It's hard to believe that this image of Kent Strom by the photographer Stan of Sweden is over 50 years old. For me it reeks of the erotic and yet it's perfectly decent, not even a suggestive lump in the trunks. 

The model has a striking face and a beautifully muscled body but his underlying 'heroic' pose here is relatively mundane, beefcake stuff. However the photographer has artfully enhanced the classic tapered torso effect using a slight twist in the body and clever shadowing of the upper buttock. It creates a forward thrusting body line which is neatly finished by the shape of the model's trunks disappearing between his legs.

The same skill in lighting draws attention to the model's plentiful, blond, body hair which was (and is still) usually shaved off for photos. It does appear to have been trimmed around the lower abdomen and to some extent it's washed out by glare, but the faint, stubble-like traces that remain visible are actually sexier than a bush would be. Similarly, that front thigh hair is oh, so sexy and the photographer has somehow contrived to make it disappear at the very edges of the trunks so that the modest pouch appears to glow from within with it's hidden delights.  

The trunks themselves also enhance the model's torso shape, they are relatively skimpy for the era with a plunging waistline and arched leg openings that skirt across the top of the buttocks (tactfully shaded at the rear). The laced up sides are possibly the most overtly suggestive element of all but appear to be tightly knotted for the sake of decency. The shaping of the front of the pouch is similarly restrained and hidden by the dark colour but a solitary break in the outline gives enough idea of substance within which would fit neatly into a cupped hand.

A final, scarcely noticeable stroke of genius on the part of the photographer is the inclusion of lighter coloured triangles at the bottom corners of the picture. These accentuate the tapering of the body and draw the eye downwards. It's almost as through the model is trapped within a vase-like shape, a faintly mitchmen-esque association.

~

There are many images by Stan of Sweden on the net but they are usually not labelled well enough to find easily and many are ignored anyway by search engines because they are too old. Homobilia has a small collection of images by Stan with other interesting examples of his photographic skill and subtle sense of the erotic.

 Kurt licked his hand where the rose thorn had caught him. He wondered if he dared to go to the kitchen to get a plaster, but he would probably be whipped if he was found in there again with the housekeeper. 

His owner seemed to delight in setting little traps for him round the garden, the rambling rose that had just snagged him had the most vicious thorns he had ever seen. He was not allowed to wear clothes whilst working with the borders which left him exposed to all manner of insects, nettles, brambles and other thorny shrubs which had been allowed to invade the plot following the unexplained disappearance of his predecessor. The sole concession to his comfort and safety were his skimpy trunks which were made of a tough, shiny fabric. That sufficed to keep the plants away from his manhood, but the garment had the reverse effect on his master's hand which was forever reaching out to cup his pouch while he was giving him instructions.

Many other slaves, condemned to endless hard labour in the fields would envy him this position in a rich man's household. He even got time off for weight training to maintain his muscular physique, for goodness sake. It was a physique which would normally have landed him a debilitating, heavy lifting job in a factory or building site. But he had been acquired for decorative purposes, a garden adornment, like a living statue. He was a centre of attraction at the master's garden parties. He had his own special plinths in the garden where he would pose in the classical manner for the amusement of guests, sometimes for hours at a time and long into the night, even after the guests had retired inside out of the evening chill. Dramatic lighting would be switched on so they could still admire him from the windows. 

His gardening job was just something to keep him occupied doing something useful and out of the way between those public duties. It didn't matter that he knew nothing of plants and horticulture when he had started, his master was always at hand to instruct him, correct him and give him punishment when he earned it for his mistakes. His master was an imaginative punisher so he had become a fast learner. 

When he was a free man, Kurt had been a cop and had delighted in working out and casually displaying his muscular bulk in a specially tailored, tight-fitting uniform. He was not afraid to use it either. Criminals quailed when he stopped them for interrogation - and not without cause. He'd been instrumental in rolling up Rocky Stefano's mob after befriending his chief hit-man at the gym. But that career had come to an abrupt end when he had booked an influential politician for drink-driving. A hastily convened disciplinary hearing at the Police Station had seen the damaging ticket cancelled and him despatched to a 'retraining centre'. 

This destination had turned out to be a slave auction at the other end of the country. He'd not even been able to say goodbye to his family. He was in peak condition at that time, competition fit, and the auctioneers had prepared him for sale so artfully that the bidders had almost literally fought over who should aquire him. The farmers and factory owners had soon dropped out leaving a small group of rich 'fanciers'. They had chased the price to a level that had astonished the whole room, including Kurt himself.

Kurt was no dummy, he was flattered by the money men were prepared to pay to own him, but fully realised that the winner would want his moneysworth in return. More than just inferior gardening skills and the capacity to amuse at parties. That morning his had master showed him his latest display plinth, acquired for a very special birthday celebration. It had been installed in the central hall of his grand house, inside the curve of the majestic staircase. It was shaped like a large rock and fetters and chains had been set into it. On the night of the party Kurt would be chained there so that all the guests could admire him.

Kurt had no choice about this of course and on the evening of the party, while the frantic last minute preparations were in progress, he reported to the hall in his normal 'party' thong, ascended the plinth and was put into the chains by two of the servants. It left him stretched over a projection of the rock with arms stetched out in a diagonal line which canted his body to one side and created a splendid view of his anatomy, if only he could have seen it. The master came to inspecf him and ordered him to shift his feet which improved the pose further, but was more uncomfortable for Kurt. Satisfied, the master signalled his flunkies to apply a dressing of oil to Kurt's body.

Soon guests began to arrive cooing with admiration at Kurt's dramatic tableau and understandably eager to touch to make sure it was all real. But as the festivities gathered pace Kurt was soon forgotten and left to the increasing torture of his artificial pose. Meanwhile, all the talk of the guests turned to wondering who the mystery Guest of Honour would be, a man of considerable importance it was said. 

At 11pm a grand limousine pulled up outside the house and Kurt's master hurried to greet his guest and led him into the hallway. A cold wind accompanied him into the house, it gusted across Kurt's strainng torso. The new arrival could not fail to see him displayed on his rock. He wandered over taking off his dark glasses to get a better view. 

"Well, well, well" said Rocky Stefano, newly released from jail on appeal, "if it isn't my old cop friend, Kurt". He was carrying a short cane and tapped it thoughtfully against his leg. "I've been looking forward to this reunion, Kurt. Stay right where you are. I'll be back later, then we can go somewhere private to talk about the old times".

He saluted and walked off laughing to enjoy the party.

Kurt tugged fearfully at his chains. The rock he was spread on wasn't real but it was solid enough to retain the fetters and they certainly were. 

Muscle-Morph Art by Bigbergman - blue jeans and huge pecs

I have been on restricted access to the net for a couple of weeks due to a house move, so approval of new memberships to the mitchmen Google Group and the mitchmen archive at Adonis Male  have been delayed. 

Apologies to those affected, I've now approved all outstanding requests. 

Mitchell

(I'll let you know how I get on with the Big Man!)

 This story is one of Amalaric's most satisfying reads with a neat compactness that qualifies it for the 'Lollipops' section of this mitchmen survey (Part 9) but it also contains a substantial section describing the nature of life as a slave, making it slightly more suitable for Part 8, 'A Slaves Life', so I've effectively designated it as a 'Part 8 and a half'

819 Amalaric - The Chatterley Estate

Builders and workmen form a major source of grist for Amalaric's stern mill, but hunky, gardening types are almost equally popular. In this story, Jim Oliver arrives in the UK, fresh out of Aussie horticultural college and lands a job on the Chatterley Estate. These are ancient, hereditary lands centred on an imposing Gothic pile with a somewhat sinister appearance, evident in the image above. Amalaric revives the equally ancient job of 'Forester' for Jim, which is about as near as you can get in the UK to being one of those homoerotic lumberjacks so revered by Tom of Finland. 

Amalaric's picture gives a sense of how impressed and pleased Jim is with his new situation. He throws himself into his duties with enthusiasm and his readiness to expose his torso to the summer sun soon catches the eye of Lady Chatterly. She is the sister of the Lord of the Manor and proves to be another Amalaric femme fatale. She duly makes advances and Jim reciprocates, adding her to his own, considerable list of conquests in a nearby barn. The earthy experience so impresses the cultured Lady C that she can't resist bragging about it and disparaging the sex life of her brother, who is gay.

Lord C's explicit characterisation as a gay man is unusual for Amalaric (Bobby and his accomplice in 24 hours are the only other characters I can recall who are described in that way, see Part 3, image 312 et seq). Amalaric's other predators usually seem to have gay leanings, but it's implied and not entirely confirmed by their actions. It's often quite hard to say whether their interest in manipulating other men is really about sex at all or simply a way of wielding power over them.

Having sown the seeds of discord, Lady C leaves on a 3 months holiday to escape the English winter. No sooner has she departed than Lord C accuses Jim of raping her. There are many echoes of the story of Steve Delgado here – a man isolated in an unfamiliar jurisdiction and falsely accused of rape with the key witness conveniently absent (see Part 6, Cruel Justice). However, the motives are different here, putting Jim in prison and out of reach of his sister is the last thing on Lord C's mind.

English aristocrats no longer enjoy the possibilities of cruel, unbridled power available to the ruthless Arizona Sheriff in 'Steve Delgado', (in fact since 'Pride and Prejudice', they've become soft stereotypes for aspirational romance in the manner of Mills & Boon and Disney). Nevertheless Lord C's money and position enables him to threaten the spunky, defiant Aussie with considerable unpleasantness and brutality. 

It's a ploy of course, to cajole him into submitting to a private, off-the-record, punishment arrangement (in the manner of Todd Sanders and Ryan in 'Bobby' - see Part 3- Hunks and their Manipulators). In these circumstances, a three month contract of unpaid work, to compensate the Chatterley family for his insult, seems to offer Jim an easy way out. 

This is similar to the arrangement Dave McGuinness makes with the banker in '24 hours' in order to pay off his parents' debts. Amalaric's refinement and intertwining of themes familiar from other stories is a pleasing and satisfying feature of this yarn (fans of Wagner's complex music will understand the effect).

820 Amalaric - Jim Waiting For The Master

Having thus signed away his freedom, Jim reports to the big house next day to begin his reparations with a summary punishment. He is taken down into the basement, forced to strip down to his underwear and humiliatingly groped. Then he's left to stew for seven hours with a flail ominously hanging in plain sight on the wall. Jim's isolation and realisation that he faces an unimaginable, barbaric punishment is nicely captured in the image above. His fears are realised when the lackeys return and chain him to a post. Lord C arrives to cut off his underpants and personally administers a lengthy punishment with the flail.

821 Amalaric - Jim Leads Them To The Scene Of The Crime

The flogging is just the beginning of Jim's ordeal. Next, he is forced to lead them, still stark naked and raw with pain, to the barn where his lust led him into this trap. The strange procession is joined by curious servants and estate workers as they pass by. Jim shows them all where he had sex with Lady C. Having thus apparently confessed to the 'crime', he is tied down over bales of hay in the same spot and subjected to a rather different sexual invasion by first the Lord himself and then a succession of burly estate workers. Although Lord C is gay, Amalaric gives us no reason to suppose his men are, their participation in Jim's deflowering seems to have more to do with laddishness opportunism and loyalty to the Lord than sexual desire

This scene and Jim's preceding sexual encounter with Lady C are explicitly described which is unusual for Amalaric. All his stories are infused with erotically loaded events but sex does not usually go beyond forced milking, though more is sometimes hinted at.

822 Amalaric - Jim Is Fitted With A Chastity Device

As a final insult and fitting punishment for his supposed misdeeds, Jim is forcibly fitted with a chastity device (which I think is the only example of such a gadget being employed in Amalaric's stories). He is told that it will only be taken off when he is under supervision - at work, for example. This curious blend of sexual sadism and pragmatism is typical of Amalaric's enslavement arrangements.

In this picture we see that Jim's new appendage seems to be something of a wonder for the estate workers who linger and ogle the embarrassed young Aussie. The nephew character who tormented Tanner in his enslavement story (seen in image 815 from Part 8) also drops in to enjoy Jim's humiliation, hovering with characteristic furtiveness in the background (second left in the grubby vest). This connection gives a hint of Jim's vulnerability to opportunists in his new subservient position.

The long-standing Anglo-Aussie tradition of fierce sporting rivalry and ruthless one-upmanship will give a pleasing twist to Jim's plight for many Brits.

823 Jim Is Put To Work In The Fields

If Jim imagined he would simply return to his old job after this traumatic punishment he soon finds he is mistaken. He is transferred to new quarters - a secure, bare prison cell where his most intimate routines are closely monitored and the food is frugal. He is put to work on unskilled, labour-intensive tasks like tending the windswept fields (above). This one looks like it's going to need a lot of weeding and he's not been given any tools to do it with. As a concession, he is allowed to wear underpants for work but is shacked with leg irons to prevent escape. In the weeks that follow, the estate men prove to be enthusiastic enforcers of Jim's servitude, an authentic if anachronistic adaptation of the British Estate tradition of loyalty to the Lord.

824 Jim Is Put To Work In The Quarry

We also see Jim working in a quarry, manually shifting stones. It's back-breaking work and he hates it as much as the muddy, quarry slave illustrated in picture 817 (from Part 8). The other estate workers delight in 'supervising' him, reminding him of his slave status and administering corporal punishment from time to time. They make sure he's denied any pleasure and given no opportunity for private, sexual relief when he's out of the chastity device. He stumbles across a copy of the original 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' while clearing a barn, but it is taken away from him, an interesting irony.

825 Jim Oliver Milked

Any worries Jim might have had about the estate workers wanting to molest him or repeat his treatment in the barn prove to be groundless and after a month he discovers why. Like Tanner (in Part 8, image 808 onwards), he discovers that there is to be a formal process for relieving the sexual frustration arising from his enforced chastity and it is conducted at monthly intervals.

Lord C performs the task personally in the salubrious surroundings of the Ballroom of the Big House. It's something of an honour for Jim, since a humble barn or cellar serves for most slaves. Chained to a pillar (above) Jim faces this latest humiliation with manly dignity. Lord C brings in his pals and cronies to watch as he forcibly milks his frustrated slave. Inevitably there's a spillage onto the carpet which necessitates an immediate punishment for Jim. There's no shortage of volunteers amongst these public school types to carry it out.

As they discuss the forthcoming Garden Party, Jim realises that his duties as Lord C's slave will not be limited to hard, physical field work. Other tasks, intimate in nature and no less humiliating are coming his way. Still, at least there are only two more months to go........well, that's what he agreed to anyway.......

~

The Garden Party is described in an appendix to Lord Chatterley's Foresterat Gay Bondage Fiction. It's by a different author, Red1skin, but has more pictures by Amalaric  (first chapter of both parts free but it's a subscription site).

This mitchmen series on the 'Art of Amalaric' continues in Part 9a'Lollipops' and you can also read the entire series starting from Part 1 - 'A Slave To Passion'

Ehrlik - Booty of the Ivory Isles

 A place where beautiful men seem to grow on trees, ripe for the plucking.

The low-hanging fruit will always attract opportunists.

Other work by Ehrlik at this blog

 This belt might have once been a trophy too, it's blingy character having great appeal to a certain type of man, appeal even greater than the basic, showy, belt buckle beloved of cowboys and flaunted by others in previous postings in this mitchmen series.

However, this impressively-built man has not simply draped the belt casually round his neck as did Alexsander Freitas in Belt Use No 4 , he's wrapped it round his forearm. This could simply be a way of showing it off to us, but it's somewhat reminiscent of the arm bindings used by fighters. 

Used in that context the studs and stones decoratively embedded in it would become quite dangerous. So there's an element of menace here which the stony, almost belligerent expression of the muscular model and the skull and crossbones motif of his buckle do absolutely nothing to dispel. 

Is this the arm equivalent of the studded, knuckleduster beloved of street-fighters?
(Not to mention queer-bashers)

Is it a sort of 'forearm duster'?

I dare say our model here is as much a pussy as everyone else and might point to the defensive qualities of this arrangement. Let's face it, if you walk around wearing a bejewelled belt like this, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. In the picture, he actually seems to be clutching it to his chest as though someone has just demanded that he surrender it. Probably just the photographer who provided it in the first place.

For others in this series at mitchmen, click on the 'belts' label below 

1

We find Jeff sitting in a garage, tied to a vintage, Spanish-style, dining chair.
An off-screen interrogator questions him about his involvement in a recent robbery.

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The lights go out, leaving Jeff alone to ponder his confession.

Bound to Please 1 (back cover)

The captive, Jeff Golden is not exactly a household name in gay circles although the site I checked described him as 'legendary'. He had average guy looks but a nice smooth body and very photogenic tackle (both of which feature in part 2 of this mitchmen posting). He also appeared in Spank 'em Hard, a video with a well-known cover image though I'm not familar with it's contents. Spanking is a genre which is not a passport to instant facial recognition I would say. He also seems to have done lots of straight movies with some of the stars of that era like Ron Jeremy.

1

When Jeff's interrogation is resumed on day 2, his clothes have been restored to their normal positions.
But he's now stretched out, inside a square frame, his limbs forming an inverted 'Y' shape 

The scene has shifted away from the draughty garage door of the opening images to a backdrop of bare bricks which suggests a more serious incarceration. 

2

It's not a normal position for verbal questioning and you sense his rising panic,
suspecting that far worse is in prospect than yesterday's invasive tweaking.

3

Sure enough his jeans are loosened and lowered once again.
In this stretched upright position his groin feels even more exposed than before

4

But once again his own inner excitement is also revealed.
The dropping of his jeans has dragged his underpants down too
They sit across his hips revealing a fuzzy crown.

5

The interrogator's hand caresses his thigh,
easing the waistband of his underpants even further downwards....

6

Gradually revealing the root of his most private and vulnerable parts.....

7

.....and then finally grabbing the prize and squeezing the bunch.

Producing superb, delicious shaping!

8

Jeff recoils from the groping glove, backing away
but he's trapped, there's no escape for him.
His balls are twisted and tweaked mercilessly.

9

Leaving Jeff sagging, shocked, groaning and aching.....
....and yet still inexplicably(?) aroused.

The trainers and 'half mast' jeans and underwear here underline the invasive nature of the assault he has suffered far more succinctly than total nudity ever could.

10

He turns away to protect himself and hide his shame and embarrassment.
But the jeans around his ankles hinder this manoeuveur,
making him look clumsy and foolish, he's humiliated.

Notice that by twisting round, Jeff has pulled his wrists together, increasing the severity of what we see now is the only point of restraint. He can look down and see his sagging garments, but there's no way of retrieving them.

11

His desperate pulling at the chains now unwittingly, presents a new target to his tormentor
as his swirling, billowing shirt uncovers luscious buns.
You might not think Jeff's face is especially handsome, but his butt certainly is.

From this point onwards, Jeff's twisting and turning begin to look like a simulation of a corporal punishment situation with him seeking to escape a rain of blows directed at his tender cheeks. However, we see no hand or slapper and no sound effect other than his grunts and groans.

12

Nevertheless, the clenching of his buttocks and their rosy sheen in this image
certainly give the impression of a response to a sharp slap.

Even if you don't buy that interpretation it's still a great image.
Rarely can shirt-lifting have seemed such an enjoyable pastime!

13

His dipped head and tensed body here suggests he's bracing himself.

Jeff's loose fitting shirt and sagging underwear are only inches away from providing him with some modesty and a degree of self respect (if not actual physical protection) but in this stretched position he can't do anything about it and instead they just draw attention to the tantalising sight of his bare ass. 

14

This upward viewpoint creates a glimpse of more erotic possibilities between his legs
But this potential is not realised, regrettably. Not even with a groping glove.

This scene ends with Jeff in deep trouble

~

In a way, these old, fuzzy images continue the recent 'strip tease' theme at mitchmen, although the forced captivity context is quite different to the self-inflicted consequences of an ill-judged bet. For me the slow, involuntary stripping of a man's body is a supremely erotic ritual, but one that is almost completely ignored in modern work. On the other hand, this video only hints at physical torments that are routine and explicit fare these days. However, it draws you into looking at the temptations of succulent flesh and it's a great vehicle for Jeff's great looking, natural body. Nudity addicts need have no fear, however, there is more to come in Part 3.

~

'Bound To Please No 1' is still available to stream at GayHot Movies (but I can't vouch for this site)

Bound to Please 1 (review)

1

 Jeff passes out during the night and wakes on Day 4 to find he has been lowered and seated on a bench.
The chafing cock tie has been removed and his libido is in sprightly 'morning wood' mode, 
apparently unimpaired by it's extended trauma (see end of Part 3).

This image will seem pretty tame to modern bondage afficionados but fans of the male body will enjoy Jeff's fleshy torso and the chunky thighs produced by his outstretched legs (and I dare say the impressive apparatus in-between as well).
 

2

In this final part of this story Jeff is subjected to further restraint, which is more imagined than real.
Thus these last two images seem to simulate the effects of diagonal racking and crucifixion without ever going there. Jeff's flexed feet are a particularly eloquent element. It's as if he's awoken to a nightmare of pain, which was set up while he slept.

3

The persistence of his erection suggests that the idea excites him.

But a sterner test is to follow.

4

Now he's laid upon a bench with his chained arms pulled upwards behind him.
Levering the shoulder joint, it forces the torso down and can become very painful.

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Bazz - Men At War 02

He's not the first and he won't be the last!

Bazz has a knack of finding sexy images to do his manips on.

Bazz - POW 21

I'd say the POW's wistful, 'little boy lost' act is ill-advised in this situation.

I like the way he's rubbing his ankle as though it feels there's something missing.
Like an iron manacle for instance.

Bazz - Soldier 05

 This is a very nice image and Bazz has added a well-thought caption (although I confess I have cropped off the last line which is a bit crude for my taste. View original).

 Other images by Bazz at mitchmen 

(some have links to his blog, some are examples included in a themed collection)

Royale Studio - Sailor Flogged in the Rigging

Above:- One of Royale's incredibly sexy, military photos from the 1960's,
Part of the Royale Studio Open Archive currently being established at mitchmen

~

The table below lists the most popular of the new mitchmen posts published during 2021. I've abandoned the complex calculations I tried out last year and reverted to my old method of simply counting hits with a mention of anomalies in the notes following the table.

(Titles have links to the original posts, overall hits in third column, ranking position based on annualised rate of hits in column 4 ).

IFNB - A Competition Hopeful, Well Pleased with his Progress

Above, an image from the now-defunct IFNB blog (this year's top article) with artwork on the wall by Matt who also figures in the table at No 19. If you're unfamiliar with IFNB (The International Federation of Naked Bodybuilders) click on the link in the table entry below to read the mitchmen review of the organisation.

 The table lists the 20 most visited mitchmen posts during 2021. Commentary notes follow. 

(Titles have links to the original posts, overall hits in third column, ranking position based on annualised rate of hits in column 4 ).

 Next time I will reveal the most popular mitchmen post of all time, based on cumulative hits - did Priapus of Milet manage to keep his spot at the top in 2021 or has he been overtaken by IFNB or Milking Factories?

Thanks to all of you for your continuing interest and support of mitchmen blog.

Keep it tight in 2022!