Used in the Exhibit: Play by Play - A Century of L.A. Sports Photography, 1899-1989. In 1922, Johnny Weissmuller became the first person to swim 100 meters in under one minute. He went on to win three Olympic gold medals in 1924 (plus a bronze in water polo), and two more golds in 1928. After his undefeated amateur career, he moved to L.A. and was signed by MGM for the 1932 film adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan. Donning a skimpy loincloth, Weissmuller yodeled his way to movie stardom. He was the first of many athletes-turned-Tarzan, including Buster Crabbe (swimmer), Herman Brix (shot put), and Glen Morris (decathlete). Photograph dated August 6, 1928.
Weissmuller, Johnny,--1904-1984 Swimmers--United States Olympic athletes--United States Swimming pools Swimming Motion picture actors and actresses--United States Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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