Muscle Beach, Santa Monica , California, 1949

Posted on November 3, 2019 by

Muscle Beach, Venice, California, 1949From the looks of it, this 1949 photo of Muscle Beach along the Venice boardwalk was taken on a busy summer weekend. Those cafés selling 25-cent jumbo malts, 10-cent snow cones and candied apples and cotton candy now sell $5 tee-shirts and $10 sunglasses. But the sign that I really like is on the right: “Physical Services.” I wasn’t sure what they were selling until I read the fine print: classes in tumbling, balancing, gymnastics, and adagio. So now I’m wondering: does anybody teach adagio anymore?

Patrice says: “Back in 1949 Muscle Beach was actually in Santa Monica, just south of SM Pier. It moved to Venice I believe in late 50s or early 60s. And it was on the correct name of the “boardwalk” which is Ocean Front Walk.”

A much quieter early morning shot of the Muscle Beach outdoor gym in June 2018:

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2 responses to “Muscle Beach, Santa Monica , California, 1949”

  1. Jerry Jones says:
    November 3, 2019 at 11:38 pm

    Hi Martin,
    Adagio is the performance of partner acrobalance poses and associated movements that involve stationary balances by a pair of performers. It is performed in professional circus, in various dance disciplines including acro dance and ballet, in pair skating, and as a hobby in university circus groups.
    Adagio in now incorporated as a form of ballet known as partnering in a couples style of dancing.
    I just wounder how many people know what a malt is?
    Can you still buy malt powder? . . .remember the malt dispensers in drug stores soda fountains?

    Reply

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