Beefcake


Release Information: November 30, 1999; Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin; Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC); November 30, 1999; Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin; Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC); November 30, 1999; Toronto; Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC); November 30, 1999; Toronto; Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC); June 18, 1999; Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin; Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC); June 18, 1999; Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin; Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC); June 18, 1999; Toronto; Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC); June 18, 1999; Toronto; Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC)

Budget: Budget: $750,000

Production Details

95 minutes, 1997

This feature length docudrama focuses on the male physique magazines of the 1950s mixes footage of interviews with key photographers from this era, including Russ Warner, as well as fans and models of the magazines with archival films and photos of modeling men and the fantastically filmed scenarios. The dramatic portion of the feature reenacts the story of Bob Mizer, alias of Robert Henry Miller. Mizer went from running a modeling agency for men with great physiques to starting his own magazine called PHYSIQUE PICTORIAL, one of the first of it's kind. We also follow a young man from a small town as he heads to California to make a mark, and we meet the many young men staying at Mizer's place while they got themselves set in L.A. We also witness to Mizers odd and flamboyant 'Sunday Film Festivals' where the films he created where shown, but also singing, drinking and even heroin use occurs, as our young character Joe falls with the more dangerous house mate David. Mizer tries to crack down on the drug use in his little home-studio-come-residence, Athletics Model Guild (AMG), and kicks David out. David is let back in and all seems well, but eventually the police arrive to arrest Mizer on charges of conducting a prostitution network. The base of the case for the court is centered around a young man who is taken in by a pimp. He testifies against several of the key 'photographers' involved in the 'physique' photography business. As the details of the case are discussed, Mizer's real sexual behaviors are revealed. The LAPD believed he ran a prostitution ring, based on a series of symbols he had devised to describe the preferences and details about the models, but many of the interviewees have diverse perspectives on the role the 'hustle' played in the AMG studios. The film also includes interviews with figures such as Jack LaLanne as he discusses his gym and his posing for several of the most popular physique magazines, as well as Joe Dallesandro who was in AMG films, but also one of Andy Warhols films. The film grappleswith queer and male sexual politics in the 1950s as the mix of sexual preferences of the models, as well as their diverse perspectives on their roles as models (Mr. America or homo-erotic icon), creates an interesting picture of queer identity in this era.

Source: Library and Archives Canada - Canadian Feature Film Database (LAC)

Contributed Notes

User login

Create a Timeline

Want to see how Canadian film has grown? Create a timeline

Films to discover

Learn more about film

Would you like to learn more about Canadian Film? Athabasca University has a number of courses on media studies and film. Become a student today!

Canadian Film Online Act

Films

Explore

Commentaries

Interviews

People

Explore

Commentaries

Interviews

Research

Resources

Commentaries

Interviews

Policy

Explore

Commentaries

Interviews

Beefcake

Production Details

Contributed Notes