''Jem'' was a magazine founded by

Joe Weider Joseph Weider (; November 29, 1919 – March 23, 2013) was a Canadian bodybuilder and entrepreneur who co-founded the International Federation of BodyBuilders (IFBB) alongside his brother Ben Weider. He was also the creator of Mr. Olympia, Ms. O ...

in the 1950s as entertainment for heterosexual men. First Issue is November 1956 with

Candy Barr Juanita Dale Slusher (July 6, 1935 – December 30, 2006), better known by her stage name Candy Barr, was an American stripper, burlesque dancer, actress, and adult model in men's magazines of the mid-20th century. During the 1950s, she receive ...

on the cover. The monthly periodical was encouraged by American News distributors which asked Weider to start a competitor publication to rival the success

Hugh Hefner Hugh Marston Hefner (April 9, 1926 – September 27, 2017) was an American magazine publisher. He was the founder and editor-in-chief of ''Playboy'' magazine, a publication with revealing photographs and articles which provoked charges of obsc ...

had achieved with ''

Playboy Magazine ''Playboy'' is an American men's Lifestyle magazine, lifestyle and entertainment magazine, formerly in print and currently online. It was founded in Chicago in 1953, by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from H ...

''. ''Jem'' published photos of topless

model A model is an informative representation of an object, person or system. The term originally denoted the Plan_(drawing), plans of a building in late 16th-century English, and derived via French and Italian ultimately from Latin ''modulus'', a mea ...

s and featured articles about dining, nightlife, and wine. Its companion magazine was ''Monsieur''. ''Jem'' was quickly successful although Weider says that he was never very interested in its viability. A number of ''Jem'' issues feature Weider's wife, model

Betty Brosmer Betty Chloe Brosmer (born August 2, 1935), later known by her married name Betty Weider, is an American former bodybuilder and physical fitness expert. During the 1950s, she was a popular commercial model and pin-up girl. After marrying magazi ...

, on their covers. The February 1960 issue of ''Jem'' features fiction, humor, article, and models.

Gypsy Rose Lee Gypsy Rose Lee (born Rose Louise Hovick, January 8, 1911 – April 26, 1970) was an American burlesque entertainer, stripper and vedette famous for her striptease act. Also an actress, author, and playwright, her 1957 memoir was adapted into ...

is the feature interview. Fiction pieces are entitled "The Girl From

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

", "The Nude On The Beach", and "This Guy". The magazine ceased publication in 1968. The magazine is referenced in

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high s ...

's novel '' It'', where Richie Tozier peeks at "the half-undressed girls" in his father's magazines. In the book, it is called ''Gem''.

References

Men's magazines published in the United States Monthly magazines published in the United States Defunct magazines published in the United States Magazines established in 1956 Magazines disestablished in 1968 Pornographic men's magazines {{mens-mag-stub