Steve "Hercules" Reeves

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

   I just checked the NYPL Performing Arts Library's clipping file for the late actor, Steve Reeves.

March 18, 1959, NEW YORK POST (Earl Wilson column)
   For Lady Readers who love beefcake, we call attention to WIlson Boy Steve Reeves, weight 203, chest 47 1/2, waist 29, arms 17, calf 18, a San Francisco Muscle Beach product...

June 12, 1959, NEW YORK WORLD-TELEGRAM & SUN, pg. 18
   The method--from the Muscle Beach bar bell set--has given the screen its first male beauty contest winner, Steve Reeves.

November 30, 1961, VARIETY
_What Now, Steve Reeves?_
   With Joseph E. Levine forsaking the spear-and-sandal epics, query arises what happens to Mae West's whilom, Steve Reeves, on whose services Levine has an option, reportedly casual.
   Answer probably, is a shrug.  Italo beef cake cinema continues fairly upbeat, and Reeves hasn't been solely dependent on Levine for his rise therein.  Seems there would be more of a problem beating out the Muscle Beach competition that stampeded to Rome when Reeves hit.

May 22, 1963, VARIETY
   Stever Reeves, Yank muscleman who became a star via the Italo "Hercules" and a raft of other European spear-and-sandal epics, reveals he will star in an "Italian" western, to be shot entirely in the United States.

August 3, 1968, NEW YORK POST
   Steve Reeves, the former Mr. Beautiful America, turned in his sandals and spears in Italy.

(UNIDENTIFIED CLIPPING)
   There he was cast in a low budget spear-and-sandal flick called _Hercules_.

   Spear-and-sandal or sword-and-sandal?
   Muscle Beach is in San Francisco or Los Angeles?