Remarkable pictures show behind the scenes at the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London – in which a pre-James Bond Sean Connery finished third
- The 1953 competition was at The Royal Hotel, Wolburn Place, London, on July 7
- Black and white retro images show then-milkman Sean Connery as number 24
- Pictures show contestants sporting taut abs and muscles in the strong line-up
- Universe Championships are annual worldwide bodybuilding events organised by the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association
A stunning collection of retro pictures shows a glimpse inside the 1953 Mr Universe competition where a pre-James Bond Sean Connery finished third.
The incredible black and white images show the contestants lining up for the judges with then-milkman Sean Connery wearing number 24 and sporting white trunks.
The contest was held at The Royal Hotel, Wolburn Place, London, on July 7 of that year.
Other striking shots show number 38 US Navy soldier Bill Pearl who won the amateur class, contestants limbering up backstage and judges measuring the biceps of the entrants.
Winner Bill Pearl would go on to win the contest five times, and was named ‘World’s Best-Built Man of the Century.’
Arnold Dyson from Liverpool was crowned Mr Universe in the professional division of the competition.
Notable previous winners include bodybuilder, actor, and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, and bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves.
And the 1953 Mr Universe competition marked the beginnings of Connery’s beginnings in acting.
One of the competitors mentioned to him that auditions were being held for a production of South Pacific, and Connery landed a small part as one of the Seabees chorus boys.
By the time the production reached Edinburgh, he had been given the part of Marine Corporal Hamilton Steeves and was understudying two of the juvenile leads.
The Universe Championships are annual worldwide bodybuilding events organised by the National Amateur Body-Builders’ Association (NABBA).
Originally promoted as the Mr Universe contest, the event was expanded to include women’s classes in 1968.
A pre-James Bond Sean Connery pictured fifth from the right of the line-up of the 1953 Mr Universe competition held on July 7 at The Royal Hotel, Wolburn Place, London. Sean Connery finished third in the competition
Judge Joan hunt measures the chest of a contestant at the 1953 London competition as others stand waiting for their turn under the tape measure
A female judge inspects the strong entries to the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London’s The Royal Hotel. Sean Connery can be seen pictured second from the right
Number 12 at the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London shows his incredible physique as he tenses and sports white trunks
Sizing up: Mt Oscar Heidenstam taking the bicep measurements of professional wrestler at the 1953 competition in London
A striking line-up: Judging begins at The Royal Hotel where the competitors of the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London await the decision. Sean Connery stands fifth from the right wearing white trunks and sporting number 24
Limbering up: Contestants in the line-up of the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London as they collect their number from the floor
Winner Bill Pearl wearing number 38 (left) pictured with a fellow competitor at the 1953 competition in London
All angles: The contestants in the line-up show all their angles by turning their backs to the judges at the 1953 competition at London’s The Royal Hotel
Professional Mr Universe Arnold Dyson signs his autograph at the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London
Contestants Jack King (left) from London chats with Jimmy Harris (right) as they assess the Mr Universe 1953 competition in London
Clash of the Titans: Competitors Bert Loveday (left) and Jim Saunders (right) warm up for the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London by tug of war backstage.
Belgium competitor Roger Novaro stretching backstage before he faces the judges at the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London
Mr Universe 1953: Winner Bill Pearl of the US Navy who would go on to win the contest five times, and was named ‘World’s Best-Built Man of the Century’
In the shower area of the backstage dressing room at the 1953 competition at London’s The Royal Hotel. A competitor puts his strength to the test with a dumbbell
Strike a pose: Contestant Norman Guest from Leeds, England, puts his hands on his hips to showcase his strong physique as a cameraman captures his moment on the platform
Judge Joan Hunt and Dave Webster from Aberdeen wearing a kilt at the 1953 competition in London
Using two chairs and a table a contestant at the 1953 Mr Universe competition in London shows he has what it takes as he puts his strength to the test backstage
John Isaacs, from London, winner of the Professional Class 2. John shows his strength by doin push-ups on a bar ahead of the 1953 competition
Number 31 John Lees has his enormous biceps felt by one of the judges at the 1953 competition in London
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A contestant (middle) sits between spectators at the Mr Universe 1953 competition in London as they watch to see who is crowned the champion
Three of the younger members try to catch a glimpse of the London Mr Universe 1953 winner Bill Pearl
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