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Bettie Page photographer Sam Menning was responsible for many
photographs used by Lenny Burtman (Burmel/Selbee), John Willie and many
others. Sam Menning's education ceased at the seventh grade. Sam Menning
had dreams of defending his country like many other young men during the
1940s. At the age of sixteen, Sam Menning got into the Navy by lying
about his age. Sam Menning spent one hellish Christmas floating in a
lifeboat around somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Sam Menning would focus
on the making his photograph interesting even with a model like Bettie
Page standing before him. That is the reason his photographs turned out
so well and why they are memorable. Sam Menning had a lingerie store in
New York City and supplied the Klaws some with outfits that Bettie Page
wore and even helped them set up a few times. Sam Menning remembers
shooting Bettie Page in 6" heels and a leather outfit. When you really
think about it, Bettie Page with that face of hers, her feet stuffed
in 6" heels, a leather outfit and carrying a whip is something very
powerful.
Sam Menning really liked keeping himself amused by trying new things
while photographing his models. At one point during Sam Menning's
career, he was so prolific that he was responsible for producing
photographs for over 90% of Gargoyle Publications. Sam Menniong also did
work for Satellite Publications. Sam Menning was very active in his
later years and utilized his talent in movies, TV shows and commercials
as an actor mainly playing old curmudgeons. See Sam Menning's
filmography at
imdb
it's really interesting! If any members have better scans of the
following, please submit them: 000, 033, 034, 035, 039, 045, 057, 079,
092, 095, 096, 097, 099, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 109,
110, 112, 113, 115. 10" on the short side is preferable.
Also not sure if 110-116 is Menning.
Many thanks to Henry Feldstein for contributions on this page!
Anyone interested in a vintage photo of Bettie Page by Sam Menning can contact me for details.
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