Strength & Health, page 12, November 1947
THE naked realism of Budd Schulberg's recently released "The Harder They Fall" wields a powerful crusading blow against the evils of ruthless exploitation that are so rampant in the professional prize fight business. Unquestionably a considerable number among you have read this thinly veiled novel in the complete book presentation or in the condensation appearing in the September, 1947 issue of The Reader's Digest. Very likely the sordid incidents of this "inside" revelation proved rather shocking to many readers. Yet we are too well acquainted with the fact that exploitation flourishes in a number of fields of human endeavor, though not as crudely and brutally as in the professional boxing game.
In reading through "The Harder They Fall" my thoughts at times subconsciously shifted to Rene Leger because he, like Toro Molina, the central character of Budd Schulberg's novel, has been a victim of exploitation. This parallelism surmounted all the dissimilarities in their experiences and background. How vividly I remember my first meeting with Rene Leger in New York City though approximately three years have elapsed. That this Canadian Apollo, like Toro Molina was not "wise to the ways of the world" was obvious from the beginning of our association. Rene's happy-go-lucky spirit and unsophistication were very much in evidence in his jubilant but yet spellbound reaction to this metropolis during the course of this initial visit. Besides being attracted to his appealing personality, I was very much impressed by his extraordinary physical development. One did not need to be an expert to realize that Rene Leger could be classified as a "natural" in the same sense that a number of outstanding strongman athletes, such as John Davis, George Hackenschmidt and Arthur Saxon, belong in this category. Conversation with this congenial French Canadian confirmed this assumption for he, in an unassuming manner openly, revealed facts about his background which substantiated this supposition. Though Rene then was not the superman in physique that he is at present he very definitely was remarkable in a physical sense. Incidentally, he did not weigh 30 pounds less than he does now. In fact at that time his normal bodyweight was approximately the same, if not more, than his usual present-day weight of 182 pounds.
After this first meeting with Rene a period of two years elapsed before we met again. This second visit occurred when I made a trip to Camp Maupas in Canada through the invitation of my good friend Frank Galiardi; an outstanding physical culture athlete who has long been Prof. Maupas' chief assistant at this camp. Here at this ideal physical culture resort I was able to observe Rene to advantage in his natural kind of habitat. In New York City he was "lost" and here amid the picturesque Laurentian Mountains he was at "home" and able to properly utilize his physical ability. Even during the course of this brief visit at Camp Maupas I had the opportunity to witness Rene indulge in a variety of athletic activities, including swimming, canoeing and a friendly rough and tumble wrestling bout. On this occasion I also observed the then future "Mr. Canada" demonstrate an exercise routine and provide a muscle posing display at a public exhibition. His demonstration proved an outstanding success on this program. It was very evident that his magnetic personality "clicked" with the audience as well as his physical demonstration. Observing his impressive display at this exhibition one could more fully appreciate his physical merits. That he was already qualified for stardom among body builders was certain.
Less than a month after this association with Rene at Camp Maupas he participated in the "Mr. Montreal" physique contest. I was not at all surprised to learn that he was victorious in this major event. This competition included many of Canada's most outstanding physique athletes, such as Ed Theriault, Ovila Asselin, Allan Paivio, Joffre L'Heureux, Paul Hebert and Leo Robert. In this triumph over such prominent and worthy competitors Rene firmly established himself as a star body builder.
Not long after Rene won the "Mr. Montreal" title I read some publicity which stated he "was a typical thin man, and within 9 months of training developed the phenomenal physique as here shown." This concocted statement did not surprise me for the motives could be readily analyzed. Some months later I commenced to read that this superman had won his astounding proportions and had gained 30 pounds of bodyweight in less than nine months during which time he supposedly employed with steady training a particular system of exercise. The information Rene had divulged to me made aware of the fact that he was being utilized as a "springboard" in this commercial ballyhoo. Having some knowledge as to the type of treatment he was receiving made this manipulation all the more regrettable. Being especially good natured and openly genuine seems to encourage some people to endeavor to take advantage of Rene. Very recently some publicity concerning Rene was released through a new channel and here again there was evidence of his being used as a "springboard."
Prior to attending the North American Weightlifting Championships and "Mr. Canada" contest at Montreal during the Labor Day holiday period, I again visited at Camp Maupas in the interior of the Province of Quebec. This vacation session was for a much longer period than the brief visit of last year. During the course of my stay at this physical culture center I had the opportunity to spend considerable time with Rene. Besides participating in athletic activities with him, such as swimming, I had the opportunity to greatly add to my observations of his training. Through chats with him I acquired considerable information as to his background and experiences.
Fame and success in winning the "Mr. Montreal" title have definitely not given this handsome athlete an inflated ego. His attitude of modesty was evident in connection with the recently conducted "Mr. Canada" contest. Rene instead of being optimistic, underestimated his chances in this most important Canadian physique contest. He was pleasantly surprised and elated when he was selected as the winner of this title. Once again he rated higher than his chief rival, Allan Paivio of McGill University. It was obvious from the reaction of the audience at the conclusion of this contest that they as a group endorsed the decision of the judges. This competition was sanctioned by the A. A. U. and conducted by the Province of Quebec Weightlifting Associacion in conjunction with the North American Weightlifting Championships. Plans have been made to hold a similar type of physique competition in the same city less than two months later than the officially conducted "Mr. Canada" contest. It will be unfortunate if this commercially sponsored project serves to detract from the A. A. U. event. Rene Leger certainly deserves full credit and praise for being the winner of the first official "Mr. Canada" contest.
This French Canadian superman was born in the city of Montreal on the 15th of January, 1923. Is the youngest of a family of ten children. Weighed considerably above average at birth. As a child he was free from the common children's diseases. This state of super-health has proved to be enduring. Unquestionably his hereditary background has played an important role in his being a "natural" in an extraordinary physical sense. Rene's father is athletically inclined and considerably stronger than average. In fact, there is much similarity between Rene's physique and his father's. Rene's paternal grandfather performed as a circus weightlifter during his youth. One of Rene's brothers was outstanding as a long distance runner and another was an expert hockey player. All of them were active in sports. Rene's mother is large boned and very strong for a woman. She was a school teacher.
Rene attributes the major portion of his interest, knowledge and progress in body building directly to his father. When he was a young boy his father encouraged him to exercise and commenced teaching him how to perform a wide variety of movements. This current "Mr. Canada" stresses the fact that he is not the product or pupil of any course or system. Gives credit to his father for most of his knowledge of training methods.
Though he has only employed barbells and dumbells in his training for approximately three years, he has utilized his muscles to a strenuous degree in heavy lifting activities of a work nature since in his teens. In fact, Rene commenced working "in the bush" as a lumberjack when in his early teens. Being stronger than average made it possible for him to engage in such arduous work as a youth. Over the years he has worked during the active seasons in lumber camps. Besides working at this strenuous occupation he has employed his brawn in doing other forms of labor involving the lifting of tons during the course of a day's work. Years of heavy physical work, plus his exercising activities under his father's guidance as a boy, enabled Rene to possess an extraordinary physical foundation when he commenced to devote his efforts to body building seriously. Again it should be pointed out that Rene's bodyweight when he started to train with barbells and dumbells was approximately the same as it is at present. Rene's favorite barbell exercises are the bench press and pull-over. Among the dumbell movements he prefers the curl and reverse curl. He employs the weights as a medium of body building exercise and does not strive to become a lifter. His training activities cover a broad scope and involve a number of forms of athletics. This Canadian superman has exceptional endurance and is powerful. For example, on one occasion while working as a lumberjack he carried a log weighing more than double his body-weight on one shoulder for a distance in excess of 100 yards while walking through mud.
At a height of 5 feet 9 inches the "Mr. Canada" title holder has recently been weighing approximately 182 pounds. His neck measures 17 inches, the right upper arm flexed 17½ inches and the left upper arm a half inch less. There is nearly a difference of 20 inches between the girth of his waist and the circumference of his chest. His chest normally measures 47 inches and his waist is usually 28 inches in girth. His thighs measure 24 inches and the calves are 15½ inches at the maximum circumference.
Rene's entry for the forthcoming "Mr. Universe" physique contest has been received. He will be a very worthy contestant in this international event. His plans for the future are not definite but we can assume with confidence that he will continue with his training activities. Indulgence in athletics and strenuous physical activities is an inherent part of his makeup. Though he has been in the spotlight of fame for a comparatively brief period it can be safely said that the name Rene Leger will long endure in the physical culture world as a star among body builders, This handsome impressively developed athlete has deservedly earned his rank as a leader in this field.
- The facial handsomeness and appealing personality of RENE LEGER are very evident in this fine portrait study. Photo by Tony Lanza of Montreal.
- This snapshot photo of RENE LEGER was taken near Camp Maupas shortly before he won the "Mr. Canada" title. His impressive arms and fine torso development are displayed to advantage in this pose.
- The three finalists in the "Mr. Canada" contest, left to right, VIC SCALZA, third (elsewhere he's listed sixth); AL PAVIO, second and the winner, RENE LEGER.
- Though RENE LEGER is photogenic he certainly is not flattered by photos. He is just as impressive in person as he appears in medium. This is one of the many admirable photos of Rene that the famed Canadian photographer, Tony Lanza, has taken of him.
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