felt pretty green on the big-time circuit– his Italian Brooklynite Dad was such a strong influence on his kid, and towed him around like the prize bull with a ring through its nose. I’ve always liked Lou, it’s hard not to.
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Vintage Lou Ferrigno, the 6" 5" Italian kid from Brooklyn, NY.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger takes the 1975 Mr. Olympia title, with Lou Ferrigno placing third.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger winning the 1975 Mr. Olympia title.
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1977-- Arnold Schwarzenegger training for a culturisme championship. A five-time Mr Universe and a seven-time Mr Olympia winner.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Jones --1977.
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WordPress is driving me nuts today, formatting is all screwed-up. Sorry.
JP
I like the girl in the picture
I just read that article in Oui, crazy stuff like you said sir. No wonder California is in ruins.
Yup, it’s on thesmokinggun website. Pretty obscene.
grinning EAR TO EAR. Arnold was a big deal in our house growing up. Can’t help but love him, always and forever.
Vintage Arnold. As a governor he is bad.
Ahhh, what better a man to run my beloved state…
So weird was just thinking of posting vintage old-school bodybuilding… Classic! Arnold almost single handedly changed the sport and fitness in America… Great post!
I don’t know about the man’s politics, but Conan the Barbarian is a true classic.
I find those kinds of bodies so unattractive.
There is an interview, I believe on the “Pumping Iron” DVD, where present-day (probably 2003-ish?) Arnold talks about how his intimidating Lou and being an all-around jerk throughout the movie was staged. If true, then he’s never again duplicated such a natural acting style, because he really does come across terribly.
I don’t buy it, and neither do you, The guy’s always been a self-absorbed, cocky arse. It’s what’s made him successful– that do whatever it takes, say whatever it takes– take, take, take mentality. He’s more cartoon than human, that guy. God bless ‘em.
At 38, I’m old enough to actually remember Arnold as a body builder. Pumping Iron is an iconic fitness documentary.