Son of Samson/Son of Cleopatra (1960)

When Steve Reeves caused a sensation in Hercules, Italian producers were quick to search for other American actors to fill the beefcake quota in sword-and-sandal films. One of the first of these was Mark Forest, a Brooklyn-born bodybuilder known as "The Adonis with the Perfect Physique," who went on to make a dozen mythical muscleman movies. In one of the best, Son of Samson, he shows up in the ancient Egyptian city of Tanis where the evil Queen Smedes (Folies Bergere dancer Chelo Alonso) is making it tough for the common folk. A spectacular tale of strength and seduction, presented in lustrous color and scope with the original theatrical trailer! PLUS a bonus feature, Son of Cleopatra, in which Mark Damon (the young romantic lead of Roger Corman's House of Usher) stars as El Kabir, an Egyptian Robin Hood who fights for his people against the oppressive rule of Rome. Co-starring Italian bombshell Scilla Gablel (Mill of the Stone Women). Three hours of bicep-straining action on one special two-sided DVD!

Mighty Mark the Magnificent!

IF you've never seen a Mark Forest muscle man movie this might be a good introduction, although I prefer him in "Mole Men Against the Son of Hercules" and "Kindar the Invulnerable." Forest had the most phenomenal torso of any of the Italian Hercules actors who flooded Rome during the heyday of "Hercules." Steve Reeves is still the apogee of blazing male beauty but Forest was more massive with enormous pecs, lats and a famously ridged stomach. His face was a work of art and his frequent scenes with actresses were sensuously believable. Forest exuded sex while Reeves was more godlike and remote. Forest was the most popular physique model of the 50s and went on to win Mr. America and Mr. Universe. He later became Mae West's favorite muscleboy in her Las Vegas act, next to Reg Lewis. When you watch him, nearly naked, in all of his work, it is to be stare in wonder that a man could be so beautifully put together. Everything from his head to his legs and feet are all perfectly portioned. He left Italian movies at the top of his career and went on to become an opera singer and performed all over Europe. Nowadays, he still sings and teaches opera in los Angeles where he is--surprise--a personal trainer to the stars. March 27, 2007

Don't waste your money, time

Don't waste your money, time
very poor screen and cheap cover.
February 13, 2007

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