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Saturday, March 14, 2015
Blast From The Past: Greg Bradford
As is often the case, many of my blog features, especially some of the Blast From The Past pieces, end up being spin-off's from previous stories I worked on. Back in January, I did a piece entitled Boogie Oogie Oogie after seeing the 80's flick Roller Boogie on TCM's Saturday night cult film series. When goggling images for the piece, I came upon the image above from the 1979 flim, Skatetown U.S.A.
The film starred Patrick Swayze, who from the add above, seemed to think it might be his claim to fame. Swayze had to wait a few more years for his star to rise as Skatetown U.S.A didn't really do much for any of the young cast. Joining Swazye were Scott Baio, Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady) along with Ruth Buzzie, Flip Wilson, Katherine Kelly-Lang, Ron Palillo and and Hollywood's answer to a male blonde bombshell, actor Greg Bradford.
Greg intimately stood out to me when googling the films, not just because of his blonde California boy next door look but because he really seemed to have been marketed at the time as simply the blonde body. Greg's career was short, a few films and television shows (Facts Of Life, CHiPs) spanning from his first role as a dancer in Grease, through his last role role, in film entitled Vendetta just eight years later.
Does It bother Greg Bradford that he may emerge as a teen idol when Skatetown USA is released?
As girls glance admiringly, much to their boyfriends snarling displeasure, at his tanned body clad only in nylon shorts, Greg does a double flip and retorts. 'Not at all, I would love it,' he exults in a frisky puppy-dog tempo. 'Recognition of whatever kind is what anybody works for, so that's what I want!'
AfterDark January 1980
When acting roles dried up, Bradford moved back to his dancing roots and did a bit of choreography. He worked into the 2000's as an editor, composer and even as a camera operator using the name Montel Bradford.
Greg certainly did have an incredible look, not just that blonde hair and great body but those legs of his, clearly from all his roller skating and dancing, look great in his short jean shorts on wheels. Greg also has the most beautiful blue eyes that light up in images and on screen.
Capitalizing on those killer looks, Greg worked with the Chippendales in the eighties, even representing them on the cover of the 1983 International calendar.
Let's Do It (1982)
In my first round of research, I came up with a bit of info and a few great shots, but in a second go around I came upon the Greg's work in the 1982 flick Let's Do It!. Took me awhile to find a copy as like many movies from the early 80's, it has not made the leap to DVD. VHS copies can be found, but at a hefty price. The movie's premise is flimsy but fun with Greg's character Freddie dealing with a heavy dose of sexual anxiety brought on by a few too man years of suckling on his mothers breasts.
Greg, and his acting, remind me a bit of Christopher Atkins in The Blue Lagoon, earnest, but unpolished. Like Atkins though, his likeability keep you interested. There are tons of sexual situations, and nudity in the film, but given the poor grainy quality, it was not really worth trying to cap them. If you watch the two videos below, you will see most of Greg, although not very clearly. Be warned, in order to see Greg, and his lovely tan lined behind, you must be willing to enjoy a heaping amount of beautiful boobs both real and fake.
Greg Bradford by Greg Gorman for AfterDark
Gentle Charm: DanielC by BPetersonPhotos
'Danny is the perfect model, he's sexy and beautiful, but very humble and appreciative of the chance to be in front of the camera. I'm a sucker for great eyes, and Danny's are beautiful. He’s truly one of my favorite models, and one of the sweetest guys I know.'
From the first second I laid eyes on Seattle photographer Barry Peterson's work with DanielC, I knew I wanted to feature him on FH. Daniel has such an amazing look, full of both beauty and contrast. I love his incredible skin, smooth and flawless. I also love the contrast between Daniel's silky skin with tats, black hair and brown eyes. Those brown eyes, along with his grin, and little smirk create great visuals that were all captured perfectly through the lens of BPetersonPhotos.
Barry initially connected with Daniel through Model Mayhem and after the usual back and forth, they met for coffee to discuss doing a shoot. Barry liked Daniel right away. A family man, Daniel clearly adores his wife and kids. Also, despite multiple combat tours, which included being injured by a bomb blast, Barry found Daniel to be incredibly sweet with gentle charm he felt instantly.
Barry knew he wanted to capture that charm, not to mention those gorgeous brown eyes. On their first shoot, they did mostly sporty and underwear shots. Danny didn't want to do full nudes until he had exited the military. Barry did however notice, that during the shoot, the less clothing he had on, the more lively he was in front of the camera.
Given you can clearly see I have included some full nudes in this piece, there was another shoot, after Daniel had left the service. Although initially a bit nervous, Daniel and Barry worked slowly, and Barry let Daniel set the pace. It obviously worked as Daniel looks relaxed and completely at ease.
'Working with Barry was wonderful, he captured every part of me, from every angle. I never thought I would be someone who would be appealing to others. I love his work but never thought that the pictures would make me look as good as the final images turned out.'
DanielC
'The mirrors are kind of a "see it and steal it" from Greg Gorman, I have three prints from a shoot he did with Christopher Atkins in which he incorporated mirrors. I liked the idea, so I started experimenting with it. I always have mirrors in the studio, so the models can use them as they're posing and I'm still figuring out focal points and angles.'
The Bottom Line
It finally started melting this week just as another blizzard swings through tonight...
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