Truly Herculean by Dave Goode

  
 

 When you think of Hercules on film you immediately think of Steve Reeves. And for good reason. It was Reeves' portrayal of the demi-god in HERCULES and HERCULES UNCHAINED that ignited the explosion of musclemen movies that filled movie theaters in the 1960s. Oddly enough Reeves technically didn't have the most herculean physique of the actors to play the man-god. Reeves physique was as Edgar Rice Burroughs described that of his literary creation Tarzan of the Apes. "More Apollo than Hercules". The sinew & sandal star that epitomized the look of raw physical power was Reg Park.

  

Park had placed second to Reeves in the 1950 Mr.Universe competition. But he would win the title in 1951 , 1961 and again in 1965. It was only natural that he would find his way into the cinema of sinew and sandals. He would star as Hercules in HERCULES AND THE CAPTIVE WOMEN , HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD and HERCULES THE AVENGER. In HERCULES PRISONER OF EVIL he actually portrays Ursus. And of course in MACISTE IN KING SOLOMON'S MINES he plays the strength hero Maciste.

   

HERCULES IN THE HAUNTED WORLD is probably the best known of Park's peplum pictures.Directed by Mario Bava and co-starring Christopher Lee it has over the years become a cult classic. But my favorite Park flick is MACISTE IN KING SOLOMON'S MINES. There are a couple of Tarzan stories written by Burroughs like Tarzan and the City of Gold and Tarzan and the Lost Empire that read like Maciste adventures. But this movie has the feel of a Tarzan adventure. Maybe it's the Africa setting. In any case if you haven't seen this one before give it a peek. Not only is Park great performing feats of strength you have Wandisa Guida , one of those incredibly sexy women who were always turning up in these flicks, playing a sadistic she who must be obeyed-type. 




At JUDO COMICS we have our own strong man, the Golden Adonis: